“I’m…” I trip over my words. “I’m being promoted?” I mutter in disbelief.
Both men chuckle. Mark slides the contract over to me.
“Please read through it. Sign it. Give me a holler when I can send my assistant over to collect it from you. I’ll need the original to put on file. I’ll make you a copy once it’s signed.”
He stands up, satisfied. “You two have a good day. I’ve got to get back to everything. Congratulations, Kayla. You should be very proud of yourself. I’ve seen the work you’ve been doing, and I can say one thing for sure—you deserve this.”
My cheeks turn pink as Mark smiles, then leaves the boardroom. I glance at Josiah, who is grinning like a madman.
“I was really impatient to tell you. It’s hard to keep a secret when you’re so excited about it,” he chuckles.
“But…what if the Carter meeting didn’t go well?” I stammer.
He laughs loudly.
“I had no doubt, Kayla. And you should stop doubting yourself, too. You fight so hard to prove yourself, constantly working to show people what you’re capable of…so enjoy this moment. Because you showed everyone and youearnedthat promotion.”
Josiah stands up, reaching his hand out to shake mine.
I stand, too.
It feels weird to shake his hand. So formal. So official. His skin is warm against mine. His touch sends a current through me.
“I’ll be in my office. You can use the boardroom to read the contract if you like.”
“Thanks,” I mutter as he steps away from me.
“Seriously, Kayla. I am very proud of you. You’ve exceeded my every expectation.”
Alone in the boardroom, I sit down to look at the contract. It’s not that I want to make sure it’s fair or a nice increase. My salary was already excellent. And the benefits, too…it’s more just that I want to double-check that it’sreal.
And there it is. My name printed in black ink. My new title. My new position in the company.
It really is real.
And as I read through the details, I can’t help but think about Josiah. He gave me the freedom to prove myself. He cut away any restraints in my workspace and never once interfered when I worked. He let me do whatever I wanted, and in doing so, he gave me the space to push towards greater potential.
No one has given that to me before. No one has had that much trust in my abilities or such a lack of need to take credit for my work.
He never stood in my way, not once.
And now he’s still pushing me forward, still helping me grow. He gave me this opportunity, and I really have nothing but gratitude towards him for this.
I sign my name on the solid black line on the last page. Then I page slowly backwards, putting my initials on the bottom right corner of every page.
I leave the boardroom and climb straight into the elevator, pressing the button for the eighth floor so I can drop the signed contract off with Mark’s assistant right away. I also need the walk to clear my head.
When I get back up to the top floor, instead of going to my desk, I walk into Josiah’s office, knocking softly on the door.
“Yes?” he says, leaning back in his chair with a smile on his face.
“I wanted to say thank you.”
“Oh, there’s no need for that,” he says, brushing it off.
“No, really, Josiah. I mean it. You’ve given me the space and freedom to show you what I’m capable of, and you’ve allowed me this chance to prove myself. Thank you. Seriously.”
He grins, standing up.
