The Spoiled Rich Girl Falls In Love

Chapter 6: Stepping Up and Taking Over

MY uncle’s words had been playing over and over in my mind since I got back to the hospital. I went home to the condo to get a shower and change into fresh clothes. I went back to the hospital right after. Although my dad has a caregiver, I wanted to be there when he fully regains consciousness. I need him to know that I am sorry for what happened.

The caregiver said that my dad just fell back asleep when I arrived. I wonder why he seems to be always asleep when I am there. I’m starting to wonder if he’s feigning sleep just to avoid seeing or talking to me. It doesn’t matter. I’ll stay by his side until he fully regains consciousness.

I was sitting on the couch still thinking about the different scenarios relating to my taking over the company when I heard my dad grunting. I immediately went to his side and checked on him.

Krista: “Dad? What’s wrong? Do you need anything? I’m here.”

My dad opened his eyes slowly and looked at me. I saw an expression I’ve never seen from him before. He called out my name and then a tear flowed out of his left eye.

Antonio: “Krista.”

Krista: “I’m here dad. Do you want me to call the doctor? How are you feeling?”

He just kept looking at me and calling my name. Not long after, I was crying too. I held onto his hand and kneeled on the floor beside him.

Krista: “Dad, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I should have been a better daughter. I’m sorry for always causing trouble. Please get better.”

He didn’t respond and just kept looking at me, until I felt his hand stroking my head. When my eyes met his, he smiled. Not long after, he fell back asleep. I got a little scared but saw that his heartbeat remained steady through the monitors.

At that moment, I made my decision. I need to redeem myself and make sure that my dad’s hard work will not go in vain. I am taking over the company and making sure that my dad’s adversaries will not succeed. Now I just need to know where to begin.

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I made an appointment to meet my uncle in the office the day after tomorrow. I didn’t tell him what it’s about, but I told him it’s important. I went to the mall and shopped for power outfits I can wear to the office.

I got a few blazer and skirt combinations, including some tops I can wear under the blazer. I made sure that the skirts’ lengths are below the knee. I also got some dresses which I can mix and match with the blazers. I also got some button up shirts, and a few other work-appropriate tops, blazers, skirts and pants.

I also went to a shoe store to get some closed toe pumps. Lastly, I got some bags that will go with the clothes and shoes I bought. When I was satisfied with my purchases, I got some take-out dinner and went home to prepare for tomorrow. I plan to pass by the hospital early in the morning to check on my dad. Anita has been appraising me of his condition and he seems to be getting better everyday. When I left earlier, the doctor advised me of the possibility of my dad having to get another operation because there’s still a few clots that they were not able to remove in the first operation.

As I laid down in bed, I did some research on the company. Apparently, my dad is the Chairman and CEO of KJM Holdings Incorporated. It’s a company that owns and runs a chain of at least 100 malls all over the country. Wow! I did not know it was that many. According to my uncle, majority ownership of these malls belong to me and my dad. I just realized that I was part-owner of the mall I went to shop in early. That’s something else.

I looked at the company name, and was surprised that it was called KJM, which is also my initial. Did my dad name the company after me? But then again, my mom’s name is Kristine Joyce Montemayor, so it could have been named before her. It’s just curious that the company was established after I was born. There is a possibility that my dad did name it after me. Maybe I can ask him later when he gets better.

Truth be told, there are a lot things I would like to ask my dad, particularly relating to my mom. There’s so many things I’d like to know about her, so that I can least get to know her beyond the pictures and home videos. I want to know her favorite color, favorite food, what kind of music she listens to, and other trivial things like that.

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I woke up bright and early to get ready. The appointment with my uncle is not until 10 am, but I plan to spend at least an hour with my dad in the hospital. I put on a black sleeveless dress with a tiny gold belt accessory. For me, black is a boring color. Well, it’s not even a color, it’s shade. The gold belt should give my outfit a little zhuzh. I will be pairing it with a black blazer that has a ¾-length sleeve and black 3-inch Louboutin pumps. These pumps have the signature red sole which also adds color to a rather boring outfit.

I put my hair up in a neat bun. On my face, I put on makeup that looks natural. I’m not sure how long I’ll be in the office and I didn’t want my face to cake up later.

Anita was surprised when she saw me enter my dad’s hospital room. She said that she barely recognized me but I look really nice and dignified. I thanked her and smiled. My dad’s eyes were closed at the moment but when he heard my voice, he opened them and looked at me. He blinked a few times, possibly wondering who the corporate-looking woman in front of him was.

Krista: “Hi dad. How are you feeling?”

Antonio: “Krista?”

Krista: “Yes, it’s me. Do you want anything?”

Antonio: “No. What’s going on?”

Krista: “I’m headed to the office in a bit. I have a meeting with Uncle Aaron.”

Antonio: “Which office?”

Krista: “Your office.”

Antonio: “You’re meeting Aaron? Alone?”

Krista: “Yes. Don’t worry dad. We’re not, uhm, doing that anymore. I promise.”

Antonio: “Okay.”

