Sitting on the chair isn't an accurate description for what I do, instead I stumble and let gravity do its job, hoping my bum ends where it's supposed to and not on the floor. A heavy sigh escapes my lips and as I let my head fall back against the headrest of the big chair. My whole body feels made of lead and the idea of moving feels like the most almighty and impossible thing anyone could for.

Summing up: I'm dead tired.

It's been meeting after meeting, going over so many things, sweet talking every person I shake hands with and keeping a perfect facade, like this is effortless, like I was born to lead a company and I'm perfectly fine. I have to smile and put aside whatever else is in my mind, BEEB Group being my only concern. And that is more exhausting than any picture my words can paint.

But restructuring a company, fixing everything and basically starting anew can't be done overnight and with just snapping my fingers. I actually have to do it, work for it.

The investigation to collect all evidence against Laura is still ongoing but the trial date has been set in two weeks and there's still so much to do before that. Firstly, Louise and I are trying to get rid of every corrupted little leech in the company, exposing one by one for everything they've done. By, for instance, revealing all the embezzlement they've done, forcing them to face the law and step out of their positions as board members is the simplest way. Obviously, most of them won't really go to jail and if they do they'll get out with bail, but at least we get rid of them from the company and that's an important step.

And with this cleansing come a lot of more meetings, trying to get the favour and vote of every other member in the board to support all the changes I want to take for the company, as well as monitoring the shares of those members that are leaving and trying to get more investors.

Before looking for more business partners Louise and I do a whole background check to try to learn what kind of work ethics they have and whether we can trust them or not. Laura could do all what she did, take control like that and cover everything because there were too many people who could be bought and I'm trying to avoid that from ever happening again. I need people I can work with for BEEB Group to be a company my father would be proud of, and I can work at.

It's a lot of work but I can't escape it, even if every cell in my body screams for a break. It's something I can't afford.

"Tell me I don't have anything else for the next ten minute. I feel my head is going to explode," I beg.

Louise, standing in front of my desk is checking her iPad but the moment she hears my voice she looks up and ceases looking like the general secretary but a concerned mother. Her eyes are filled with worry and sympathy because she knows how hard I'm trying, how far I'm pushing myself to make it all better.

"Sadly..." begins Louise and I can't help my groan.

I just ended a two hours meeting with a potential share holder I'm trying to get them to invest on us, but it's so hard to achieve that.

I have faith the trial is going to go well and Laura will be punished for her actions, but that doesn't mean bad things will not come to backlash against us. The scandal with the murder attempts, all the corruption coming out to light and everything else has given the company a bad reputation. Our shares in the market have dropped quite significantly so getting new investors is extremely hard. They are not keen of a company that is going under restructuring and that is under such bad light.

Still, it's better to deal with all this instead of covering it up for the bad press.

Sorry, Louise continues what she was saying, "You do have a meeting. She should arrive any minute now. But I don't think this will be a bad meeting as this one was requested and it is in the most friendly terms."

"Well, that's a relief," I sigh. "I don't want to repeat myself for the hundredth time this week."

Over and over again I have to give the same speech: why investing with us is important, why it is a wise decision and how they will not regret it.

"Who am I meeting this time?"

"Oh, it's from a company that was trying to partner with us before but Laura never went through the negotiations."

"Why was that?"

Louise takes a seat in front of me to be more comfortable before she continues. "Because she didn't like the representative as she is even younger than you are. Even if her father is doing well now, Laura didn't change her mind."

"Do you mean Ann Tachibana from Tachibana Productions? She is coming?" I ask, sitting upright immediately, my eyes wide and my body suddenly recharged with energy.

I remember a while ago about the news of The Element Bound series being taken to the big screen under Tachibana Productions and all the scandal that came when it was known the daughter of the CEO was actually going to take the project due to the man's health. I remember feeling sympathy for the girl, younger than me and facing such big responsibility out of the blue. I also remember how much Nora loves the books and how they wanted us to invest on them.

And now that same girl is coming to talk to me, perhaps about investing on them again or offering some deal.

This is a change, most definitely.

"Precisely," Louise smiles. "I thought you'd be glad to deal with someone your same age and who could understand what you're going through. I believe it is a wise decision to create an alliance with Tachibana Productions. For what I've researched, they are a great company and although surrounded with controversy the last couple of months, their latest production promises to be a big hit."

The smile that comes to my lips is automatic because I agree with Louise: having someone my age and who can understand is most welcome. I honestly look forward to that meeting.

Thankfully, I don't have to wait much because as Louise begins to explain about the rest of my schedule for the day, I get notified Miss Tachibana and her secretary are here. I'm quick to stand up and fix my clothes to look more presentable and not like the almost corpse I resemble the last couple of days.

