Chapter 132
BELLADONNA
EZ 55 vouchers
“Your father has arrived,” Gianna informed me and I was dragged out of my thoughts. I raised my head and looked at her, nodding.
I stood up from my desk, inhaling deeply before I took out the small mirror from a drawer, took my lipstick from my bag, and applied it to my lips on top of the already–existing layer.
Today my father wasn’t here as my Papa, he was at the company as the CEO. He didn’t come frequently anymore ever since he had the accident and injured his leg. He stayed at home and most of the important documents were sent to him. But today he was coming to inspect the company and to check if we’ve made any progress since he was last here.
The lipstick and makeup I was applying were my armor. I couldn’t face the world barefaced, because I feared they would see the broken, scared girl. So I had to put on my makeup to hide everything. I had to wear my high heels to make them think I had my shit together.
I had to. I had to pretend and wear my armor when I was in the outside world. But God knew, I was tired and sick of it all.
I put the mirror and lipstick away, turning to Gianna who was watching me with a strange look in her eyes.
“Take me to him,” I said, my head high.
But Gianna just watched me with that strange look. Then, “Until when?”
I knew what she meant. Until when will I put up this facade? Until when will I pretend? Until when will I continue to don this
mask?
I wasn’t obliged to answer her, but Gianna was my best friend as well as my personal assistant.
“Until I’m no longer broken,” I answered, my voice firm.
The look in her eyes turned to pity and I wanted to bolt. I wanted to scream.
“You will always be broken, Belladonna.”
My fists clenched, my nails digging into my palms. “Take me to my father, Gianna.”
She nodded, her expression going back to blank and professional. “Yes, ma’am.”
Somehow, she reminded me of Kade, how so easily they could turn on and turn off their emotions as they saw fit. They were alike in so many ways. Why did that make my chest tighten? Why did that leave a bitter taste in my mouth?
I followed Gianna out of my office, entering the elevator. There were people on the elevator, but as soon as they saw me. they left, muttering greetings under their breath.
I scoffed, folding my arms. That was the usual in this company. I was known as the bitch who had a terrible mood swing One moment I could be smiling and joking around and the next I could snap at the slightest thing
So the people in the company walked on eggshells around me. Papa said it was good, but honestly, I hated it.
We took the elevator up to the tenth floor and I tried hard not to fidget. Last time I was scolded by Papa for my report This time, I wanted everything to be on point.
I might be the future CEO of this company, but a single slip and I could lose it all.
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1:54 am
Chapter 132
A single slip was all it took.
That wasn’t going to happen. Never.
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I’ve been trained to take over this company ever since I was a child. It was mine. No one was taking it away from me. Not even Papa. And not Medea.
She might have broken me, but she couldn’t take the company away from me.
We reached the tenth floor and the door of the elevator opened but I didn’t immediately step out. I stood still, taking deep breaths, keeping my emotions in check.
Emotions…
Those were tools that could be used against me in that room I was about to enter. So I was going to borrow this skill from Kade and Gianna; I was going to keep my expression.
I adjusted my blouse, nodding at Gianna and she stepped out of the elevator. I followed, keeping my head high and shoulders squared.
We entered the conference room and the big room fell silent.
My father, Medea, Kade, and all the important executives of the company were already there, seated, deep in business, and Kade was standing at the front.
My eyes didn’t go to my father like it was supposed to. They didn’t search the room, instead, they stayed fixed on Kade.
He was as handsome as always, his suit fitting him like a second skin, his hair tied up, and his beautiful mismatched eyes fixed on mine.
And just like that, all my nerves and anxiety fled and I was feeling confident, and also… the events of last night invaded my head, but I pushed that away.
I couldn’t think about that right now; I would falter. So I just nodded at Kade, and he nodded back. I looked away from him, looking at Papa. I didn’t smile like I usually did, and neither did he.
You see, there were eyes on us, people who were against me taking over as CEO even though it was my right. They said I was a woman, they said this company should be handed to someone who could handle it with an iron fist.
I was just a person with breasts and a vagina in their eyes, but I have overcome everything they’ve thrown my way and proven myself over and over again that I could rule this company even better than they. And them having a rob between their legs doesn’t make them more qualified.
“Belladonna,” Papa said when I turned to him, his voice and gaze firm.
I bowed deeply. “Mr. Jannelli. Welcome.”
We have to maintain a front. Right now, we weren’t father and daughter, but we were CEO and successor. These old bastards with tiny rods between their legs and white beards in their chins will oppose it if they see that Papa was handing the company over to me out of favoritism.
I&G Dynamics wasn’t a company built by one person. No, many people’s blood and tears were involved in the making of this great company, but Papa made the biggest sacrifice and owned the largest shares and that was why he was CEO,
So he still had to prove himself time and time again. And as his successor, I had to do the same.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
