Chapter 11 - The Empty Chair
The CEO's office was on the top floor of the building.
I rolled my wheelchair through the double oak doors.
The room was flooded with sunlight.
Everything remained exactly as it was the day my grandmother left.
The mahogany desk.
The landscape painting on the wall.
And the large leather chair positioned in the center.
Emma walked in behind me, carrying a stack of files.
"Should I have someone remove that chair?" she asked gently.
I looked at the chair.
It was a symbol of power.
But to me, so was this wheelchair.
"No," I replied.
"Leave it there."
"But boss, you'll need space to move into the desk."
I smiled.
"I'm not going to sit in her place."
I pushed myself toward the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking down at the city.
"I'll build a new desk."
"A desk that fits me."
"My grandmother built Rose & Wren from nothing."
"My mission isn't to fill her void."
"My mission is to expand it."
Emma nodded, a proud smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
That day, a new desk was delivered.
It wasn't arrogant.
May you like
It was custom-made.
And as I took my place behind it, I knew a new era had truly begun.
