When she and Dave arrived at the third-floor conference room, the door was ajar. The opening was wide enough for her to eavesdrop on the meeting.
“Let’s wait a sec,” she whispered. “I’ll like to hear what they are discussing first.”
A grim look came over Dave. He was a man that never smiled and was always about business. Ramona ignored his irked expression and placed her ear near the open gap in the door.
“We have to get rid of her. Melissa, may she rest in peace, is gone. This is the prime opportunity for someone to step up,” said a female voice.
“But who? Who wants to take on the tremendous responsibility this job entails?” asked a male voice.
“I will,” said a familiar voice. “I already have majority votes in my favor. I’m familiar with the operations thanks to Lisa’s mentoring. I’m the perfect choice.”
Ramona recognized the voice instantly. That sneaky, double-crossing… She swung the conference room door open with enough force it rammed into the wall. “You bitch!” She narrowed her eyes at the one traitor in the room. Ramona expected this from the ones sitting around the table but not her. “How dare you try to slither your way into control of my family’s organization! It's barely been over a month since Lisa’s funeral, Kelsey, and you do this?”
Dave tapped Ramona on the shoulders. “This is unnecessary,” he said in a lowered tone. “Allow the bylaws to speak for you.”
Ramona cut her eyes at Kelsey before moving to the head of the table. Everyone was suddenly quiet as they watched her every move. She took a deep breath before uttering a syllable. “There are two reasons for this meeting. One to ousted me from the organization and two to replace my aunt. Well, I hate to disappoint each one of you but it’s not going to happen. Dave will you please pass out the documents.” One by one Dave gave each board member a stapled packet.
“What’s this?” asked Cynthia.
Ramona considered her the ringleader and everyone else her loyal troops. “Cynthia, I will address you directly since you were the one who called this secret meeting. In front of you is a copy of the bylaws. If you review the last section on page five, it advises who can occupy the role as the President of the Helping Hand.” Everyone in unison flipped to the page in the packet. “It clearly states that only an immediate Pennington family member can be President. In addition to that clause, my aunt left in writing who she wanted to succeed her in the event she could no longer run the day-to-day operations.”
“How do we know this isn’t something you created?” asked Kelsey.
“That’s why Dave is here. I’m pretty sure many of you know who he is. Lisa has consulted with him on many of the legal issues for the organization before.”
“If I’m reading this correctly, it says Lisa can name someone without a board vote.”
“That is correct,” Ramona said smugly. “If you turn to the next page, you’ll find that Melissa Pennington named me, Ramona Vasquez, to head this organization.” Everyone’s expression became bleaker with each revelation.
“I’m sure the board would have to approve someone like you,” said Kelsey. “You have no experience and a criminal record. Unlike myself, who Lisa groomed for this position.”
Ramona glanced at Dave. He nodded his head and mouthed, “Continue.”
“The board doesn’t have to approve a thing. This is a family charity and I’m the founder’s daughter so that alone qualifies me. But, don’t worry I’m not accepting the position. If you continue reading I may appoint someone in my place if I decline the position. So as of this moment, I appoint Dave Lockhart as President of the Helping Hand.” Ramona turned towards Dave who still had that no-nonsense expression on his face.
“He’s not a Pennington family member!” shouted Cynthia.
“I know. But, as the last known family member, I have the right to choose who I want as President and I chose Dave and his first duty as President will be to begin the dissolution of the Helping Hand.”
The entire conference room burst into murmurs and whispers. “If you don’t want to run it, then you should let someone who does. Closing the doors is not the answer!” spat Kelsey.
“I want everyone in this room to hear me. I rather shut the doors to this place than let a room full of backstabbers take control. None of you respected my aunt or the Pennington name. If you did, you wouldn’t be meeting in secret to get rid of me.”
Cynthia, who was red in the face, stood and gather her papers. “This isn’t over,” she muttered.
Ramona eyed her smugly. “Meeting adjourned, everyone get the hell out of here! Except you, Kelsey. We have unfinished business.”
She thanked Dave for his help and watched as everyone exited the room. Kelsey remained seated on the opposite end of the table. After the last person exited, Ramona shut the door. When she turned to face Kelsey, she had placed her cell phone on the table. “You don’t mind if I record what’s about to happen? I need evidence in the event you try to assault me.”
“Was this your plan all along? Befriend me and stab me in the back later?”
“Maybe,” said Kelsey, shrugging her shoulders.
“I knew something was up with you. You were overly friendly and always available to listen to me vent. You made it your mission for us to become friends. Declaring every time we spoke you wouldn’t judge me by my past.”
“That should have been your first clue. Why would I want to befriend trash like you?” she asked, turning up her nose.
“You bitch!” Ramona raised her hand to hit Kelsey, but she caught it mid-air.
“You might want to think twice. I’m recording remember?”
