Mergers & Matrimony

by Leigh, Allison

  She found herself pushed down into the chair.

  What had Mori done to her? He’d made her feel again and she supposed at some point, when she was feeling more…mature about it all, she would feel glad for that and accept all that had happened for what it was.

  Right now, she couldn’t think about him without her throat closing and her eyes stinging. “I just need a good night of sleep,” she said, not even thinking about the impression that statement would make.

  “Well, you go, girl,” Samantha murmured under her breath, grinning.

  All of the women were grinning, in fact. The guys, however, just looked distinctly uncomfortable.

  At any other time, Helen might have found the entire matter incredibly amusing.

  “That is not what I meant,” she said evenly, which unfortunately seemed to have no effect. She pushed at her hair. “What I wanted to discuss was the future. Your future.”

  Jack picked up the letter from the judge. “I suppose you mean this?”

  She nodded. Jack didn’t look quite fit to draw and quarter her for her interference. It was something, at least.

  “Anyway, when Jack hopefully resumes his practice, I think Evan should assume the head of Hanson North America.”

  “What?” Evan looked stunned. “Oh hell, yeah. Great idea. That’d have the old man rolling over in his grave.”

  “George wanted Hanson to continue for all of you,” Helen said. “I don’t know why you can’t believe that.” She could prove it if she were willing to produce George’s letter. Which she wasn’t. The humiliation would be more than she could survive.

  “That’s why he gave you the majority shares,” Jack said. “We get it, Helen. He trusted you to do what he figured we wouldn’t. Keep Hanson in existence.”

  “That doesn’t mean he’d want me sitting in his old chair,” Evan said.

  “Does it matter that much to you what George wanted? Think about it, Evan. This is not George’s decision. This is yours. All of yours, for that matter.”

  “I think it’s brilliant,” Meredith commented.

  Evan wasn’t so quick to agree, but Helen could see the glint of interest in his eyes. “What about the radio division?” he asked.

  “David can take it over.” Helen looked toward her brother-in-law. “I know public relations is your thing, David, but I also think it’s high time you have your own shop to run. Why not radio? It’s either you, or we really will have to sell it off.”

  “We were prepared for that, anyway,” Evan reminded.

  “I couldn’t keep a seat on the TAKA board and run radio.” David looked toward Nina.

  “You admitted that you were taking the seat because you felt you needed to, not because you really wanted to,” she told him. “Actually, I think it’s a marvelous idea, too.”

  Helen smiled at Nina, grateful for the support. “That just leaves Andrew.” She looked up at George’s youngest son. “You’ve proven yourself a powerhouse, Andrew, when it comes to getting new business. If David forfeits his board position, then that leaves you to take it. Are you willing?”

  “Maybe you should take it,” he said, eyeing her speculatively.

  She shook her head. “I won’t be involved in Hanson after this.”

  “What do you mean?” Delia sat forward. “You can’t just walk away after all of this.”

  “I’m not walking away,” Helen said huskily. “I’ll find something to challenge my time. But I’m going to sign my shares equally over to Jack, Evan and Andrew.”

  “You mean sell them,” Evan corrected.

  She shook her head. “I meant exactly what I said.”

  “Don’t you want to give some shares to Jenny?”

  “I’ve thought about that, Jack. And the truth is, Jenny doesn’t need Hanson shares from me. She needs what she’s already realized—that giving her up didn’t mean that she was unwanted or unloved by me. Now that I’ve found her, I have no intention of losing her again. She knows that.”

  “But what are you going to do?” Samantha looked shell-shocked.

  Helen looked toward the window. The drapes were open and she could see the clear blue sky outside. “I’ll figure something out,” she said with much more assurance than she felt. “This is what I want. I just need to know what you all think.”

  “You don’t need our approval,” Andrew said.

  “She wants it,” Jack said. “Don’t you, Helen.” It wasn’t a question, but an observation.

  And Helen’s throat tightened all over again. She hadn’t expected anything from the men other than debate and—eventually—seeing the logic of her ways. “Yes.”

  “I only see one drawback,” Evan said.

  She should have known it wouldn’t be so easy. “What?”

  “If you’re not involved at Hanson, then you’ve got nothing to keep you around.” He glanced at his brothers. Leaned over and took Meredith’s hand in his. “And Meredith and I kind of figured you’d be around for the wedding.”

  Silence settled on them all for a moment. Then delight struck Helen, giving a seriously hard nudge in reminding her to focus on what was important. “You’re getting married! When? Why didn’t you say something earlier?”

  “We just decided,” Meredith said. She looked up at Evan and happiness seemed to radiate from her. “And you have to be there, Helen.”

  “Plus, the baby is going to need a grandma who is way too young for the term,” Andrew added, looking wry.

  “We were wrong, Helen,” Jack said. And his brothers nodded. “I was wrong. No matter what is going on with you and Mori—” he lifted his hand when she opened her mouth to protest “—or not going on, you are a Hanson. You are family. We are a family, and more. Maybe for the first time. And we owe that to you.”

  Samantha crouched next to Helen, sliding her arm around her shoulder. “You see? I told you everything would work out.”

