Succession

Chapter 6

Waves of anger and frustration washed over Maria as she spoke to her father over the phone. "Dad, when did you become like this? How did you expect me to work with him?" she asked, trying to calm herself down, but her voice still trembled with emotion.

Her father's response was dismissive and uncaring, his words dripping with condescension. "There's nothing I can do about it, daughter. Things have changed, and moreover, I think you should have moved past this. Five years already. You're supposed to have gotten over him." His tone was like a slap in the face, leaving Maria feeling stunned and hurt.

Without warning, her father abruptly ended the call, leaving Maria seething with anger and resentment. She slammed her fist onto the table, making the objects on it rattle and shake. Her PA, Tiana, rushed into the room, concern etched on her face.

"Are you okay, ma?" Tiana demanded, eyeing Maria with a mixture of worry and curiosity. Maria's face was red, her eyes blazing with fury, and her chest heaving with ragged breaths. She looked like a storm about to unleash its full fury.

Maria took a deep breath, trying to compose herself, but her face still burned with anger and frustration. She glared at the phone, as if willing her father to come back on the line and explain himself. The tension in the room was palpable, and her PA stood frozen, unsure of what to do next.

"What are you still doing here? I told you to go!" Maria demanded, her tone dripping with anger. She hated being seen in a vulnerable position like this.

"I wasn't sticking around, ma," Tiana replied calmly. "You have an email."

Maria took a deep breath and asked, "What's that?"

Tiana hesitated before speaking, "Your dad asked you to have dinner with M and K company tonight. He said he was supposed to be there but something came up."

Maria's expression turned incredulous. "I have other schedules," she said dismissively. "Send a response back to him, declining the invitation."

Maria's expression turned bitter as she listened to Tiana's words. "I am sorry, madam, we have to push our schedule aside and do what your father wants. You know we have to keep to his instructions if we truly want him to make you the chairman," Tiana said, her voice laced with a hint of sympathy.

Maria took a deep breath, and scoffed. "Did I really have to do this? I promised to be there for Alex tonight, but it seems like I am standing him up again. He's just a kid, and I am dragging him into this," she said, her voice heavy with frustration and guilt.

Tiana's expression softened. "Ma, I understand your son needs your attention. But everything you're doing is for his sake. Maybe he has to sacrifice one night...you should explain to him, I am sure he will understand," Tiana said, trying to offer some comfort.

Maria sighed, feeling the weight of her responsibilities bearing down on her. She knew Tiana was right, but it didn't make it any easier. She thought about Alex, and how she had promised to be there for him tonight. She would have to call him and explain, again. The thought of disappointing him, again, was almost too much to bear.

"Alright, you should go now" Maria said, biting her lower lips. Tiana misses and turned to leave. She hit her lower lips, as he settles down on the chair, holding the hands of the chair, as it trying to pushed her frustration on the chair.

"I always ignored my child, just for work, what type of mother am I. I have been busy and never gave him my attention" She said, and ruffles her hair. 

"I promised to cook his favourite dish for him tonight, and it's not possible again. I think I should inform him earlier" She said to herself, and wanted to dialled  their home number, but changed her mind and called her mother. 

"Alright, you should go now," Maria said, biting her lower lip to hold back her emotions. Tiana nodded and turned to leave, but not before casting a concerned glance at Maria.

As soon as Tiana was gone, Maria let out a frustrated sigh and slumped into the chair, gripping the armrests as if trying to push her emotions into the furniture. "I always ignore my child, just for work... what type of mother am I?" she lamented, ruffling her hair in distress.

She thought about her promise to cook Alex's favorite dish for him tonight, but now it seemed impossible. "I should inform him earlier," she said to herself, reaching for the phone to dial their home number. But then she hesitated and changed her mind, deciding to call her mother instead.

Maria needed someone to be there with Alex tonight to filled the space she couldn't fill. She hoped her mother would be that person. With a deep breath, she dialed her mother's number.

"Hey, daughter, how are you?" Mrs. Levefre asked, her warm voice a contrast to Maria's frazzled emotions.

"Mum, please, can you go be with Alex tonight?" Maria demanded, her tone urgent.

"Why? Aren't you going to be home tonight?" Mrs. Levefre asked, her curiosity piqued.

Maria scoffed. "Your sweetheart is getting on my nerves. I have a very tight schedule tonight, please, can you be there?"

"What's going on? Is there something special tonight? Is his nanny not around?" Mrs. Levefre asked, her questions coming in rapid succession.

"I told her to close early because I thought I'd be coming home sooner, but that won't be possible again," Maria explained, her frustration growing.

"Is there something special tonight? You can always call his nanny to wait back," Mrs. Levefre suggested.

Maria's emotions boiled over. "Gosh! What's going on? Where are my parents? Are you going to turn me down like Father does? He's got me on a tight schedule, and now you can't even spare some hours for your own grandchild!" she yelled, feeling exasperated and abandoned.