Chapter 25
JORDAN
Moonlight stream through the windows, mingling with the dimmed lights of my study. Breathless and my muscles aching with maddening need. The image of Astrid in a low cut gown, her ginger blonde splayed on her delicate shoulders, and her lips twitching in a sultry smile.
I have no idea where the image pops out from but it’s messing up my train of thought and causing a massive discomfort in my pants. I adjust for the fifth time, stifling a moan as the tip of my shaft brushes the thick material of my pants.
Something churns inside of me.
Deep regret?
Desire?
Anticipation?
I shake my head gently. The fantasy tha
comes from knowing a woman like Astrid intimately has to be discarded.
I shuffle through the emails. I have a meeting at 10 am with the board. Nelson suggests I give them another chance as they’ve been with the company since it started.
Outside, the sun hardens. I flex my fingers as I watch the throngs of people going through the sidewalks. For a moment, I stare, drinking in the sight and trying to fix my mind on something other than Astrid. I can’t be with her. I roll the words over and again in my head and wander to the wall behind my desk to peer at the drawings Nelson and the team PR had mapped out for our next launch.
I turn to the door as it opens. Nelson stands at the threshold, watching me intently. I motion to the couch.
“Let’s see what you have penned down.” I say, crossing the floor to the couch even before he gets to it.
“This meeting better not be like the last one. My patience level is at zero, and I doubt I’ll be able to hold back from throwing them out of my building.”
“They own parts of this business. Have you forgotten that?”
“But they’re not acting like it. This isn’t the time to throw blames and sit back. We’re all supposed to put in our best effort and ensure things go back to
normal.”
“I don’t know these people. I know you, and I don’t want you to stress yourself over something you can’t control. If you give them this one last chance and they don’t turn up, do whatever you want. It’s your company and you’re all you need to make it work.”
“I have something to show you.”
Delight twinkles in his eyes. “What is it?”
“The toys are ready. We need to meet with the PR team again and pick the perfect date to invite people to our showroom.”
“Like a party?”
“Maybe. I don’t care what it is, I just want to make a huge sale and get back on track so we can move forward.”
“Alright.” Nelson says, his attention fully on the drawing on my wall. He had suggested a press conference. The team will talk about the product and its benefits, and the showroom will be opened to the public, and whatever they pick will be at a discounted price.
think a ball is better. People love to party, free food, dance, gossip, and of course a chance to buy anything and everything at a lesser price.”
“How long have you thought about this?”
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It just popped into my head. I say with a shrug, “Is it odd that I’m suggesting a party?
don’t
The door opens. We both switch our focus to it and realization crawls in. it’s time to face the board.
“You ready, Mr. Remington?”
“Yes, Steve. I’ll join them in a few minutes.” I say quite simply and then turn to Nelson.
“Your expectations are far too high, Nelson. If these people say one thing that doesn’t sit right with me, I won’t hesitate to close the door on their faces
Nelson let out a puff air.
“This better turn out right.” I mutter under my breath as I walk into the conference filled with ten men who are watching me like a hawk. I say nothing Steve places my tab and asks if I need anything.
“A glass of water.”
Adam Wellington clears his throat. His face is
tin
Peripheral, but I ignore him, focusing my attention on the images floating on the projector
The marketing department is presenting the products. Today is for less talk and more actions. I honestly don’t have anything to say to them. I’ll let the team members speak and watch everyone’s reaction. I wasn’t bluffing when I told Nelson I’d flush out the miscreants.
“These are learning cubes for kids. When the production team first brought this up, we were reluctant. You know, we thought kids prefer guns, cars, and video games. Well, that was until we carried out a survey and figured that kids would love these. It’s going to blow up the market spaces.”
“Is it durable?” Adam asks, nodding at the screen
“100%. Here, check it out yourself.” The younger man drops a sealed box before Adam Wellington. “You can take one for your grandkid. I heard he’s turning 6 in a couple of weeks.”
Adam brows crinkle. “How did you find that out?”
“We went to his school for the survey and a couple of others. And he excitedly told us his age.”
While Adam studied the toy, thumbing the buttons and running his fingers across it, the team carried on with their presentation. They have the target audience figured out, but they can’t afford the products.
the b
“So, we’re going to hit the adults too. We are not ruling out anyone from our strategies. We’ll hit the parks, the beach, schools and of course the streets. There will be ads too, but the legwork is going to be our priority. We have our gear ready, and we’ll be out there soon.”
“Isn’t that too low for a company that is over ten years?”
4 glance at Adam for the first time. As I make to speak, the team lead, James, pivots to face the older man too.
“We are trying to make a mark, stamp our presence in everyone’s heart and you know quite well that we have gone down, so down that it will take a lot of work to get us back on the track. Miracles don’t happen without hard work, Mr. Wellington.”
