Chapter 25
CHAPTER 25
L evon
“I've got the file right here, boss.”
I slid the folder across the table. We were sitting in a meeting room at The Grande Hotel, where we each had our own rooms.
“Excellent work, Levon. This is superb,” Mr. Herring noted while flipping open the file. He frowned and squinted at one of the pages. “Ah, you misspelled our client's name. It should be Mr. Trem blay , not Mr. Trem ble .”
I wonder what Clara is doing right now?
I picked at my right nail, recalling how Clara had done the same thing when she was nervous. Since I had left, I wasn't able to get her out of my head. I saw her in everything—the mirrors that were spotless which made me think of her cleaning habits, the bed that was too firm which made me wonder what happened to that bed she hated so much, and the curtains which were blander than oatmeal without any cinnamon added.
She would have preferred them to be navy blue like my room.
“Levon?”
I blinked away my fuzzy vision. “Yes, sir?”
“There are a number of errors on this page. We can't present this to our client.”
I accepted the folded from Mr. Herring and looked closely at the page, nodding as I noticed my errors. I withdrew a green pen from my pocket protector and marked the changes needed on the page. “I'm sorry, sir.” I stood up. “I'll take care of this immediately and print out a new copy.”
“Sit down for a minute, Levon.”
I resumed my position in my chair, listening to the hinges creak slightly beneath my weight. I set the folder down and folded my hands on top of it.
“Were there additional errors?” I asked. “I'm happy to fix whatever it is.”
“I'll be honest, I haven't seen you make that many mistakes in quite a few years.”
“Ah, I guess my mind has been slipping lately. I can feel my age upon me.”
He chuckled. “You're only thirty-three, Levon. You're not old.”
I shrugged. “Must be the jet lag.”
“But you're used to that. I'm sure you've found ways to cope and amplify your energy.”
“I have.”
Mr. Herring cocked his head curiously to the right. “So, what's on your mind? You've been acting different lately. Your usual vigor during presentation wasn't evident. I've seen you make many presentations during your work career.”
“I guess I'm just extra tired from the wedding festivities.”
“I bet that took a toll. Was it a fine wedding?”
“The finest I had ever seen.”
Mr. Herring nodded. “That's good to hear, but I think it's more than mere exhaustion. You're different. I can just tell.”
“I'm sorry, sir. I didn't realize it was affecting my performance.”
“How long have you been working for me, Levon?”
I hummed as I rolled my eyes to the ceiling. “Oh, about . . . eight years? Perhaps longer?”
“And I've come to know just about every mood you've ever worn.”
“I could say the same for you.”
Mr. Herring cackled while nodding in agreement. “You've witnessed many moods from me, yes. And that's what I mean: I can tell something is on your mind.”
“I guess I hadn't expected you to take interest. In all due respect, you've always been more focused on work than personal matters.”
“I have been. But not today.” He hopped up from his chair and gestured to the door. “Walk with me, Levon.”
I grabbed the folder and followed him, matching his stride as we made our way down the hallway. There was a small cafe in the front right corner of the hotel which we entered leisurely. He strolled to the counter and ordered us both coffees, getting us the same thing we typically ordered together. He chose a table close to the counter and had me sit down across from him.
“I've watched many of your co-workers go through a dozen or so life events,” he explained. “And since Bart lost his father, it's put things in perspective.”
I eyed him carefully. “I mean, death certainly has a way to make us reflect.”
“And weddings do, too. I was thinking about that earlier.”
“Yeah, this wedding certainly made an impression on me.”
He nodded. “Why don't you tell me about that?”
“Well, I didn't think it was my place to share.”
“I'm happily inviting you to share. If it's affecting your work, I feel compelled to ask.”
I shrugged as I took a deep breath, sighing slowly. “Well, my ex-girlfriend was in the wedding—Clara—and we happened to end up being paired together. Her and I dated before I got this job. Things ended years ago as I had favored traveling. She didn't exactly want to leave the Midwest.”
“She's a settler.”
“Exactly. She likes to stay in one place. I'm adventurous and curious, so I didn't mind all the traveling. But she did. It put a strain on our relationship.”
“I imagine it was difficult to see her again.”
I nodded. “It brought back a lot of old memories and feelings. We ended up hooking up after the wedding as a result. I was . . . happy that it happened. But then, she went back to her ex.”
“That must have hurt.”
“She and Gabe were together sometime after her and I broke up. I guess she had just wanted some kind of interlude from that relationship. It was a bit of a mess. They broke up right as I had come back to town. It almost became a fight between Gabe and me.”
