January 15
Today is the day I retire and it is a bittersweet moment. I didn't expect to retire this early but I know it needs to happen according to my many doctors and Stefan who will practically take it away if I don't. I am holding a meeting today at the warehouse to announce my retirement and having Samantha take over. It isn't old new, people know about it and heard the rumors but today is the official announcement.
I got out of my bed and started to get ready for the meeting. I put on my work attire for the last time, I hated wearing it so I am glad that I don't have to wear it anymore. I did a bit of makeup and put on my heels and walked down the stairs. I walked to the kitchen and made myself a smoothie
"Are you ready for today?" Stefan walked into the kitchen grabbing a glass from the cabinet
"Sure" I sarcastically replied as I poured my smoothie into the cup. I start drinking it and sitting on the kitchen chair.
"I will be there to see it. How do you think the crowd will react?" He questioned
"No idea, people have heard the rumors and some don't agree with it while others will follow because they believe in me" I stated
"Well I agree with your decision and if people see that then they will follow too" he replied
"Yeah cause everyone believes Stefan aveline and will follow him because he is a man" I scoffed drinking my smoothie and wanting this day to end already.
"Hey I built that business and was the leader more than you have. I made sure it was always at the best so don't act like just because I am a guy they will always believe me" He replied
"You're acting as if I didn't keep it at the top. I didn't have anyone home to help with the kids unlike you who had me. You can't tell me I didn't work twice as hard when I took over" I exclaimed looking like a maniac as I express how much I have worked. My work has always been overlooked because of Stefan and how much he did but people don't understand how much work I have done.
"I never said that, I am just saying I also worked very hard and I had people against me as well, you are not the only one" He replied. I shut my eyes trying to calm down and I know this isn't good for my blood pressure.
"I'll see you there" I scoffed as I got up from my chair and grabbed my bag and left. I went to Matthew's house since Aaron and I were meeting here.
"Retiring is getting to you?" Matthew asked as he hands me a water
"No, Stefan" I replied
"What happened now? I thought you guys were on good terms" He asked sitting next to me
"I don't know, we got into an argument about how everyone will believe him over me when it comes to this line of work and how I work twice as hard but won't be recognized" I replied
"You know this will happen no matter what. Society has made it where men will be superior and there hard work is more important than women's even if women's is more extraordinary. People will always see Stefan's ruling was better than you because how much he ruled and what he did. No one expected a woman like you to rule and you know how traditional this mafia is but you changed that. You changed it for the better and I hope Samantha can also so people can see women are better" He explained making me feel better
"What about women being better?" Lucy walked into the family room with their daughter Gemma on her hip
"I was explaining how hopefully as Samantha takes over, people will realize women are better" He replied
"Did you hear that Gemma, daddy said we are better and we will always be better than him.. Daddy is gonna do anything for us" Lucy cheered as Gemma started laughing
"You got a good one" I directed to Lucy but pointed to Matthew. Our conversation was interrupted as the doorbell rang, meaning Aaron was here.
"Aaron is here" Matthew announced
"Hello everyone, oh my god is that miss gemma wemma" he exclaimed calling Gemma by her nickname
"Uncle Aaron Waron" she exclaimed as she gestured with her hands she wants Aaron to hold her.
"We should get going soon if we don't want to be late" Matthew stated
"Wait, one more person is coming" Aaron said
"Who?" I questioned as 3 people walked in. It was James, Jenna and Lucas.
"Did you think you can retire without your best friends?" Jenna questioned with her hand on her hip.
"You guys are here" I rushed over to give them a hug. Jenna, James and Lucas don't want to be apart of any mafia related things even though Jenna is married to Aaron she stays away from it
"Of course we are" James replied
"Thank you" I said smiling as I see my family around me. This is how I want to retire, surrounded by family.
"Okay, now let's go. We have a retirement announcement" Matthew clapped. We filed into a big car and drove to the warehouse, once we got there we headed over to the stage and I prepared for the speech I was going to say.
"Are you ready?" Jenna asked
"Nope" I replied
"You got this, I believe in you" she held onto my hand and squeezed it. I got up onto the stage and tested out the microphone before speaking
"Thank you all for coming, it is nice to see everyone here. I have been your leader for 7 years and although it doesn't seem like a long time, it certainly is. I have learned a lot from being your leader that I never expected to learn. I never thought this was going to be my life, I escaped one mafia just to be in another one" I chuckled a bit as the crowd does too understanding it. "I have been through a lot and although I have missed out in a lot of stuff especially in my kids life, I don't regret it. So I would like to say thank you to everyone who stood by my side and accepted me even though I didn't know anything" I laughed trying to turn this sad situation into a happy one. "As many of you guys heard, the rumors are true. I am stepping down and retiring but I am not going to abandon you, I have picked someone to take over. She has worked for me for years and she will lead you in the correct path. I would like to introduce you to Samantha, who will be taking over" I gestured towards Samantha who is sitting on the chair behind me. She got up as I started clapping and stepped up onto the podium
"Thank you everyone, my name is Samantha and I am greatly honored to be your new leader. I want to say thank you to Stassie who has taught me everything and is possibly the greatest teacher I know. I promise everyone that I will lead us into greatness and I hope you will believe in me" She stated
"I actually have an announcement" Matthew stepped up onto the podium cutting off Samantha. I was confused but I am assuming it is about Samantha or me
"I actually want to say that I too will be stepping down" Matthew stated, shock erupting in the crowd. I see Aaron also walking up to the podium, very confused.
"And so will I" Aaron stated. I was madly confused because they never said anything about this.
"Did you know?" I asked Samantha to which she nodded her head
"I would now like to call up Regina and David" Samantha announced making me even more confused. I thought I was the only one retiring but I am so wrong
"You two have been working with me since the beginning and I know you guys would be amazing along with me so I want you to be there with me. You guys will be taking over for Matthew and Aaron" She stated as the crowd erupted in different reactions whether it be shock, happiness, sadness or anything really.
Aaron and Matthew explained to me that every since I was retiring they planned to retire to because they wanted to work with me and not Samantha and they have been in this game for way too long. I was overwhelmed with joy and sadness and didn't know what to think anymore.
Once everything was cleared up and settled, I cleared out my office and headed to the car but before I left people came up to thank me and tell me some information whether it be how much they loved working with me or how much I have done. It was nice to hear it especially since I have been wary about retiring.
Once I finished talking to people I headed to the car and met with the others and started entering the car
"Stassie wait" Samantha caught me before entering the car. "Yes" I turned around to look at her
"Thank you so much, truly this means so much and you have done so much for me" she hugged me tightly, not letting go.
"You're welcome, I know you will do amazing" I said hugging her back. She finally let go and thanked me but I told her she has a business to run and the people need her.
"How are you feeling?" Aaron asked
"I don't know, but I need a drink" I chuckled as the others do too. Matthew is fine with us talking about and is fine being around it. On the way back, Stefan texted me saying that my speech was great and he's happy for me.
Once we got back to Aaron's we started pulling out the drinks and enjoyed each others company. This is our retiring party and I am happy I am not doing it alone
My phone started buzzing and I see it is an unknown number.
Thank you for making sure Gabrielle got home, and talking to her she isn't as distant anymore and I listened to her. You've helped a lot so thank you
I could tell who the text message was from the context. I read over the text one more time and didn't bother to reply and instead crushed my phone under my shoe.
I needed to get a new number anyway
A/N
Hey guys, hope you liked this chapter. What will happen next? Find out next time, see you later byeeee
vote and comment