«Je pense, donc Je suis. -Rene Descartes»
«I think. Therefore, I am.»
~~~
Mark called. It was time for my monthly report. I had to tell him what occurred during the month and discussed how I worked in every course, classes I required to take, drop, or study harder.
It was a tasteless call. We were on FaceTime on my laptop for 30 minutes, and I was bored. I was scrolling on Instagram under the table to pass the time while he was talking.
"Would you put your phone down?" He scolded me.
I cringed and listened to him.
"This is important, Xemina, you are in your last year. You need to take this with heart and listen. If not, you are going to fail, and that is the last thing you want."
"You are right. Sorry" I apologized.
"It seems that you are doing wonderful with your lessons. However, you are required to take a mathematical course. Being a chief executive, you will need to understand how to examine graphs and read analysis. I will make sure to talk about this to the administration. Are you along with that?"
"Yes," I yawned.
Mark was the Chief Operating Officer. After dad passed, he also took the President title until I was able to step up. I knew him since I was a baby and was my dad's best friend despite his seriousness. Mark was a good person that cared about me, and he was family.
"We are going to do things differently now. We need to discuss what our plans are. You are graduating soon, and things have changed slightly. "
He paused and showed me a paper.
"We thought it would best for you to start your training at the headquarter in New York instead of going to Michigan."
"Sounds cool."
"Yes, you need to familiarize yourself with your soon-to-be bureau, and also, you will be lodging with your mother."
"Wait, what?" I jumped on my chair. "No, no, Mark!"
"Listen, I know it's a little bit warming, but we need to keep tabs on you."
"So I have to live with my mom? What about giving me an apartment? I can live by myself, and as you can see, I'm already doing it!" I exclaimed.
"I know, I know, but we need an adult to keep watch over you when you are in training and at home."
"So basically babysitting me? It's not like one day, I am going to give up on everything and start smoking crack! Mark, I am turning 18 in four months! I can perfectly take care of myself and have my properties straight!"
"Xemina! Enough! We need someone to keep you motivate and on track. Your mom offered to do so. You are going, that is it"
" I don't have a say in this?"
"No!"
"That is ridiculous! You, out of all people, know why she is doing this. Why are you agreeing?"
He sighed and passed his hand through his short brown hair.
"Xemina, please...don't make this more difficult for us. She is your mother. She is trying to help."
"Help? You are so naive. She never cared about the company or even dad, even me. She hasn't talked to me since San Francisco, and now she wants to house me? She wants to manip-"
"Xemina, please! For the love of God! That is the past, could you please at least listen to her and accept her offer so maybe you both can have some closure because this fuss between you both is outrageous. You are still seventeen. She is your legal guardian. That is it." he raised his voice.
"I would very much prefer to go to Michigan instead," I whispered.
"And I very much doubt that. That is where Julian De Elvero will get trained, and I know you have been reporting a lot to the heads. Is he annoying you?"
"Oh, you know, it's nothing I can't take care of" I crossed my arms confidently.
"I hope so. He is an Elvero. This family thrives in fears, and if he is persecuting you, please tell me so I can take care of that."
"I will make sure of that," I affirmed, knowing that I will never tell him. It's the equivalent of going to cry to your parents when the kid in the playground takes your lollipop.
"This is severe, Xemina. It would be best if you were careful around him. It would help if you kept in mind that he will be your adversary for possibly the rest of your life. One of the reasons you will not go to Michigan, having you that same place with him again will be damaging. Sending you to Trinity Fox was a risky decision. But since that was the only school with the education desired, we had no other choice. However, take it also has an opportunity to learn who he is without giving him too much. That will give you the advantage of knowing who you will be facing. Do you understand?"
"I understand."
___________
Walking to the gate with my hand full of bags, I decided to take the afternoon to shop. I was upset after the call with Mark. I needed air. I couldn't even imagine how my life will be with my mom. The media thought we had a perfect family because we were always together in events and interviews, smiling, telling lies, pretending to be perfect. The truth was she left us when I was 5. Her reason was she wanted to "break free." From what? I had no idea what she meant. My dad was the most honest and brilliant human, which is why he succeeded. He drowned into works after her departure. He loved her, and she was cheating. He couldn't divorce her because that will provoke a scandal that could influence the company. It hurt him seeing her getting into another man's car in secret while he is watching. I could see the love and the feeling of betrayal in his eyes. He was battling his emotions, yet he had to keep this CEO face around cameras. I will never forgive her. I don't understand why I am the one who needs to make a move and ignore when I am her daughter. She never took care of me. Why wasn't she the one contacting me? I hated that everyone was expecting me to forget like my emotions weren't valid.
Frenchie was working tonight. I thought I would pass and said hi, but Shawn was standing in front of the entrance. I took a shortcut to the student parking lots to avoid him. I had enough feelings for today. The shopping and the slight moment of reflection to myself made me hopeful, and I'm not about to let it go.
As long I'm concerned, everyone can go to hell this afternoon.
~~~~
What do you guys think of Xemina's mother?
Q/ What country are you living?