My boss stared at me for a few short seconds. When the barista behind the counter called our names, I rose to grab our drinks. I slid his across the table. I took a couple of sips from mine, humming as the warm liquid rested in my stomach.
Mr. Herring chuckled while shaking his head. “Boy, I tell you, that sounds like one exceptional mess you've got on your hands.”
I huffed with amusement. “That's one way of putting it.”
“It seems to me that there was still leftover tension between you and . . . Her name is Clara?”
“Yes, her name is Clara. And I think from the moment we ran into each other, that tension had been obvious.”
He nodded. “So, it became complicated rather quickly.”
“I mean, I don't think either of us really did anything wrong. I understand that our attraction is . . . unique. We hadn't seen each other since I left. I hadn't been home in years. It was nice to be around her again and to joke like we used to.”
“You still carried her around.”
“Admittedly, yes. But I had denied it for so long that once the dam was broken, the river was flooded with enough emotions to send me right back to high school.”
He chuckled. “Were you two high school sweethearts?”
“We were. And we dated well through college up until the time I left. I was such an idiot. I kept routinely choosing my job over her and that's what ultimately broke us up. And I don't think she'll want me for as long as I have this job.”
“Do you want to quit?”
I gaped at him. “Oh, boss, never .”
“So, you could make some adjustments.”
“I had considered that. I even—and forgive me for admitting this—considered taking up a job at another company that kept me local. But I enjoy this job so much. You have been good to me. And I feel like we have a great work relationship.”
“There are other options.”
“Like what?”
He tapped the table pensively and then held his coffee, tapping the cardboard. “Steve is retiring later this year. Maybe you could take his job.”
“Steve is retiring?”
“Don't look so shocked, Levon. The man is getting up there. He's going to hit the retirement age once the year concludes and that domestic position will be open for someone else to fill.”
“And you want me to fill it?”
Mr. Herring smiled curiously. “Well, it's not up to me, unfortunately, but I could put in a good word with the head of operations. That I can sway as much as I like. They trust my judgment in that department.”
“Would you really do that for me?”
“Of course, Levon. You've been more than generous with this company. Your time is valuable and I want you to know that. I also wanted to apologize for prodding you to skip your sister's wedding. I realize now how important of an event that was for you.”
I nodded. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate you saying that.”
“We've always been on pleasant terms. I would never want to cause any discomfort that might throw a wrench in our relationship.”
“Oh, I didn't hold it against you.”
He eyed me carefully.
I laughed. “Alright, I might have been slightly upset about it.”
“You had every right to be upset. But you're right about what you had said at the time: family is more important than whatever job might come along. Jobs are temporary. Family is a forever thing.”
“I couldn't agree more.”
“And I'm sure repairing your relationship with your ex would be something worth investing in.”
I smiled warmly. “I'm hoping she's receptive to it. I mean, I don't want to tear her away from Gabe, but if they're not officially together, I could talk to her about it.”
“So, would you like me to put in a good word? I could do that tonight.”
“Not just yet. I think I should talk to her first. I wouldn't want to step into a different position after she's rejected me.”
He cackled. “Of course. Get your cards in order and get back to me. There's no rush considering the position won't be open until the end of the year.”
“Yeah, I just wouldn't want to retire from my international position if I can help it.”
“Would she ever want to travel with you?”
I shook my head. “No, she always had a fear of flying. I've seen her react to it, too. It's pretty awful.”
“That's understandable. Planes still make me sick. I just carry a lot of nausea medicine with me at all times.”
“That certainly helps.”
“Well, once you get that contract fixed up, you can bring it to my room and we can go out for dinner. What would you like?”
I chuckled lightly. “You're letting me choose this time?”
“It sounds like you've had a hard time lately. Why not choose as a treat?”
“I could get used to that.”
Mr. Herring raised his eyebrows. “Alright, don't let it get to your head, kid.”
I laughed. “How about hibachi? I'm craving it.”
“That's always been my favorite. Let's plan for that.”
I nodded in agreement and lifted my coffee to sip. It had gone slightly cold since we had sat for so long talking. But I was feeling good. I was feeling connected. Although my boss and I rarely discussed personal matters, it felt comforting to have his support. And even more, it felt wonderful to have him be flexible to my needs.
We spoke about random topics for a good while until we were both finished with our coffees. After we went our separate ways, I opted to take a walk outside. It was chilly outside, but it felt good and I walked aimlessly around the hotel gardens for a while before returning to my room. I felt refreshed when I laid out on my bed, wearing the silliest grin.
As I stared at the ceiling, I hoped hard that Clara would be receptive.
Now that I can work locally, she might accept me back , I thought blissfully. And we could be happy. We could really be happy again.