The Ruthless Takeover

The air seemed fresh and energetic as our plane touched down at Texas airport. I have been away in Georgia's Business School, Georgia, learning how best to manage a factory as I am the next to take over my father's wine factory.

I picked my luggage and stormed out of the airport. A taxi pulled over, sighting me with my boxes. I got in, said my location as he drove in silence.

The thought of taking over the wine factory filled my mind throughout the ride. When I arrived home, I received a warm welcome from my parents. They helped with my luggage, but I had planned on visiting the factory immediately after I reached home so I didn't bother to chat with them.

I could hear their excited voices trailing me behind as I dragged my luggage up to the room. I resurfaced in the living room and was about to zoom off to the factory, when my dad called out.

“You just returned, you should rest”, he suggested.

“Not now dad, I need to be at the factory”.

“What factory”, he asked.

“The wine factory, our wine factory”.

“Oh”, he sighed and dragged his feet on the floor.

“I will see you shortly”, I hinted and made to walk out of the living room.

“Zina, there is no wine factory”, my dad stuttered. I paused and turned in his direction, confusion etching on my face.

“I don't understand dad, in fact, I'm off, I do not have much time”, I shrugged and took a few steps out of the room when my mom added.

“Zina, the wine factory has been sold off”.

“What do you mean Mom”, I turned slowly in her direction to have a better glance at her.

“Dad, what is mom saying, did you sell the factory?”, I asked, facing him.

“You won't understand Zina”, he added.

“Really”, I said, not wanting to believe he actually did.

I stood right at the same spot but asked “Why?”.

He stuttered as he said “I…I couldn't bear the pressure from the mortgage company to pay off our loan or risk being sent out of this house, besides the company wasn't yielding much any longer, I… I had to sell it off”.

His tone was both calm and sympathetic.

“But you could have just told me about it before selling it off”. I grumpled.

“I felt I shouldn't get you involved with the selling off process since you had already told me your assignments in Georgia were having a big toll on you”, he asserted.

Still surprised I watched his mouth spew out words as I looked at him with wide eyes and lips apart in shock.

He didn't stop speaking but added.

“If I had told you of the constant messages from the mortgage company which had become harassing, would you have left your project in Georgia to return here and then sort out the bills”.

“Would you have had the money to pay off the mortgage?" he swallowed hard.

“You were still a student, I doubt if you would have had the money to help out”.

His words shredded my heart in two. He not only neglected me as his heiress but concluded that I couldn't help and wasn't even fit to help.

He knew I had taken up a 1 year course at the prestigious Georgia's School of Business, just to be abreast with modern business practice after which I would return to Texas to begin my new role as the manager of the company.

But he had just crushed my hopes by selling off our company.

“Going to Georgia was a waste of resources then”, I whispered.

“You can always get a job at any wine factory here in Texas”, he submitted, then took out his phone from his pocket, sliding the screen open then said.

“I could link you up with a few of the managers in different wine factories”, he opined.

“Is that why you sent me to Georgia, just to be a peasant employee looking for whom to hire me”, I asked, the pitch of my voice increasing.

“No Dad, I won't accept that”, my sharp whiny voice echoed in the living room.

“What do you intend to do then”, he asked and curled himself on the sofa he sat on.

“I do not owe you an explanation Dad, but so you wouldn't look for me, I will go meet with your attorney, Mr Smith”.

I yanked my car keys from the side stool beside him and stormed out of his sight leaving him mumbling behind “I doubt if Mr Smith can help”.

I wasn't ready to back down, I must meet Mr Smith, he would have to give me a better explanation why he couldn't advise my father not to sell off the only business we made a living from.

Maybe he doesn't fully grasp his responsibility as a legal adviser, I wouldn't mind teaching him.

And If he can't help me get back the company, he would be relieved of his position as our attorney, after all there is no more property to protect.

I stumbled at my sister Alice at the door as I walked out. She had just returned from the mall.

She approached with a broad grin but I was too furious to break into a smile.

“Hey Sis, what's up with you?”.

She halted at the door expecting my response, but I was done talking to anyone.

I climbed into my Mercedes C300, ignited the engine and swerved the car out of the garage to the gate.

“Is Dad and Mom in?”, she asked.

I didn't have the time to respond to her because the security lock had already opened. I had to face the road, almost tempted to gear up my speed but gave up on speeding when I spotted the police a way off me.

I wind the glass down to let a fresh burst of air whoosh over my face. It helped lighten the fury on my face, making my lips shine pink and my tan skin glow in the cool breeze of the afternoon summer.

I got to the police stop and held the brake. “Good day ma'am”, the policeman advised and then added. “Be cautious on the road”, he smiled as he spoke.

I gave a nod and faced the busy road again. After a few minutes' drive I arrived at No 2 Humphrey Street, at a four storey office complex.

The security guard handed me a parking permit. I located a free space, brought the car to a halt and stepped out.