He went back to sleep not long after. I left after an hour, and I asked Anita to keep me apprised of my dad’s condition. I made sure to thank her for taking care of my dad.

When I arrived at the office, I was stopped by the guards from coming in and was told to go to the receptionist to get a pass. I raised my eyebrows but did as I was told. When the receptionist asked who I’m meeting, he asked if I had an appointment to see Uncle Aaron. When I said I did and gave just my first name, she picked up her phone to probably call his office. There doesn’t seem to be an answer and she asked me to wait on the couch until she can contact Uncle Aaron’s secretary. My b*tchy side suddenly came out as I raised my voice.

Krista: “You’re seriously making me wait? You obviously don’t know who I am.”

I pulled out an ID and when she saw her eyebrows furrowed as she looked at me.

Krista: “Do you see my name? Krista Janina Montemayor. I am the daughter of Antonio Montemayor who happens to be the owner of this company and this building. Uncle Aaron is expecting me in his office right now, and how dare you have the audacity to make me wait? Do you know that I can fire you right now?”

She seemed scared as people near the reception stopped to find out what the commotion was about. I was almost screaming as I scolded the receptionist.

Aaron: “Krista!”

I turned around as Uncle Aaron walked towards me and asked what was going on.

Krista: “This lowly employee has the nerve to stop me from coming in. I want her fired immediately!”

My uncle moved closer to me and asked me to calm down.

Aaron: “I’m sure she didn’t mean to stop you. She’s just following procedures.”

Receptionist: “I’m so sorry Ms. Montemayor. I should have recognized you. Please don’t fire me. I really need this job. I’m the breadwinner in the family.”

Somehow I felt pity for the girl. I didn’t answer and just turned around to walk towards the elevators. The guards immediately opened the turn style for me and let me through. Uncle Aaron was just walking behind me and led me to the corporate elevator where we got in.

Aaron: “Why are you so aggressive so early in the morning?”

Krista: “Forget about it.”

Aaron: “You look great, by the way. I almost didn’t recognize you. You’re so sexy too.”

Krista: “Thanks. Stop looking at me like that. You won’t be seeing me naked anymore.”

Aaron: “That’s probably for the best. It might be hard for me to control myself if I’ll see you in those sexy clothes, though.”

Krista: “I’m not supposed to be sexy. I’m trying to look professional. Can’t you see I’m wearing a blazer?”

Aaron: “Seeing you in that body-hugging dress just makes me imagine what’s underneath.”

Krista: “Well, let your imagination do the work. You’re never seeing me off my clothes anymore.”

Aaron: “We can still f*ck even with your clothes on, you know?”

My uncle then squeezed my butt which made me squeal. Just then the elevator opened and we had to straighten ourselves up as we walked towards his office.

Immediately, we saw employees stealing glances at us. Everyone was looking me up and down, with the women giving me judging looks, while the men gave me lusty looks. I even saw a few of the younger ones lick their lips as they stared at my body longer than what was appropriate.

I’m pretty famous for being a party-girl and hooking up with plenty of men. Some of them are famous too, so it usually gets reported in the media. I’ve hooked up with some actors, singers, athletes and even politicians. I meet most of them at clubs and parties. The longest I stay with them is a week, with some lasting only a few hours before I move on to the next one.

With this reputation, I’m sure some of the men here are hoping to hook up with me too. I still haven’t decided if I should since I should try to remain professional in the office. I haven’t slept with anyone here yet, at least not that I know of. Well, except for my uncle.

When we got to my uncle’s office, he offered me coffee, which I gladly accepted. He had me sit down on the chair across his desk.

Aaron: “So what brings you here my dear niece?”

Krista: “I’ve been thinking about what you said. About taking over as Chairman and CEO. What would that entail?”

Aaron: “Well, you will have to learn the workings of the office first. Good thing that you studied business administration and management in school so it would be easy for you to get a grasp of how the business works. Then we can assign some tasks and you can take the lead on some projects. We can’t just put you in the top position right away. That will be like throwing you in a snake pit, well figuratively of course.”

Krista: “Do you think I can handle it?”

Aaron: “That will depend on you. For the duration of the week, you can shadow me and just be a silent observer. Your presence should rattle those snakes in the pit.”

Krista: “Okay. Should I start now?”

Aaron: “I have a meeting with the marketing team in 30 minutes. That would be a good start.”

Krista: “Okay. I’m suddenly nervous. My palms are sweating.”

Aaron: “I know what we can do to help you relax.”

Krista: “Uncle, stop flirting with me.”

Aaron: “Haha, I’m just teasing you.”

He picked up some papers on his desk and handed them over to me.

Aaron: “Here, try to read as much as you can. That’s a dossier the marketing team sent over about their plans. That’s what we’ll be meeting on later.”

I moved to the couch and brought the documents and my coffee with me. I got comfortable and started reading. Most of what I read was confusing but I made some notes to ask my uncle later. Not long after, he called me and we walked towards the conference room where the meeting was to take place. I had to take deep breaths to calm myself. I am about to attend my first company meeting, and I have no idea how it's going to go.