“All of this,” I breathed in, “was before she had me?”

“She started kicking up dust in the business world the day she turned twenty-one.”

Just like she willed me to do as her dying wish. Was she emulating her own life in mine with her plans? It felt weird to put that on your own daughter, but it seemed I might not have known her as well as I thought.

I resigned from learning any more until a later date. My head was spinning and throwing up again was not in my plans. Getting caught up with current events in the company was more imperative but felt more normal than talks about criminal enterprises and deals with the devil.

The suits flowed back into the room, getting comfortable in their seats again. Adjusting ties, sitting back in chairs, and getting ready for important matters.

“We are at a pivotal moment in the company,” Evans said from the projector screen at the opposite side of the room. “Our top priority is easing Miss Montgomery into her leadership position and continuing on with our company mission: connecting discerning clients with unique properties and exceeding expectations–every time.”

A manila envelope was handed to me ceremoniously. “A write up for you, Miss Montgomery. This outlines our most current events, important relationships held, market trend research, and other key details I felt were important for you to browse at your convenience.”

I swallowed the uncertainty in my throat. “Thank you, Mr...”

“Jones. Executive director at your service.”

I nodded and tucked the envelope into my lap while feeling eyes on me. What secrets I could find inside this envelope had me in no rush to find out. James would take me over it later.

Evans ran the meeting. We covered current and future marketing trends among luxury real estate and what we’ve been experiencing with consumers, key demographic shifts in certain countries for opportunities, government regulations and changes coming in the next year, how the company will continue to move forward with these in mind, and political situations in certain countries to be aware of.

I took explicit notes like I was in school.

What the hell was my mom doing at twenty-one where she could have handled all this?

​Chapter 26

Fallon

“Why aren’t you wearing your Sharks outfit?” Kelly pranced out of the hallway, fiddling with an earring while she looked like the epitome of school spirit.

I, however, was laid comatose on the couch in pajamas and hadn’t moved for probably four hours. “I don’t want to go,” I groaned as I looked to the ceiling as if there was a god up there willing to offer me guidance in my life.

She smacked the top of my head. “Today is the big football game!”