Tony's POV
"Mum, I heard the urgency in your voice and I decided to come over. What could it be?" I said, already annoyed I'd been dragged from a meeting with Sophia for this.
"You know, it's just a day to the robot launching of the Morgan Group. But unfortunately, I won't be around as I have a business matter outside of town. I'll be leaving late this evening so that I can be there first thing tomorrow."
That was her way of putting pressure on me without sounding like it. She thinks absence makes her commands louder.
"It's fine," I answered, trying to keep my tone even. "After all, your attention isn't really needed for the launch tomorrow. I can handle everything."
She didn't let me off that easy. "That's the point, son. I have to call your attention to something I have never failed to tell you before..."
Her voice had that slow, measured cadence when she wanted to make sure I caught each word. I braced because somehow, I already knew where this was heading.
"Mum, I hope this isn't about Melissa again," I snapped, cutting her off. My mouth was sharper than I'd meant it to be. "I'm sick and tired of hearing how she's a goddess over a mere robot."
After I'd said it, it felt good for only half a second. And then the guilt came because the truth was never so convenient.
She let out a small, tired sound. "Tony, that is not a mere robot. Melissa developed the humanoid prototype that put the Morgan Group on the map as a tech leader."
Her words should have been a relief and they should have reminded me of the truth like, 'that the company was ours, that legacy mattered,' but all I could hear was her praise shoved at me like an accusation.
"I just feel you give her too much credit," I said, forcing the argument. "She got lucky, maybe."
"You give her too little credit," Mum replied, softer now. "You have never liked admitting that you needed help. But you and I both know the truth. If it weren't for Melissa, you would be fumbling press conferences, begging for funding. She kept this company afloat."
That stung. It actually did but I had to swallow it like pride.
She continued, the tone turning firm this time. "So I've decided to give Melissa five percent of the company and make her your official partner after the launch."
I stopped breathing for a beat. "Mum! Have you suddenly lost your mind?" I heard how loud I'd become and tried to rein it in. "Five whole percent? That's huge and I think that she doesn't deserve that."
"Maybe you think she doesn't," she said, not angry but steady. "But I did the inquiries myself, Tony. Your staff-they respect her and she keeps the team grounded, so I know that she's earned it."
"You're being ridiculous." I paced the room. "Five percent is too generous. We can use that capital elsewhere. She doesn't deserve shares besides she's... transient. She's temporary."
Her sigh came sharp down the line. "Temporary? Son, I put you where you are because you are my son. That doesn't change how the company grew. You don't have to like her, but you will respect what she's done. This partnership with her is a way to secure the company for the future and to keep her happy. I bet you, companies would be lining up to recruit Mellisa if she decides to leave ours' today and so you should know that she is crucial, so please always value her and treat well her well as much as it lies in your power."
I rubbed my forehead. All this sounded like a conga line of lectures that I had heard so many times from her and I was tired of it already.
"Right now mum I think that you don't only think highly of her, you also imagine the impossible. I mean, which companies are lining up, that is simply blowing something out of proportion so let's even go there because there are no such things.That's a big claim, you know. No one's going to just walk in and hand us more capital because she's pretty good with code. We have infrastructure to worry about and also people to placate. As much as I know, she is nothing less than a burden to any company that will hire her. The only thing she does best is to sleep around while at work like a bum."
"You lied about that. I have made my inquiries from the workers and they all said that Melissa is the best worker all around the company and she has funded extra deals for the company."
"I am sure that Melissa paid her team for their loyalty." I retorted quickly.
A thought swept through my mind at that moment, 'once I get back to the office, I would definitely cut their salaries in halves, for siding with her in this manner.'
"Nothing close to that, son. I did the inquiries without her notice. I am sure that most of them must have quitted due to your harsh behavior on your staff but I believe Mellisa good treats to them just have made them to stay." Now this was becoming so much of her but she continued regardless, "Son, if only you know the potential in Melissa, you wouldn't be spewing such trash against her. You know what, let's end this here as I have things to attend to knowing that you would hardly believe any truth about Melissa. Just do as I instruct you by tomorrow, is that clear? And when you do, send he soft copy of the new contract."
I could feel my jaw clench. She had a way of saying things that made them final. I could argue until noon and she'd keep her calm but then, her calm was a weapon. "Yes, Mum," I said finally. It tasted like defeat, but I needed my space more than she did because I was already tired of her giving me management tips and constantly praising Melissa over little things money can simply do. Besides, we pay her for the services. To think that she's the one person that my mum and I usually disagree a lot while discussing even though I am my mum's favorite and only next of kin. But then, it's one thing to say something and another to carry the instructions. And now, she has said what suits her more and so I will do what I know suits me better. And as much as I know, Mellisa doesn't deserve any company's 5% shares and therefore she isn't getting any.
I stood still for a while as if I could find logic in a blank stare. 'Five percent,' was not just money as it was a seat at the table. More like a vote and an anchor for Melissa. The idea made my chest tighten.
Inside, I was boiling. Not because she was right but because she always found reasons to be right about Melissa that irritated me and that I couldn't stand the idea of being upstaged by an engineer who didn't know her place.
I turned and approached the entrance door to exit her house and her voice called me back, "Tony! I have drafted the partnership agreement with the lawyer. And so I will email it to you this evening. By tomorrow, give it to her to sign it at the launch tomorrow."
That was wild imagination but then, I had to act accordingly so that she wouldn't suspect anything.
"Ok, mum. I will do just that."
Besides, this isn't the first time I take decisions against what she says about Melissa. I mean, I made Mellisa get a place for herself where she paid for her rent. I wouldn't stand her living with me in the same house, I only ordered her to come over whenever my mum informed me that she was coming to my house.
And also, I am even planning to bring Sophia to live in my house with me as she makes me feel like a complete man that I am but I knew that my mum wouldn't buy the idea and I need to let the idea lie low for now.
But for now, what mattered more is that, 'Tomorrow's launch is my day and I will make sure that Mellisa doesn't take some praise when she doesn't deserve any. I will make her stand aside and watch quietly.
