Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 124(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24747 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 124(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
“Mr. Hayes,” a man says. He’s in a polo shirt I recognize from the corporate office. “We’ve been looking for you. There’s an issue with the Q3 projections that needs immediate attention.”
West’s jaw tightens, but he keeps his calm. “It can wait.”
“Sir, it’s urgent. The board is asking for you.”
I watch his expression change as he goes back to being serious. “Of course. Give me a moment, Grant.” He turns back to me. “Ms. Fontaine,” he says, his voice neutral. “Thank you for joining me today. I hope you enjoyed the activity as much as I did.”
The formality of what he’s saying hits me all wrong. What the heck just happened? How did I turn right back into being just another employee?
“Yes, sir,” I manage, my voice steady, not that I feel it. “Go,” I say, forcing a smile. “It’s okay. Really.”
West squeezes my hand once, where no one can really see it, then he releases it.
I stand there for a moment, watching him walk away with Grant, slipping back into that CEO role. The two personalities are so different. It’s like the man who kissed me breathless on a platform suspended in midair never existed.
Chapter Eight
WEST
Today was perfect. At least, everything was going that way. Then I got slapped in the face with the reminder that I’m here to fix problems with work.
Part of this retreat is about strengthening teamwork and networking within the company. Some employees only get to meet face to face at these retreats when usually they’re emailing or on conference calls. Not only that, but it’s a time for people to air their grievances and for me to hear them out. How am I supposed to run the company smoothly if I don’t know the problems? That’s the whole reason this getaway started years ago. Only this time, things are different.
The board members continue to talk themselves into circles as I stare out at the setting sun. I’ve missed most of the day with Bellarose, and if they keep this bullshit up much longer, I’m going to miss most of the night too. I should be exhausted after staying up so late and then getting up at the crack of dawn, yet I’ve never felt more energized.
It’s because of that kiss. I can’t stop thinking about it. After the exhilarating ziplining experience, I thought there was no way my heart could beat faster. Then we kissed, and she proved me dead wrong. I trace my fingers over my bottom lip, and it’s almost like I can still feel her there.
“Mr. Hayes,” someone says, and I blink back to reality.
One glance around the table, and I know they’ve said my name several times. Shit. I was so lost in thoughts of Bellarose that I forgot to listen.
“It’s either we find a new distributor on the East Coast or we raise the cost of our most popular dog food.”
The room is silent as they wait for me to weigh in. I’m so over this meeting and ready to get back to Bellarose. I want to tell them to do whatever they hell they want, but this is important. The decision that’s made in this room will affect our customers, our employees, and our bottom dollar. This company means a lot to me, and so do all the people under its umbrella. Like Bellarose. She’s the person I picture now when I think of my impact. It’s her that’s in the front of my mind as I stand up from my chair and address the room.
“There’s a simple solution to this,” I say, and the board members watch me, eager for the answer. “We eat the difference.”
Grant lets out a humorless huff. “Continuing to pay for the distributor at this price is out of the budget. Where would we even come up with that kind of money?”
“If the board forgoes their bonuses, that would give us more than enough to cover the cost.” I let the hammer fall as I look each one of them in the eye. “It would be enough to pay the better distributor without sacrificing the quality of our product that we have built a reputation for. And it would mean that we didn’t have to make our hard-working customers carry the burden of corporate greed.”
The silence that falls over the room would be comical if it wasn’t so disappointing. I knew that if I wanted my company to be publicly traded I would have shareholders and a board of directors to answer to. And one day they could choose to replace me. Yes, it’s my company and I’m the founder, but with success and growth comes change. Maybe their way forward isn’t the same vision as mine because if the roles were reversed, I know what I would be saying in their shoes. Take my bonus, take my salary, take it all if it’s for the better of the company. But I shouldn’t be surprised that greed is what’s keeping them silent now.