Page 40 of Corporate Escapades

“Both,” laughed Mya.

“Do you mind if I stay at your place? I’d feel better knowing you’re not alone.”

“Girl, I’m going to be fine, but you can definitely stay at my place. Let’s grab some of your things, order food, and veg out on my couch.”

“Okay, let’s,” she replied, as a warm feeling flooded her chest.

The evening turned out to be exactly what both women needed. The conversation went on straight through the movie they’d chosen to watch. They discussed everything from Paris’s vices to Mya’s as well as their lack of satisfying love-affairs and their current hopes and dreams.

Paris hadn’t realized how much of a void had been left by her rejection of Mya and Mya hadn’t realized how much she had held inside due to Paris’s emotional unavailability. Their relationship seemed to pick up right where it had left off.

“I think we should meet with Chase and Vic in the morning and put together a genuine game plan for how you’ll handle the work and family situation going forward. If you two don’t get on the same page, you might do even more damage. I, for one, don’t want to see you ousted from the family or the business, especially when you’re finally making some progress,” said Mya.

“I agree,” replied Paris. “I’ve been so angry.”

“You stopped living your life when Alli died. I wanted to help you, but I had no idea how. I was terrified when you overdosed. You have to promise me you won’t ever do that again. She lived her life fully, and she would want you to do the same.”

Paris looked at Mya and nodded in agreement. “What do you feel needs to happen for me to get my life back on track?”

“The board trusted Chase and I to look after you and guide you through this exercise. They want to see you make serious amends. I honestly think if you do not work with Vic, you’ll sink this ship, and there’ll be no going back. You have to make all your decisions together in order to succeed. And, when you’re ready, you need to show them you’ve gained back your desire to run charity events.”

“Okay. How do you propose we do so?”

“Well, like I said previously, we need to meet up with Chase and Vic and create a game plan. The charity aspect will come with time. Also, I have my suspicions that there’s more to this job situation than either of you has been led to believe. I could be wrong, but I think the partners are looking at who their successors will be when they retire. If they can’t trust you two, they won’t put you in charge of their life’s work.”

“Wow,” replied Paris. “That thought hadn’t even occurred to me.”

“They’re not getting any younger,” said Mya with a smile. “You’ve honestly never thought of the future and saw yourself running ADG one day?”

“No. I don’t spend much time thinking about the future.”

“Huh,” she said. “I don’t know why I’m surprised. I guess you’ve always lived your life one day at a time. Do you, or did you, have dreams about where you wanted to ultimately end up in your career?”

“I dream about traveling like our clients do, but I guess I never bothered to dream much about the future of my career. Thecompany has always been in the background, and I think I’ve always seen myself as part of it.”

“So, basically, you’ve been doing what you believe is expected of you,” stated Mya.

Paris dropped her eyes to the floor. Mya was right. She’d simply gone along with the plan that was put in place. She hadn’t dreamt of anything in her future. She was young and naïve. She focused on her charities and getting things done one day at a time. When Alli died, she imploded.

“Look at me,” said Mya, her tone compassionate. Paris brought her eyes up to meet Mya’s. “You still have time to make a plan. You’re only twenty-eight. We can figure this out.”

“I’m an idiot!” spouted Paris. “What’s wrong with me?”

“There’s nothing wrong with you. I think it’s possible that your parents were so wrapped up in the business that they forgot to stop and consider whether or not you want to be a permanent part of it. You were born into this, and sometimes there’s a certain expectation from family that we will continue their legacy. The question is, do you want to continue with their legacy?”

“I don’t even know,” she replied quietly.

“Luckily, you don’t have to make an immediate decision.”

“When do I need to make a decision by?” she asked, panic rising in her voice. “How can I move forward and have no idea what I want for my life?”

“Calm down and breathe,” commanded Mya. “Let’s first focus on setting things right. Perhaps as we work on the current situation, you’ll iron out the unknown.”

Paris shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. “I feel like a coma patient who finally woke up.”

“It’s really not that bad,” said Mya. “What matters is that you’re awake now.”

“You say that, but right now, everything feels a little like life or death.”

---