“Come in, Adam,” he said.
I opened the door and stepped in.
However nice my office was, it paled in comparison to Edward’s. The space was vast, with vaulted ceilings and a view that gave a nearly three-hundred-and-sixty-degree view of the city. Bookshelves packed with colorful spines adorned the walls, and Edward’s massive, imposing desk dominated the far end.
It was a place meant to impress, to let whoever was there know he was the man in charge. And it did that job very, very effectively.
Even from across the vast distance of the office, I could see Edward’s eyes locked onto me, his hands folded in front of him. As I drew closer, I could sense that he understood I wasn’t simply dropping in to say hello.
“Adam,” he said, his posture in the chair one of effortless confidence. “To what do I owe this visit?”
There were two large, wingback chairs in front of his desk, and I slipped into one.
“Rio.”
“Rio,” he repeated.
He sat back and placed his hands on his lap.
“Something to drink?” he asked, gesturing toward the well-stocked bar, his eyes still on me.
“Thank you,” I said. “But I’d rather get right to it.”
“Of course you would,” he said. “Truth be told, Adam, I’m a little surprised it’s taken you this long to come here and discuss this issue. I know you’ve been champing at the bit to resolve the matter.”
Edward always had all the angles figured out. I had to hand it to him on that front.
“And I’m eager to have it resolved,” he went on.
“Great,” I said. “Because so do I, and I want it resolved before the end of the year.”
“I like that enthusiasm,” he said.
Then he raised a single finger.
“And I should point out that Bernard is of a similar mind about the situation,” he said. “And I’m sure I don’t need to tell you what sort of solution he’s got in mind for the Rio problem.”
“It’s not a solution,” I said. “Because as far as I’m concerned, cutting all of those people loose because they’re affecting the bottom line isn’t an option. Those are our people, Edward. Those are Corliss employees who rely on us to put food on the table.”
He nodded, conceding the point.
“You’re right,” he said. “And I take pride in the loyalty I’ve always shown to those who’ve shown their loyalty to me. There’s no doubt that the Rio plant is staffed with the exact sort of hard workers I hope to have in my employ.”
He sat forward, clearly ready to say more.
“But this isn’t a charity, Adam,” he said. “I have an obligation to the shareholders, and to every other man or woman who works for me. As much as I’d like to keep everyone in the company employed, you know as well as anyone that sometimes downsizing is a necessary part of doing business.”
“You’re right, Edward,” I said. “I know we’re in this to make a profit. But the reason I’m here is to tell you that downsizing isn’t necessary. We can keep the Rio factory as it is, with only a few small adjustments.”
“Your industrial psych data,” he said. “I’ve been perusing it. Some of it looks promising, but some of it seems just so…counterintuitive. Part of the reason we have factories down there is to keep the cost of labor low. And you want to cancel all that out by putting more money into it? Why not just open a factory down the road while we’re at it?”
“I know it seems counterintuitive,” I said. “And I know it seems like it wouldn’t make sense for what we’re trying to accomplish. But you have to believe me—I’ve looked at the data, and I’ve even looked at the productivity of factories that have implemented similar changes. The profits all go up—always. And more than that, the workers are happier.”
“I like all of that,” he said. “But again, this would represent a serious investment of both time and money. And while we’re having a great year, I haven’t been wasting a moment figuring out how to make sure the next is even better—and that includes deciding where we’re going to invest. I’m afraid as of right now, Rio doesn’t make the cut.”
Frustration built inside of me. Edward’s impassive nature was admirable at times, but sometimes it was hard as hell to deal with. When he’d set his mind to something, that was it—no talking him out of it.
“So what’s the plan then?” I asked. “Do nothing?”
“We hold with the few changes you already took the liberty of making,” he said. “You raised wages down there, and it’s not like we can simply walk that back without causing some serious problems.”
“We hold?” I said. “That means we do nothing.”
“We circle back around to the issue at the end of the year,” he said.
I already knew what that meant.
“If we just hold on the matter, then Bernard’s going to go ahead and close the place down. He’s counting on us doing nothing so he can come to you at the end of the year with negative profits.”
“I’ve already told you that I’m not averse to closing the factory if that’s what needs to be done.”
“But you’re not giving me any other option,” I said, the frustration leaking out and affecting my tone of voice. “You might as well close the plant now if that’s your plan!”
Edward stayed clam, slowly raising his palm, wordlessly telling me to take it easy. It was hard to do, but I’d known the man for long enough to understand that he respected a calm and even attitude more than rash flying off the handle.
But I was mad—I couldn’t help it. There was a clear solution to this issue, and it was staring Edward right in the face…literally! He simply needed to let me take care of the problem.
I knew there wasn’t anything left to say other to get right into plan B.
“Then let me go down there and sort it out.”
Edward cocked his head to the side slightly, as if he didn’t quite hear me.
“Excuse me?” he asked.
