Ch. 5: Fired

“You’ve already done more for me than I could’ve possibly asked for. I’m grateful for that; not many people would have done that Mr. Gray. I’m pretty sure you have some place to be as well and based off of the suit you’re wearing, you’re an important and busy man. Please, don’t allow me to be a hindrance in your business matters.”

With a gentle tone, Derreck replied to her.

“Miss Jackson, respectfully, I am offering to take you to your place of work. If you do not want me to accompany you, I can have someone come and get you instead of you finding other ways of getting there. Besides, it’s basically impossible to hail a cab here.”

Leah revealed a grim expression. He was right; this was the upper echelon and there were NO cabs or any form of travel service around. She looked up at the man who had helped her on more than one occasion now, and responded gratefully and gracefully.

“Then I’m afraid I will have to trouble you once again, Mr. Gray.”

He let go of her wrist and nodded to her.

“Ms. Jackson, lead the way.”

They both walked out of her hotel room and once again made their way down to the lobby. After exiting the elevator, they walked out of the revolving doors and into the 2023 Mercedes Benz C Class, deep blue. Being the gentleman that he is, Derreck opened the door for Leah and waited for her to enter the car. Once she was in the car, he approached the driver’s side door and entered. He then started the car and asked Leah for the address.

“Where to Ms. Jackson?”

“1221 North Place Ave., Trentwood, Aurenda.”

“Jackson Industries?”

“You know it?”

“Who wouldn’t! They’re ruthless when it comes to business. How did you end up working for them?”

“Well Mr. Gray, as my last name is Jackson, it’s only right that I work there.”

“You’re the Senior Jackson?”

“You catch on rather quickly Mr. Gray. Yes, that’s me, however, don’t put me in the same category as them, in terms of their ruthless behavior.”

“Ms. Jackson I didn’t mean it that way.”

“It’s fine, I’m used to it.”

She turned her head to look out the window, not wanting to continue the conversation further. She was used to people looking at her with disdain. They always expected the same viciousness and coldness in her eyes, yet she didn’t display that; she expressed gentleness and patience. As much as she hated her family now, she was tied to them, but in name only. Derreck proceeded to head towards Jackson Industries. Leah continued to keep her head out the window, so Derreck decided to break the silence.

“It’ll take about an hour or so to get there.”

“I know. It’s why I wasn’t looking to trouble you Mr. Gray.”

“Derreck. Call me Derreck.”

“I appreciate you driving me Mr. Gray.”

Derreck didn’t know what to say after that. It was infuriating for her to call him by his last name, but she didn’t know him from Adam, but still, he was upset and he still didn’t know why. The drive was quiet for another 20 minutes before he spoke up once more. This time, however, he chose a different topic of discussion.

“Is there anything that you want to know about me Ms. Jackson?”

“No need. I don’t expect that we’ll cross paths again.”

Just then, Leah’s phone buzzed. She grabbed her phone out of her purse and saw the name on the screen and her expression grew very dark. Derreck noticed this and he hadn’t seen this expression on her before now. If looks could kill, whoever it was, would be DEAD. She clutched the phone in her hands fiercely and took deep breaths to calm herself.

Calm yourself Leah.  

She grabbed her phone and looked at the message once more on the screen.

“You better have a grand excuse as to why you are late today! If you aren’t here in the next 30 minutes, consider your position removed from this building! I will turn the company over to Brigette if I don’t see you in the next 30 minutes.”

She cringed at the sight of the message on her phone. Nevertheless, her fingers began flying across the keyboard. She replied. Let. Him. Have. It.

“I will be there within the hour. As for you wanting to give the company to that HALF-WIT, do what you must! If I don’t have to travel there and waste my time, let me know RIGHT NOW! I will turn around and mind my own business. You want to sit here and threaten me through text, be a man and call me!”

She sent the text and shoved her phone in her purse; as soon as she did, her phone rang. She grabbed the phone out of her purse and had a sinister smirk on her face as she answered the phone.

“Leah, you may be a woman, but I will beat you senseless! How dare you be so shameless when speaking to me?”

