Samantha Lean

Chicago Downtown Offices of Gemz Industries

“Where’s that disinfected spray?” I moaned, searching the cabinets where I always kept it. I leaned up on the tips of my toes and padded around the top shelf.

“A-ha!” I said, pulling the can down with a swipe of my hand. I carried it back to the mahogany boardroom table and sat it next to the box of Kleenex that was sitting out just for Josiah. I reclaimed my chair to look over notes I’d taken from the meeting with Christopher Lee Rose. The jury was still out on what I thought about his son because let’s face it, Josiah could be responsible one minute and careless the next. He was by far the biggest skirt chaser I’d ever known. At least Jonas and Jaden had slowed down and gotten married. I guess it was somewhat understandable. He was the youngest. Hopefully, the news I was about to deliver would rock his world, in a good way, but once again, you never knew with Josiah.

Working for Mr. Rose was an absolute pleasure. The man couldn’t be more easygoing. For the most part, Mr. Rose left all daily operations to me. I’d been a part of this company since his takeover. I was one of the employees who almost lost their job when the company filed for bankruptcy under its last owner. Demetris Standoff. Ugh. I shuddered thinking about Mr. Standoff. He believed he was the hottest thing smoking and could do no wrong. Reality hit hard when he found out his company was broke. Why? Because the last fool he had in charge was stealing money right from underneath his nose.

Thank God for Mr. Rose. I crossed my legs and bounced it slightly as I adjusted the glasses on my nose. My anticipation was boosted times three because I didn’t know what Josiah’s response to this particular news would be. The doors to the office opened and in he walked. The young man was handsome and always debonair in his approach. I admit sometimes I had to remind myself that this was my boss’s son, and I was old enough to be his grandmother.

Dressed impeccably in Stacy Adams, Josiah’s attractiveness was undeniable. He reached for his sharp blue tie and loosened it with a smile as he approached me, hand held out, with creases in his cuffs. His golden-brown eyes magnified his cocoa chocolate skin, but today they were puffy and pink.

I pushed my chair back and stood, leaning over my briefcase that sat open on the desk. I retrieved a small bottle of anti-bacterial gel and placed the tube in Josiah’s palm. Laughter escaped his smooth brown lips followed by a deep throaty cough. This time when I reached over the table, it was to retrieve the disinfectant spray.

I turned to him with it held high. “I’ll give you a chance to turn your face before I spray this.”

On that note, Josiah turned his back to me. I let out small showers of spray and waved my arms in the air to kill any lingering germs.

“Now that we have that under control, I guess I don’t have to ask how you’re doing today,” I said.

He finished applying the gel and handed it back to me.

“You can keep it,” I said.

“I guess I shouldn’t ask for a hug then,” he remarked.

“Unless you just want to hear me tell you no, I wouldn’t try it. I see you still have time to keep yourself groomed. Maybe you should work harder at keeping yourself well. Especially with greeting people daily.”

“You make it sound like I caught this virus on purpose.”

“No, but if I didn’t know any better, I would think you’re spreading it around on purpose.”

“And why would I do that?”

I smiled. “Because you’re out and about, instead of at home getting yourself well. Have a seat, Mr. Rose, so we can begin.”

“In response to that last comment, if I had someone to help me get well I’d be at home under their orders.”

“I’m sure you’re perfectly capable of taking care of yourself.”

“Mmm, don’t be so sure,” he said, taking a seat in front of me.

I picked up a remote and walked to the office blinds, closing them to darken the room. From there I moved to a TV that sat on a cart and pulled it to the middle.

“Oh, a presentation, this should be fun,” Josiah said with a look of amusement on his handsome face.

“Do you have something better to do because if so we could postpone this meeting and reconvene at a time most suitable for you?”

“Please proceed,” he said.

I curved my eyes at him and hit play on the remote. White snow covered the screen, then a blue screen, then the charismatic ambiance that was Christopher Lee Rose. I watched Josiah perk up. Christopher’s voice boomed through the surround sound in the room.

 “Hello, son, thanks for taking the time to have a sit down with me. This shouldn’t take up too much of your day, and I hope this video finds you in good health.”

