"We haven't been able to do anything over the last two days because our funding has been paused for review," Gina explained in one breath.
Lexie straightened up immediately and gasped. "What do you mean paused?"
Tim sighed. "Literally paused. All funded programs have been paused for review. As our clinical trials are classed as a program, we were included. I tried to get it sorted yesterday but as we're at the top of our budget finance couldn't authorize the release of more funds."
"The only way they can release more funds is to apply for an earlier review," Gina added with a sarcastic smile.
Lexie couldn't believe what she was hearing. She looked from Gina to Tim, saw the helpless looks on their faces and felt furious at the situation.
Sam might just be doing his job, but they couldn't work like this. She couldn't work like this.
"How long will that take?"
"About a week or two, but with everyone going berserk it may take longer. The school internship program has been affected too. Everything."
Lexie's eyes widened, and she could only stare back in astonishment as she gripped on to the edge of the chair.
"Did you see Simon?" She felt her composure slipping.
"He couldn't do anything." Tim shook his head. "It would need authorization from someone higher than him. And we need an appointment for that."
Lexie winced and put her hand to her head as it started to pound. She didn't want to be angry at Sam, but she couldn't help it. She just couldn't. It was anger and frustration mixed together. They'd all worked so hard to get to this point, and now this. Lexie was their leader, and right now she had to do something. But what?
She thought about it as Tim and Gina watched her eagerly. Then an idea crossed her mind. She winced at the craziness of it, but it was perhaps the best idea she could come up with right now. The situation was enough to make anyone leave, and realistically they could. However, in the spirit of doing their research, they couldn't just leave. Theoretically, while they'd come up with the idea and devoted the last couple of years of their lives to it, Prometheus belonged to Cervantes. However, the device was no good to the company if they didn't know how to use it. Herself, Tim and Gina, were the brains behind it and wouldn't just leave because it meant too much to them.
But, maybe they could shift things back in their favor. Sam said she should ask for help. So that was what she was going to do, just throw a spin on things a little.
And if it didn't work then she'd have to deal with that separately.
"Do you guys trust me?" she asked calmly.
Tim narrowed his eyes. "Yes, of course, we trust you." He looked at Gina. "Gina, you trust Lexie right?"
"Yes." Gina nodded.
Lexie appreciated hearing they did. "I have an idea. Just remember this. A substantial amount of the profits made by this company comes from bioengineering. From us. We're the brains behind that, and between the three of us we've come up with the impossible and the unimaginable. Investors know that. Everyone knows that. Are you listening?"
"Oh yeah, and I think I can see where you're going with this. Check you out with your bad self." Tim smiled wide, and energy sparkled within his brown eyes.
Gina smiled too and nodded. "I think I can see too."
"Good. Get your things and come with me," she instructed.
They didn't question her. They both just went off to get their bags and jackets. While they did that she took out her checkbook and wrote a check for two thousand five hundred dollars, and made it out to Sam St. John. That was for if the plan didn't work. That should cover the money he gave her and the plane ticket. It was twelve years too late, but better late than never. She should give it back to him anyway. It was long overdue.
Her heart twisted as she wrote it but she ignored her heart. All her stupid heart had ever done was get her in trouble and prevent her from thinking properly.
She joined Tim and Gina by the door when she finished and made their way to the management floor.
Janine was at the workstation in front of Sam's office wearing her usual tacky clothes. "Do you have an appointment?" she asked, but Lexie just looked at her and walked right by without answering, with Tim and Gina in tow.
Lexie pushed Sam's door open. He was inside talking with Zane who immediately brightened at the sight of Gina.
"I'm so sorry," Janine said rushing in front of them. "They just rushed past me. I'll get rid of them."
Lexie turned and focused on Janine, folding her arms as Janine actually tried to make a move towards her. "It would be a big mistake to even try to touch me right now." Lexie sneered, with the way how she felt she was surprised fire hadn't spurted from her mouth and incinerated Janine.
"Janine, could you please leave us?" Sam intervened.
Janine narrowed her eyes at Lexie but left as instructed. Once she had, Lexie focused her attention back on Sam.
"What can I do for you guys?" Sam asked. Zane kept himself reserved.
She pulled in a breath and stood a little straighter. "In light of the current situation, we have decided that we can no longer work under such stringent controls, so we quit."
There, that was the plan. What she was doing was completely screwing him over. Like she said to Tim and Gina, their department made the majority of profits for the company. If they quit, she was certain that a lot of damage would be caused. Profits would fall, investors would most likely pull out, and only God knew what else.
The shock effect she was going for worked like a charm. The blood drained from Sam's face, and he looked pale.
"You guys can't quit." Zane blurted.
"We just did," Tim replied. Lexie was happy for his support considering they hadn't actually discussed this.
"You can't quit," Sam said, but now he looked like he was trying to remain calm.
"I'm afraid we have to," Lexie said pointedly.
"That's it, no discussion?" His eyes pleaded with her. "Lexie, this isn't talking to me and telling me what you need."
"No, I know, and you're right. But I can't do that either. I can't come running to you every time I have a problem. I'm the head of this department, and I need to be in charge. We have never wasted money, and we literally can't work under restrictions like the one's you set."
