“I can easily go and work for any other company. In fact, Jake already tried to get me to work on a project with him.” I’m telling a half truth. He did tell that one old dude that I was at his office because we were working on something together.
“Tell Jacob I don’t take kindly to my staff being poached,” Dad grunts.
“And sleeping with the boss isn’t going to be jumping from one form of nepotism to another?” Aiden asks.
“Shut up,” I hiss.
“Don’t speak about your sister like that.” Dad places a plate full of pancakes in front of me.
“Why does she get them first? I was here first,” Aiden says.
“Because she’s the favorite child.” Dad laughs as he turns back to the stove.
“You just said you didn’t have favorites,” Aiden whines.
“I lied,” Dad says.
“Well, I’d love to stay and chat but some of us have shit to actually do.” CJ leaves the kitchen.
“Where is he going?” I ask.
“Nowhere you need to be,” Dad tells me.
After breakfast, I shower and dress as if I’m going to the office. I’ve been lounging around in sweats or tights for the two weeks I’ve been cooped up here. It actually feels good to do my hair and makeup.
I want to make a good impression. I’m nervous. I don’t know why, but I’ve never been more nervous to make a presentation about company improvements to anyone before. This is my dad, though. I don’t want him to just go along with my ideas because I’m his daughter. I want him to be impressed by them. I want him to like my ideas.
Picking up my laptop and the printed presentation folder I prepared, I head down to my dad’s office. When I knock, thedoor swings open, and my Uncle Louie is standing on the other side.
“Princess, how you been?” he asks, tugging me into a hug. “You okay?” He pulls back, his eyes searching my face.
“Yeah, just nervous,” I admit.
“About what?”
“Presenting my ideas to Dad,” I whisper.
“Jazzy has some improvements she wants to make to Aces. You should stay and hear them, Louie,” Dad says.
My eyes widen. Seriously, now I have to present them to my dad and my uncle? Great. “I only have one portfolio. I thought it would just be you.” I tentatively approach the desk.
“We can share,” Dad says.
“Right, okay. Well, I want you to be honest. Don’t tell me you like these ideas if you really don’t.”
“When it comes to money, I’m always honest, Jazzy,” Uncle Louie chimes in.
“The floor is yours.” My dad gestures in front of him.
“Okay.” I hand over the folder to him and sit on the opposite side of his desk. Then I open my laptop and pull up my presentation and key points.
An hour later, I’ve spoken about all the areas I think could be improved at the casino. I’ve answered questions from both my dad and my uncle.
And at the end, I take a breath. “That’s it.”
My dad and uncle continue to stare at me. I can’t tell what they’re thinking. But my nerves are skyrocketing right now.
“This is fucking brilliant, Jazzy,” Dad finally says.