“I didn’t say I was expecting a miracle, James. I’m trying to look at this critically.”
“By critically, do you mean, talk down on our effort and be all negative and unconcerned?” I meet Adan’s
“No, Jordan.”
eyes with a scowl.
don’t see it that way, Adam. You need to think carefully before you speak. Don’t go about throwing words and expecting everyone in here to not pick them apart. You are the chairman. Act like it!” I can’t help but throw him a glare.
Dead silence. I know I’ve hit the nail hard on the head. I want them to know that I’m done playing around and letting them act like we’re wasting our tim
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in the company trying to make things work. If I need to employ more willing hands, I won’t hesitate, I’ve come way too far to let something that can be fixed ruin everything I’ve worked for.
“Let me get one thin straight.” I started, not giving Adam or anyone else a chance to say anything
“I didn’t come here to banter words with anyone. When James and his team told me that they had the marketing strategy all mapped out, i was surprised because the production department completed the last batch of toys last night. That shows you, I mean all of us, how much effort the employees of this company are working around the clock to make things go back to normal. I’m saying normal because being at the top is the only thing
we know.”
Two ladies walked in armed with trays. I turn back to Steve and motion at him to go back with his presentation. I’ve made my point, albeit subtly. Anyone who does not want to stay has the right to leave. Buying off a few shares isn’t a big deal.
“Give us a minute, James.” Vick, a man that appears to be in is late fifties says. Vick is tall, lean with grey eyes that appear a tad warm. It’s the first he’s uttered a word. For his sake, I hope he says something constructive and not blow his chance of staying in.
“Yes, James, you and your team have done a great job, and we really appreciate your effort.” Adam says. He inches his head towards me. “You have done so well, Jordan. I think it’s high time we stepped in.”
“Why? You didn’t believe this company could get back on its feet, Adam. You doubted anything could be done about it. The results are still subpar, Adam. Are you sure you want to stick around?” I ask, not hiding my contempt.
The faintest smirk curves his lips.
“You are still nursing old wound, I see. I was being realistic, Jordan. I’ve seen companies that were once at the pinnacle crumble to the grounds. I didn’t want to get overly optimistic, and I was straightforward about my stance.”
“Are you still in doubt?”
“No. I’m glad I didn’t pull out. Things are looking really good.”
“So, you’re in for the good times?”
“Jordan…. Adam made a mistake. We all did. This isn’t the time
to
cast blame
on
”
“I wasn’t throwing stones, Pete. This company means so much to me. Today, I didn’t come here to make peace, I want us to vote. Anyone who doesn’t want to stay has every right to leave. This is a crucial time for this company, and all hands must be on deck. All hands.”
I let the words sink in, letting them realize that I’m dead serious. Adam throws me a long look. A wry smile curls the edges of his lips, and then he pulls his body forward and spreads his hands on the table.
“You can vote me out as the chairman; but if you want me to stay, I’ll do my best to ensure this company gets back on its feet. I’m sorry I acted the way I did. It won’t happen again.”
“I don’t buy it.” I pause. I can tell the implication of my word is loud and clear. “This isn’t a fair–weather partnership, Adams.”
He flinches. “What do I have to do?”
I reposition my elbows on the desk, pretending to be gathering my thoughts, while in the actual sense, I have already decided on what to do even before I walked in here.
“cast a vote. Everyone in here need to be sure of the paths they’re choosing. If something happens again, I’ll need people who can stand and fight, not
cower.”
As Vande calls for a vote, I allow my mind to drift. It doesn’t matter what the outcome of the vote is. The company will still strive. What really matters is if All continue to stay here or go back to Italy. Far away from Astrid. I know I can’t trust myself around her.
I peer at the ceiling, tuning out the voices around me as my stomach churns with anticipation and dread. Peter has picked a date and venue for the dinner date.
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It’s tonight.
Adam raises his head, seemingly proud that he’s still the chairman. “I’m still here, eh. Does that bother you, Jordan?”
I fix him an empty stare. “Don’t flatter yourself, Adam, you’re the least of iny problem”
I grab my phone and open the message Peter sent earlier. it contains the address and time for dinner. There’s no escaping it, the escaping of the familiar torture that comes with being in the same space with Astrid. I blink the image of her naked and sprawled underneath me away, forcing my mind to focus on the conversation flittering around me.
Adam smile remains, but his eyes have turned to ice. “It’s a shame you think so little of me. I hope to change that.”
“Knock yourself out, Adam,” is all I can muster before I call for the adjournment of the meeting. Points have been made. Now is time to play the field, keep the ball rolling.
A perfect distraction from the young woman that is oving a large portion of my mind.
