Large Lessons To Learn - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

“It took you a while to get here…” Lewis complained as the limo arrived where he was.

Lauren frowned, he was looking at his phone, he barely made eye contact with them. He was so annoying, just looking at him, he never had to work hard a day in his life, and even now, he doesn't have to walk. They went to where he was.

“Sorry, we had to go around the whole airport.” She said, sarcastically, something he didn’t catch.

“No worries, I forgive you.” How kind of him, she thought as she drew a fake smile on her face.

Lauren had to calm down, she couldn’t just yell at him. He was spoiled, everything he wanted was given to him just by asking. He knows nothing about effort. Maybe she can fix that. Who knows, he could impress her.

Maybe he’s one of those people who can impress you when given a chance. He could really show some initiative and actually be a good boss. It should be in his genes, right?

Well, little does she know, there’s not much of his father’s genes on his attitude. Not on aspirations, not in kindness. Mr. Langford was born with nothing, and he worked his way to the top. Lewis… he was not grateful enough for what he had and took things for granted.

—

The limo drove off and they left the airport. Lewis’s luggage filled the trunk. Why did he pack that much? Lauren thought he’d be the kind of man who packs light and just buys everything new wherever he lands on. As the money-waster he is. But he did not.

“So, Lewis, did you have a nice flight?” Lauren asked.

“Yeah, it was nice enough…” He replied, looking at his phone, it seems he was texting. Who? Why? That’s unimportant, he’s rude by not looking at her.

The two of them were alone at the back of the limo. Lauren was wearing her usual uniform. A blouse with a blazer on top, and a skirt that matched the blazer. She was a woman in her fifties, 52-years-old actually. But time’s been nice to her, still you can see a few wrinkles in her face and maybe small bags beneath her eyes; a cause of staying up all night working hard for the company.

Her hair was of a bright raven color, and her eyes were of a deep blue. She’s the image of a hard working, executive woman. With style, maturity and presence.

Now, Lewis is not quite as professionally dressed. But why would he? He’s never actually worked. He’s got an expensive watch around his wrist, a silver necklace around his neck too. He likes to show off his fancy things. His tee shirt's plain white, but that doesn’t mean it’s not an expensive one. His jeans are of a worn denim, bought like that. With a whole over his knee; designed to show a lazy, yet comfortable fit. And he’s wearing boots, italian leather, and very expensive. Did he work hard for those? Take your guess.

His hair’s blonde and his eyes are blue, but of a very light blue, almost as light as the sky on a sunny day. And his skin is tanned as he last lived by the beach. On a fancy apartment rented by who? Yes, by his dad, just for him.

Lauren was annoyed by how disrespectful he was, but maybe this was not his fault. This could be a coping mechanism, his father was gone now, the last family he had. Maybe he was acting like a dick because he was hurt?

“Do you remember me?” Lauren asked, “I’ve been your father’s assistant since he first created the company. I’m Lauren, Lauren Fields.” she said, with a smile, trying to catch his attention.

Lewis did look up from his phone. His eyes met hers, the same eyes his father had, those eyes so full of dreams. He looked at her, and he could recall her. It’s been quite a while since he last saw her.

“Yeah, I think… you wore glasses, right?” He asked.

“That’s right! You do remember. Yes, I do wear glasses, but sometimes I use contacts.” She replied.

“Cool. So… now what? I mean, will you be my assistant? I… sorry if I don’t get it but… what should I do? It’s not easy to take over a company without experience. And my old man…” he just stopped. He was hurt by his loss. He’s confused as to what he has to do, so much information to process, so much stuff to do. He doesn’t even know where to begin.

And the feeling of being lonely. Lauren could see it in his eyes, he feels lost.

“I’m sorry about your loss. Your father was a great man. And I’m sure there’s a lot of him in you.” She placed her hand over his shoulder as she spoke. “I will not be your assistant, as I used to be. I’ll have to take care of a great part of your father’s duties. But you won’t be alone, we’ll find you a personal assistant. My main job will be, if you allow me, to be your mentor. Your father,” she felt a knot on her throat as she spoke, but she continued, “he would’ve been the best at this, but… I’ll try to do my best. And I hope you do too.” It was hard for her too, she was so close to the man.

“And… what do I have to do now?” he asked.

“You’ll take over the company, and will lead it with my, and the board’s help. Your first duty as the new president will be to give a speech. Do you have one? I mean, can you write one? I can help you if you like. We have until Monday…” she started.

“No need, I think I can put together a few words.” he said.

