Chapter Two #2
Or as alert as he could be considering the constant pain and brain fog.
Would Noah vote as Michael wanted him to? He didn’t know. He was not going to ask. It would be better to simply surprise him along with the rest of the board. If Noah had time to think about the implications of what was about to take place, he would fight it tooth and nail.
Thirty minutes later the car was outside a high-rise apartment building in a much classier side of town. Michael rubbed his tired eyes. He desperately wanted to sleep but there was no time. He would sleep during the surgery which was looming ever closer.
Walking to the front lobby, Michael selected the appropriate button and waited.
“Hello?” Ann is melodious voice floated back to him.
“Ann, I would like to talk to you if I could.”
It felt like a full minute passed before she buzzed him in.
A short elevator ride and he stood awkwardly outside her door before knocking.
He could hear her release the security chain before opening the door.
She stood before him in yoga gear, her hair down and her feet bare.
He realized he had never seen her hair down.
It reached just past her shoulder blades. It was gorgeous, like her.
“I am not coming back,” she stated quietly.
“I am not asking you to,” he realized that was true. He had not come to ask her back, no matter how desperately he wanted her to. “I want you to be happy and if you are not happy at Ramesly Pharma then you need to do what is best for you.”
Ann digested this for a moment. “Then why did you come?”
“You have been the best secretary that I have ever had. You have also been a good friend.”
“Thank you,” she waited patiently while he sorted his thoughts.
“I would like to present you with a token of appreciation for your dedication and service to the company. I have put a package together to help you while you transition your life,” he explained. Michael could see that she was getting annoyed and hurried to add. “I hope that you will accept it.”
“Thank you, Michael but it is not necessary.”
“It is necessary,” he insisted. “Ann, I can never thank you enough for all that you have done for me. Please accept this gift.”
She looked so disappointed. Rather like the time when he had come to pick her up for their first social occasion outside of work.
He had explained it as a learning experience to get her to know the clients better, but he had really wanted to show up at the country club with her on his arm.
She had worn some frothy peach dress that had hugged her curves and showed it off with an expectant ta-da!
as he stood there dumbstruck unable to give voice or words to the vision that was before him.
The moment had passed and no matter that he had tried to compliment her after, it had fallen flat.
She had been very disappointed then and he had never been able to make it up to her.
Michael had the feeling that he disappointed her a lot and he was not sure why.
Ann sighed. “Fine. Okay.”
“Good. I will see you tomorrow morning at six o’clock in boardroom C,” he quickly retreated.
“What? Wait! I thought you were going to give me this gift now?” Ann called as he left.
“Boardroom C, six am!” he called back over his shoulder as he walked briskly down the hall.
She would come. Ann was too curious to do otherwise.
Michael nearly smiled in satisfaction as he rode the elevator back to the ground floor.
Now to clean up a few other pieces before the big reveal in the morning.
He ignored the black specter that rode the elevator with him.
∞
At precisely six in the morning, Ann made her way to boardroom C.
She did not want to delay this any longer than necessary.
She had settled on a braid, blouse, jeans and ballet flats.
Ann no longer worked at Ramesly Pharma therefore she did not feel the need to dress formally.
Inside the boardroom the board of controlling share members were gathered and Ann halted.
Michael must have made a mistake. She had never been invited to a board meeting.
Secretaries did not attend such meetings.
She didn’t see Michael in the boardroom, so she turned around to go to Michael is office and bumped into someone.
Taking a step back she was surprised to see Maxwell Ramesly.
“Ann? Wow! It is good to see you. It has been a long time,” Max smiled boyishly down at her. “You look good. Casual, but good.”
“Thanks. You look good too. How have you been?” She was surprised that Max was in the building. As far as she knew, he and Michael were still estranged. Curiosity bubbled up. What was Max doing here?
“Great! I have met an amazing, beautiful woman who has agreed to help me retire my bachelor life. Can I send you an invite to the wedding?” he asked.
Ann blinked. The playboy had fallen hard. She was interested to see the woman who had managed it. “Sure. I would like that.”
