Glass Ceilings Read Online Free Page B

any longer, mister. I’m CEO now and you’d better learn to accept it, otherwise we’ll be bumping heads before too long.
    Turning on her heel, she walked purposefully in the opposite direction. But underneath her anger, she still felt a twinge of empathy for him. She knew how bad that sort of disappointment felt.
    Welcome to my world, Royce. I’ve worn those ill-fitting shoes before and suffered for ages with the resulting blisters.
     
    * * *
     
    I had a 3am sit-up, diary. You know, one of those where you’re sound asleep and suddenly jerk awake with your brain on fire? And the scene still smoking in my mind was of that AWFUL night years ago, when I told David about the promotion Nimbus offered me. I guess the events of yesterday brought back the memories. It was the same scenario, with me excited as all hell at the prospect of a great new job, only back then I’d rushed home to share my news with a husband. Tonight I hurried home to a cat and you, diary.
      I wasn’t keeping a journal at the time, so if you think you can hack it, I’ll regurgitate the sordid details now, as a sort of exorcism....
    When Nimbus offered me the promotion, I accepted it straight away. It was a good career move and a significant financial boost for us. I was thrilled to think my increased earnings would help establish a secure future for the family David and I planned. So how rotten did it feel when I got home and burst out with my wonderful news, only to have him turn on me, shouting that I hadn’t bothered to consult him first? Talk about having the air punched out of my balloon! I couldn’t believe the brute standing there yelling at me was the same happy-go-lucky man I’d married.
    Once I got over the shock, I placated him by promising to pass on the promotion. I couldn’t understand why he felt so strongly about it, but thought he must have had his reasons. It occurred to me he might have been worried the new job would make me delay our family plans. Family plans, hah! How wrong can a girl be?
    Anyway, nothing was the same after that. He was like a different person, forever looking sideways at me as though suspicious of my every move. And all because I was offered a better paid job. Sheesh! And it didn’t get any better as time went on. He only became more withdrawn and moody. I didn’t know him anymore, and that scared me.
    And then that OTHER awful night happened. The one that brought things to a head and spelt the end for us. I had to work late and when I got home David was pacing the floor, breathing fire—well, flammable fumes—and shouting all sorts of accusations at me. Although I hardly said a word, not daring to contradict him in the mood he was in, he actually raised a hand at me.
    And in that moment, it was all over. I wasn’t going to give him the opportunity to make good on that threat.
    And when I look back on it now, diary, I can’t help thinking how ironic his accusations were, considering what he was up to behind my back. No wonder he didn’t trust me. Those not worthy of trust themselves....
     
    * * *
     
    Verity’s life changed abruptly as soon as she stepped out of the meeti ng w ith Clyde and Travis. N o longer Verity Parker, Associate Mine Manager, RCL Bauxit e Mine, s he had become the new chief executive officer of multi-nation al mining venture, RCL Alumina.
    W ord spread like an uncontrollable bush fire throughout the office building, scorching its way aroun d t he refinery , and leaving a trail of smoking ash as it ran full-tilt along the conveyor belt to the bauxite mine.
    Royce James was beaten to the CEO job by a WOMAN !

Chapter Four
     
    Ve rity easily pushed Royce out of her mind as other, more urgent matters clamoured for her attention . And they all landed in her lap at once , or so it seemed . Realising how much she didn’t know about the job, she made a conscious effort to cling , limpet-like , to Clyde , watching and learning for as long as she could. She grew increasingly anxious