Page 15 of Corporate Escapades

Vic let out a snort as he tried to stifle his amusement. Jessamine shot him a warning look.

“Things are changing here and now,” said Nicola, tapping the table with her pointer finger. “You’re creating bad blood within the company and bad headlines outside. No more bad headlines. No more firing people for no reason. No more sleeping with other men’s wives. No more stealing. Mark my words, if youdo not turn things around, you will lose everything. We’re done letting your bad behavior slide. We all suffered great loss. You will no longer tarnish Alli and Brody’s memory.”

“Do you understand what’s expected of you?” asked Dom. Neither Vic nor Paris said a word. “This is serious. We’ve worked hard to build this company, and we’re not letting you destroy it or this family. So, do you understand?”

“Yes,” Vic replied solemnly.

“Sure,” said Paris.

“Okay,” replied Nicola. The look on her face said she wasn’t buying it. “If you mess up again, you’ll have a rude awakening.”

“We get it,” said Vic.

“Now, one more matter of business,” said Mikel. “Mya, you too are on our radar.”

Mya’s look turned to panic. “What do you mean?” she asked.

“We’re all concerned,” said Mikel as he motioned his hand to include his partners. “You’ve suffered greatly with these losses. Not only did a friend of yours die, but your best friend has turned her back on you.”

“Are you kidding me?” asked Paris. “She isn’t suffering.”

“Zip it,” said Mikel. “With your permission, we’d like to pay for you to go to grief counseling. We can’t make you go, but we hope you will. If you refuse, we may need to discuss moving you to a different part of the company because we cannot sit back and watch Paris continue to take her anger out on you.” His eyes shone with sincerity.

“That’s a load o—”

“Paris, so help me,” said Nicola. “If you don’t stop now, I’ll personally take your trust fund away.”

Paris closed her mouth instantly.

Continuing, Mikel said, “Think it over. You don’t have to answer right now.”

“If you’d like to discuss things further, dear, we can talk more after everyone else leaves,” said Jessamine.

“Okay,” replied Mya. She didn’t know what to think, but perhaps further discussion would ease her mind. “I have some questions for after the meeting.”

“Perfect. I’m certain I have some answers,” said Jessamine.

“Now,” said Mikel, “if there’s nothing further, this meeting is adjourned with the exception of Mya.”

Paris and Vic got to their feet and exited the boardroom, followed by Dom. Vic scowled at Paris, and she scowled back. “You’re an awful person,” he said. “If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”

“Knock it off,” scolded Dom. “You did this to yourselves. I honestly don’t want to see either of you until the gala next weekend. I’m putting you on an involuntary leave of absence to think about your actions. Now get out of my sight before I come up with a worse punishment.”

Both Vic and Paris veered toward the nearest door to escape Dom’s angry glare. Neither spoke a word as they hoofed it back to their respective condos.

Chapter five

It was the night of the Gala and Mya stood outside Paris’s door waiting for an answer. The week had been quiet. She hadn’t yet agreed to go to counseling. Mikel and Nicola gave her a week to consider, but informed her of the options if she decided not to go. She didn’t want to admit defeat. She knew Paris was angry and hurting, but she believed her friend was still in there somewhere.

Growing impatient, she knocked a second time. Paris didn’t answer. As she turned to walk away, Vic exited his condo.

“Hey, Mya, I think Paris left already. I heard her talking to someone by the elevators.”

“Well, that answers my first question. Apparently, she is avoiding me. Thanks for letting me know. How was your week?”

“It was weird. I don’t recall the last time I missed work. That job’s pretty much my life,” he said with a sigh.

“Do you agree with the things they said?” she asked, waiting for his reaction.

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