Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 61939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“Yeah, for you. Not me.”
“I’m pretty sure Mr. Carter was more than fair with the terms, Andrea. There’s a guaranteed bonus of ten million dollars that’ll be paid out over six years.”
I blinked.
“No one offers a ten million dollar bonus without securing something shady in return,” I said. “So what am I actually agreeing to?”
He smiled, as if that was the answer.
A part of me was itching to sign for that amount and move on, but another part didn’t think I would last that long to ever receive it.
“I would really appreciate it, if you just let me in on the catch,” I said.
“Hmmm,” he said. “Well, you’ll obviously need to finish up your degree by the end of quarter three and pass the exam, but…You’ll also be required to attend conferences on the company’s behalf, which includes the one coming up in Hawaii.”
“That’s in like two weeks.”
“You should probably start packing.” He clicked his pen. “Sign the contract, Miss Stone.”
“I want something else in writing before I sign,” I replied.
“Something more than ten million?”
“You have to promise not to lay anyone off for at least two years after your takeover, and then to give at least ninety days’ notice if you have to let them go.”
“I’d rather raise your bonus to fifteen million.”
“I’m not stupid,” I said. “Something is wrong here—and I’m pretty sure Mr. Lewis sold you a terrible deal.”
His jaw tightened, but he didn’t deny it.
“The point is,” I continued, “most of the people who work here have been here for almost a decade or more, and I’m asking you not to destroy their livelihoods.”
“You didn’t say anything when I fired people for being late their first week.”
“Those people wanted to be fired.”
He flexed his fingers. “I’m not a fan of mixing emotion with business, so as heartwarming as your proposal is—”
“My dad was laid off without warning and it ruined my entire family,” I interrupted him. “I’m asking you to save other families the pain of that.”
Silence.
“We’d just moved into a new house,” I said, staring at him. “He told us about all the trips he planned to take us on.”
The memories flooded back—him hunched over the dining table, pacing in the dark, whispering to my mother.
“He ended his life six months later,” I said quietly. “Because he felt like a failure and he told us we’d be better off, but we really haven’t been.”
“So, forgive me if you think this is emotional, but I won’t be part of something that destroys another family.”
He said nothing for several moments.
“What happened to your mother?” he asked.
“She became a shell of herself and lost touch with reality,” I said. “She lives with my grandparents and works at a bookstore.”
“Okay,” he said at last. “No layoffs and a ninety-day notice.”
“Thank you.”
I skimmed the pages one by one, feeling my heart race at the sight of Chief Financial Officer next to my name.
The NDAs looked standard, the company policies were still terrible, but the salary was exactly as he said, as was the bonus.
I picked up the pen and signed my name on all the last pages. Then I handed the contract to him.
“You made the right choice,” he said, folding it.
“Your new position doesn’t become official until tomorrow, so…” He stood up from his chair and grabbed my hand. “There’s something you’re going to do before it goes into effect.”
He led me back to his office—to his desk.
Letting go of my hand, he sat down in his chair and flexed his hands.
“You can get started any moment now, so I can watch.”
“Watch me what?”
“Clean up the mess you made…”
TWENTY-SIX
HARRISON
Aaron
You made Andrea CFO without asking for my opinion?
I thought you’d be thrilled with it.
I am. As long as you’re over her.
Over her?
**not sleeping with her.
I’m NOT sleeping with Andrea.
You know what I mean…You’re not touching inappropriately or kissing her either, right?
At this moment, no.
Have you EVER?
Harrison?
HARRISON?!
TWENTY-SEVEN
ANDREA
Several Days Later
Ihung a picture of Everly on my brand-new office wall and nailed a custom nameplate at the center of my new bookshelf.
Andrea Stone: From Sweet Seasons Barista to CFO
I’d bought it back when I was still steaming milk behind the counter, telling myself it wasn’t delusional to dream bigger.
Back when the CFO title felt like a fantasy, not a possibility.
“Where do you want this bookshelf, Miss Stone?” A mover asked.
“Um, can it go in the parlor room?”
“You got it.”
“Thank you.” I fell back onto my sofa and gazed at Central Park.
As I was drafting out my schedule for the rest of this week, Mr. Cross walked into my office.
“I think I’ve allowed enough time for you to transition,” he said. “I need you to pack my things for our upcoming conference, preferably by the end of today.”
“What?”
“Suits for every dinner on the agenda, new pajamas from my tailor since he just called about those, and well—I’m sure you know how to pack for a business trip,” he said. “You need to pack as well since you have to attend.”