109
ESTELLE
Dad and I flew back home as soon as he was cleared to travel. I missed my husband, too. Aside from the overdue board meeting, I had a job that could not wait.
“What the— !” Linden’s eyes widened in surprise, lifting me up, but he was also careful not to put pressure on my growing belly. “Baby.”
“You didn’t miss me that much, huh?” I wrapped my arms around his neck as I kissed the side of his head.
“You have no idea.” He put me down and hugged me. “You smell amazing.”
“I’m sorry, husband, but I have to get ready. I’ve moved the board meeting once and can’t be late.”
“Wait. Is it today?” He looked at me before he kissed me on the lips.
“Yeah. See you later over dinner.”
“Yeah. And I have something for you. It’s in your closet.”
“Oh. What is it?” I beamed at him.
“My long-delayed birthday gift.”
I chuckled. “You don’t have to give me a gift.”
“I feel terrible already, but I will make it up to you next year.”
“It’s okay, Gabriel.” I hugged him. “But I’m gonna be too late.”
“Dinner later, wife,” he called out.
I was already climbing upstairs. “Got it.”
Before I freshened up, I went to my closet to check the gift he mentioned. It was not a gift. I found three boxes— one big, a medium size, a rectangular shape, probably a bracelet, and one so big and long, all wrapped with bows.
I unwrapped first the big one. It was a U-shaped full-body pillow. I saw it once advertised online. So he remembered when I blurted out I wanted a maternity pillow. How thoughtful.
I picked the medium size. It was a pink designer bag. It was stunning, and he knew I loved pink, and he just made me teary-eyed. It wasn’t about the gifts or how much it cost him. It was just how he paid attention to what I liked.
The square box. When I opened it, tears fell down my cheeks. It was a personalized rose gold necklace with our baby’s name.
“Oh, my God.” I wiped my tears as I took a look at it. I sniffled as I pressed it against my chest.
“Are you okay?”
I smiled as I turned around and ran towards him. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tight. “It’s beautiful, Gabriel. Thank you.”
“And that’s what makes you cry?”
I sniffled and wiped my tears as I pulled away and showed him. “Can you put it on me?”
“My pleasure.”
“Who’s idea is this?” I turned so that he could put the necklace on.
“Mine. Why?”
Once it was done, I faced him to kiss him. “That’s very thoughtful. Thank you.”
“We’ve been together for many months, and I haven’t given you anything. I felt my focus was just on the job and keeping us safe. Sometimes, I neglected the most important thing in life— ”
“Overlooked.”
“Yup. I’m sorry for being a horrible husband.”
“You’re not horrible. I understand everything, and as long as you’re there when I need you, we don’t have a problem. We can always make up for what we missed doing.”
“Thank you, Estelle.”
“I have another box to open. Are you going out?” I went back to my closet. “Thanks for the pillow, by the way.
“Yeah. I have to go back to Osmium.” He followed me. “I thought twice about buying it.”
“Why?”
“You might not need me in bed once you have that. I mean, I can’t even hug you in that size.”
I laughed. “We’ll make it work. When our baby arrives, sometimes we have to take her to bed with us, and we should put her in between so that she won’t fall. So you, big guy, should have to adjust and give way.”
“I think I have no problem with that, but that fucking pillow, I might regret buying it for you sooner.”
I playfully hit him on the arm. “Stop it. It will help me fall asleep.”
“Fine, but if it will be a problem for both of us, I will throw it out.”
“You can always get another room.”
“No fucking way, Estelle. I’ve already been away from you for days. I’m not doing it again.”
“Easy, husband. Don’t be such a touchy.” I held the beautiful sparkly Alexandrite and diamond bracelet in my hand. Let me guess. This is the birthday gift.”
“Yeah.”
“This is beautiful. I love it.”
“I will give you the moon if it’s possible.”
“Keep it up there, husband.”
“If you say so, wife. You’re the boss. Anyway, you should congratulate your dad.”
***
“Nice necklace, honey.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
”Good morning, everyone. Thank you all for coming and for giving me the extension I needed. I know my family issue shouldn’t stand in my way of doing my job and obligation to this company, so thanks for your understanding.” I looked at Mom. “Let’s start with the second-quarterly report.”
“Despite the setback on Star Cosmetics, sales boosted up quickly. The consumers still trust us for bringing them affordable and quality products. Star Activewear boosted up to 13%.”
“Only thirteen percent? After launching the new collections,” the shareholder, Mr. Dermont, reacted. “Maybe we need new ideas, new designs that most activewear brands out there don’t have.”
“That’s a good idea, but we will focus first on ads— ”
He cut in. “Or maybe you should hire actors to endorse our product instead of those you picked up from God knows where to be the face of Star.”
“We’re living in a different world now, Mr. Dermont. Whether we like it or not, we are evolving. Those media personalities are more famous on the internet than actors who won awards for their jobs. That’s the reality we are facing. For instance, a reality star have more followers on social media than an Oscar Award recipient. Most of the consumers found our ads on social media. And there are five billion people who use the internet, and it doesn’t focus on American or white people alone. Different races, ethnicities, and genders use products like what we have. Remember, we haven’t been in my five-year plan, but we’re already beyond the stratosphere.”
“If you say so, Mrs. Linden,” finally, he agreed.
“Thank you. Anything else?”
“The baby products will be ready next year. Our new designer has just signed the contract.”
I smiled. Willa had so much potential for great success in our company. It could also help boost her gallery’s exposure. The ad campaign helped her sales and social media followers. Yeah, I kept track of her.
“Very well.” A soft knock interrupted us.
Micah opened the door, giving way to my father.
“Welcome back.” Mom smiled at Dad. Since that incident, I hadn’t heard or saw them fight.
“Thank you, Dei.”
“Mr. Bladwyn.”
The boards knew about the sale but weren’t aware of who the buyer was when Linden sold it back to Dad. The financial report and list were just handed by Micah to them.
“Good to see you all again.” Dad took a seat to my right.
“As you all can see, I’m five months pregnant and getting married again before I give birth. Since I have sat as the chairman, I’ve always been involved with the process, helping our employees. Right now, I can’t deny that I’ve been inactive like before. My marriage isn’t the reason. My pregnancy, though, and my upcoming wedding is another story. So, in the meantime, I am temporarily stepping down as the chairman until after my maternity leave. I’m appointing my father to be the acting Chairman of Star LLC as we speak.” I looked at my dad, who seemed not impressed with my decision.
I knew it shocked him. That was why I didn’t inform him because he would decline the offer. The boards saw his reaction as well.
“I’m honored, but I can’t accept the position.”
“Dad, this is just but temporary for a few months.”
“I know, Estelle, but— ”
“A word, please?” I rose from the chair. “Give us a minute.”
Dad followed me out of the conference room. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Why you’re declining the position?”
“I just got you back. And honestly, I’m still trying to fix the damage I’ve done to you. I also have a company to run.”
“As the CEO.”
“I don’t want you to think I’m here for you for the chairman position. I just wanna be your dad, Estelle.”
“I know, but you’re the most qualified among them. It can’t be Mom. She has a lot of work already. Call it nepo, but I owned the company. So, please?” I squeezed his arms and gave him my best puppy eyes. “I need to spend some time with my husband and prepare for my wedding.”
He blew a breath.
I still sensed his disapproval, so I pleaded again, “Please? Pretty please?”
“I don’t wanna disappoint you.”
“Dad, no more Westons whispering in your ears. You can do this.”
“On one condition.”
“Name it.”
“Rest, pamper yourself, take care of your husband. Let the planners and coordinators do the job.”
“Done.”