“Ok, just keep in mind you’ll be giving this speech in front of hundreds of people. And on live-TV, plus the press.” This was a big deal, much bigger than he originally thought.

“Oh,” now he felt a bit nervous. “I’ll manage. I don’t have to give a full TED talk, right?”

“Right…” she’ll write a speech, just in case.

—

Later on, they arrived at his father’s mansion. It was not the biggest mansion there was, it was very well equipped, but it wasn’t unnecessarily big. He was a single man, after all. He didn’t marry after Lewis’s mother passed away. And he was too busy with work to find someone else. 

Not the biggest, but it was still a mansion with a pool. No bowling area, not an in-house basketball court, not a tennis court at the patio, but it was a huge place.

He walked in, this place is so strange to him and at the same time so familiar. He’s walked this floor, he knows this place, but it’s been so long since he was last here. He could say that he’ll feel his father’s absence, but he was not that much at home back then.

“Here we are, your new home. Quite luxurious, right?” Lauren said.

“Yeah, it’s… nostalgic to be here.” He said, taking a closer look at all of the things he could remember. The paintings, the marble floor, even the wall paint hasn’t changed.

“I understand if you need a moment.” She added, waiting right by the door.

“Nah, I’m good.” For now. “I still remember where things are, however… is there food at the fridge?” he asked.

“There is, and there’s also a chef during week days. A whole team of gardeners, a pool guy, a couple of maids too. Today they are not coming, but on Monday they will all come back. Do you need them to have your breakfast ready by 6:00?” she asked.

“A.M.? Oh no, by 10:00, that would be much better.” He’s not a morning person.

“But, you need to give your speech by 9:00 am, on Monday.” Lauren said, smiling but hiding how upset she was.

“Can’t we move that to Noon? Midday? I can be there by 12:00.” he replied.

“Sorry, but we can’t move that time.” She replied, everything was already scheduled. It’ll be much easier for him to get ready early, than to make the other hundreds of people to reschedule this.

“Oh, ok. I’ll be there…” Will he?

—

A moment later, he was left alone at this mansion. It feels so lonely now.

Lewis was alone, and confused. His life has changed so much, his life has made a turn. From having no responsibilities to giving a speech in front of hundreds of people, and TV! Was this national TV? Of course it was.

He never really asked for this, he didn’t ask for any of this. This was too much. He thought he could start little by little, once he was ready, that there will be time. But things were not as he thought.

From one day to the next, he was now in charge of a whole company. In charge of an international company, in charge of so many things. Trading? Business? Production? He knows nothing about that!

He was getting stressed out. But there’s still time before his speech. Which will be his very first responsibility. Like a test, this will be his first test. Right now, he doesn’t need to work too hard, a single page will be enough, right? Something quick.

He’ll get worried about that tomorrow, by noon. Or maybe by night. He works better during the night.

His current urge is to eat something. He’s starving. The question is, to order something? Or fix himself something? He went straight to the kitchen.

“Ok…” he said as he looked into the fridge. The first thing he saw was a jar of pickles, he hates those. “I’ll make a sandwich. Oh, what do we have here…?” He spotted a bottle of wine.

“This is nice…” he picked the bottle and poured himself a glass. A sandwich with a nice glass of wine.

Or the whole bottle? Maybe he’s not going to be working on anything today, and probably not tomorrow either.

He’s not an alcoholic, but he does like to drink, something he should moderate more. Now, is this his way to grieve? No, but he’ll be certainly thinking about his new life as he’s lying on the couch while looking at the ceiling.

Something he might be doing all weekend.

Half a bottle of wine later, he received a message.

“Remember, this is my personal number, and you can text me for any help or advice at any time. Take care Lewis, see you on Monday.” That was Lauren.

He read the message and texted back.

“Ok.” That’s it.

When she looked at his reply, she just sighed. He’s going to need a lot more attention than he appears to. She’s probably not going to like this so much, but she’s got a plan. Plan A, to be patient and give him a chance. And the plan B… he won’t like it.

It’ll be for the best if they don’t have to get to this, but if he doesn’t seem to learn… he will leave her no other choice.

—

The few days he had to put his things together and work on his speech were… wasted.

Lewis did what he has always done, neglected his duties and did from little to nothing at home. Unlike homework, this was something that not only he depended on. It’s not like the people who are watching will lose their jobs, but this will certainly affect the credibility of the company.

A lot of people are already worried about the new president of the company, now imagine how worried they will be if they have a bad first impression? It could literally cost the company some contracts, it could cost some people their jobs, and of course, this could cost money to the company.

