Page 35 of Flawless Foundations

"I've called you here to let you know that the board has decided on an interim CEO." He states with absolutely no emotion. My heart sinks at the news.

"We decided on one a couple weeks ago, but something has happened that requires our full attention. Do I have your attention now, son? You seem to be lacking it." He cocks an eyebrow.

I tighten my grip on the armrest of the chair. I reply with a clipped, "Yes."

"Marshal Tame has made a move to buy King Cosmetics. He knows I'm retiring, and he wants to make a move since we have not yet announced the new CEO."

I swear, and for the first time, I see anger flash in my father's eyes. The impersonal facade that he shows most often breaks away and I can tell that his anger is not pointed at me but the situation.

"I can't let him worm his way into this company, Levi." A hint of desperation laces his tone.

"What makes him think that he could stage a hostile takeover?" I shove my fingers through my hair.

"No CEO has been announced. He knows there's trouble in paradise, his words, not mine," he grumbles that last part.

"So, announce I'm the new CEO," I nearly shout. So here we are, months after his announcement of retirement and some acquisitions shark is out for our blood. Knowing that there is a rift between us is giving him a leg up.

He steeples his fingers in front of his face and levels me with a flat stare, the walls going back up. "But you're not."

"This is bullshit. So what if I'm not married? I've put years of blood and sweat into this company. It's mine, and you damn well know it," I seethe, my heart pounding in my chest. I can't lose this company over something so God damned stupid.

He takes his time answering my furious reply. "King Cosmetics has been run a certain way since the beginning. I will not give up my reign as the head of this company not knowing it is going to remain the same."

"Nothing stays the same, Dad. The company will change, it changes every day. Whether or not I'm married will not determine the success of this business. You know what will see this company through success after success? Me as CEO and the team I build. You want to see the homegrown values and commitment to our product and customers die with you? Then give this company to anyone else, and it won't be the King Cosmetics that we all know and love." I take in a breath.

He shakes his head, but this time when he looks me in the eye, I see remorse.

"You make valid points, really, but the board won't budge on this," he says.

"You mean you won't budge?" I snap back. How dare he blame this on the board, this is all him.

"You can think whatever you wish, but there is no talking the board out of this. You need to be married to become the next CEO," he repeats his stupid stipulation.

"So what, will the board be happy if I went out and married Becca tomorrow? Clearly, it would be a rushed marriage, would that not set off any alarms?" Scoffing at my stupid suggestion.

He cocks an eyebrow. "It's known that you are in a relationship with Ms. Nicely, it would not alarm us if you were to be married. People fall in love quickly all the time, there would be no question."

"You've got to be shitting me." I scrub a hand over my mouth.

"She's a good match, her family wealth rivals our own. It would make sense." His demeanor turns hopeful.

I shake my head; I can't sit here and listen to this anymore. I stand. "Thanks for telling me about Marshal."

I turn and stalk out of his office. Before I have one foot out the door, my father says, "Think about how badly you want this company, Levi. You could do worse in the marriage department."

I clench my hands into fists and grit my teeth. I will not turn around and punch my father in the fucking face.

I'm reeling from our conversation by the time I get back to my office. I sit at my desk and stare out into the New York City skyline for the next hour. The only decision I've come to is that I need to talk to Becca.

I'll tell her everything.

Chapter 17

Becca

Itwirl my spaghetti around on my fork against the side of the pasta bowl. Being in an upscale Italian eatery, I try to remember my manners and not shove a giant forkful of yumminess in my mouth. So, I keep the contents on my fork to a minimum. If I were in the comfort of my own home, I'd shove a bigger bite in my mouth, or better yet, I'd pile some spaghetti and meat sauce onto a slice of La Roux famous garlic bread first.

Oh, how I long to be unladylike. But alas, I'll make my mother proud and eat like a fucking bird. Emmy and I decided we needed a night out. We used to eat at La Roux a lot before she moved out, and so it is fitting that we’re eating here tonight. With it being a Friday night, we will probably head out to a cocktail lounge after this. There's one a couple blocks away. We would have normally gone to Blush, but I've stayed true to my word and have not set foot back in that place.

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