“And I don’t give a damn! I have something you don’t money and a team of lawyers! I can beat your ass and never spend a minute behind bars.” Ramona removed her right arm out of Kelsey’s grip and grabbed her cell phone with the other. Kelsey tried to snatch it away, but she was too slow. Ramona threw it to the floor and with the four-inch heel of her shoe, she stepped on it with full force. Crushing the screen. Kelsey placed both her hands on each of Ramona’s shoulders and pushed her causing her to fall into the swivel chairs. When Kelsey knelt down to retrieve her broken phone, Ramona knocked her to the floor. She jumped on top of her and continued to hit her over and over in the face. “I warned you, bitch! You continued to push me and now you’ll live to regret it!” Kelsey reached out and grabbed a chunk of Ramona’s hair, pulling hard enough that Ramona toppled over to the floor.
“Stop it!” yelled Dave.
Kelsey released her grip on Ramona’s hair. “Call the police! I want her arrested for assault!”
Dave helped Ramona to her feet. “I don’t think so,” he said. A satisfied look came over Ramona as she smoothed down her hair.
“But, she attacked me!”
“If you call the police, I will inform them that Miss Vasquez and I left the room together.”
“That won’t fly. The entire board heard her ask me to stay.”
“And who do you think they’ll believe? Someone who represents a prominent family in the community or you?” Ramona looked on with immense satisfaction as Kelsey angrily gathered her things.
“You think because you have money and a member of a well-known family that people will forget,” said Kelsey. “They won’t. You were raised in the gutter and that’s where you belong. You’re a slut who slept around to get what you wanted!”
“Bye, bitch!” Ramona shouted as Kelsey stormed out the room. She turned towards Dave who seemed unbothered by the name calling. “Thanks, Dave.”
“No problem. But, you need to remain focused. I’ll take care of everything around here. You and Nick continue to search for the person who killed our beloved Lisa.”
“I know you miss her as much as I do.”
“Be as thorough as possible. Search everything. Her phone, computer, even paperwork. You never know what you might find. The police will consider it an unsolved murder and eventually it will become a cold case. In cases lik
e these, it’s up to the family to do the legwork.”
“I will Dave. I won’t rest until I bring her killer to justice.
◆◆◆
“It’s time for me to move back home,” said Ramona. She and Nick were in the bed both on their laptops.
“Why now?” asked Nick, not removing his eyes from his computer screen.
“It’s time. I’ve been away long enough and after what happened yesterday at the board meeting I have to stop running. It’s time for me to claim my place in my family.”
“Un-huh, I see.”
Ramona glanced at Nick, he hadn’t heard a word she said. She placed her hand on the back of his laptop screen and slowly pushed it forward into a closed position. “Hey!” he shouted. “I’m working on an important email.”
“You haven’t heard anything I said.”
“I have. You want to move back home because…”
“Because what?”
“Alright, you got me,” sighed Nick. He moved both their laptops aside and met Ramona’s eyes. “I’m listening. Why do you want to leave?”
“Like I said before, I have to stop running. I have new responsibilities and it’s time I dealt with them.”
“And you can’t do that from here?”
Ramona placed her hand on Nick’s cheek. “When I move home, it won’t change anything between us.”
“What about Xavier?”
“I haven’t heard from him in ages and I have security thanks to you and Lisa. Her team will cover the morning/afternoon shift and your guys will be there at night. I’ll be fine.”
“If this is something you need to do, I’ll support you. I can come and stay for a day or two?.”
“Thank you. But, I’m moving back alone. I’ve disrupted your life long enough. You’ve rearranged meetings and worked from home so you can be here. It’s time we both get back to our lives.”
“Okay, whatever you want.”
Ramona narrowed her eyes. “Really?” She expected him to put up a fight.
“Yes, really. But, I will place a condition on you moving out.”
“What’s that?”
“You must call me daily so I know you’re okay.”
“And?”
“We schedule a date at least once a week.”
“I can do that.” Ramona placed a kiss on Nick’s lips.
“I will miss you like crazy.” He kissed her in return.
“Nothing will change. Promise.”
“When are you leaving me?”
“I was thinking tomorrow.”
“I have to take an overnight trip to Atlanta tomorrow. Can you wait another day until I return?”
“Um, I’ll think about it,” Ramona said playfully.
“What? You’ll think about it.” Nick tickled her on her stomach. Ramona doubled over with laughter.
“Yes, I’ll think about it,” she said between laughs. He straddled his body over hers and tickled her more, something he knew she hated. “Okay...okay you win. I’ll wait.” He moved his hands forward, placing each beside her head. He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. “I love you.”
“Love you, always.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Ramona snuggled under a leopard print throw on the sofa. It belonged to Lisa and having it next to her skin made her feel close to her. It was the third day back in the family home. Day one was a total nightmare from the moment she'd entered the door. The entire day she had spent crying, reminiscing, and convincing herself not to run back to Nick’s. Although he made sure the security team were on the grounds, it didn’t make her feel any better. The problem was the eerie quietness in the massive home and how it played tricks with her mind. At night, the noise the house normally made were now magnified and creepier. The following morning she had called the house staff and asked them to return immediately. At least she would no longer be alone.
Ramona placed a pillow underneath her head as she made herself comfortable. It was the middle of the day and time for a nap. Just as she lowered her eyelids the doorbell rang. Within moments the housekeeper informed her that Dave was there to see her. She threw the blanket aside as he came rushing into the room.