“Let me go down to Rio,” I said. “Let me work with the manager and bring conditions up to acceptable levels. I’ll do the planning, I’ll manage the budget, and I’ll make sure that everything goes off without a hitch. You don’t have to do anything—just let me do the job you hired me to do.”
Edward took in a slow breath. I couldn’t tell if he was considering what I’d said or if he was getting ready to chew me out for not obeying.
“The job I hired you to do is here in San Francisco,” he said. “I didn’t hire you to go off busying yourself with whatever pet project captures your attention.”
“But this is more than a pet project,” I said. “Think of Rio like a test site. I go there and work with the manager in overseeing the changes. When that’s done, we give it a quarter or two and see how they pan out. If profits go up, then we’ll know I’m right. If not, then…then I suppose we’ll have no other option but to shutter the plant.”
I could see that I had his interest, and I went on.
“Think about it,” I said, leaning forward and speaking with my hands. “How many factories do we have overseas? A dozen? And all of them are being run like Rio. What if what I do in Rio works, and increases profits? We’d know I’m right, and then we could implement these changes in all of our factories. That’d mean just one factory making more money, but all of them.”
Now I could really sense Edward’s interest. He placed one hand on the desk and drummed his fingers slowly—his typical manner of giving a topic thought.
“That…that would be more in keeping with your role as CEO,” he said. “Profits across our production sector would mean…well, that would be a very positive development. But as I’m sure you know, this would represent a project that you’d be putting your name on. If you invest the time and resources necessary and come up empty-handed, that’s going to look very bad in the eyes of the board.”
“I understand that,” I said. “And I’m willing to take that risk.”
“Not only that,�
� he said. “While your first year as CEO has been as impressive as I’d known it was going to be, a high-profile failure could do major damage to the reputation you’ve built here at Corliss.”
“I accept that.”
A small smile formed on Edward’s face, one that I could sense meant that while he wasn’t sold on the plan, he admired my dedication.
“Very well,” he said. “You want to go to Rio, then go to Rio. The plane should be available.”
I didn’t need to hear anything else—I was ready to get to it.
“But Adam,” he said as I rose out of my chair. “I’m going to be watching very, very carefully.”
I nodded.
“I won’t let you down, Edward,” I said.
Moments later I was back in the hallway, striding toward my office. And as soon as I stepped through the door a thought hit me—I was going to need someone to come with me.
There was Sandy, of course. I was sure she’d be up for the task. But with the news of her pregnancy, the last thing I wanted to do was subject her to a strenuous trip to the other side of the equator. Not to mention I was sure she’d like a little time to enjoy the good news with her fiancé.
But who to accompany me?
It hit me the moment I dropped into my chair.
I’d need someone smart, someone capable, maybe even someone who already knew the ins and outs of the situation in Rio. And there was only one other person who fit the bill.
Isla.
It’d be perfect. She’d already proven herself to be the perfect fit for the task.
There was, however, the matter of how badly I’d screwed things up between us. I’d assumed that the damage I’d caused was irreparable, that I might as well forget that she even existed.
Well, I’d learned how impossible that task was proving to be.
I leaned forward and drummed my fingers on my desk, Edward-style. Maybe the situation wasn’t totally hopeless. Maybe there was a chance I could reach out to her and enlist her help. Sure, maybe she’d tell me to screw off—and I wouldn’t blame her one bit.
But maybe she’d jump at the opportunity, just as she’d done before.
There was nothing to do but ask her. Not only because she was the right woman for the job, but because I wasn’t about to let her go without at least trying to reach out to her and make things right. If she said no it would be hard, but maybe it would be exactly what I needed to finally put her out of my mind.
I looked up her number in the employee database, finding that she was still based in the LA office, and still at the same position. Her number in front of me, my heart pounding, I dialed it in and prepared to call.
Right at the moment I was going to hit “dial” however, I had a second thought. If I were to call, there was an excellent chance she’d simply hang up as soon as she realized who it was.
No, I needed some other angle, some way that would allow me to get out what I wanted to say, and to be able to choose my words carefully. I couldn’t afford to mess this up the way I did last time.
My eyes tracked over on the database, over to Isla’s email.
Perfect.
I set down my phone and opened my email client. Once it was open, her address in the bar, my fingers began moving almost on their own accord.
Isla—
I know it’s been a long while since we’ve spoken. And I know that the circumstances the last time we were together were less than ideal.
‘Less than ideal.’ Look at me speaking like a CEO and not a person.
They were terrible. I don’t know how else to put it, but I screwed up—badly. I was careless with your feelings, selfish, cruel. And for that, I don’t know what else to say other than that I’m truly, deeply sorry.
I know that you’ve gone out of your way to not be near me, and I completely understand. But even though months have gone by, I can’t stop thinking about you, can’t stop thinking about how I could possibly make things right between us. The odds are slim, I know, but I have to try.
I have a proposal. The situation in Rio has escalated to the point where I’ve decided to travel down to the factory myself and set things right. It’ll be hard work, but I’m sure it can be done. However, as soon as the name ‘Rio’ appears in my mind, your face is right there with it.