Noah came walking down the corridor sipping a coffee. When he spotted Ann and Max, he paused in surprise before coming over to them. “Max? Is there something going on that I should know about?”
“I am here at Michael’s request,” explained Max. “I take it you are in the dark about this board meeting, too?”
“Why would Michael need you at the board meeting?” a frowning Noah got right to the point.
“You will find out soon enough,” Michael came up behind Ann and laid his hands on her shoulders. He steered her in front of him into the boardroom.
“Michael, I don’t think I am supposed to be here,” Ann whispered.
“It is fine. There is a seat right here for you,” Michael pulled out a chair and gently pushed her into it. Max and Noah sat down as well and there were murmurs of surprise and recognition from the other board members as they saw Max.
Michael cleared his throat, standing at the head of the table.
“Thank everyone for coming out to this emergency meeting so early in the morning. I have two items on the agenda today, so this meeting should be very brief. Before I do, I would like to welcome Max back to the director’s meetings.
As you all know, Max is still a shareholder of this company. ”
There was a pause to acknowledge this before Michael continued.
“First, I would like to thank Ann Schaeffer for her years of service and dedication to this company. She has been and continues to be an outstanding member of the team. In recognition of her achievements, I would like to transfer all my controlling shares to Ms. Schaeffer.”
There was a shocked silence. Michael owned the most controlling shares. The net financial worth of the shares was huge. The direct sway for vote in the company was the envy of many of the board members. To give all his shares to a secretary? Unheard of.
“You cannot be serious,” Ozzit said, sputtering.
“Michael, maybe you should think this through,” Gains tried to reason.
Ann sat there dumbfounded.
“I need someone to second my motion,” Michael looked directly at Max. “Please.”
Max didn’t have to ask Michael if this was what he wanted.
He knew. Even though they had been estranged from each other for six long years, Max knew that Michael would never ask for something like this, something this major for the company and for himself, unless he had thought it out completely.
He did not understand why Michael would do this, but he would support him. “I second the motion.”
“What?” Noah exploded. “Michael? Really?”
Michael cleared his throat and held up his hand. “Put to a vote to transfer the shares, all say aye. Aye.”
“Aye,” replied Max, putting up his hand.
“This is a farce,” Ozzit said. “I don’t care how good in bed she is. You cannot just transfer your shares to her!”
All three Rameslys glared at Ozzit. Ann blushed, feeling mortified.
“Noah?” Michael asked softly.
“If this is what you really want,” he shook his head, obviously disagreeing but family loyalty had him raise his hand. “Aye.”
Michael took in a steadying breath. “Motion stands and passes the vote. Let the record state this. Next, I would like to talk about a resignation.”
“I don’t accept the shares,” Ann stood suddenly. “Michael, you cannot do this.”
“It is already legally done,” Michael took out a pen and signed his name on document that was in front of him. He handed it to Deegal to be witnessed. “The shares are in your name.”
“To be a controlling board member you have to be a member of the company in good standing. I resigned three days ago,” Ann reminded him.
“I refused your resignation,” he said simply.
“Excuse me?” Ann could not believe what she was hearing.
“As your boss, I have the right to refuse your resignation. I refused it,” explained Michael.
“Ms. Schaeffer, you are still an employee of this company in good standing. I however, am not. Effective immediately, I am tendering my resignation. I would like to recommend Gains as my replacement as head of the company and director of the board. I would like to recommend Deegal as my replacement for head of the legal department.”
An alarm beeped on Michael is cell phone. He shut it off and Deegal began handing out copies of Michael is resignation letter.
There was a buzz of noise as the men exclaimed over the resignation.
Noah turned to Max, asking if he had any idea that this was going to happen.
Ann watched as Michael quietly left the room.
No one else seemed to notice. She grabbed her purse and walked quickly after him.
He turned off the normal route, bypassing his office where all his personal effects had already been removed and shipped to the beach house.
He went down a secondary staircase, grabbing an overnight bag that had been left in the stairwell.
“Michael?” she asked. He paused and let her catch up. “What is going on? Why are you doing this? This company has been your whole life. You cannot just resign!”
“You did,” he said simply.