“I’m sorry for showing up without calling,” he said. She watched as he placed his briefcase on the table and retrieved a stack of papers.
“It’s fine, Dave. Would you like something to drink?”
“No, thank you. I think we should get to why I’m here.”
That’s Dave, all business nothing more. “Okay, what is it?”
“Well, I want to verify we’re on the same page. Previously, we discussed the total dissolution of your family’s charity. Before I proceed I wanted to make sure you fully understand what you’re requesting.”
“I’m sure, Dave. I want to dissolve what it stands for today. I realize it’s what my father created and my aunt continued after his passing. However, it’s not what I desire. Going forward, I would like to create a foundation that offers scholarships for students entering the medical field. Whether it’s a pre-med major or someone taking classes as a physician assistant. I envision a small committee of individuals whose sole job would be to read scholarship applications and decide who qualifies. That’s it.”
“And you’re sure? Once we go forward, we can’t undo it.”
“Dave, why are you questioning my decision?”
“I’m not confident this is what Michael or Lisa would want.”
Ramona sighed. “Maybe not. But, I am the sole survivor of this family. I inherited a charity, an estate with a full-time staff, a trust fund worth millions, and a multitude of other things I wasn’t raised with. I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m in over my head. That’s why I’m glad I have you to help guide me.”
“I understand, Ramona,” he said, sympathetically. “For someone like you, and I mean no disrespect at all, I can see how all this instant wealth can be intimidating.”
“It’s more like a blessing and a curse. I’m not knowledgeable in this area, therefore I have to put trust in people I don’t know. You're different because Nick vouched for you and so far you haven’t steered me wrong.”
“I appreciated that,” he said. “Just remember your father and Lisa surrounded themselves with trustworthy people and we all have your best interest in mind. I have several documents that require your signature.” He placed three forms on the table. “Take your time and read over each one. It gives me the ability to act in the capacity of the President and whatever actions I take is with your authorization.”
Ramona examined each page, paying close attention to every word. It was a straightforward agreement except it was missing an important, yet, necessary verbiage. “I would like to add an addendum,” she said.
“You would?” Dave pushed his glasses further up his nose and straighten his posture in the chair.
“You’re surprised?”
“Sort of. What would you like to add?”
“I want all transactions, decisions, hirings, and firings to have my approval first. I want it unmistakably noted you are acting as my agent only.”
Dave sat straight-faced, not a hint of what his thoughts could be. Suddenly out of nowhere, a smile appeared on his face, something Ramona had never seen.
“What’s the smile for?”
“They would be very proud of you,” he said pointing upward. “I will add the requested addendum. Forget everything I said before about this being intimidating. You’ll do just fine.”
After Dave left, Ramona finally got her nap in and sent a text to Amber asking her to come over later. Ritz prepared a crab cake salad for a late lunch. She was ecstatic to have him back. He was a phenomenal cook who also gave excellent advice. Lately, she’s needed his ear more than ever. “This was delicious as usual,” Ramona complimented Ritz as she placed her empty plate in the sink.
“Would you like me to prepare anything this evening when your guest arrive?”
“No. I think we’ll make margaritas an
d eat something simple like chips and dips.”
“Are you sure? Because I don’t mind.”
“Why don’t you rest your hip instead? Let’s sit and you can listen to my latest round of problems,” laughed Ramona.
“My hip is fine,” winked Ritz. He and Ramona both sat at the kitchen table. “What’s troubling your mind?”
“My meeting with Dave was daunting. At first, he didn’t agree with my decision of dissolution. He said it’s not what my father would’ve wanted,” she frowned.
“I would say that’s a bunch of hogwash.”
“Really?”
“Your father was a visionary with a big heart. When I met him he was already one of the top heart surgeons in Houston, but it wasn’t enough.”
“Do you know why?”
“I believe he felt he had a bigger calling. He wanted to continue to touch lives but in a more meaningful way. That’s how the nonprofit came about. It began with him going to lower-income neighborhoods once a month on weekends to provide free medical service. He soon realized that the need was greater than he realized. So, he asked other doctors to volunteer with him.”
“You know, Ritz , I grew up in a poor neighborhood my father serviced. We probably crossed paths and never known it.”
“It's possible. But, as they say, you can’t change the past. Live for the here and now.”
“You’re right. So, did his colleagues jump on board right away?”
“I don’t know. I can tell that within a year the charity had grown leaps and bounds from what he originally envisioned. He brought Melissa in and she found office space and employees. He allowed her to become the voice while he remained the face. He would go to the communities while she held galas to raise money. Helping Hand continued to evolve over the years. Dave means well but what you are doing is continuing the evolution, just as your father would have.”
That last statement touched Ramona. She struggled with second-guessing herself with the decision she had made. Her first question was always what would her father think. The second, what would her aunt say. Knowing that Ritz, someone who was like family to them, said she’s doing the right thing is like having confirmation directly from above. She wiped her watery eyes and hugged Ritz. “Thank you. Having you here with me lessens the pain of the being the last one standing in this family.”
Shattered Hearts (Shattered Series Book 2) Page 14