SINGLE MOTHER AND CEO

The Narrator:

On the other hand, Sofia also inherited liabilities, among them the debt generated by the acquisition of the last three ships for international transport. The condition imposed by her father to receive the inheritance was that she had to assume the position of CEO at the time of his death.

She was astonished by all this, and asked her mother…

-Why don’t you look astonished or admired at what the notary has just read? -She questioned her mother with an attentive and expressive look.

-Because a year ago, when your father drew up this will, I was with him, helping him draw it up,” his mother replied sadly. She never imagined it would be read so soon. Estefania loved her husband and always wished to be with him, even in his old age.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“It seemed too premature of him to write what would be his last will. However, as always, I ended up supporting him and helping him to leave you safe, so that no one would intimidate you,” her mother whimpered.

-I’m sorry, Mommy! -She was about to continue to plead guilty for his death, when her mother interrupted her…..

-I know, this hurts you as much as it hurts me. We were both loved, respected and spoiled by him, you as his daughter, me as his wife,” she said, letting her tears run, which she had been controlling during the reading of the will.

“Remember what I have always told you, no one dies on the eve. God is the one who rules our lives,” Estefania said with conviction.

-Yes, mother! -she answered, accepting the statement.

-Estefania and Sofia! -The lawyer said, “Having concluded the act, we will leave, because we have to be early on Paradise Island.

Besides, in view of the advanced stage of your pregnancy, Sofia, I think it would be better to wait until you come out of it,” advised the lawyer, looking at her with astonishment, since he had known her since she came into the world and was unaware of her current state.

-I think it’s perfect, Homer! -Estefania answered, getting up from her chair to accompany them out of the apartment.

-The first thing we will do will be an extraordinary session, to transfer the shares to your name Sofia,” he exclaimed, before leaving for the exit, “Then, you will assume your father’s position, as was his last will. Remember that it is a condition for you to receive the inheritance.

-Yes, yes, sir! -she stammered. Worried at having to assume this responsibility for which she had never prepared herself, despite being an only child….

Once the lawyer and the notary along with the rest of the staff had left, mother and daughter sat down to discuss the terms of the will.

-Mommy, why didn’t you inherit any of daddy’s fifty percent? He had already granted me full ownership of all the assets and shares that were in the marriage contracts,” she asked.

-To avoid the cumbersome and bureaucratic process of dividing them between you and me. You are my only daughter and therefore my sole and universal heir, so why distribute what will be yours in its entirety? -argued her mother.

-Ah! In any case, what dad left us, we will use and enjoy it both equally, even if the documents say one thing, between us it will be equal, half for you and half for me,” she said.

-That’s why there are no problems, daughter. What I do want is that your father’s will be fulfilled. So we will begin intensive training for your role as CEO,” her mother ordered.

“You won’t be facing such noble people, at the extraordinary session. All the stockholders will want to crush you and we won’t allow it,” his mother emphasized.

(***)

Sophia:

At thirty-two weeks pregnant, I started to have problems with high blood pressure again. In this regard, the strongest symptoms I presented were intense headaches and swelling in my legs, feet and hands. In addition to fluid retention.

-I prefer to hospitalize you, because if an emergency arises, I have you here,” the doctor recommended.

-As you say, doctor! -answered my mother, worried about me and my children.

-Yes, yes, doctor! I will do whatever you recommend,” I answered.

She, at once, started with treatment and monitoring to control the preeclampsia I had. She also started the procedure for my children to mature their lungs. The doctor talked to my mother and me, weighing the risks involved in the premature birth of my babies, but there was no other choice.

Faced with this situation and in view of how serious the situation was becoming, with risks not only for them, but also for me, at thirty-three weeks, with all the equipment ready to receive my triplets, I underwent a cesarean section on October 24 of that year.

Meanwhile, outside in the waiting room, Mom, Shayla and Sheyli were praying and clinging to my Angel, to whom I am devoted: St. Raphael the Archangel. Also with them were Reyner and his son Jose David, both supposedly concerned about me.

In Paradise Island, as in Ciudad La Rosa, the twenty-fourth of October is celebrated the day of St. Raphael Archangel, being totally devoted to him, I offered my triplets to him. Therefore, each one of them, will have as first name: Rafael.

At the end of the cesarean section, my premature babies were placed in an incubator and from there to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Since I continued to present preeclampsia problems, I was hospitalized in the PICU as well.

Three days later, I was transferred to a room, due to my improvement. Meanwhile, my newborn children were still in the ICU, due to their premature condition. Later, we were all discharged from the clinic, where I stayed until my babies were delivered.

When I arrived at the apartment, everything was joy, my mother and my friends had prepared the bedroom to receive them and have them there with me. During the first month, it was hard, I was hit hard by the pain of the cesarean section and the worry about feeding my children.

In spite of everything that happened to me, I am hopeful and enthusiastic, because I know I will get through this, God will not forsake me. Besides, I count on my mother to assume the obligations imposed by my father, as his last wish.

One month later…

Sofia:

Fulfilling the rituals of our religion, my children were baptized a month after they were born. And to pay the promise made to Saint Raphael the Archangel, their names in order of birth were: Raphael Angel, Raphael Argenis and Raphael Enrique.

Those present at the baptism of my children, a very small group of people, we celebrated with much devotion this act of baptism and presentation of them, before God…