But more than anything I simply hadn’t been interested. I lived in San Francisco, a city with some of the most beautiful women in the world. And there had been ample opportunities to meet some of them—more than a few had been extremely forward, making it clear that they’d likely be down for anything from some one-night fun to probably marriage.
No interest. It was strange. Back in my twenties my friends and I had made it a weekly tradition to go out on the town on Friday nights, and rarely did I ever have trouble finding someone to share my bed with if I wanted.
I wanted to chalk it up to getting older, to the slowing down that came with age. But I knew that was a flimsy excuse—I’d been even more energetic than ever at work, and my nearly daily workouts were never a struggle for me.
Was it her?
“So,” said Sandy as she opened the bags. “It’s obvious that you’ve got something on your mind. This is the part where I ask if you want to talk to me about it, or if you want to enjoy these delicious burgers in peace.”
She set the food on the desk after pulling up a chair. As occupied as my mind was, the food sure looked and smelled good.
“The usual double-bacon cheeseburger with Cajun fries for you,” she said. “And a sugar-free soda.”
“Perfect,” I said.
“There’s a reason you keep me on the payroll, remember?” she said with a smile.
Burgers weren’t my usual lunch—I preferred to eat light so that I could keep a clear head for the rest of the workday. But at that moment, as if Sandy had read my mind, I needed the comfort that only greasy meat and starchy carbs could provide.
“That and your killer work ethic,” I said, fries in hand.
“Why thank you, Mr. Forde,” she said. “But let’s see how well I can keep that going over these next few months.”
“What do you mean?” I asked. “You’re talking about with the wedding and all of that?”
A coy expression formed on her face, one that I couldn’t quite puzzle out. Something was up, and it appeared that whatever it was, she couldn’t wait to tell me.
“Okay,” I said. “I’ll bite. What’s up?”
Now she looked on the verge of bursting. She took in a deep breath, a big smile on her face.
“I’m pregnant!”
My jaw didn’t often drop, but it sure as hell did right there.
“Sandy!” I said. “Congratulations!”
I got up, stepped around my desk, and gave her a big, happy hug.
“When did you find out?” I asked.
“Only a couple of days ago,” she said. “Don’t say anything to anyone, but we weren’t planning on it. After we got married, sure, but not before all that.”
“These things happen,” I said. “And you’re in a pretty damn good position for it. Loving fiancé, great job…” I smiled. “Incredible boss.”
She let out a chiming laugh that caught my ear. It sounded familiar…almost like Isla’s laugh.
As she had done over and over again over the last few months, Isla appeared in my head. But I simply did my usual strategy whenever it happened, focusing on something else and closing my eyes until she was gone.
The significance of the fact that I’d had to come up with a psychological strategy to deal with my thoughts on Isla wasn’t lost on me. But her appearing at random times, or when something simply reminded me of her, was a fixed part of my routine these days. How long would it go on? I’d find myself wondering. Would the memory fade, or was she burned into my mind?
I had no idea what she was up to these days. I’d considered doing some research, finding out how her life was going. But it seemed too personal, none of my business. Besides, knowing her, there was no doubt she was kicking butt at the LA offices, probably with a steady boyfriend she’d met at some company mixer. Maybe she was even thinking about marriage herself.
As crazy as it sounded, I even found myself wondering at times what a life with Isla would be like, how it would be to hold her, make love to her like we had back in Rio. Maybe we’d even be a couple. Who knows? Maybe one day we’d be sharing the happy news of a marriage and child.
Pointless thoughts, I knew. What’s done was done, and there wasn’t a chance a woman like her would last long on the dating market, especially in a city like LA.
More important matters to worry about, I told myself. Like the fact that Sandy has just told you the happiest news of her life.
I pushed Isla out of my mind and focused all my attention on Sandy.
“But seriously,” I said. “You know that I’m here for whatever you need. You need time off? You’ve got it. I’ve even got ins with some of the best doctors in the city—no doubt I could set you up with the best obstetricians in the state.”
She appeared moved at my words.
“I mean, we have great benefits here,” she said. “I feel like asking for anything more would be…greedy. I don’t know.”
“Don’t think anything of it,” I said. “One of the nice things about being in the position that I’m in is helping those I care about. You’ve been with me for almost a year now, Sandy, and as far as I’m concerned, you’re an invaluable member of the team. And a good friend.”
She pursed her lips, and I spotted the shimmer of tears forming in her eyes.
“Adam,” she said. “You’re going to make me cry in my French fries.”
“Don’t do that,” I said with a grin. “They’re already salty enough.”
She laughed, quickly wiping her eyes and taking a breath.
“Anyway,” she said. “I’ll let you know what happens when it happens.”
“Great,” I said. “And the second you want me to help with anything…”
She offered another smile.
“I appreciate it, I really do,” she said. “We’ll see if Dean’s as eager to accept help as I am, however.”
“I understand that,” I said. “And…congratulations Sandy. I really mean it.”
“Thanks, boss,” she said warmly.
We ate our food, Sandy stopping about halfway through with a thoughtful expression on her face.
“I know what that look means,” I said as I wiped my hands. “You’ve got an idea on your mind.”
“I don’t know,” she said. “I’ve been trying to not obsessively think about the baby, you know? I mean, I do still work here. And one of the things I keep coming back to is the Rio plant.”
“That right?”
“Right,” she said. “It seems like we’ve hit this stalemate with Edward and the rest of the board. No one wants to do anything about it, and whenever the subject gets brought up, Bernard is always the first to mention how we have bigger things to worry about with the expansions and all.”
“That’s because he’s hoping to stall,” I said. “Push the issue to the end of the year and then bring Edward another report showing that the plant is a loss. He comes with that kind of data and Edward just might sign off on closing the place down, moving overseas like Bernard wants.”
“You’re right,” she said. “All he really has to do is wait it out.”
She shook her head.
“But I’m right there with you, boss,” she said. “No way we can stand around and let all of those people lose their jobs.”
“Too bad Edward has his head in the expansions,” I said. “Last thing he has time for is looking over more of the same industrial psychology data that I’ve been sending him.”
“But here’s my idea,” Sandy said, leaning in. “Just go down there again. Go down there and take matters into your own hands. Work with the manager and implement the changes. When it’s done come back, tell Edward what you did, and let him see how good of an idea it was.”
“It’s risky,” I said. “But I like where your head is. Someone needs to get down there and take care of things. We’ve been spending too much time talking about it and not acting.”
I thought it over more.
“But Edward won’t like it one bit if I sneak
off.”
“True,” she said. “And it’s not like the CEO can disappear on a whim.”
“I’ll talk to him one more time,” I said. “Tell him that I’m going. If he doesn’t like it, then I’ll go anyway. But you’re right—I’m not going to stand around while those people lose their jobs.”
“That’s the boss I know,” Sandy said with a smile. “And besides, you’ve been doing such a great job during your first year he’s got to let you at least give it a try, right?”
“You’d think so,” I said. “But he can be a stubborn man.”
“You have to give it one more try, boss,” she said. “I know you can do it.”
She was right—I had to.
Even if it could end up costing me everything.
Chapter 24
Adam
I marched down the hallway to Edward’s office practically bubbling with confidence. The talk with Sandy had knocked loose something that had been stuck in my mind, preventing me from doing what needed to be done.
Well, no longer. I was going to have the conversation with Edward that I knew I should’ve had months ago. The Rio problem had been in the periphery of not just me, but also of Corliss. I was going to take care of it once and for all.
When I finally reached the massive double doors of Corliss’s office, I gave them a rap. One that I was certain Edward knew meant not only was it me, but that I was there for some serious business.
“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 c
aptures 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.”
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