Thirty Four
Amber
I couldn’t bring myself to attend my father’s funeral despite Ash volunteering to accompany me. It was just too much. I knew that my brother, Mark would be there.
Ash was my rock. He sent an elaborate bouquet of flowers with both our names on them. I waited for several weeks and then I finally went to visit his grave.
Ash stood with me as I placed my hand upon his headstone.
Alexander Michaelson
Loving Husband and Father
My heart broke as I knelt next to his headstone. The wet earth seeped into my dress which covered my knees, but I paid no mind. The earth smelled fresh atop the grave and the grass had yet to grow over it. Tears spilled dripping down my face. I couldn’t believe I had let Larry’s lies keep me from him for so long.
And my disgusting, loathsome brother, Mark. It was really his fault that it all happened. He was the one more than Larry who kept me from my parents for nearly twenty years. Rage began to build inside me. I tilted my face toward the sky and screamed the anguish I felt.
“DAMN HIM!” I screamed, picking up fistfuls of dirt and throwing them.
Ash knelt beside me not caring if he got his pants muddy. He held me close. “Shhh, Amber, it’s okay. Mark isn’t here. He can’t hurt you again. You’re a grown woman now. You’re strong.” He took his customary handkerchief from his pocket and wiped my face.
“Am I? I don’t feel very strong. Not when I allowed these lies to keep me from my family. Not when my brother tried to force himself on me just months ago.” I leaned against Ash inhaling the scent of his cologne. He always smelled so good to me.
Ash cupped my face in his hands. “Amber Michaelson, you are the strongest woman I know. You overcame a terribly traumatic event. You went onto to graduate summa cum laude from a prestigious school. You have excelled in your career. You’ve managed to live on your own in New York City for nearly twenty years without help from anyone. You survived an abusive relationship. Did you know you run my entire office for me? Without you, Amber, I wouldn’t have nailed Vitalife. I not only want you running Blackthorne International with me, I need you there with me.”
My heart melted. I was so touched by the sincerity in his voice and the passion shining in his eyes. I didn’t know it was even possible for me to feel any more strongly about him than I already did, but with him holding my face like that my heart filled with even more love for him. “Ash, I’m just your assistant. New York is full of great assistants. Many of whom went to Harvard like you.”
“Fuck Harvard! You’re the only woman who could ever run this company with me. You are more than just my assistant. You’re my partner. The only one I’ll ever want.”
“Are you serious? Are you making me an offer?” My hands reached up to touch his.
He stared right into my eyes. He smiled broadly.
“Yes, I am, Amber. I want you as my official partner at Blackthorne International and all that that implies.”
I was stunned. I nearly fell back in the mud.
He helped me to my feet.
“What does this mean?” My mouth felt dry.
“It means that as soon as we return to New York, I’ll have my attorneys draft the paperwork. Officially, you will hold ownership in Blackthorne International. I can change your title to—”
“Executive Vice President?” I filled in grinning from ear to ear.
“If that’s what you want, consider it done. You’re my right hand, Amber. You always have been.”
“What will the other executives think? I’ve been your assistant for years. They may not feel I’m qualified.”
He shook his head. “I don’t really give a shit what they think. You are tremendously qualified. You have a degree in Finance. Hell, you know more about this industry than most of them do.”
I breathed deeply filling my lungs. The air out here was so crisp and fresh. I gazed down one last time at my father’s grave. I felt him by my side as if he were saying, ‘That’s my girl. Go for it.’
And so I did.