“Well dad, you didn’t give a shit about me when you allowed Brigette to be with Jason now did you? You didn’t give a shit about my feelings, but yet you have the AUDACITY to try and scold me for being late to work! Do what you will Dylan Jackson, I don’t give a shit anymore!”

“Leah, you’re fired! And I will give this damn company to Brigette! At least she appreciates the things I do!”

“Well dad, when your company goes under, don’t come find me to fix it and make a comeback! Screw you, your wife, that HALF-WIT and Jason too! I hope you all are happy! Mark my words Dylan, I will make you pay for every wrongdoing you have EVER passed onto me! You will beg and plead for my help! MARK. MY. WORDS! I’LL MAKE YOU PAY!”

With that, she hung up the phone. She had forgotten where she was in that moment. Derreck just stared at her in shock. She really wasn’t like them when it came to business, but when she’s crossed, she’s just as ruthless as they were. Leah calmed her emotions that were in a whirlwind and spoke, forcing the rage and the hurt back deep inside of her.

“Mr. Gray, you can continue on. I’m sorry that you had to hear that. I forgot where I was in that moment.”

“Ms. Jackson, when we get to the company, would you like me to stay behind?”

“No need. I’ll make my way back to the upper echelon and back to the hotel.”

Well, I’m already fired, so what more could they do? As this thought occurred to her, once again, her sinister smile reappeared on her face. They were about 15 minutes from Jackson Industries now.

“I can stay behind. I’m already late anyway, plus it’s my company, so they’ll be fine.”

As he finished his statement, he called Peter.

“Senior Gray, how may I be of assistance sir?”

“Push my morning meeting to 1100. I’m running late today.”

“Yes sir, right away.”

“And Peter?”

“Yes Mr. Gray?”

“Prepare the documents that are required for this morning.”

“Yes sir, right away”

With that, he hung up the phone. Leah couldn’t believe it! Someone that she knew for less than 24 hours, was doing more for her than her family did in 24 years! She was grateful, but she couldn’t help but feel like a burden. When they arrived at Jackson Industries, she got out of the car and walked into the building with her head held high.

“Good morning, Vice President Jackson.”

“Good morning, Barry.”

She made her way to the elevator and pushed the 21^st floor. The elevator wasted no time in getting her there. When it stopped on the 21^st floor, she gracefully stepped into the hallway and stormed into the CEO’s office. When she got to the door, she grabbed both handles of the tall glass doors and flung them open. Her rage had taken over at this point!

“I told you not to bring your ass up in here Leah!”

“Did you?”

“Security!”

“Wow father, you would have these people carry me out? Huh, I thought you were better than that.”

Dylan shot the security guards an icy glare.

“Leah, damn you! You are stripped of your title!”

“You expect me to beg like that insolent daughter of yours?! You don’t give a damn about me! She’s not even the rightful heir, yet you give her the company without hesitation! You’ve got some NERVE!”

“Damn right I do! Get the hell out of my office!”

“Or what?”

Why did she ask that question. Dylan stormed over to her and raised his arm.

SMACK! The crisp sound echoed throughout the office and into the hall. Then once again, SMACK! Dylan no longer cared about this ungrateful daughter of his. She came here and decided to be shameless in front of him and DARE be a hard ass!

“So instead of allowing Brigette and me to battle it out, you do it yourself? How shameless!”

As she spoke, she spit in the nearby trashcan and realized that she spat blood. Dylan wasn’t satisfied and Leah enraged him even more. Once again, he raised his hand to slap her face. SMACK! SMACK! Both of her cheeks were now swollen with a red hand print on either side that was made visible.

“Dylan Jackson, you’ll pay for this! You’ll regret crossing me!”

Leah walked out of his office and into her old office. He smacked her in public, so he deserves this and more! She grabbed all of the things in the office and slammed them to the ground. She threw her trash can at the glass door until it shattered. She felt her heart soften because that’s how they made her feel; broken, damaged. Once she was satisfied with the damage in her old office, she made her way back downstairs, though her face was swollen, her confidence was sky high!

What is taking her so long? I’d better go in there and check. Before Derreck could go in, Leah was walking out with her head held high and her cheeks reddened. What the fuck happened in there? She approached the car, opened the door and got in.