The doors open and through them come a girl in a simple yet elegant pastel pink skirt and white blouse, short straight hair that suit her so well. Next to her is a man, probably mid forties in suit and tie, looking serious and all business-like. Both are Asian and not only they look Japanese but the surname gives her away.

"Welcome!" I immediately greet, walking up to them and offering my hand for a handshake with a light bow of my head. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Tachibana."

"The pleasure is all mine," the girl replies with a kind smile, as kind and sweet as the look in her eyes.

She looks innocent and like a beautiful soul, like someone you could never expect to do any harm and who tries her best. I reckon she might not look fierce and unbeatable like a business woman normally would, but for some reason I'm not inclined to believe that her sweet appearance is connected with her efficiency.

"Please, just call me Ann," she requests as we shake hands and I nod my head in agreement before greeting the man next to her. "This is Teru, right hand and like my second father."

My smile widens as I realise another similarity between us. Just like Louise is family to me, Teru is the same for Ann.

"I'm Blanca and this is my right hand and like a mother, Louise," I introduce and notice the spark in her eyes that tells me she is thinking the same. "Please, be seated. May I offer you some tea?"

Ann accepts and as we wait for that to arrive, we get through the basic introductions and pleasantries. She tells me how relieved she is that I'm all right and how sorry she is about the whole situation, while I exchange the same relief for her father's improving condition.

"I hope you're aware I don't come exactly to make business today," Ann explains as we share a cup of green tea. "Although I do hope we can get to that, just not now. I can only imagine how busy you are, taking over the company and dealing with the trial. It's a heavy weight on your shoulders."

I smile in gratitude for her consideration.

"I'm sure you are someone who can understand exactly how heavy the weight is. But leading BEEB Group is something I was raised to do. It's just overwhelming having to start so abruptly and with so much. But I can't let the company stay as it is," I explain and Ann can only nod.

"I can imagine. I wasn't prepared my whole life for this so when it happened I was so shocked. It felt like the world came over me and I didn't know where to begin," Ann relates and I nod in agreement.

Most of the time it feels like that, like I'm holding the weight of the world on my shoulders.

"But I think it's so brave of you to make such a change for the company. It's inspiring, honestly. I think you can count in one hand the amount of people who would've done what you did. Most would've chosen to cover it up and do it as discreetly as possible, but you've let everyone know what was wrong and that you're doing something about it. You're admirable, Blanca."

I try to fight the smile so it's not that wide, but I'm so flattered and relieved. I know what I'm doing is the right thing, I get told that all the time, but still, it's incredibly gratifying hearing it from someone else, someone new and who can understand what it's like to be in my shoes.

"Thank you so much, Ann," I reply, with a little bow of my head.

"I think we should really unite forces. I'm sure you're faced with the same incredulity and doubt I do because I'm young. People don't take us seriously and disregard us not because of our work but our age."

"I know exactly how that feels," I have to agree because no matter how hard I work, how capable I show them I am, every business person I meet looks at my with their reservations.

"It's not like we can change how things are regarding that, but I think it's good to at least have someone else out there who understands. I came here today to offer you my full support on everything and at the same time, my friendship. It can be really lonesome to do this job, regardless of how many people work with us."

"Indeed," I agree, feeling touched with her offer. "And I'd like that very much. And please, do know the offer is mutual. Before all this happened I hoped the negotiations between BEEG Group and Tachibana Production would go through and I hope we can get back on that. Working together."

"Most definitely," Ann smiles widely. "I look forward working with you, Blanca."

"Likewise. I think we should definitely have dinner together one of this days," I grin. I turn to Louise next who wears a content smile. "Louise, do you think we could squeeze that one of these days?"

"I'll coordinate with Mister Yamata to see when it's possible for the two of you." Teru only nods in agreement so I focus my attention back to Ann.

"I'm sure we'll get to do great things together, Ann."

"I'm sure," Ann echoes, with a smile just like mine.

It's a relief, knowing Ann is on my side. She might not be powerful or the strongest ally, but she is a new one, and for that important. Furthermore, I could really use a friend like her and I might not know much about her and her company yet, but I can feel the potential and I have a good feeling about this alliance.

The more people I get on my side, the stronger I feel to continue what I'm doing. With Ann I'm one person stronger.

❅ ❅ ❅

Look who is back! Uff, I don't know if you got the message but I've been incredibly busy as I moved to Korea. But now things are settling down, I found a job and keep going. I didn't post before because I honestly didn't have time to sit down and write. I hope you can understand.

Thank you for your patience!

Also, I got a side account for all K-pop and K-drama related stories. Remember the Markson story I mentioned before? I started posting it there, as well. You can follow me I-got-siete

See you all soon!
Bel, xx