Not me posting a chapter at 3am.
Not me at all...
Enjoy!
xoxo
Christian
My father hesitated a moment, disregarding the work on his desk completely now. It made me second guess myself, and this entire conversation, before it had even started yet.
"Christian... we've talked about this before-"
"I know." I interject. "I know we have, but I'm not trying to offload the company on my more responsible brother this time." I tried to explain.
It wasn't the best argument, considering I technically was trying to offload the company on my more responsible brother... but I'd argue that offload wasn't the right term here. It was more like splitting the work, except Brad pretty much did everything as is.
Slav set most of his folders on his back credenza, before turning around to face me again. Business papers being cleared always let me know that Slav and I were going to have a conversation... or I was about to get lectured for the next half hour.
"That's not the point, Christian." He reiterated. "You know how much I love Brad. I want nothing more than to give him a part of what your mother and I built.... but it's not that simple." I could see that softness in Slav's eyes.
The look he usually reserved for Brad.
When I was younger, I grew to despise that look. I was too young to understand it's origins.
Slav almost always sided with Brad when we were kids. At the time, all I felt was disapproval on both sides. My mother and father weren't by any means easy to live with... but Slav was always harder on me. I guess that's why I thought that my mothers harshness for Brad was just what evened the playing scale...
But now, I was older. Now I knew more. Now I knew better.
"You've been harder on me before I even took my first breath." I told Slav. "And I accepted that shit. I took that shit and I swallowed it. I shrank every want I had, until it fit your image for this company. I switched my major when you asked me to. I fell out of love when it suited your best interests. I did it all because I understood what sacrifices you and Mum made to get us here. Through all of that, Slav, through all of that... I can say with complete and certain honesty that Brad has sacrificed more."
There was a pause before Slav replied.
He was pondering something, but he didn't give many clues as to what. When he spoke again, I felt my heart drop to my stomach.
"Christian..." those same soft eyes. "I wish there was more I could do. Your mother and I made this decision for everyone's best interest. Though you might not understand it, I have to ask that you respect it."
I understood why my parents made that choice. If I was in their position, I probably would've done the same thing. "But there is something you could do." I replied with a quickness. "You could always pass your role onto Brad."
That made Slav freeze completely.
"You're talking about passing over my COO position."
The way he said it, did a fantastic job of making me feel even more ridiculous for asking.
"Christian, I demoted myself for a reason. If anything were to happen with this company-"
"It hasn't." I interrupted him again. I could tell he was growing irritated with me for doing that. "And it won't. Appointing Brad COO practically guarantees that. Up until this point, we've managed. You've got to have some faith that we'll continue to. Plus, this would give you the opportunity to actually retire from the company, like you've been saying you've done for years now."
This evening, I had my fathers undivided attention. I'd be a liar if I said it didn't make me squirm in this very seat... but I forced myself on. This conversation was past the point of overdue.
It was the dullness of his eyes, though, that had a way of seeing past your soul. Tonight, it was intense.
"When was the last time you conducted business for the company? I can't recall you sitting in for a single meeting since you demoted yourself, and promoted me. Giving this position to someone who's already been associated with the company in the public eye, wouldn't raise nearly as much suspicion as you think. You're not appointing him CEO, but you're giving him the recognition he deserves with a COO title. You're also giving Brad his rightful seat at the Ivanov table."
At this point, I wasn't sure if I pushed Slav's buttons just enough... or too much. We were somewhere on the scale between agreeing with me, and violence.
It was the sigh- the little breath he released, that let me know I would live to see another day.
"This better not be some ploy to spend more time with Alex, Christian. Your duties-"
"Come first. Yes, you love to fucking remind me. In all honesty though, Slav? That's not the case anymore. My duties no longer come before Alex... just like my duties don't come before this family either. I told you I'd work for this company Slav, not fucking die for it." I snapped back. Alex and I were too far into this relationship to even try to lie about it anymore.
What I didn't expect, was the softness Slav lead with, after processing my words. I thought that that feisty paragraph warranted at least some scolding, but that wasn't the case. Instead, he smiled.
"Though I'm not overjoyed by what you said, I understand it. I don't show or tell you it often Christian, but I am proud of you. You got this position partially because you are my son, but mainly because you were ready. I could've just as easily stayed, yet I chose you as my successor.
"I've seen more leadership from you in the almost month I've been here, than every previous year combined. I've seen you make choices- hard choices. Selfless choices. Choices even I'm not sure I would've been able to make with such speeds and care. If being with Alex for moments, changed you in such a profound way, I can't imagine what spending more time with him will do."
I hung onto every word from my father, speechless.
"In terms of Brad..." He released a breath. This one was shakier than the last. "You always did go to war for him. It was never just a battle. Always full on war."
"What can I say. You and mother taught me to go all in with everything." I replied without thinking, but it made Slav crack a grin. That calmed my nerves a bit.
"The love you two have for each other, makes me envious at times. It's a rare thing, being that close to your siblings. Having such a devotion, you'd be willing to risk everything for their happiness."
I felt my heart lighten with his words.
Slav had never talked to me about any of this before. I didn't think he had any fatherly conversations left in him, to be honest.
"I never meant to deprive you of happiness, Christian. I guess my parenting along the way didn't do much to support that claim, did it?"
My eyes had brought on a burning sensation. I hadn't felt it in so long, I almost didn't process the fact that tears were beginning to well up.
"If transferring my position to Brad is what's going to bring you happiness, Christian. True happiness... then I have no problem with doing exactly that."
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