"Hey, be careful with where you're going or you might not have a job at all if you can't do a simple task properly," Sofia called out to a janitor as he carried a load of files and stumbled a bit. Jeremy reached his office to find Sofia sitting on his seat. He had never seen his staff so scared because he never shouted at them. He believed in treating people with respect because you can't earn respect until you give respect to people. 

"Hi, Dad. Did you like the new setup? I didn't like the old one so I changed it. I wanted my office to be right here inside your room because I don't want to stay outside. I need to know everything that goes on in here and for that my presence here is inevitable." She said as she stood up and gestured around the room.

"Sofia, why are you acting like your mother? What's gotten into you? Are you being like this because of what you did last night?" He asked as he came closer to her and touched her cheek. He saw her eyes soften for a moment.

"Dad, I don't want to be the all good Sofia because then people don't take me seriously. They think I'm still a kid and I can't do anything. Now I know why mum stays nonchalant all the time. I'm not a little girl anymore. I want to be taken seriously. I'm not 10, for god's sake!" Sofia said exasperatedly.

"I know that you've grown up but you still need to learn a lot of things before you sit on that chair,Sofia. If I hadn't taken you seriously, I would have never brought you here in the first place. Everything's yours. You may do as you please but you need to give respect to people especially those who work for you if you want to be respected. We need them as much as they need us. We are nothing without them. So, I suggest you go out there and apologize to every single person out there for disrespecting them." He said as he patted Sofia's shoulder and led her to sit on the couch with him.

"I'm sorry, Dad. Thank you for making me realize my mistake. You must have gotten the news by now that I broke it off with Calvin. I can't get married to him not when I have someone else in my heart. It's not fair, dad. Mum must be furious." Sofia said as she rested her head on his shoulder. 

"Don't worry. I've handled everything. It took me a while to realize that you're not ready for a relationship. Your mum knows better than to mess with me on this matter. I support you. You're my princess and it's your life. You may do as you please." Jeremy said with a smile as he caressed her hair.

"Thank you so much, Dad. I love you." Sofia said as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"I love you too, princess but please get rid of this dark make-up you've put on. You look way older in it. Not to forget terrible." Jeremy said as he made a face. Sofia laughed and went to wash away the remnants of the blood-red lipstick and thick eyeliner. She did look bad, she thought to herself as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. 

Later that afternoon, Sofia had attended a couple of meetings with her father. They had had lunch together in their office. As they sat talking, the office phone rang and Kate informed them that they had a visitor. Jeremy nodded as he asked Kate to send in the visitor. The door opened and in came Calvin. The last person Sofia wanted to meet. 

"Hello, Calvin. It's nice to see you here. Although it's a rather unexpected visit." Jeremy said as he stood up to greet him. Sofia stood by her father's side and looked at him as he walked in. He wore a dark grey suit with a grey tie and a crisp white shirt. He strode his way towards Sofia with his fists clenched. 

"I wish to talk to your daughter. Alone." Calvin spat without sparing Jeremy a glance. 

"You can talk in my presence. I won't allow my daughter to be alone with a stranger." Jeremy said firmly. 

"Dad, you can leave us alone as Mr. Harris says. I can handle him." Sofia said as she gave a reassuring smile to Jeremy. He nodded and left the room silently. 

"Sofia, how dare you reject me? Who do you think you are?" Calvin asked as he raised his voice a little than the normal. 

"I told you that you have no choice. You are a selfish bitch. You threw your so-called love under the car with your own hands." He said lowly. 

"You practically forced that engagement upon me, Calvin. Why do you think would I think twice before throwing away a relationship with you? I despised you the moment I laid my eyes on you that night at my birthday party. " Sofia retorted. 

"Sofia Taylor, you have made a great mistake. If I were you, I'd never do what you did. You will see the effects later. It'll be too late to take everything back then. You will pay the price dearly." He said menacingly. 

"I'll leave you to think of your next move for now." Calvin said as he stepped back a little from her. 

"Calvin, wait! I have something you might like to have." Sofia called out to a retreating Calvin. He paused and looked at her with frustration. 

"This is the last encounter I want with you. And you can take this ring back. It's pathetic. Just like you. You can't come here and threaten me inside my own office. If I want I can tarnish your reputation in seconds." Sofia said as she thrust the blue velvet box in his hand and snapped. 

"Sofia Taylor does not take anyone's bullshit. Take that arrogance of yours and leave my building premises before I call the security to "escort" you out of here. Do you understand?" Sofia said air quoting escort firmly. She was surprised at her courage. She thought she was a dim-wit but actually she could be ruthless.

Jeremy who was listening to their conversation was proud of her daughter for staying strong. He had expected her to break down any moment but he was amazed to see that she stood her ground and fought or herself. It made him proud of her. He could see a potential leader in her. Calvin opened the door and stepped out of the room like a raging bull. He ignored Jeremy and went outside. 

" Are you okay, princess?" Jeremy asked as he entered his office. Sofia nodded and went to wash his face in the ensuite bathroom.

"Let's go out, dad. It's time." Sofia said as she stood in front of his table. Jeremy nodded and went with her.

"Kate, can you please call everyone who worked in my office in the morning? Send them to the meeting room. Will you?" Sofia nodded as she and Jeremy walked their way to the meeting room. 

"My dear people, we are all gathered here today as my daughter, Sofia here wants to say something to all of you, so please take a seat so we can get through the purpose of their meeting," Jeremy said as he encouraged Sofia. Everyone looked at Sofia expectantly. 

" Dear people, I am here to apologize for my behavior earlier today. My father here told me what a good boss is like and we all are so lucky to have him as our boss. My sincere apologies to all of you. I have offended all of you for which I ask your forgiveness. I hope you all will forgive me. I have learned that this hotel is nothing without all of you. Everyone holds an important place. Thank you all for leaving your work in the middle and taking out time to listen to me. Thank you, Dad, for always being our guiding light, We all love you." Sofia said with tears in her eyes as she concluded. Everyone stood up and clapped for her. Jeremy hugged Sofia.

"On behalf of all us here, I'd like to say that we are also lucky to have you as our future leader. We are lucky to have someone who can bow down and admit their mistakes, someone with a conscience." The manager said with a smile.

"Thank you, everyone," Sofia said as she stood by Jeremy. 

"Well done, princess. I'm so proud of you. Now we need to leave. It has been a long day. I can't wait to go home and have some much-needed rest," Jeremy said as he ushered Sofia out of the office.