I watch the scene in the boardroom start to play out on my computer.
The board members are gathered in the room, greeting each other and chatting.
When Vincent walks in, they all take their seats. I can tell by the way he narrows his eyes that he’s noticed a new face in the room, but he doesn’t comment, just takes his spot at the head of the table.
Once everyone is seated, the vice-chairman of the board, who happens to be the investor who sold us his stock yesterday, stands up.
“Mr. Chairman,” he says, addressing Vincent. “We need to discuss the new ownership of this company.”
Vincent looks confused. “What the hell are you talking about, Mac?”
“Why don’t I direct your attention to the screen at the back of the room. I’ll let the new owner speak for herself.”
This is my cue. I press record on the remote in my hand and stand up straight and proud.
Time to roll the dice.
“Hello, everyone. My name is Keatyn Douglas and I’m the new majority owner of A Breath Behind You Films.”
I glance at the computer screen, which is showing me Vincent’s reaction. Right now, he doesn’t look pissed. He’s looking at me curiously. His head tilted slightly. His eyes focused. He really just looks intrigued.
So I continue. “The board of directors met in executive session last night and determined that it’s time for a change in leadership. They named me the chairman of the board. Effective immediately.”
“What the fuck?” Vincent says, looking around. “Is this a joke? You bring in Abby Johnston’s daughter as some little prank?”
The vice-chairman shakes his head. “I’m afraid not, Vincent. We’ve had a good run, but . . .”
I keep going, “My first order of business is to introduce the new CEO and president of the firm, Chance O’Daniels. Many of you know him as the former CEO of Douglas Oil and Gas.”
Vincent stands up. “You can’t fire me. This is my company. My company, do you understand me?”
“It was until you decided to leverage everything to make the movie you have become obsessed with, Vincent,” one of the board members who didn’t sell to us says. “You left us wide open for a takeover. And now we have a teenager running the company?”
“I may be young, but I’m saving this company from its downward spiral, one which would have taken your investments with it. I didn’t just buy it on whim. I’m very serious about building this company for the future. For my future. And although Mr. O’Daniels doesn’t know the business yet, he does know what makes a company successful. Please welcome him.”
“This is bullshit. Preposterous. I won’t stand for it,” Vincent says loudly. “I’ll fight this.” He turns to the Vice Chairman. “When did you sell? Right after our lunch yesterday? Where you promised to stay on my team?” He gets in the man’s face. “You backstabbing son of a bitch.”
“You better back off, Vincent,” the man replies. “Or we’ll have security escort you out.”
“Escort me out of my own building?”
“It’s not your building anymore, Vincent,” I say, causing him to walk up to the screen and stare directly at me.
“You think you’re so smart. This will all blow up in your face. Trust me.”
I give him a smile just like my mother’s. “Oh, there’s no need for threats, Vincey. I’m going to honor what you started and make the movie you’re so passionate about. The company has too much invested not to.” I blow him a kiss like my mom did on the movie poster. “What do you think of me starring in it myself? I mean, that’s what you wanted, right? That’s why you were doing the nationwide search for me. Well, I’m here now.”
“You’re playing a very dangerous game, Miss Douglas. Our worlds were always going to collide, but now there’s no avoiding it. We’re on a collision course. One you can’t change,” he says, his face bright red but his voice stone cold.
It sends chills up my spine.
“You’re just mad because I’ve written a better script than you. And in my script, Vince will die at the end. Just like in the original.”
“You little fucking bitch!” he screams at me. “No one you love is safe, do you understand me? No one!”
Chance O’Daniels comes back on screen with two policemen. “Please escort Mr. Sharpe from the building. We will pack up his personal effects and forward them to his home address.”
Vincent gives me a fiery, wild-eyed look. One that leaves me knowing I’ve succeeded in pushing him over the edge.
But then his face becomes a mask of calmness.
And calm Vincent scares me way more than out-of-control Vincent.
He turns away from me, straightens his suit jacket, and says politely to the policemen, “No escort is necessary. I will leave of my own accord. But if you would be so kind, I’d like you to accompany me to my office first so I can retrieve some personal belongings.”
He gets a nod from the policemen and leads them out of the boardroom.