"Let's talk about this." He offered, but she shook her head. There was no talking. She was going in for setting out terms. "You're an integral part of this company."
"If we were so important then we should have been treated better. We'll think about staying if, and only if things go back to the way they were. I mean everything. No reviews, or deadlines for anything. You just leave us alone to get on with our work."
There was a look in his eye that caught her attention. It was hurt and seemed to have sprung from her telling him to leave them alone.
She walked right up to his desk and placed the check in front of him. He looked down at it and then back to her sharply.
"Lexie."
She shook her head to stop him.
Zane watched him with curious eyes and looked at them both, but she didn't care.
"If you can't agree to those terms and this is goodbye, then I thank you for everything. I'll give you till the close of business today to get back to us on your decision and put back absolutely everything the way it was. If we don't hear from you, we'll assume you won't meet our terms, and we'll walk."
Enough said. She didn't think she could have put it any better, and she thought she'd been fair. She turned on her heels and walked out. Tim and Gina followed.
"Gina." Zane rushed up to Gina. "We're still on for tonight though, right?"
"Of course, see you at eight," Gina replied with a smile.
If Lexie was in a different mood, she might have made some wise crack about that, but right now she wanted to get as far away as possible from this place.
* * *
Zane walked back to his chair laughing. Sam looked at him wondering if madness had finally overtaken him. Or maybe it was Sam
that had gone mad and was imagining Zane laughing.
"What the hell is so funny Zane?" Sam snapped, tensing his muscles as his pulse slammed in his neck.
"Oh. This isn't a funny laugh. It's a we're screwed laugh. Or you. Me, I just follow orders. It's not my fault if they're bad, or of I'm not listened to."
Sam cursed under his breath. What a mess. This was by far the worst project he'd ever worked on, and it was because he'd allowed his feelings to get in his way of judgment. If he'd tapped into his gut instincts from the start, his instincts would have told him to leave bioengineering alone because they were practically carrying the company. But no he thought it would be better if he included all departments in his plans for change and redevelopment. He thought that was fair. But sometimes it wasn't about being fair. It was about doing what was practical. He'd gone about everything the wrong way.
And what was worse was Lexie didn't want to know him anymore. When he didn't see her yesterday, he was happy she didn't come in. He'd planned to see her today, whether that was just going downstairs or to her apartment. He'd wanted to clear things up and talk with her about what he could do to make things better at work. Now, look what had happened.
He looked down at the check in front of him and thought back to the day he'd first met her. He thought about that whole day, and how he felt all these years. Those feelings came rushing back to him, and he knew now that he'd go completely insane if he truly lost her.
He wouldn't allow it, and this thing he was doing by keeping his distance had to stop too.
"Zane. Cancel all the meetings today and go over the departmental reports again. Decide on which you think contribute to the business, keep the others under review. Reinstate the funding programs, and I'll go sort out whatever Bioengineering need."
Sam got up to go, but Zane stopped him.
"Let her cool off," Zane advised. "How about you just give her a few hours and then go see her."
Sam sighed. "I have to see her now."
Zane rested a supportive hand on his shoulder. "You really care about her, don't you?"
"Yes," Sam answered without hesitation.
"Then trust me. Let her cool off. You need to take a moment too. Besides, she was pretty clear on wanting everything absolutely put back the way it was before talking to you. We need to do that first, before you see her."
He was eager to just see Lexie and sort this out now, but since he'd been guilty of not listening to Zane before, he figured he'd do it now. He sat back down and leaned on to his desk in frustration.
"What's this about?" Zane looked at the check.
Sam reached for it and pushed it into his pocket.
"I can't talk about that now. I really can't." Sam shook his head.
"Okay."
Sam was surprised that Zane wasn't going to insist, but he was grateful at the same time.
Zane moved closer and sat on the edge of the desk. "You know you're going to have to tell me about whatever this thing is you have with Lexie at some point, right?"
"Yeah." Sam agreed, but a wave of sadness washed over his heart at the realization that that thing he had with Lexie, whatever it was, didn't exist anymore. He killed it.
Chapter 11
Lively South American music filled the club creating an exciting and energetic vibe. It enveloped Sam and filled every inch of his body as he entered Bastique. Since Lexie wasn't at home his search for her had led him here.
Now that he was here he wasn't sure if coming was a good idea. This was where her family would be, and she would have told them all that happened.
It was still early. Four o’clock early, but there were quite a few people scattered around at the tables eating.
He stopped at the entrance and scanned the room looking for her.
"Welcome to Bastique, table for one?" He didn't even notice her come up. He went to answer, and the words let his mind. She approached him with a brilliant smile on her face. But wait...It wasn't Lexie.
As the petite woman stopped in front of him, Sam realized this must be Lexie's other sister. She looked just like her though, stunning and beautiful. The only difference was in eye color. Hers were hazel. Lexie's were that rich chocolate brown that lured him into an unbreakable enchantment.
"Oh. I'm sorry I'm looking for Lexie," he replied. Although he was cautious of being here, and of what her family may think, he just wanted to find Lexie and talk to her.
"Really?" She looked him over with deep curiosity. "You have a name?"