“Funny that he would say that,” Josiah said, pulling a Kleenex from the box on the table.

“It’s time for me to reveal the details behind your inheritance. You’re twenty-seven years old and getting no younger. As you know, I’ve been retired for some time now. So, I want you to take over the company. Gemz that is. All the business meetings, charity parties, and events I’ve dragged you to have been preparing you for this very moment. The details include complete ownership of all operations, an immediate inheritance of four million five hundred thousand if you accept and sign on the dotted line today. Once the agreement that Ms. Lean will hand to you is signed, the money will be transferred to your bank account. Arrangements for your takeover will begin and be complete by your 28th birthday. On that day, you will be the sole owner of Gemz and receive another inheritance of fifteen million dollars.”

I could see the wheels turning in Josiah’s head. I’m sure this was the last thing he expected to hear today.

“However,” his father continued to say, “there is a clause before taking full control of the company.”

“And there it is,” I heard Josiah whisper.

Christopher leaned into the television, getting closer to the screen. In habit, it made Josiah lean forward as well.

“Son,” his father spoke with a soft and gentle voice, “you know I want nothing but the best for you. To receive your full inheritance on your 28th, you’ll need to take life seriously. Settle down and find a wife you want to spend your life with. Now I know you’re a ladies’ man, but son, you’ve got to grow up and take some responsibility. It’s time for you to be with one woman and open your heart. You’ll be thirty before you know it, then forty, then in your fifties like your ol’ man. Time waits for no one. Are you man enough to step up to the plate? I guess I’ll find out. I hope so. See you soon.”

Josiah looked completely flabbergasted.

“What type of clause is that?” he questioned, dazed.

Josiah sat back in his chair. The sun rays filled the room as I readjusted the blinds. When I turned back to him, I could tell he was lost in thought. Probably wondering how he could get around the clause. I cleared my throat, bringing him out of his haze. Josiah glanced at me and the manila folder I was now holding. He reached for it, taking it out of my hands to run his eyes over the document. After realizing his father’s terms were listed there, Josiah reached for his tie again, completely removing it from around his neck.

I continued to study his demeanor. He didn’t look too excited about his inheritance at all. If it were me, I would jump at the opportunity if given the chance. Josiah stood suddenly.

“I need some fresh air,” he said.

“Wait.” I held up my hand. “What about the agreement, is it signed?” I looked down at the folder left open on the table.

“Yeah, I um,” his words trailed off.

I felt like I should say something but never liked to interfere in company business unless explicitly told. However, this was an opportunity of a lifetime, and I wanted to knock some sense into Josiah before he made the biggest mistake of his life.

“Listen, Josiah, I know this seems like a big deal, but it’s not. You can run the company. I’ve seen you in the field, and you were born to do this.”

“It’s not running the company that concerns me.”

“I know, you want to build your brand and you still can. Your father isn’t giving you a handout. It’s your rightful inheritance. All your brothers received one at some point, and they all went on to build their brands. Don’t look at it as a handout. Look at your inheritance as sponsorship money for your startup. Even when someone helps you start, it doesn’t seal the deal on the growth of the company. You have to put in the work, and it’s still your baby. So, take my advice, don’t leave here today without signing the contract.”

“You’re right, and I’m acutely aware of everything you just said, but,” he said, “I don’t like being forced into any situation. Who says I want a wife?”

“Don’t you? Everyone wants that one person to call their own at some point.”

“Yeah, I haven’t reached that point yet.”

I sighed. “Well maybe by the time your next birthday rolls around, you will have. You never know. The least you can do is sign the contract and get your first deposit. If you don’t have a change of heart by the time you turn twenty-eight, then you’ve lost nothing. Your father won’t take back the four million five hundred. You just won’t get the full inheritance, and you don’t have it now, so you won’t be missing anything.”

Josiah chuckled. “Has anyone ever told you, you should be a lawyer, Ms. Lean?”

I smiled. “I actually have a law degree, it just wasn’t what I was looking for in the long run.”

He chuckled again. “Of course.”

I watched him think some more on it before lifting his tie from the table.

“Josiah?”

“Give me until the end of the day.”

And with that, he was gone.