Lauren was waiting for him, and she kept waiting and waiting.

She was at the lobby by 7:30 am, she was desperate. She has already called him like five times. She has left several texts too. He was supposed to be here by 7:00 am, to have enough time to check on what he wrote for a speech.

She texted him yesterday, she asked him to send her whatever he had written; she should’ve known there was something wrong when she received no reply. Up to this day, she has received no text from him.

She wanted to give him a chance because he was grieving, but it’s not the same to being irresponsible. 

By 7:45, she was already on her car and on her way to his place. Mr. Langford’s mansion.

She was upset, he was supposed to be at the office two hours before the speech, and it seems he was planning on being there by 9:00 am. That if he arrives.

“I can’t believe it! I gave him a chance… I’m disappointed.” Disappointed and tempted on going for her plan B, but she’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, maybe something happened?

But if something had happened, he should’ve texted her! Not just ghost her!

—

She arrived at the mansion, and after ringing the bell, one of the maids opened the door.

When she asked her for Lewis, the maid told her he was still at his bedroom, sleeping. Lauren’s face got tense with anger.

She immediately went upstairs and knocked at his door. Of course he picked his father’s room as his new room. It was bigger, and the bed was way more comfortable than the one at the guest’s room.

“Lewis! Wake up!!!” She has no need to come all the way here and wake him up.

After knocking another three times, he finally came to the door.

“What’s the matter?” He yawned, rubbing the sleep off his eyes.

Lewis was still in his pajamas and his hair was a mess. His eyes were red, he stayed up late yesterday, didn’t he? Right before his first big day, does he not care at all?

“What’s the matter?” Lauren said, “You have to give a speech in an hour, and you’re not even ready!” 

“An hour?” he asked, still half-asleep.

“Yes! You had to be at the office an hour ago!” Lauren was so mad.

The only thing he did, without apologizing, was: “Ok, give me ten minutes. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

Lauren breathed in and out slowly. Just as he said, within ten minutes, he met her downstairs.

“Ok, dressed and ready. What’s for breakfast?” he asked.

“Nothing! We’ve got to go now. Get into my car, I’ll drive us to the office. You need to give your speech within… thirty minutes! Let’s go!” There’s no time to waste.

—

When she asked him what he had written for as speech, he showed her three lines of text on his phone. Unbelievable…

“Here! This will be your speech. Read it line by line. The board will be looking, our partnered companies will be looking, national TV will be looking! You have to be professional, for the FIRST TIME in your life, act as if you cared!” That was insulting, but Lewis just frowned and took the piece of paper off her hand.

“Fine, whatever…” She was worried that he could mess this up.

But he didn’t. All he had to do was to read the speech she gave him. As a result of doing nothing all this time, he learned to do what he was told. To say what he had to whenever he gave a speech, to read whatever others had worked on so that the work can be done.

Everyone carried him on, he was always using the only ability he had, money. And it wasn’t even his own money. This time, the company's reputation was on the line, so Lauren did what she had to so that he didn’t mess this up.

In the end, the speech was given and everyone clapped at him. Welcoming the new president, accepting the new, and most important, change on the company since… forever!

Everyone except Lauren. All she could see was a spoiled man who was so irresponsible he didn’t even care, or even thought about the consequences this could have. Everyone was satisfied, everyone thought he had worked on his speech, everyone except for her.

“This is strike one, you don’t want to get to the third one…” She thought, arms crossed as she watched him coming down the stage.

Hundreds of people in front of the main headquarters, the news, national TV, and he didn’t seem nervous. He was good at acting, that’s what she could see. He was good at pretending, he was good at taking credit for others' work.

She should’ve known that much. She should’ve known he was not going to put any effort onto this. She should’ve known she was going to have to watch his every step on this. Will there come a day when he actually takes responsibility for his actions? For his duties? For the company?

“If he doesn’t, I’m ready to take over.” she thought. “I’ll do my best, I’ll give this company my everything! You better not get in my way, Lewis. If you don’t want to honor your father’s legacy, I WILL!” He should fear this woman’s rage.

But he doesn’t, in fact, he doesn’t care about anything. Right now, the only thing he cares for is… breakfast.

“Ok, I should order something. I wonder what the address of this place is…” Lewis wondered as he walked off the stage.

Before his eyes, there was already a group of reporters ready to drop some big questions on him. Lauren should intervene before he messes things up.

There’s going to be a press conference later today. She’s going to take care of the answers he gives right there. But there’s not much she can do if they get to him while she’s still away. She’s not too far, but who knows how bad he can mess things up with a single answer.