44. Ana
CHAPTER 44
ANA
A s the weeks go by, Community Bean is thriving. Staffing is finally under control; the most recent store that opened is doing well, and Derek and Jansen are making plans for opening another later in the year.
This keeps them busier than usual and a little distracted and stressed, but the three of us usually get together at least twice a week, always at Derek’s for privacy.
As things fall into a rhythm, it feels like I’m dating them—but in a bubble. I can’t imagine inviting them to my place to hang out with my roommates, and we don’t go out in public due to privacy concerns.
It’s like we exist in a different world, and that seems appropriate, since it still seems like I’m living in a fantasy when I’m with them.
As the case against Charles moves along in the outside world, I hire his replacement at Community Bean. Apparently taking my advice to show appreciation to their employees, Derek and Jansen have recently been complimentary about the work I’ve done for the company.
I feel like I’ve made a difference, and I feel fulfilled by my job, so much more so than in my last position. So it’s too bad that it’s temporary, and that I slept with my bosses. Of course, I don’t regret that, but it’s a dark, dirty secret, and one that keeps me from changing my plans and trying to stay on long term at Community Bean.
I should be looking forward to moving on to another job and putting my indiscretions in the past, but the thought of it makes me sad. And it’s not just the men I’ll miss, but the company itself.
The new office manager has made changes that get the entire staff more involved in the company’s charitable initiatives. In the past, it’s just been customers voting on a worthy cause, and Derek and Jansen cutting a check. Now, we office workers have the opportunity to advocate for our favorite causes too, and we do toy drives, cleanups, and other hands-on activities outside the office.
It’s easy to see the positive effect these types of projects have had on people’s job satisfaction. I see it and hear it from employees, and there’s a lot more teamwork happening within and across departments .
Bring Your Pet to Work Days have continued, despite the occasional mess, and last week, I actually saw Derek and Jansen walking around the office greeting people’s pets. On another occasion, Kenzie took a photo of the two of them delivering a donation, and they were actually smiling.
Sometimes, around the office, their pleasant expressions look a bit forced, but it’s clear they’re making an effort, and people are responding in positive ways.
One afternoon, Jansen calls me into his office unexpectedly. Derek is already there, along with two well-dressed, attractive older people.
“Ana, these are my parents, Robert and Carol Bennett. Mother and Father, this is Ana.”
Mother and father? I’ve never heard anyone call their parents that, but then I’ve never seen parents who look this dour.
Reflexively, I hold out my hand to greet them, even as my brain scrambles to catch up with the fact that I’m meeting Jansen’s parents, and he introduced me simply as Ana, like they already know who I am. I wonder if they know me as his HR manager, or as his bed partner.
“Ana,” is all Mrs. Bennett says as she shakes my offered hand briefly with her cool, soft palm. That’s one step better than a head nod, which is what I get from Mr. Bennett when we shake hands .
“Mother and Father were in town and stopped by unexpectedly,” Jansen says, which still doesn’t explain why I’ve been called in here to join them as they stand around awkwardly.
Still, I’m happy for the opportunity to meet the people who raised Jansen, and it only takes a few minutes in their presence to understand him better.
Though I wouldn’t go so far as to say his parents are rude, they’re colder than a snowman standing outside at midnight in January, and by comparison, Jansen appears much warmer than he ever has. Though he also looks incredibly uncomfortable.
Gloria comes in, and it appears she’s already greeted them. She was probably the one to escort them in. “Would you like some coffee, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett?” she asks.
“No … thank you,” Mrs. Bennett sniffs, her face plainly displaying her disdain for coffee. I’m tempted to tell her that it’s actually good if you add a lot of cream and sugar, but honestly, I’m intimidated by the woman.
“I thought you might have had a bigger office by now, son,” Mr. Bennett says to Jansen as he wanders around the space.
“My office suits me fine.”
Mr. Bennett turns to face both Jansen and Derek. “I keep seeing things about charitable donations when your company shows up in my news feed. Are you two running a business or a nonprofit?”
“We’re running a business that gives back,” Jansen says, his jaw twitching.
“Your company could be so much bigger if you focused on what’s important. When you abandoned medicine for business, I’d hoped you’d at least be running a Fortune 500 operation by now.”
Jansen’s eyes narrow, but not so much that I don’t see the hurt that’s behind the anger. If it were anyone else talking to him this way, they’d be feeling his wrath right now, but he’s fighting to keep himself composed.
“It’s wonderful how Community Bean can be both financially successful and make such a difference for people in need,” I say. “The company’s growing at a steady pace, creating countless jobs, while also giving back. It’s really impressive, don’t you think?”
Mr. Bennett’s head swivels in my direction, and he arches a brow. I’m prepared for him to disagree with me, but he just makes a noncommittal sound. For Mrs. Bennett’s part, I’m glad she didn’t show up on a Bring Your Pet to Work Day, because she already looks like she smells something bad.