You were an excellent employee—still are, I’m sure. And I can’t think of a single person I’d rather have at my side during the trip. And that’s the offer. Come with me to Rio, give me the chance to show you that I’m not the man who behaved so callously toward you. Show me that I can be a man worthy of a woman like you.
If you delete this message and never speak to me again, I’ll understand. If that’s the case, let me tell you that I still deeply treasure the time we spent together. You’ve got a bright future ahead, Isla. I can only hope that you allow me to be some part of it.
Yours,
Adam
The moment I typed the last letter I felt as exhausted as if I’d just sprinted a mile. I read the draft over and over, making sure that it conveyed what I wanted, and was certain that I could send it and not feel as though I’d left anything out.
But I stopped myself on my third read-through, knowing that if I didn’t simply send it, I might never. With a single click, it was off.
All I could do was wait.
Chapter 25
Isla
Being on forced early maternity leave was not as fun as people might think. At home curled up on the couch, I couldn’t shake the idea that I was being lazy. Sure, I was nearly nine-months pregnant with twin girls, my stomach as big as a beach ball, but that didn’t mean I wanted to cool my heels. My team needed me, and there I was eating ice cream at three in the afternoon not knowing what to do with myself.
I looked around the place, my new two-bedroom that I’d only moved into a few months ago. It was big—far too big for one person. And that was the idea. I needed a nursery for these little ladies, and my old one-bedroom bachelorette pad wasn’t going to cut it. The rent was higher than I’d hoped, but I was counting on a decent Christmas bonus and a raise come January. It was going to require some doing, but I was determined to make it happen.
After one last bit of the double-fudge-and-caramel ice cream, I decided that enough was enough. With a heave, I set the pint on the coffee table and fell back into my seat. The ice cream was satisfying the insane sweet tooth I’d developed over the last few months, but I knew I needed to rein in my overeating sooner rather than later. Not a chance I’d be able to squeeze in a gym routine worth a damn once I was the single mother of twins.
Single mother. The words were still hard to wrap my head around. Not that I’d ever been the type to be judgmental about women in my situation. But knowing that was going to be my life from here on out was still something I was having difficulty swallowing.
What about dating? Sure, it was hardly the first thing on my mind, but I knew I wasn’t going to be cool with being single forever. How on earth was I going to feel confident enough to hit the dating scene, knowing my baby twins were waiting for me at home?
I didn’t want to have to put myself through that. I wanted to skip it all, to fast-forward to the part where I was in a safe, stable relationship with a guy who loved me, and was hopefully handsome and smart to boot.
Someone like Adam.
I let out a loud “ugh!”—the same noise I made whenever I found myself thinking of him, which was far too often for my liking. But I couldn’t help it. As much as I knew I had a right to be mad at him, sometimes all I’d want would be for him to come through the door ready to help me raise our little girls.
But just like I did every time I found myself thinking this way, I remembered that I was doing something extremely difficult all on my own. It was natural to want some help, and the father was the most sensible option to pitch in.
“I can do this,” I said. “It’s hard, but it’s going to be worth it. It’s going to be worth it.”
It was my little mantra,
but the closer it grew to the due date, the hollower it had begun to feel. All I could think about was when the babies would finally come, how I’d have them and bring them home to my apartment and not have anyone here to share in the joy. Sure, I had friends from work who’d be happy to congratulate me, but it wasn’t the same.
A chill ran down my cheek, and I realized I was crying.
“Oh, come on, Isla,” I said, wiping it away. “It’s…it’s hard, but it’s going to be worth it. It’s going…”
I couldn’t even finish. At that moment I felt hopeless, so hopeless that I could hardly think or move or do anything else.
Then, one of the girls kicked, as if reminding me who I was doing all of this for. I placed my hand on my belly and forced a smile. My feelings really didn’t matter any longer. It was all about these two.
With a heave, I reached over and grabbed my computer to see if there might be anything work-related that I could busy myself with. Better than sitting around stewing in my own thoughts, I figured. Emily had been clear that I was not supposed to do any kind of work, insisting that even sitting around watching TV would be better in preparation for the birth. But that had never really been my style.
A pillow on my lap and the computer open on top of it, I decided to start with my emails and see if there was anything that could use my attention. Nothing really at first glance—only a handful of CC’d emails that I didn’t have anything to do with.
But one caught my eye. It was titled nothing more than “Isla.” My eyes tracked over to the sender, and I nearly slammed the laptop shut I was so surprised.
“[email protected]”
No way it was him—it couldn’t be. After steadying my hand, I moved the cursor over the email and opened it with a click. Any doubt that it was from the father of my children vanished as soon as I read the first line.
I read it. Then I read it again. Then again. Then one more time, this time pinching myself to make sure that I wasn’t dreaming. I wasn’t. After all this time, Adam had finally connected with me.
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