"It's Sam." He hoped like hell she wasn't going to give him a piece of her mind, or worse kick him out. She seemed a lot more robust than Lexie like she wouldn't stand for any nonsense.
"Oh, Sam," she said with surprise and smiled, to his relief. She put out her hand to shake his and he took it. "It's great to meet you, finally. I'm Tamar, Lexie's eldest sister. She's just at the bar with the rest of our family. You're lucky to catch her she's not normally here so early on a Friday. Right this way."
"Thank you." Sam thanked his lucky stars for the welcoming. It didn't seem like Lexie had made her family aware of the current upset.
He followed her around the corner where he could see them all sitting around a wooden topped bar counter that curved into an arch.
An older man and woman stood behind the bar with amused expressions. Sam guessed they were Lexie's parents because of the striking similarities, although he would say that she looked more like her mother than her other sisters.
A dark haired man, around Sam's age, stood next to Lexie's mother mixing cocktails, while Lexie sat next to Hayley.
"Lexie you're crazy. That's too much sugar." Hayley was saying. On the counter in front of them were the largest glasses he'd ever seen in his life. They were both filled with some kind of thick blue and pink liquid.
When Tamar stopped and put her hands on her hips, he stopped too. She shook her head in dismay as she gazed on at them then leaned closer to Sam and said, "It's safer to wait till they finish. Those two are crazy when you put them together. I don't even know what that is their drinking." Tamar chuckled.
"Okay." Sam offered a small smile watching in fascination
"You both have far too much sugar, and Maria you continue to give it to them." Lexie's father scolded them all. "Jay put the syrup away."
Lexie and Hayley both started to giggle, reminding Sam of two little kids.
Hayley giggled. "Papi, where is the Fijian spice?"
"Don't ask me about that loco Ed spice. I threw it away." Lexie's father snapped. "You know I hate that stuff just as much as I can't stand him and -"
Lexie interrupted before he could continue. "Dad give poor Ed a break, do you have chili?"
Sam wondered if Ed was Lexie's boyfriend. It was just the way she acted just now that made him think that. As her father pushed a little pot of chili towards her, Lexie used a teaspoon, scooped out some and then gave it to Hayley.
"You first. That's way stronger than Fijian spice." Hayley shook her head.
"Okay, chicken." Lexie teased. Again Sam marveled at watching how she was in a normal setting just being herself.
Lexie put the spoon in her mouth with the chili. It couldn't have tasted that great, but she took it like it was nothing then followed it with a big gulp of the blue and pink drink.
"Hmmmm." Lexie marveled. "Some Like It Hot meets Casablanca."
At that, he smiled because he loved classic films.
"You girls are loco." Said the dark haired man, her father, referred to as Jay.
"Give me that." Hayley grabbed the spoon and was just about to dig in when she spotted Sam. "Hey chica, looks like you got company." She tapped Lexie's shoulder then waved at him excitedly. Sam waved back.
The shock on Lexie's face was evident as she turned and saw him, and her cheeks flushed red. All the attention was on Sam now making him feel very aware of his presence. He was used to speaking to hundreds of people, and he'd never actually knew what it felt like to be affected by nerves until just no
w.
"Hi everyone." He thought he should speak first since they were staring.
Lexie rushed up to him before he could get their answers. "You're here. What are you doing here?" She didn't exactly sound thrilled to see him.
"I'll leave you two to talk," Tamar said with caution when she saw the tenacity of their conversation.
Sam waited until Tamar walked away to join the other before he took hold of Lexie's hand and pulled her towards one of the empty booths in the corner. He needed to talk to her without everyone listening, and without the curious stares.
At least she followed him without any protest, that he was glad for.
He released her hand and pulled in a breath gearing himself up to talk and hopefully win her back. "I went to your apartment but you weren't there, and then I remembered this place."
"Yes, but you could have called." She looked a little on edge, but he'd take that edginess over the emotionless woman he'd had earlier in his office. "Or, get Janine to call me. I'm sure she could get hold of an employee list from HR," she added with distaste.
"No." He shook his head deciding to ignore the way she said Janine's name and the whole employee thing again. "I had to see you." Things may have been tense between them, but he needed her to listen to what he had to say.
Sam took the check from the inside of his jacket pocket and tore it in half as she watched. "First of all, I won't accept this. I gave this to you. That day was a very important memory for me, and I'm not going to let go of it."
That was probably the first right thing he'd said to her in weeks. He watched her beautiful oval shaped face fill with color, and something changed in her eyes. It was like he'd opened some kind of door she'd closed on him to protect herself.
She gazed up at him and pulled in a breath. "I will never forget that day either. I owe you everything. But, that was a long time ago, and we're different people now."
"No." He shook his head. "The only difference is time and place. But, we're still the same people. We sat in a booth at a table just like this." He pointed to the booth next to them with red leather seats and a wooden table between it. "And I was nervous as hell to talk to you because you were the prettiest girl I'd ever seen in my life, and you completely bamboozled me and put me in my place with your explanation of relativity, which still fries my brain. But anyhow..." He was nervous because he allowed his feelings to take over.
Complete Me Page 14