  It seemed that Helen had told Samantha that a time or two. She blinked, but the burning behind her eyes didn’t abate. “Okay. Then I guess maybe I won’t tell the broker to sell the house, after all. It’s a pretty good place to have big old family dinners.” Her voice broke a little.

  Samantha looked teary, too.

  “All right then,” David suddenly stood up, clapping his hands together. “Before this gets too damn sappy, I’m starving. What say we get out and try to find some decent sushi?” He grinned.

  And everyone laughed.

  Even Helen. Which just went to prove, she supposed, that a person could have a broken heart and still find something to smile about.

  Helen dressed with extraordinary care for the final meeting with TAKA the next afternoon. If there was one thing she’d learned as Mrs. George Hanson, it was that it was a lot easier to feel impervious when you looked like a million dollars.

  The pristine white mandarin-style blouse and severely tailored black jacket and slim skirt fit that particular bill.

  “Nervous?”

  She was flanked by Jack, Evan, Andrew and David as they walked from the elevator down the corridor to the TAKA boardroom. “No,” she lied.

  Andrew snorted softly. “Right.”

  She wasn’t nervous about their last bit of business. She was nervous about seeing Mori face-to-face. She’d rather kiss a toad than reveal that to anyone, however, most particularly Mori.

  When they entered, and Mori was already there, standing near the windows with Shiguro by his side, Helen had to force herself not to turn tail and run.

  This was not about her feelings for Mori.

  This was about the merger.

  Period.

  She angled her head in a polite bow when his gaze didn’t easily release hers and she caught the momentary frown that marred his handsome face before she turned and accepted the filled china teacup offered by a server.

  Richard arrived and he joined them for a few minutes before he went over and exchanged pleasantries with the TAKA crew. Because of Jenny, he’d decided to make his stay in J
apan permanent and his position had already been outlined during the negotiations. Helen watched him for a moment over the brim of her teacup.

  He would do well, she knew. She was completely happy about how things had worked out for him and Jenny, but she knew she would still miss him—as well as Jenny—when she returned to Chicago. He’d been a friend as well as a business associate.

  And now, married to Jenny, he was…family.

  “You all right?” Evan stepped in front of Helen. “You’re looking pale.”

  “I’m fine.” She squeezed his arm and smiled. “It’s just been a momentous few days.” He’d never know just how momentous.

  “If we could all be seated,” Shiguro announced. “We will begin.”

  Evan gave her a faint wink and she deposited her half-drunk tea on the tray alongside everyone else’s cups and headed toward her usual position next to Jack along the “Hanson” side of the table.

  In all of the times since she’d sat at the table, not a single thing had ever been out of place. But Jack’s agreement was sitting at her spot. It didn’t bear his name, but she clearly recognized his distinctive handwriting on the front of it.

  She glanced at his spot, saw her own bound document and casually reached for it, intending to switch the two without drawing undue attention when it was such a minor matter.

  Shiguro saw, however. “Mrs. Hanson, you will please to sit where your agreement is located.”

  She didn’t know why she hesitated. She’d spent the past several months working like a fiend to gain that measure of distinction from their opponents.

  Shiguro lowered his head slightly. “Please.”

  Jack moved behind her and nudged her over, pulling the chair out for her. “Go ahead,” he encouraged and sat in her typical seat—the “lesser” seat of importance.

  Helen slipped into Jack’s former seat, keeping her eyes focused within the square of space she was to occupy. If she let her gaze drift even a fraction, she would encounter Mori. She pulled the agreement closer.

  This really was it.

  The end.

  A commotion at the door drew her attention and the jolt of nervousness she suddenly felt barely had time to settle before a video crew—and not Yukio with more protests—entered.

  She frowned and then did look toward Mori. “What is this?”

  “We have much to mark on this occasion,” he said. “Footage may be used for the press release announcing the completion of the merger.”

  She nodded, but she was still surprised. TAKA Corporation might have been a media monster, but when it came to its own internal workings, they were about as tightlipped as it came.

  Mori seemed to give the three-person crew no mind, then. “I am certain that you all were expecting another protracted discussion about the guidelines for the Hanson North America’s philanthropic interests.” He flipped open the book that sat in front of him. “However, you will note that this item has been removed from the stipulations of the merger.”

  Helen’s attention sharpened. Adrenaline surged through her veins. “You can’t tell me that you’re retracting the sixty percent you were previously willing to agree to?”

  Mori’s dark gaze locked with hers, but it was Shiguro who answered. “TAKA has determined that such a decision will remain within the local management of Hanson North America,” he said.

  Silence screamed from Hanson’s side of the table.

  A complete capitulation was so extraordinarily out of character that Helen didn’t know what to say. She stared at Mori. Finally, one word emerged. “Why?”

  “You may accept the decision as a sign of confidence in the new management.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Andrew said wryly from farther down the table.

  Cautious chuckles from the other side of the table followed.

  “Speaking of management,” Helen said, “there may be some shifting around. The only portion of that which needs to be addressed here, though, is the possibility of Andrew Hanson taking the TAKA board position in place of David Hanson.”

