She had received a call from Pym Technologies a day after her interview and here she was, seated in a conference room, the company owned by her father, Hank Pym.
Though she looked calm and collected, deep down, she was nervous. She didn't notify her father about this and she was wondering how it would play out if she met him. She smoothed her suit and took a deep breath.
As the years passed by, Hope van Dyne had grown into a beautiful young woman, much like her mother, as her aunt Peggy used to say. Her dark green eyes were sharp and bright. Light brown freckles scattered on her nose extending to her cheeks. Her hair was short, framing her well-defined jawline. She wore a sleek business suit that hugged her fit frame. Her exterior screamed no-nonsense, a reputation she had gained for herself over the years.
The door opened.
Unexpectedly, Hank Pym walked in, and an unfamiliar man followed closely behind him.
"Hi Hope.", Hank smiled stiffly. He tried to reach out for a hug, but stopped in his tracks as he heard her calling his name, and patted her shoulder instead.
"Hank.", her eyes were cold, expression unreadable, as she kept her hands to the side. She last saw her father a few months ago, at her graduation. He had offered her a position but she flatly declined. She didn't want to rely on her father, nor did she need to.
She was over-qualified for the position, but she had no qualms about working from the bottom and getting all the way to the top. Years of boarding school and studying abroad at Harvard had only reinforced her self-discipline and motivation.
Hank winced, it pained him that she was calling him by his first name. He was surprised that she had sent in her resume, but was even more astounded as she had changed her surname to van Dyne. It hurt him that she didn't want to associate with him.
"I didn't expect you would want to work here Hope."
They had been estranged since her mother died. He sent her to boarding school, kept his distance and buried himself in work, and left her growing up with an almost absent father, who she was constantly trying to impress to garner his attention but it never worked. Eventually, she gave up and instead did certain things to spite him.
"Well, I changed my mind.", she smiled politely.
"I'm glad you did."
After all, the company would be hers, after his retirement.
What had changed her mind? He questioned.
She had visited her aunt Peggy a week before and she had convinced her that she should join her father's company. Maybe, just maybe they had a chance of reconciling. And he would finally tell her the truth behind her mother's death.
"Are you sure you want to take this position? I do have a better one for you..."
"I'm fine. Besides, I'm sure I would earn a promotion soon.", her eyes shone with confidence, a curl rising from her lips.
Hank smiled. His daughter was always so self-assured and poised.
"I'm sure you can do it Hope.", he thought to himself.
