Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
A fter finishing her second-to-last meeting of the day, Maya worked with Jessica to catch up on tasks from when her assistant had been gone from the office. At a knock on the door, they looked up to see Stanley Folk—her final meeting.
Maya dismissed Jessica and asked Stanley to come in. The man glanced at Elliot, who stood in the far corner of the room. She hadn’t forgotten he was there and had looked over to reassure herself several times during the afternoon. He was a tower of strength and her protector. And if she let herself be honest, he was someone she’d let into her life. No other had touched her the way he had. He wouldn’t hurt her. She knew it and believed that down to the fiber of her soul. Something about the man … his calm certainty, how he’d handled the event in her bathroom, informed the investigators when they’d arrived, and maintained his professionalism made her want to mimic his strength. So, she did. She powered through the afternoon.
“Stanley, do you know why I’ve called you in this afternoon?” She set her tablet to the side of her desk, folded her hands, and leveled her stare at the man.
He nodded. “Since this morning, I’ve been able to build a road map for the campaign. I have several scripts you’ll need to approve and concepts for the videos and commercials. A social media blast with dedicated accountants to manage conversions is also being built. We’ve also sent out feelers for ad agencies to provide detailed target audiences.” He handed her a leather folder, which she took and set on the side of her desk.
“Thank you, but playing catch-up isn’t what I expect from you. Those audiences should have been generated months ago, Stanley.”
He looked down at his hands, and his face turned a dark red. “I trusted people to have accomplished their job. It isn’t my fault they can’t do as they’re told.”
Maya leaned back in her chair and waited for Stanley to look up. When he did, she lifted an eyebrow. “Managers do what in this company?”
“Provide guidance, ensure accountability, and facilitate ongoing programs,” he said through clenched teeth.
“Did you do any of those things?” She reached for her pen and started spinning it through her fingers.
“I did.”
“To whom and when? Where are the meeting minutes? Who was the team lead you assigned? Why haven’t I seen any documentation indicating shortcomings within your section?”
The man jumped up and started pacing. She watched Elliot move from the corner of the room to stand behind her desk. Stanley glanced at him and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Come on, Maya, not everyone is a fucking machine. We can’t work your hours and function. It’s ridiculous to hold people to a standard of perfection that isn’t realistic.”
Maya stopped spinning the pen and bridged it between her two index fingers. “Stanley, please sit down.” The man dropped into the seat he’d taken minutes before. His foot tapped the floor, and his face was still red. She set the pen down and leaned forward. “We’ve been through a lot together. I’ve seen your work and know how good it can be. What has been happening these last months can’t continue. I know about your pending divorce and affair with your nanny. I can understand why you're distracted. But I’m willing to overlook?—”
The man jumped up and slammed his hands on her desk. “That is none of your business.” Spit shot in her direction. He spun and headed toward the door. “That’s personal. You have no right.”
“Stanley,” she said his name quietly and watched him stop at the door.
“What?” He turned around and glared at her.
“I called you here to give you another chance to get yourself together.”
“Oh, thank you, your majesty.” The man bowed. “Do you want your humble servant to grovel at your feet? Because I’m not going to do that. Offense intended. Screw you.”
Maya blinked and sat back. “I don’t understand the need to make a personal attack. Did I ask you to grovel?”
“Oh, no, you didn’t. Not yet. I’m so sorry I haven’t lived up to your unbelievable standards. Miss Holier than Thou, you think you could do better? You can’t. I’m the best out there, and you know it.”
She cocked her head as she tried to digest the yelled rant aimed at her. She’d wanted to help him. Mentioning the divorce and the nanny, common knowledge throughout the entire company, shouldn’t have set him off that way.
He sneered at her. “You think you’re poised for a grand IPO, but you won’t do it this time. I’ll applaud from the sidelines as I watch you fall on your face.”
“Stanley, where is all this coming from? None of this is necessary or warranted.”
“You know what? I don’t agree with you. What I do in my private life doesn’t get discussed here.” He pointed at her as he spoke. “I’ve proven I’m the best at what I do.”
“Do you want to know where I learned about your personal life? In the employee breakroom. Everyone knows about it. I mentioned it simply to tell you I knew about your issues, and I’m concerned.”
“Issues? Right. Well, fuck you and this company.” He glared at her, his face darkened, and he straightened his back.
She stared at him for a long moment before saying, “Please clean out your desk. You’re terminated. You’ll receive your severance and paperwork via courier. Your computer access will be canceled, and all NDAs will be vigorously enforced. Make sure you abide by the non-compete clause in your contract. Goodbye, Mr. Folk.”
Rage came off him in a hot wave. “You are a fucking bitch. A cold-hearted bitch who doesn’t give a shit about anyone but yourself and the fucking money you make off our backs.”
“If you say so.” She stared at him. “You may leave now.”
He spun, opened the door, and then slammed it behind him. She dropped the pen and rubbed her forehead as she hit the intercom. “Jessica, terminate Stanley Folk’s computer access effective immediately.”
“Terminate?” Jessica hissed the word.
“Effective immediately. Have Tanya Eliason come to my office immediately,” Maya directed, then disconnected the intercom. She glanced at Elliot. “Well, that escalated quickly.” She’d fired people before, but it was never an easy decision. She called HR. “Mannie? This is Maya. Please prepare a severance package for Stanley Folk. What did we agree to for a severance when he signed on?” She waited as her HR manager found the information. “Please double it. The cost of living has gone crazy since he was hired.” She smiled. “I’m sure. Thank you.”
“You doubled his package.” Elliot sat down in the seat Stanley had vacated moments before.
“Contrary to popular belief, I’m not a cold person.”
