29. Mia
Chapter twenty-nine
Mia
“Thanks so much for coming all the way out here, Bryce.” I force my face into a welcoming smile. “I know it’s a hassle to get all the way to London.”
“No, not at all, I knew it was important, so of course I’d take the time.” Bryce’s voice is so smooth I have to avoid making a face. He is just so unlikeable .
I glance under the massive table in the office space Abigail rented for the afternoon to check all my paperwork is safely tucked into my bag. Even though inviting Bryce to London meant flying him out here on the company dime, I’m grateful that tonight, I’ll be sleeping in my own bed.
“I told you on the phone that I’ve been interviewing people to run the resorts to let you get back to your day job. Finding someone with as much experience as you have has been much, much more difficult than I had anticipated. Ultimately, we weren’t successful in finding someone.” I pause, making sure I’m giving it enough time to sink in for Bryce. “And that leads me to why I’ve asked you today, because obviously, someone needs to run the resorts.”
I watch as he physically puffs up his chest. “Well, of course, I’ve been working hard running the resorts since Craig’s accident, and I know how crucial and demanding it is. I’m happy to continue with this role, I’m glad you finally see what’s best for the resorts.” I nod slowly. “You’ve made the right choice, Mia.”
“About that,” I say, my tone sharp. “I’ve decided I’ll be taking over the day-to-day management role.” It had been a difficult choice, but I’ve finally settled into the idea. I have a family, my adoptive family, but I’m part of another family, too. And after seeing what had happened to the resorts in the short time a non-family member was running them, I’m worried about the future of the resorts with Bryce in charge. I have the power to help, and I’m going to.
“My plan for the resorts is to reinvest any profits the resorts make for the next few years.” I reach under the table and pull out my pile of paperwork. “My research has shown it’s been quite a number of years since a new resort opened, but Craig has done a lot of research into a potential new resort in Lake Tahoe. Obviously, there’s a lot of work—and money—that would need to go into that.” Gathering the papers into a nice pile, I look up. Bryce opens, then closes his mouth, not unlike a fish, then a sly smile slides over his face. “The way I see it, Bryce, is you have two choices. You can stay a part owner of the resorts—but they will make you no profits, because all of the money will be reinvest—”
“You can’t do that.” Bryce cuts me off with a smirk. “You can’t do that. Do you know the story of how my grandparents ended up owning the resorts?” He clasps his hands over his stomach, leaning back in his chair.
I’ve done a lot of research into the resorts, and I’m sure I know where he’s going with this.
Without waiting for me to respond, he continues, “The resorts were struggling in the late seventies. Your grandparents, and your grandfather’s brother needed a bailout. And my grandparents were there to help.” Bryce’s grin is slimy, and I know he thinks he has me. I keep my face stony, swallowing down my satisfaction that he’s swallowing this, hook, line and sinker. “They negotiated very favorable terms. Despite only owning a third of the resorts, I think you’ll find, if you check the contract fine print carefully, I’m owed fifty percent of the profits. One of the perks of saving the day.” Bryce leans forward, elbows on the table.
I force my face into a worried frown. “Well, doesn’t that presuppose there will be a profit to distribute?”
Bryce frowns, and I leaf through the paperwork I have, as if I’m searching for the details of the text. I hold up the page I highlighted earlier. “Unfortunately for you, as the principal shareholder, it’s well within the scope of my role to reinvest the resort’s funds for expansion. I’m willing to make a short-term sacrifice in revenue, for the long-term gain. I just happen to think I can stick out that short term easier than you can."
It’s a fair bet I have more money available to me than he does, and much more ability to live on my regular salary. The sour look on his face confirms my suspicions.
“You have a second option, of course,” I say, flipping to the next page of the contract our grandparents had signed. “You could sell your third share of the resorts to me.” I tap the highlighted section with my manicured nail—I’m being overly theatrical, but what use is my day job if I haven’t learned some flair? “I think you’ll find that same contract provides me with a buyout clause, a fair market rate, based on an independent valuer’s valuation, plus ten percent.” I run my finger down the highlighted line of the contract. “I happened to get an independent valuation when I inherited the resorts, which is quite convenient.”
I got the valuation right after my meeting with the accountants. Despite their expertise, I couldn’t trust it was real until I had a proper valuation. That attention to detail sure was paying off now. I shuffle through the papers and pull out the valuation. I’m sitting far enough away from Bryce that he can’t read what’s in front of me.
I slip it across the table to him, and tap the highlighted number. “Impressive, isn’t it?” Bryce frowns as he registers the number, then his displeasure turns more neutral. I let him sit with it for a few moments, let him savor it. “But the thing is, Bryce, that valuation is now old—nearly six months old. So, I took the liberty of getting another one.”
I study Bryce’s face. He isn’t giving anything away.
I slide the second valuation out of the back of my pile of papers, and make a show of flipping through the document. “This one has some good news. Profits are up. Unfortunately, the actual value has dropped. I think in this report—” I run my finger down the page until I get to the highlighted word. “—the valuer described it as ‘plummeted’. He does go on a bit about why. Apparently, there have been ‘significant, unprecedented staffing changes’, a ‘reduced value proposition for guests’ and a ‘sharp increase in guest complaints’ in the last six months,” I read. The papers fall with a quiet thump on the desk. “Isn’t it interesting, that the last six months has been when you’ve been managing the resorts.”