  “It’s more than a possibility,” Evan told her, leaning forward to look at her from his position next to Andrew. “We all talked last night, Helen. I’ll be assuming Jack’s position and David will resign from Hanson North America to assume control of the newly independent broadcasting company. Which means Andrew has to take the board position.”

  “I didn’t expect such a quick decision from you all,” Helen admitted faintly.

  “You’re not the only one who can move decisively,” Andrew drawled, but he was smiling as he said it.

  Helen folded her hands tightly together in her lap beneath cover of the table. She nodded, too full of emotion to speak just then.

  “Andrew Hanson will assume the third board position, then,” Mori said.

  “Unless Helen wants it,” Andrew interrupted.

  “Helen cannot hold a position on the TAKA board of directors,” Mori said smoothly.

  Even though Helen knew a woman—particularly her—would never be allowed on the TAKA board, hearing it drop so easily from his lips still pained her.

  “Not yet,” Mori added.

  She jerked and stared at him. Not yet? “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “Patience.” He looked down the table. “TAKA has added a condition of our own to the document. You will find the addendum inserted before the final page.” He barely waited while pages rustled as people hurried to catch up with the unexpected.

  Helen was no different. She flipped to the back of the hefty document and found the page. She was vaguely aware of the video crew moving discreetly closer to the table and its occupants.

  “TAKA wishes to name Helen Hanson as Senior Vice President of TAKA mergers and acquisitions,” Mori announced. “This means she will no longer be part of Hanson management, but part of TAKA.” He was no longer looking at anyone else.

  He was only looking at Helen.

  “If she chooses to accept, of course,” he finished.

  The only sound in the room was the faint tick of someone’s watch.

  Helen swallowed. There was not a single female who held a senior management position within TAKA. “You’re serious,” she finally managed.

  “It is in black and white for all the world to witness.” He reached into his lapel pocket and pulled out a familiar pen.

  Her gold pen.

  He extended it to her. “Perhaps you have need for this, Mrs. Hanson.” He smiled slightly.

  Biting her lip, she looked at Jack. Then Richard, Evan, David. Andrew. All of these people who’d come to mean more to her in the past several months than she could have wished for.

  Andrew’s arms were crossed over his wide chest when she looked at him and his hand shifted slightly. His thumb popped up.

  Could she work for TAKA? Could she function day in and day out within the confines of their strictly defined behaviors and ideologies?

  Then she looked at Mori again.

  What he was doing was already counterpoint to all of that, she realized. And if that wasn’t proof that TAKA’s internal practices were no longer set in stone, she couldn’t fathom what would be.

  “Some things are meant to be,” he said quietly, still holding out the pen.

  Even though they had a room full of witnesses, Helen couldn’t simply leave it at that. Not when her life was finding paths she had never considered. “Which things? A career with TAKA? Or being with you? You didn’t say a word about this when I suggested I might like to stay on in Tokyo.”

  “I asked why you wanted to do so,” he reminded her. “You chose not to answer.”

  “I couldn’t understand how you could ask the question in the first place, after we’d—” She broke off, flushing, suddenly painfully aware that not only were there witnesses, but there was a video crew taping the entire exchange. “Would it have mattered to you what reason I had?”

  “Yes. But it would not change the offer on the table today. You are a worthy opponent, M
rs. Hanson. I prefer to make allies of such people and turn their abilities to my benefit. You will be breaking new ground for TAKA,” Mori said. “I cannot assure you that it will always be easy. You are too intelligent a woman to believe otherwise. The question is, are you willing?”

  She slowly took the pen from Mori and their fingers grazed. “Hai.”

  While the video camera moved closer, Helen turned to the last and final page of the merger agreement.

  Mori had already signed it.

  She stared at his signature, her hand tightly holding on to George’s pen.

  Maybe George’s behavior hadn’t been as selfishly calculated as she’d believed. Maybe, just maybe, he’d somehow been watching out for her, all along.

  It was a good thought. A very good thought. One that she figured she’d just have to hold on to.

  She let out a little breath.

  And she signed her name.

  Mori nodded, clearly satisfied. He took the document from her, closed it with great care and stood to look around the table. “Now, finally, we will adjourn to the lobby and celebrate. Mrs. Hanson and I will join you shortly.”

  Even the TAKA side looked relieved, clapping their hands together as spontaneously as the Hanson side as men pushed back from the table and rose, shaking hands and bowing and generally congratulating each other. Laughter and voices grew more enthusiastic and less restrained as people—no longer teams on opposing sides, but people who’d ultimately succeeded in a common effort—began filing out of the boardroom.

  Helen rose, also, though she wasn’t entirely certain her wobbling legs would serve the task. “Well.” She moistened her lips. “I guess you are my boss now. I’ll have to learn how not to debate every point with you.”

  “I do not wish you to change your methods, Helen. They are already admirable. You will need to learn to speak Japanese more fluently, of course, but you will have much assistance for that. The only other thing I wish you to change is your name.”

  She blinked. “My name? Whatever for? You don’t want a Hanson on the TAKA staff roster?”

  “Do you not understand yet?” He looked vaguely amused as he took the pen from her that she hadn’t realized she still held and set it on the table.