She’s right, but I hesitate. I don’t want to go through the pain of vetting another conglomerate.
“I’m not just saying this to make you uncomfortable, but you need to realize there are people who question your leadership. So this project’s progress is even more important.”
“I’m…aware of that.”
“It isn’t just people within the company. Some of our shareholders are becoming concerned. You being a young woman doesn’t help matters, either.” She sighs. “It’s the same kind of misogynistic attitude everyone had when Wilhelm was in charge.”
Karen would know. It must’ve been much worse over thirty years ago when she started her career at the company.
“But people like that will always find fault with me for my age and gender.” I say it mainly to reassure myself. The fact that the collaboration isn’t going as well as I hoped is an acidic knot that’s permanently occupying my gut at this point. It was supposed to be my chance to prove to the board that I have what it takes.
“They do, and they’ll undermine your efforts. They assume the accomplishments from the last two years are due to Roderick’s oversight. Even now I hear whispers—where is Roderick? Why isn’t he doing more to help?” Karen bites off the last sentence. She doesn’t get along with Roderick. She blames him for the division within management.
I grind my teeth, since I agree with her assessment. The only thing he’s good at is submitting expense reports. But somehow people at the company act like he was the engine that ran Peery Diamonds.
He sure knows how to manage his image.
“Anyway, we should keep pushing ahead but not limit our options,” Karen adds. “Plus, we need to think of some ways to highlight our wins, so you can defend yourself if some shareholder expresses doubts about your ability. The shareholder meeting is next month.”
That’s true. It’s happening earlier than usual this year, which is worrisome, given the lack of significant progress on the project. “Since there isn’t much to say about the collaboration, why don’t we create a list of other accomplishments we can take to the meeting? Our stock price has gone up a fair amount in the past few weeks. That’s a good sign.” I wish the audit team was done going over executive expenses, but they told me it’s going to take a while, so I can’t even bring that up as something I’m doing to clean up our less-than-ideal corporate culture and control costs.
“I’ll get on it,” she says.
After Karen’s gone, Bianca hands me a sandwich from the deli next to the office. “Grabbed you a turkey and cheese.”
“You’re the best.” I smile. She made sure the sandwich has nothing but turkey, Swiss cheese, tomato and basil mayo. I don’t like anything else on my sandwiches.
“Karen should’ve let you have a lunch break,” Bianca says.
“She didn’t have anything either. Can you see if she needs anything?”
“Already sent her a grilled cheese.” She grins.
“Thanks.” Bianca thinks Karen works too hard, but she also gives our COO credit for her support. I take a bite of my sandwich.
“By the way, this came for you from Sebastian Jewelry.” Bianca hands me a small brown box she’s been holding, then starts walking toward the door. “I’ll let you enjoy your lunch. Just yell know if you need anything.”
“Will do.”
I put my sandwich down and rip the cardboard box open. Inside is another box, silver and beautifully wrapped. It doesn’t feel like jewelry. Sebastian would’ve used a special courier for that. Or better yet, he would’ve given it to me at home.
I tug on the ribbon and lift the lid. Under the white tissue papers is a beautifully framed photo of us from the party. It’s the one Noah took.
Suddenly the stress and mental fatigue melt away. I smile at the framed photo. Sebastian and I look good together. I adore the way he looks at me in the picture, like he has real feelings for me.
I pull out my phone and text.
–Me: Thank you! Love the photo!
–Sebastian: You’re welcome.
He attaches a picture of his desk, which has the same photo on it. I press my lips together so I don’t squeal like an overly excited teenager. But this makes me feel like we’re a real couple. Like we could be a true family.
He could be getting over the breakup with Gabriella. I study our picture again. He’s been so attentive and kind since the tennis match that hope stirs within me.
I put the frame on my desk, then take a snapshot and send it to him. He doesn’t respond, but he’s probably in a meeting by now.
I start to put my phone down until I see a notification from the Google Alert I set for Sebastian. Most are photos. Maybe Google found a good one? It occasionally finds some old shots of him at a fancy gala or something.
