Five years ago

The dash board read ten minutes to eight. I ran my hand over my face and looked out the windshield at the sign with my name in elegant letters on it. I don't work here, and never plan to, but I have my own parking space, ridiculous. I inhaled deeply trying to calm my racing heart but it was no use. I was so nervous and I didn't even know why. Well, I knew why but… still.

My right leg bounced rapidly and the more I tried to calm down the more I fidgeted. I sighed, wishing Korra was with me. It was ridiculous but nothing calmed me like that woman's touch. I settled for the next best thing and pulled my carton of cigs from the center compartment. I put the window down after taking my first deep drag. I exhaled slowly already relaxing.

It was important that I calmed down, he could sense fear like a sixth sense. It was eerie.

When was the last time he called me down 'just for a chat'? Never, that's when. He's not a chatty type of man and that makes this all the more nerve wracking. My stomach felt like a rock and the normally comforting tobacco flavor tasted like ash on the back of my tongue. I smoked the death stick to the filter before I even knew it and flicked the butt out the window. I had only managed to waste five minutes but I guess I was as ready as I was ever going to be.

And plus he hates tardiness; if I'm a second late he'll use his uncanny ability to make me feel like a five year old all over again.

I popped two mints into my mouth as I walked through elaborate lobby with the confident stride of a BeiFong. Rode the elevator to the top floor (a very long ride) and found myself in front of the imposing dark maple double doors before I knew it. A glance at my watch informed me that I stilled had a minute and thirty seconds. I looked over the artistically detailed carvings of the two giant winged boars in the massive wooden doors. The symbol is everywhere in the building, even on the building but the boars in front of me looked down sinisterly.

I was out of time. God, I have the worst feeling about this.

Before I could knock the doors parted and a young man in a suit rushed by but not before recognizing me and nodding so deeply it looked like a bow.

I walked into the most over done and sophisticated office; an entire wall was made of glass and offered an obscene view of the city.

He was seated behind an immense maple desk with a smile that didn't reach his pale green eyes.

"Linny bear!" He greeted me with my hated childhood nick name in his deep coarse voice as I neared him.

"Grandpa…" I couldn't even force a smile. I haven't seen him in years but he's somehow managed to keep the neatly trimmed white beard exactly the same. Despite his age he still had the same full head of salt and pepper hair. But it seemed to be more salt now.

His smiled revealing perfectly straight white teeth. "Good to see you're still as level head as always."

Who knows what that really means?

He studied me with those keen eyes of his. "You've somehow gotten even more beautiful. I supposed you're a lot like your mother that way." He said it casually but I was instantly on guard. You never want to be in the same room with this man when he's talking about my mother.

"Thank you,"

He leaned back into his plush leather chair. "You must be wondering why I have called you down here."

"It's crossed my mind."

He continued to watch me for an endless minute. It was a test I was very familiar with and I didn't move a muscle until he finally spoke.

"I called you down here because its time you got serious about your future."

Fuck!

I shifted uneasily. "Grandpa…"

"No Lin," He said loudly and stern with no room for argument. "I'm talking."

I wisely closed my mouth. If there was a worst case scenario I pictured, this was it.

"I've let you ran around and play teacher or whatever it is your doing at that university. You've had your chance to do whatever it is you wanted now it's time for you to come back and lead this company as a BeiFong." He finished, pulling out a cigar.

On the outside I was calm but inside I was vicious whirl of emotions, I didn't even know what to feel first. Anger? It was definitely there, in abundance. Confusion seemed to take front and center. I was so sure I was safe from this. I know the only thing he really cares about is there being a BeiFong to run the company.

"I thought Marcus was taking over the company." I hedged. It was clearly the wrong thing to say. He paused in lighting his cigar as his eyes flashed dangerously with rage.

"Marcus," he spat the name like it was roach on his tongue. "is a disgrace to this family! A disgrace!" he slammed his fist on the desk. "He is never to be mentioned in this building or in my presence again. Are we clear?"

Ah. So the gossip is true.

"Crystal."

