SINGLE MOTHER AND CEO

At the Hacienda “Los Rincones”, Rafael:

Getting off my horse Tornado, in the stable, exalted by the news that my sister was apparently due to give birth early. I ran quickly to the interior of the ranch, because my brother-in-law was away on business.

I climbed the steps two at a time, turning left, the wing of the ranch totally occupied by my sister and her husband. Then, I ran until I reached her room, where I knocked on the door, even though I could hear some voices inside.

-Knock, knock!Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

-Come in,” answered a sweet, melodic voice that sounded familiar.

As I turned the door handle, a pleasant surprise met my eyes. She was looking at me with a wide smile, opening her arms wide to receive me in them. It was my aunt Anastasia Buendia, my mother’s twin and the one who understands me best.

Aunt, she is a gynecologist and obstetrician, I guess she came to help my sister Diana with the delivery of her twins.

-Who brought you? How did you get here, Aunt? -I asked, turning to look at my sister, who was complaining of having very intense contractions in a row. Apparently, she had wet the bed- Why didn’t you let me know you were coming? I would have gone to pick you up,” I said, giving her a kiss, approaching Diana.

“What do I do, sis? -I asked, taking her hand, to help her on the bed and take her to the bathroom.

-I came in the truck,” answered Aunt, helping me to lift Diana to take her to the bathroom.

-And where is my mother? -I asked, acting quickly.

-Relax! Rafael,” Aunt whispered to me to calm me down, “My water just broke. It’s true that it’s not yet the due date, but when it comes to multiple pregnancies, it can be brought forward. Besides, I’m already here and I’ll take care of everything.

-Perfect! -I replied and smiled, toning down a little bit how intense I was when I entered my sister’s bedroom, “What do you need? -I consulted Aunt Anastasia.

-To prepare everything to take her to the hospital in town, I’ve already made an agreement with the Director to use the same ward if I need it.

-Anastasia, the Director has already called me! -Everything is ready,” she announced, entering the room without knocking, calmly and with some bags in her hands.

-Come on, son! Your sister has already started the labor process,” my mother said.

It was the first time that she was relaxed in such a situation, which was due to the sweet and calm influence of Aunt Anastasia! Because, despite being twins, my mother is the complete opposite of her.

In view, that everything was ready to bring my nephews into the world, I went out to the garage and putting in my Jeep Grand Cherokee, the bags that mom gave me, we went to the hospital in town. An hour later, my nephews, with their extraordinary throats, were holding a concert of voices in the hospital’s small hospital booth.

They were put in incubators because they were born prematurely, although they were already 36 weeks old and in perfect condition. When Aunt Anastasia left, she informed us about the condition of the twins and my sister.

-They are all perfectly fine! I preferred to put them in an incubator because they are premature. However, depending on their evolution, they will be taken out of there as soon as possible,” she said.

Rafael, they both have the light brown mark of the Corners, exactly where you have it, in the middle of the two teats,” said Aunt with a smile.

“However, I think that’s the only thing you have in you, because otherwise, you look like your father’s Russian, ha, ha, ha! -she guffawed.

-You don’t say? -questioned Camila, with a smile.

-If it doesn’t have the mark, it’s not Corner! -I assured her, remembering my father’s words. He and my grandfather were among the last dynasties to bear the birthmark, between the teats, just like me.

Meanwhile, on Paradise Island, the Narrator:

Sofia, with her poise and elegance, was greeting one by one, but from her post all the shareholders. There were seven in total, including herself. Observing how the youngest ones were enraptured looking at her.

Thus, Reyner took the floor, indicating that Juan Carlos’ lawyers, Homero and Bertin, together with the Notary, would carry out the transfer of shares to Sofia, as his heir.

Immediately, they proceeded to carry out the respective procedures, presenting Sofia with the Book of Shareholders and Transfer so that she could sign as the new owner of thirty percent of the shares, since her mother owned the other thirty percent through community property.

By virtue of this, Reyner again assumed his right to speak, welcoming Sofia and making a detailed presentation of her accomplishments during her tenure.

-Are these the CEO’s duties? -Sofia murmured in her mother’s ear, who was standing next to her.

-Certainly! Undoubtedly,” expressed Estefania, angrily, presuming what Reyner wanted to do.

Once he finished making his presentation related to his management, he proposed himself as an ideal and expert candidate to assume the position of CEO of the Shipping Company for the next few years. Claiming in his favor, Sofia’s youth and inexperience.

-Who told you that I am not prepared to assume the position? -said Sofia arrogantly and haughtily, interrupting him and leaving Reyner dumbfounded.

Estefania did not comment at all, preferring to keep quiet, until now, to see how this first meeting would evolve. She was only assessing the final will of her husband and the professional preparation of her daughter.

-What experience can you have Sofia? -he objected, insisting on overriding the last will of his departed friend. She, motioning to the secretary of the board, asked for a microphone so she could speak and be heard just like him.

The secretary, obeying Sofia, immediately assigned her one. In this sense and making use of it, she began to debate with Reyner from her post.

-This you call “achievement” is the function of the CEO, one of them was precisely the one you quoted, to define the vision, purpose and mission of the Shipping Line, all in order to guide the daily activities of the company and which were perfectly defined by my father,” she concluded, with a stern voice.

-It is true, it is one of the functions of the position, but I fulfilled them. Now, you show this board, what are your achievements? To justify in front of everyone, why I cannot be the new CEO of the Shipping Line,” he replied.

-First and foremost, because it is the last will of my father, founder of this Shipping Line, and which I will enforce,” she stubbornly challenged.

-Reyner, we all knew that in the event of Juan Carlos’ death or absence, his daughter would occupy the position. Why so much controversy? She is a professional, I understand she graduated months ago as an accountant,” remarked Benjamin, the oldest shareholder, as well as this one.

-Ha! Yes, she graduated as an accountant! -He replied sarcastically, “However, she also graduated as a single mother, by the way, of triplets. Great feat, from the young lady here! -He said, wanting to humiliate Sofia…