She opened her eyes, squinting to see the figures standing at her doorway. They were whispering too quiet to be heard from the bed, she noted. She turned over in bed to look out the window. She looked up at the sun, shielding her eyes with her hand.
Seems to be about noon... Oh no.
Elsa quickly jumped out of bed, only to fall down to the floor. The loud thump got the attention of the shadowy figures, who ran to her side.
"Miss Beck, are you alright?" Kai put an arm around her waist, hoisting her up slowly.
"I'm fine, the meeting," she steadied herself. "What time is it?"
"It's... Tuesday Miss, you've been sleeping all day." He brought her over to the bed. "Not to worry, I called them to let them know you weren't feeling well."
"I slept through the entire day..." She looked off to the distance. "Wait, what about Jonathan?"
"He stopped by, I told him you weren't feeling well enough for visitors. I told him you'd call to reschedule."
She took a deep breath as she ran a hand through her blonde hair. "Thank you Kai." She looked over at the clock. Fifteen before noon, I can still make it. She stood up from the bed, putting a hand up as Kai tried to assist her.
"Get the car ready and let the board know I will be attending the meeting today."
"And that's another thing!" The balding man cried, voice cracking as he lifted his index finger high above his head. "You were too sick to attend your meeting? The first one you planned on attending in months, by the way!" He looked around at his fellow board members. "This is exactly why I should be put back in charge. She is too sick for her position!"
"Mr. Weselton," the Vice President stood up. "May I remind you that with her in charge, our revenues ha-"
"That means nothing!" He slammed his hands on the table. "It's not all about the now. We must think to the future!"
The gray haired man's face grew dark. "What are you saying?"
"She is sick. Very sick. Even if it is only temporary, I feel it is in the best interest of this company for her to step aside until she is better. There is nothing more unappealing to potential partners than inconsistency. It cost this company, all of us, millions when Mr. and Mrs. Beck-"
"Enough!" Elsa roared, bursting out of her chair. Every person around the table froze. Elsa was out for blood, and there was only one person in her sights.
"How dare you," she snarled. "You don't get to speak of my parents in that way. They achieved more than you could even imagine doing, you incompetent weasel. I, have done more from my bed in the past two months than you every did in three years. You are lucky to even be here."
He rose his hand to speak, only to be silenced by Elsa, pounding her fist into the table.
"This is not a debate. This is me telling you as it is, and you taking it. Now sit down." She glared at him, veins popping out around her temples. "Sit. Now."
After a silent standoff, he surrendered, falling feebly into his black leather chair.
"I will remind you that I still have the majority share in this company. You don't decide if I leave, I will tell you if I am leaving. Even if I decide to take a leave, there is no way in hell I will leave it your incapable hands." She looked around the table, only the Vice President with the courage to look her in the eye.
"This is my company. If you don't like it, you are more than welcome to leave." She gave one last glare at Mr. Weselton, who flinched slightly from his seat. "Meeting adjourned."
Most of the board packed up. After the shuffling of shoes and Mr. Weselton's grumbling faded away, she sank back into her chair at the head of the table. She slumped forward on the table, her head resting on her forearms. She sobbed quietly into her shirtsleeve, whole body shaking as she tried to calm herself. She nearly jumped out of her seat when she found a hand on her back. She looked up, to see the Vice President standing behind her.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine, just a bit tired," she wiped the tears away.
He took the seat next to hers, putting a hand over hers.
"Your father would be so proud," he smiled at her. "You've come so far, and you've done it all by yourself."
She gave him a shrug. "I'm sure he'd be real proud of how I handled that situation just now."
He chuckled, before looking back at her. "That weasel used to get on your fathers nerves too. He would go on about how he was more experienced, how he had worked on Wall street before, blah-blah-blah," he mimicked. "Your father used to just laugh it off, he had a way of defusing any arguments before they could escalate."
"But one day," he put out his index finger in front of her. "Mr. Weselton mentioned your mother. Something about how she had no place at the meetings. Before anyone could say anything, your father burst from his chair, and punched him square in the nose," he roared in laughter.
Elsa's eyes widened. "He did?"
"Oh yeah, it was a good one too. And while the little man was rolling around wailing like a baby, your father walked back to his chair all calm, and continued the meeting. I'm telling you this so you know even your father couldn't stand that man." He picked up her hand in his, a more serious look in his face. "But this time, he's right. You need to focus on your health."
She sighed, before looking back up at him. "I know. I just, don't want to lose this. It's all I've got left of them, you know?"
"I know, but your health is more important."
She took her hand from his, putting it on his cheek. "Where would I be without you?"
"Your old man made me promise to take care of you the day you were born," he stood up. "I'm just trying to keep that promise."
"Well in my book, you're the best godfather anyone could ask for." She stood, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I'll take a leave, but only if you'll take my place."
He sighed. "If it means the little weasel doesn't get this position again, I'll do it. Oh, and also for you I guess," he smirked.
She smiled and squeezed him one last time before letting go.
"Tell me more about my dad," she sat down, listening closely to his stories.
They talked for over an hour, exchanging stories of Elsa's father. As they sat there laughing, a quiet figure walked past the door and down the hallway, camera in hand.
A/N: Thanks for reading, and a special s/o to the very... Interesting review that was left on the last chapter.
Anyways, next chapter will be up on Monday.