Page 76 of I Think Olive You

“I don’t like what you’re insinuating. You’re here to sign stating you understood the repercussions of your actions. Unlike usual you won’t be skating by on good looks and your daddy’s money. It’s time to grow the fuck up.”

“That’s the thing though. I have grown up. And with that came a lot of reflection. Whether I get this money or not is irrelevant to me. All I care about is seeing you rot for the harm you’ve done to me and my family.”

Alan rolls his eyes at me. “Always blaming someone else for your shortcomings. When are you going to face up to the fact that you’re nothing? Without your father’s money and his name, you’re worthless. You haven’t done a single thing of merit in your life and now you never will.”

Rage builds in my chest, my lungs tight with the scream of frustration that I want to loose into his face. He’s wrong. Alan is wrong about me but I can’t give in to my emotions to try and disprove his statement. It’s what he wants and what he’s bargaining on.

“That’s your opinion. One of many that I don’t give a fuck about. Now, show me the will or I walk.”

“You’ve already lost, your threats hold no sway.” He leans back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest as if he’s reclining somewhere relaxing, unbothered by the scene.

“See, I don’t think that’s true. If I automatically lost everything, why are you so worried about me signing now? Is it because people are starting to question the validity of my signature as of late? We’ve been having some conversations with the rest of Palmer Enterprises and things just aren’t adding up. If I’ve lost, why are the board members and police currently in a meeting discussing your misappropriation of funds? Trying to figure out which documents you’ve forged over the last year?”

And there it is. His eyelid twitches, nostrils flaring despite his attempt at looking casual.

“No, Alan. I think you’ve misunderstood what we’re doing here. It was a chance for you to be open. Honest. To cooperate. That clause is nothing but a piece of paper you invented when my antics threatened your bottom line. You were sick of me getting in your way. Even as my mentor and basically interim-CEO you were tired of having to ask for signatures and beg me to join board meetings. When it became clear I wasn’t going to let you mold me into what you needed, you wanted to get rid of me. What more foolproof way than to have me give up—no one could blame you then. Italy was a distraction to get me out of your way.”

Alan pushes away from his desk, his chair shoved back and spinning into the wall with the force of his movement.

“You’re full of shit. You shouldn’t have any of this. You didn’t earn it. You didn’t spend night after night up here with your father, sacrificing everything for this company.”

Seething, Alan’s chest rises and falls with rapid breaths. His words are spit out like they taste bitter and he needs to expel them off his tongue.

“I didn’t. But that doesn’t change the fact that he still didn’t choose you. Thomas Palmer chose family over business at the end of the day and it kills you. No matter what you do, you’ll never be considered anything but his lackey. The man who did all the dirty work for none of the praise.” I rise from my seat as well, advancing on him.

“He should have updated the fucking will. What kind of self-respecting businessman leaves that sort of thing untouched?” Alan shouts now, backing his way toward the door.

“My father knew he couldn’t trust you with it. Plus, family law is a little outside your purview. Something we’re all glad for now, despite your attempts to fudge things.”

“You can’t prove a damn thing!”

I know he’s made sure of it, or tried. But the forensics people will be on it soon and with the cooperation of the rest of the board it’ll be short work.

“You should have forged my fucking signature again, saved yourself this whole scenario.”

“You’re right,” he says. “I just wanted the satisfaction of seeing your face while you did it.”

Hubris. They say pride goeth before a fall for a reason. It’s Alan’s turn to find it out.

“And now it’s going to cost you everything.”

Alan yanks open the office door and is met by two policemen, biding their time. It took a little convincing for them to let me do my little scene, but they’re getting the arrest we promised. There’s a bit of a scuffle as he resists at first, but once the first cold cuff is slipped around his wrist and the police start reciting his rights, he goes very still.

Alan stares back over his shoulder at me with hatred simmering on his face and I know the victory won’t be all I wanted. Yes, I’ve called him out and proven what an asshole he is. But he knows how to work the system. Even if he sees time, he’ll find a way to whittle it down by cutting a deal with someone.

At least he’ll never be an issue for my family again. Turning back to my mom, she has a small smile on her face and gives me a nod of approval.

“You ever considered law, kid? You’ve got a knack for the dramatics while cutting to the meat of the issue.” Charlie sounds impressed and I try not to let the praise get to me. This was the bare minimum I could do to honor what my father built, and fix the mistakes borne from my neglect and disinterest.

“Nah. I can’t stand being cooped up in an office. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

There will be more discussions about business and how things will be run from now on, but the itch is back and I need to get out of this building before I lose my mind. There’s no voice this time, though. It’s something I’ve failed to notice the past few days since my last session with Dr. Pritchard. The inner asshole has grown quieter and quieter. As if trying to fix things, trying to do what’s right, has finally given it a reason to shut up.

Stepping out of the elevator, our feet slap against the lobby floors. When the automatic doors whoosh open in front of me and hard concrete meets the soles of my shoes, I finally breathe. I’ve never been so happy to be on a fucking sidewalk. It’s over.

Alan has no hold over me anymore.

I’m free.

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