He seemed to relax and finally lit the thick cigar. After a few puffs he calmed down and fixed me with a stare I couldn't look away from.

"I expect more, much more, from you than your cousin or even your mother. She never knew a thing about responsibility or commitment."

I bit my tongue and used every last bit of self control I had to keep my mouth shut.

"But you…" he pointed the lit end of the cigar at me. "You have drive, ambition, intelligence, determination. Not at all like your spoiled brat of a mother."

I could taste blood in mouth and despite my best effort the words slipped through my gritted teeth. "With all due respect… she(her name has been forbidden to be said) invented this companies most revolutionary product and it wouldn't be where it is today without her."

"And I will never deny it. But you need more than genius to be successful in life. I expect you to stick around, raise your kids, honor your commitment to your husband and lead this company."

I blinked at him, my mind drawing a complete blank. "I'm sorry…what?"

He regarded me very seriously. "You heard me young lady. You're not getting any younger and neither am I."

I didn't pay any mind to the fact that I'm thirty one and he just called me 'young lady'.

"I… I can't do that." I stated. This was so left field and I was completely and utterly unprepared.

"Sure you can." He turned slightly in his chair and started typing something on the computer. "Seven AM sharp Monday morning. Don't be late." The dismissal couldn't possibly be any more obvious.

But I was still stuck on the kids and husband part.

"I really can't… do that."

He didn't hesitate to pin me down with a glare straight from hell. "And why not?"

All I could see was Korra's face in my mind. The silence filled the office like a thick oppressing fog.

"Because of that little girl?"

Maybe if I had some warning or hint or anything I'd be able hide my surprise better…or maybe not.

He fully faced me, never sparing me from his glare. "Her name is Korra right? Moved from California three years ago, full ride on an academic scholarship, turned down multiple soccer and debate scholarships, Majoring in business, about to graduate early with a four point two GPA. Very impressive even I have to admit."

I wasn't gaping but I'm sure the shock was more than clear on my face. I didn't even know about the debate scholarships. …though in hind sight it's not that surprising.

"Don't make this any more complicated than it has to be." He returned to his computer.

"What is that supposed to mean?" I demanded not caring about my tone.

"It means," he said fixing me with a stare again. "That you can show up Monday, stop seeing that girl and do what you're supposed to do, what you were born to do, all by yourself. Or…" He trailed off his hard eyes saying everything.

My fist shook by my sides and I saw red. He could fuck up my life, do with it whatever he wanted but if he thought for a second I was going to let him anywhere near my girl he was dead wrong.

My polite demeanor shattered completely as I stomped to his desk. "If you touch one hair, one hair! On her head, I swear to God!"

He stood up and met my glare, not missing a beat. "You'll…what?"

"I will kill you… and I will burn this company that you care about so fucking much to the ground." And I meant every whispered word.

He was close enough that could see the patterns in his ice cold irises. The tense moment seemed to stretch on forever but I wasn't going to back down.

I was startled when he broke the silence with a loud guffaw. He fell back into his chair still laughing deeply.

My jaw was clenched so hard it hurt. "I was not joking."

"I know." He said sobering up. "It wouldn't be funny if you were." He leaned over the desk. "You are definitely from my loins, Lin. You have more balls than that buffoon of a cousin you have ever did. If I ever had any doubts, there gone now."

I straightened. I was left deflated as my anger slipped away. I forgot how impossible it is to go head to head with this man. But I can't, I won't have him threatening Korra.

Desperation over came me as I looked over the city. Because of the height I could barely see the people and cars going about their lives as the sun continued to rise in the sky. It was just another day for them but today my life was crumbling right in front of me.

"She's thinking of going to Tokyo for some job." I swallowed, still looking out the window. "…Just leave her out of this and…I'll come back."

I looked back at him and he regarded me with unreadable eyes. I thought he was considering my words but I was mistaken.

"Lin, I'm going to teach you the first rule of being CEO of this company." He paused making sure he had my attention. "Never give away your leverage."

Doesnt explain everything but its not supposed to ;) Thanks for reading and the reviews :D