The look of defeat on Brett’s face still floats around in my mind.  I have never seen him look like that, even when he was dealing with his family.  However, this particular blow seems to have been a little too close to home.  I sigh and stare out the window and across the city’s horizon.  For once, I’m alone in Connor’s office while he has another meeting with a few department heads on another project.  However, I’m not in the mood to sit there while everyone looks at me with either envy or disgust.  As my focus drifts to the sky and some wispy few clouds floating along, my thoughts go back to Connor’s father and the board’s decision.  Will his luck finally run out?  However, I think the bigger question is will the board actually follow through with their threat this time.  Connor has given me a complete history of his father and the things he has done.  In addition, he has explained how he became the CEO at

Why did I let my mother talk me into this?  I keep telling Deanna to not let her parents affect her, and here I am letting my mother talk me into leaving with her for a private talk.  However, this isn’t really a private talk at all. I glance around the table and politely smile at Mr. Gold while I ignore my father.  I then turn my attention back to my mother.  “What is this all about?  I have work to do, and I need to get back to the office.”She flashes me a sweet smile and reaches across the table to pat my hands.  However, I yank my hands away before she can touch me. Her smile falters a bit as she stares at me.  “Son, we need to have a very important conversation with you.  This is the best way to do it without having any interruptions.”Interruptions.  She is worried about interruptions. Anger rushes through my veins.  I grit my teeth and growl, &

Dotty’s voice booms from my phone.  “If you don’t come back here right now, I’m going there.  How can you let yourself get so run down that you nearly faint at work?  Is Connor not taking good enough care of you?”I shake my head and stare out the bedroom window.  “It isn’t like that, and you know it.  Connor has been taking good care of me.  We have been under a lot of stress lately.  You know that full well.  I’m sure it has finally caught up to me.  There is nothing to worry about, though.”I glance around the room.  “Connor has me resting in bed right now.  He said he wasn’t going to take no, so I gave in.  Everything will be fine.  Now, stop worrying.”She sighs.  “I’m just concerned, especially after what you went through before.  I don’t want a repeat of it.” I slide under t

My palms glisten and my stomach twists as the nurse leads us back to the exam room.  With each step, my mind goes wild with the various reasons for why I’m tired lately.  However, none of them really makes any sense. I quickly wipe my hands against my pants as I take a deep breath.  Connor wraps his arm around my waist and kisses the side of my head.  “Don’t worry too much, love.  We are here to take some simple tests and then we will hopefully have some answers soon.  Okay.” I glance at him out of the corner of my eye as I tentatively nod my head.  He kisses the side of my head again and whispers, “I’m going to be right here next to you.  Don’t worry.  I’m sure it isn’t anything serious.” I take another deep breath.  I wish I could be that confident, but my history reminds of what could go wrong. The nurse stops in front of an open door.  “You will be in here.  Please have a