Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
WEST
Today was perfect. At least, everything was going that way. Then I got slapped in the face with the reminder that I’m here to fix problems with work.
Part of this retreat is about strengthening teamwork and networking within the company.
Some employees only get to meet face to face at these retreats when usually they’re emailing or on conference calls.
Not only that, but it’s a time for people to air their grievances and for me to hear them out.
How am I supposed to run the company smoothly if I don’t know the problems?
That’s the whole reason this getaway started years ago. Only this time, things are different.
The board members continue to talk themselves into circles as I stare out at the setting sun.
I’ve missed most of the day with Bellarose, and if they keep this bullshit up much longer, I’m going to miss most of the night too.
I should be exhausted after staying up so late and then getting up at the crack of dawn, yet I’ve never felt more energized.
It’s because of that kiss. I can’t stop thinking about it. After the exhilarating ziplining experience, I thought there was no way my heart could beat faster. Then we kissed, and she proved me dead wrong. I trace my fingers over my bottom lip, and it’s almost like I can still feel her there.
“Mr. Hayes,” someone says, and I blink back to reality.
One glance around the table, and I know they’ve said my name several times. Shit. I was so lost in thoughts of Bellarose that I forgot to listen.
“It’s either we find a new distributor on the East Coast or we raise the cost of our most popular dog food.”
The room is silent as they wait for me to weigh in.
I’m so over this meeting and ready to get back to Bellarose.
I want to tell them to do whatever they hell they want, but this is important.
The decision that’s made in this room will affect our customers, our employees, and our bottom dollar.
This company means a lot to me, and so do all the people under its umbrella.
Like Bellarose. She’s the person I picture now when I think of my impact.
It’s her that’s in the front of my mind as I stand up from my chair and address the room.
“There’s a simple solution to this,” I say, and the board members watch me, eager for the answer. “We eat the difference.”
Grant lets out a humorless huff. “Continuing to pay for the distributor at this price is out of the budget. Where would we even come up with that kind of money?”
“If the board forgoes their bonuses, that would give us more than enough to cover the cost.” I let the hammer fall as I look each one of them in the eye.
“It would be enough to pay the better distributor without sacrificing the quality of our product that we have built a reputation for. And it would mean that we didn’t have to make our hard-working customers carry the burden of corporate greed. ”
The silence that falls over the room would be comical if it wasn’t so disappointing.
I knew that if I wanted my company to be publicly traded I would have shareholders and a board of directors to answer to.
And one day they could choose to replace me.
Yes, it’s my company and I’m the founder, but with success and growth comes change.
Maybe their way forward isn’t the same vision as mine because if the roles were reversed, I know what I would be saying in their shoes.
Take my bonus, take my salary, take it all if it’s for the better of the company.
But I shouldn’t be surprised that greed is what’s keeping them silent now.
“I think that’s one suggestion,” Grant says, looking around the table. “Are there others?”
“I’ve listened to this long enough.” I step away from the table and nod to those around it. “That’s my solution. Let me know once the decision is made.”
Without looking back, I head out of the makeshift conference room and go in search of Bellarose. I can’t believe I wasted the day listening to a bunch of greedy fat-cats that are only worried about how they can get richer. When is it enough?
I’m frustrated and disheartened as I find Bellarose’s cabin and knock on the door. Maybe I knock a little too hard because it’s jerked open a second later.
Her roommate is standing there in a nightgown that is far too skimpy to be wearing when you have no idea who is on the other side of the door. I clear my throat as I step back, trying to put as much distance as possible between me and the woman.
“Is Bellarose here?”
“Haven’t heard of her,” she coos as she leans against the doorframe. “But I’m all alone if you want to come in and have a drink.”
“No thanks,” I mumble as I turn around and start to walk away.
“She’s with that guide Jake,” her roommate calls out, and I stop moving. “He saw her sitting alone at dinner. Next thing I know they’re getting cozy in the corner.”
Every muscle in my body is tense as I try to keep my jealousy under control. It’s not going to hold much longer.
“I’m pretty sure I saw them walk to the lake together afterwards. You know the spot everyone sneaks off to? I think it’s called Kissing Cove or Lovers’ Lagoon. Something that sounds like it came from a 1980s movie about camp counselors screwing and getting murdered.”
“Cherry-Pop Point,” I say through gritted teeth.
“That’s the one,” she says with a laugh, but I don’t hear if she says anything after.
As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I take off through the woods.
There’s a trail that goes around the lake that is actually really beautiful.
I was planning on asking Bellarose to take a moonlit walk on it with me later, but the hot zipline instructor got to her first. I can only imagine what he plans to do with her out there.
The name alone is enough to make me want to punch him.
By the time I race through the woods and I can see the point in the distance, my heart feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest. There are two people up ahead, and one of them is holding a lantern.
It’s too dark to see if it’s Bellarose, but as the larger figure moves closer to the smaller one, I have to react.
Maybe I’m going to make a fool of myself, but I can live with that. What I can’t live with is letting someone think they can take what belongs to me.