52 • We're Good, Babe

◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆

"We'll take another good look at the figures and the revised Strat Plan after our meeting with the executives. Same time next week. Ciao."

Finally. I sighed at my cousin's peremptory announcement as the others got up from their chairs. Practically racing to get out of here. I stayed in my seat in the farthest row, opposite my cousin Amara who frequently headed our weekly meetings in this conference room.

Her new assistant turned off the projector and gathered Amara's belongings with one arm, then exited through the glass doors, leaving me alone with my older cousin who probably couldn't wait to fire me. She always thought she knew which employees were essential and which ones weren't. And with Mamma pushing her to be our next VP for Operations, Amara's ego would only balloon even more in the coming months.

"Maxim, you busy tonight?" My "new boss" stood by the huge whiteboard, looking a few years younger with a wavy bob that framed her angular face. Amara feigned a s