“You…can’t do that.” Bryce stutters.
“I can’t? Are you sure about that?” I make a show of picking up and reading the old contract between his grandparents and mine. “I think you’ll find I can do exactly that.”
I produce an envelope from my bag and slide it across the table toward Bryce.
“You can take this cheque, and walk away a rich man. Or you can stay a part owner, and get no returns. Doesn’t bother me, Bryce, but as primary shareholder, it’s my choice who runs the resorts. And come Monday, that will be me.”
“I’ve been worried about you, Mia,” Mum says as she hands me the bowl of salad. I take a generous helping, then pass it on to Dad who is sitting on the other side of me at my parent’s big round wooden table.
I look into my lap where I’ve been picking at my cuticles. “There’s been a lot going on.”
“You can talk to us about anything, Mia, you know that,” Mum says, spearing a piece of ravioli.
I pick up my own fork. “I know. It’s just…”
“We weren’t born yesterday, Mia. This is something about your birth family, isn’t it?” Dad never misses a trick.
In many ways, I’m grateful he brought it up first. It doesn’t feel like I have a choice now but to admit to what’s going on. “You’re right.” I chew my pasta, buying for time. “The resorts have been going through a rough time.” I try to sort through what I want to say. “I’ve been trying to hire someone to run them, but it’s been really hard, and now I don’t know what to do.”
“Oh honey, why didn’t you say something? Your dad and I could have helped.” Mum reaches out and rubbed my arm.
I shove a forkful of salad into my mouth so I don’t have to answer. They wouldn’t have helped, would they?
“Mia—are you worried we might be disappointed that you care about what’s happening with the resorts?” I steal a look at Mum, who frowns in concern. “Your Dad and I think it’s a good thing that you care about the resorts. Of course it makes sense that you want to keep the legacy of your birth family going. They’re your family too . ”
I drop my hands to my lap, finally looking at my parents. Dad is leaning forward, both forearms on the table. Mum is leaning forward too, eyes soft.
“I’ve told you this before, Mia. We love you. We know you love us. You loving your birth family doesn’t take away from that. You worrying about the resorts isn’t a surprise to us—of course you do, because you’re a helper.” Mum exchanges another look with Dad. Mum’s always called me a helper, right from when I was a kid. I’m not sure whether it was a manifestation thing, or her simply describing my behavior, but I suppose it doesn’t matter much now. I am a helper; a problem solver.
“If you weren’t concerned about them, I’d be more worried,” Dad says with a chuckle. “All your mum and I have ever wanted for you is that you’re happy, and you’re surrounded by people who love you.”
“Really?” My voice is quiet, almost hollow.
“Of course. That’s what all parents want, Mia. We just want you to be happy. I’m sure that’s what your birth parents wanted as well.”
“Then why did they give me away?”
The look my parents exchange this time is more serious. “I don’t know, Mia. And we might never know. But maybe that’s okay.” Mum's tone is soothing, like the tone she might use for work.
I sniff, tears threatening to overflow. “You’re not mad that I think about it? About why?”
“Of course not. It’s only natural for you to wonder—and I wonder too. But wondering about why they chose what they did doesn’t mean you love your dad and I any less, Mia. Does it feel like you love us less?”
I feel the vulnerability in her voice, even though she’s using her psychiatrist voice, not her mum-voice. I think about it—really think about it. “No. I don’t love you less. Of course I don’t.” My voice wavers, but from the truth of it, nothing else. I hope Mum can hear that too. I lean into that inner strength.
“I’m planning on taking some time off to run the resorts.” I explain how Craig had been running the resorts before he was injured, and the work my birth parents had done to make it a nice place to work. When I explain how I essentially fired Bryce by buying out his portion of the resort, Dad’s whoop of support reverberates through me. “That’s my girl!” he says, clapping his hand on the table. “So are you going to take over the resorts?”
“My boss has agreed to give me six months off, starting next week. I guess I’ll see how things are at the end of six months. The plan right now is to find someone to run the resorts permanently and go back to work. I can’t let them struggle, and let everyone who works there leave. Not after so much work has gone into them.” Abigail and I have discussed at length how we will go about finding a replacement resort manager. She's supposed to be returning to her regular job with Gerrard in a week. It will almost certainly be by using a recruiter to track down experienced people who are looking for a new challenge. “Will’s been helpful—this business stuff is his job, you know?” Mum and Dad exchange glances.
“I think it’s a great thing to look after your family’s resorts. Dad and I would love to visit one with you.” Mum sounds hopeful, almost like she anticipates I will be saying no.
“Of course you can come, they’re not a secret I’m trying to hide from you. Well, not anymore, at least.” I offer my parents a sheepish grin.
“Oh, I didn’t mean like that. I meant we didn’t want to interrupt you at work. And I’m very glad Will is there for you. He’s always there for you, Mia.”
My shoulders sag, anticipating another Mum-lecture about how I should give Will and I a chance. Instead of letting her ramp up, I deflect. “I’d love to show you. Let’s make a plan of when you can visit.”