10!I don't need an appointment!

ZARA

As the car moved, I couldn’t help but fidget. Today is the first time I will be walking into Zenith Law firm. It's one of the biggest firms in the country, and I can’t believe I have a massive stake in it. 

“What about the clause?” my mind went back there, and I groaned. I had spent all week with Vic, trying to figure out a way to outsmart the clause my father had placed but we found nothing. My father was a brilliant man, he thought of everything, and placed contingencies. 

“Nervous?” I heard Vic’s voice and I turned to look at her. 

“No,” I said sharply. “I was made for this obviously,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. “I just miss Hazel, I don’t like leaving her,” she smiled at her words.

“I can’t say I understand the feeling, but I get you. I had the greatest mother love, and I see it in you,” her words seem to make me calm. 

Vic’s words made my chest feel warm. I smiled a little and looked back out the window.

The tall buildings of downtown blurred past us as we got closer to the office. I tried to shake off the nerves, but they clung to me like fog.

“I don’t know why I’m so on edge,” I said quietly.

“Because this is big,” Vic replied. “Your name is now tied to a law firm that makes headlines.”

“And to a man I want nothing to do with,” I muttered.

Vic didn’t say anything for a moment. Then she reached over and gently squeezed my hand.

“Just remember who you are, Zara. You’re not walking in there as his ex. You’re walking in as a woman with power, with control. That firm is yours just as much as it’s his.”

Her words helped.

I sat up straighter.

As the car pulled up in front of Zenith Law, my heart thudded harder. The building was all glass and steel, tall and perfect. Cold, just like I expected.

The driver opened the door, and I stepped out. Vic followed behind me.

Inside, everything was sleek and quiet. People walked around in suits, holding files, typing on tablets. Everyone looked important. Everyone moved fast.

But I didn’t let it shake me.

I walked past the front desk, ignoring the receptionist calling out to me. Myself and Vic got to the elevator before she could catch up to us.

“Sorry,” Vic waved to her, and she groaned. We laughed, and headed straight for the fifth floor. According to the hierarchy of the firm we found online, all senior panthers and shareholders have their offices on the fifth floor. 

The elevator doors opened with a soft ding.

I stepped out first, and my heels clicked against the glossy, dark wooden floor. The space looked like something out of a movie, classy, modern, and way too perfect. Glass walls stretched across every office, giving it a wide, open feeling. You could see everything and everyone.

Some offices had tall bookshelves filled with thick law books. Others had large abstract paintings and sleek desks with nameplates made of brushed silver. Everything was clean, polished, expensive.

It smelled faintly of fresh coffee and ambition.

Vic gave a low whistle beside me. “Now this is serious money.”

I didn’t reply. My eyes were already locked on the far end of the floor, where a huge conference room stood out from the rest. There were a lot of people in the office. 

“Wow, I must have an angel with me,” I said to Vic.

“What do you mean?” she asked, and I nodded towards the conference room.

“Look like I came at the right time,” I smiled, and walked towards the room. The elevator doors rang again, and the receptionist rolled out with speed. 

“Ma’am you can’t be here, without an appointment,” she said, as we stood in front of the conference room. I looked inside, the room was arranged like a meeting was taking place, and there was someone at the edge, a female, and she looked familiar. 

“I don’t need an appointment,” I said, and shoved her to the side. I opened the doors, and the sound of my heels brought attention to me. 

“Who are you? You can’t be in……here,” her voice trailed off, and a wave of recognition hitted us both. 

“What are you doing here?” the both of us asked at the same time. There were a lot of stares and whispers in the room. I wanted to look up high ranking panthers in the firms, but I convinced myself not to. I wanted the feeling of not knowing. 

“If you are here about Matthew, it would have to wait,” she said, and I scoffed. “As you can see I’m in a very important meeting,” I didn’t have the pleasure of sizing her up when we first met at Matthew’s office but now I do. 

She was the size, height and built as I was, her skin was tanned and oiled like she was on a vacation. She is trying very hard to meet up with fashion trends. Although she is doing everything right, she could do better. 

“I’m not here for Matthew,” I said, as I walked towards her. “Why would you think that?” she fidgeted a bit, looking back at me and the people in the room. 

“We met in his office just days ago, and…”

“And you figured I’m here to tell you to back off,” I cut her off. Her eyes lit up in anger. 

“Who are you, and what do you want?” she asked. 

I passed her, and headed to the other end of the table, standing opposite her. But in a clearer view of everyone, including the people outside the conference room. 

“I’m Zara Taylor,” I said, and whispers filled the room like buzzing bees. I looked at Vic, and she smiled at me. 

Some people leaned forward in their seats. Others looked at each other, clearly surprised. The woman on the other end of the table stiffened. I could see the shock on her face. She hadn’t expected that name. Not today.

“The Zara Taylor?” one man asked from the corner.

I gave a short nod. “Yes, my father is or was Richard Taylor before his death,” I sniffed.

“Here you go,” someone handed me a wipe.

“Thank you,” I took it, and wiped my face. “He was one of the majority shareholders of this firm.”

The silence that followed was heavy. You could feel it sink into the walls. “And now, those Shares have been transferred to me.”

I looked at Monica from across the table. She has an expression on her face that I couldn't read. I couldn't tell if it was shock or confusion.

But I bet she was looking for the right thing to say to me.

“I wasn’t informed of any change in ownership,” Monica finally said, her voice tight.

I shrugged. “Well, it’s done. The papers have been signed, the shares transferred. Whether you were informed or not doesn’t change the facts.”

More whispers broke out around the room. People shifted in their seats. 

“Why are you telling us this now?” Monica asked, folding her arms.

“Because I want to make it clear,” I said. “I’m not just a silent partner. I’m going to be involved. I’m here to work, not to sit on the sidelines.”

Vic nodded beside me, her arms crossed proudly. Her presence gave me strength.

I sat down proudly on the chair before me, “this is a shareholder's meeting right,” I said, looking at each one of them.

“Let us begin.”