“Popular belief or one person’s embarrassed overreaction to the boss and the whole company knowing he cheated on his wife with the nanny?” Elliot cocked his head, and a small smile ticked at one corner of his mouth.
“Hmm … I’d like to believe the latter, but …”
At a soft knock on her office door, Elliot stood and moved to what she’d decided was his corner of the room. The spot gave her enough space to conduct business, but he was facing the door and could still see what was happening at her desk. Tanya Eliason came in when Maya waved her in.
“You wanted to see me? Did I do something wrong? I just passed Stanley in the hall. He’s in a black mood.”
“I did call for you. I’m offering you the position of PR Manager. You have all the qualifications and necessary connections.”
“But Stanley?” The woman’s brow furrowed.
“Has been let go.” Maya picked up the leather folder. “In full disclosure, I’d like to know how much of this plan you completed?”
Tanya took the folder, and her mouth dropped as she turned the pages. “This is my presentation. I gave it to him right after the meeting this morning. Except for this.” She turned the folder around. “I contacted these companies and several more months ago. We have that audience targeting in our records.”
“Thank you. I’ll have HR build a package for the position, and we’ll talk tomorrow. I would appreciate it if you could go through that plan and correct anything Stanley got wrong.”
“No problem; it won’t take long,” Tanya said as she continued to turn pages. “Why would he do this?” She looked up at Maya. “I mean, I don’t need the credit because we work as a team, but still, he’s never just taken the work I’ve given him without going through it with me and brainstorming ways to expand it and make it better.”
“I can’t speak to his reasons, Tanya, but I can ask you to keep doing the solid job you’ve always done for us.”
“No problem, Maya. I love working here.” Tanya smiled brightly. “I’ll get this information to you tonight. I want others to look at it and get some buy-in from the team. I’m confident in my presentation, but it never hurts to have the team go over it.”
“Thank you. HR will call you down after I approve the package.” Maya stood up and extended her hand. “Congratulations on your promotion.”
“Thank you!” Tanya said. “Wait until I tell my husband. He’s going to be over the moon. Is there anything else you need?”
“No, thank you. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.” Tanya spun around and almost ran out of the office.
She glanced over at Elliot. “I have more work to do, and then I have that reception tonight.”
“Black tie, correct?” Elliot asked. “New York’s top 40 under 40. The most accomplished business professionals under forty. That’s quite a coup.”
Maya opened her laptop and smiled. “Yes, black tie, and thank you.” It was a coup, considering she’d been on that nomination list for the last three years and had won every year. She was rather proud but wouldn’t sit on her laurels. She’d watched people who’d made the list drop into obscurity. That wasn’t her plan. She focused on her emails. New suppliers had been located and signed long-term contracts, which was fantastic news and added to the company's valuation. She congratulated her team in a company-wide memo.
She also sent a note to payroll to include a bonus for that section with the next paycheck. She knew her team had outdone themselves in coordinating and sealing the deal with the suppliers, and she rewarded her people’s efforts. She finished her work and closed down, then walked over to where Elliot was talking on the phone.
“Yes, thanks.” He ended the conversation and glanced at her. “The new security system will be put in place tonight after everyone has left for the day. I’d like you to consider a checkpoint at the elevator so only authorized people are allowed on the floor. Manned twenty-four hours a day until we find out what’s happening.”
She nodded. “Whatever you recommend.” She rubbed her arms. “Will you arrange that?”
“Absolutely. All your employees have employee identification, correct?”
“Yes, HR issues them when they’re hired.”
“You’ll need to put out a memo that IDs will be required for entrance.”
“Now?” She could do that.
“No, tomorrow will be fine. Tonight, they’ll install our surveillance, and we’ll be able to monitor who comes and goes while everyone is gone.”
“Elliot, there’s something I can’t figure out. How did they get in my office? I locked it when we left last night.”
“There are a multitude of ways. The simplest would be a key, passkey, or master key. But picking a simple door lock isn’t difficult.”
“So, you already thought about that.” She rubbed her brow. “Of course, you did. Sorry, I’m unusually slow today.”
“No, I think you’re working through the shock of what happened this morning and maybe what happened with Mr. Folk. You’re doing better than most people would.” He’d removed his suit jacket, and his shirt stretched tight over his muscled chest. How was it the man could divert her laser focused attention from her business to his looks, his gentleness, the way he took care of her? Why did she want to know everything about him? What was the source of her interest in curiosity?
She shifted her gaze to meet his. “If word of this happening gets out … not me firing Stanley, but of that …” She nodded toward the bathroom.
Elliot shrugged. “No one here will release any information. If word gets out, we’ll go to the wall to find out who leaked the information because that person will be a prime suspect.”
She nodded. “And I’ll be able to say I’ve taken measures to ensure the juvenile tactics of a deranged person won’t affect the company or its management.” She nodded. “Are you ready to go?”
He reached for his jacket. “I’m ready. I’ll call for the car. I’ll have him wait at the apartment to take us to the event.”
She nodded and headed back to her desk to gather her things. It would be the first year she’d attend with an escort. She glanced at Elliot as he spoke on the phone. Picturing him in a tux was not a hardship. She sighed and closed her eyes. Why was she thinking in that fashion? She’d never had problems placing pretty men—or, in Elliot’s case, ruggedly handsome men—in a box and leaving them there. Elliot wouldn’t stay in the little compartment she’d put him in. No, she’d taken him out and examined him routinely since she’d met him. Having him as a date tonight sent pride through her. He was someone she’d be proud to be with. And no, she wasn’t going to try to examine that thought. She put her tablet and laptop into her briefcase. It had to be the stress of the events lately that caused her to act so out of character. Well, fortunately, with the new security system, that should stop. She lifted the strap to her shoulder and sighed. She hoped.