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Fortunately, it’s my life, my career, and my future. I’m the one with the final say.
I’m also the one with an invitation to the illustrious Annual Investment Dinner later this week, where Oakwood City’s finest financial tycoons meet to network, hobnob, and find new opportunities. In a few years, when I’m my own CEO, I’ll have to thank Drake for securing the invitation for me.
For now, I’m going to focus on getting through the day. Tonight is girls’ night, and with the morning I’ve already had, I could definitely use a shot of estrogen and a drink or two.
???
“I’ve got cider or wine. Take your pick,” Helena asks. I love when it’s her turn to host since she has the swankiest apartment in the complex. It’s on the top floor, with big windows, and gorgeous views of Oakwood City.
Each week, the four of us—Helena, Amara, Quinn, and I—meet for drinks and gossip. We all live in the same apartment in the Village, and met when we kept running into each other in the elevator on the way to work. In the year since our friendship developed, we’ve each had our ups and downs. But we’re always there to support each other, and I value my relationship with each of these amazing women.
“What kind of wine?” Amara asks. She’s setting up her son, Josiah, at the table with a tablet, earbuds, and a piece of pepperoni pizza.
“I went all out tonight. We’ve got both sparkling white or sparkling red,” Helena responds.
“Girl, just bring both bottles,” I say. “I have a feeling we’re going to need both of them.”
“That sounds a bit ominous,” Quinn comments.
“I need your feedback on something,” I admit.
“Oh, do tell.” Quinn leans forward in her seat.
“It has been a day. I’m going to need a drink to go with this story,” I say, ruefully.
Helena sets a wine bottle on the coffee table and pours the other into four glasses. Amara settles next to me on the sofa. Within two minutes, we’re relaxing with our drinks.
“Okay, tell us what happened,” Quinn demands with a playful smile.
“Well, there’s an opening at the company that I’d like to apply for.” I tell the girls about learning about the position, and the smack down Drake gave me. It’s a relief to see how appalled they are at his response.
“You don’t think it’s too soon?” I ask.
Helena scoffs. “Miriam, dear. You’ve been ready for the last year. If he admitted you’re good at your job, then most likely he doesn’t want to train someone to replace you.”
I consider Helena’s statement. The hassle of training a new Executive Assistant might be factoring into his advice subconsciously, but Drake has always been supportive of my career and education. This is the first time I’ve felt like he might be holding me back.
Amara chimes in, “When I was your age, Miriam, I signed up with one of those career coaches. It was just before Josiah was born, Justin had left, and I was trying to figure out what to do to support us. I told this coach I wanted to be a life coach for women. He immediately poo-pooed the idea, saying it wasn’t marketable. Unfortunately, I listened to him.”
She takes a sip of wine and continues, “He was supposedly an ‘expert.’ I took his advice and gave up on my idea. I decided to be responsible and get my MBA instead.” Amara gestures with her glass, giving me a meaningful look. “Now, look on the internet. There are thousands of life coaches for women, some of them making millions of dollars. If I’d started then, at the beginning of the wave, I’d be doing very well for myself right now.”
“Wow,” I reply, a little speechless.
Amara gives a sharp nod. “I’m lucky that I’m happy where I ended up. But I still wish I’d had more faith in myself back then.”
Helena adds, “Men don’t always know what’s right for you. They might have the best of intentions. They might want to protect you and make sure you’re safe. But it’s your life. You need to follow your gut and trust your intuition.”
“Guaranteed, Drake didn’t reach this level of success by playing it safe,” Quinn says.
That is certainly true. In the last few years, I’ve seen Drake make some pretty bold moves, business-wise. With his expertise and experience, they pay off... most of the time.
“As Drake’s assistant, I received an invitation to the Oakwood Annual Investment Dinner. It’s only a couple days away and all of the top financial minds in the city attend. I was planning on doing a little networking while I’m there,” I admit.
Helena sits upright, an expression of pure excitement on her face. “Yes. You’re going to that dinner. You’re going to get the promotion you deserve, either with Drake or someone else. It’s time for you to shine, my dear. They’ll never see you coming.”
Quinn’s eyes light up and Amara smiles. My brow is still furrowed in confusion.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
