Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82214 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Mr. Mayhew was silent. “I understand.” What the hell did that mean? “I want you to know that we do not tolerate unprofessional conduct, and I appreciate you bringing it to my attention. I will talk to Andrew personally to resolve this issue. This won’t affect your standing with us, and if you can come to terms with that and perhaps schedule a check-in with HR to ensure this doesn’t happen, I would still like to have you with us.”
Wow. Really? Horror stories about being pushed out, mistreated, and even laid off entered my thoughts. I’d expected any of those things, especially since Andrew was the perpetrator here. Mr. Mayhew’s remarks filled me with confidence and hope that I could do this. I could stand up for myself. I could fix my own problems.
I didn’t need to be stuck here.
“I would love the opportunity to work with you and Mayhew Industries. I appreciate you hearing me out.”
“Of course, Ms. Hannam. Would you have time today to come in for an interview? If it will make you more comfortable, Andrew will not be present.”
I shook my head. “I’m not available today.” I frowned at the thought of doling out more cash for another plane trip. “I can be there tomorrow if that works for you.”
“Perfect. I wasn’t sure whether you were still in town.” Damn. Why didn’t I mention that? “I will transfer you to the front desk so they can schedule you for tomorrow.”
“Thank you.”
“Have a good day, Ms. Hannam.”
I scheduled the latest slot available and immediately bought yet another ticket. When I let her know, Mom railed on me for being so fickle, but in the same breath, she told me that she had been right and was happy I was taking her advice. It wasn’t worth it to tell her that I’d only taken the job because Mr. Mayhew seemed to understand the situation I’d been put in, and he sounded determined to fix the issue. Even if I did work with Andrew, if I had the company president ready to side with me, maybe things would be all right.
Or maybe I’d find myself in an awkward situation where suddenly Mr. Mayhew was too busy to hear my complaints, and the HR department was too familiar with Andrew’s habits and unwilling to address the son of the CEO. In that case, I could quit, but maybe by then, I would find another job. For now, especially after the car ride with Mom, I wanted nothing more than to get out. Permanently. I couldn’t even look at her after hearing how much she’d belittled herself as a young woman. And she expected me to do the same?
No, my decision was different. I wasn’t doing this blindly. I wasn’t walking in hopeful, only to be seduced and persuaded to do things against my better judgment. I was in control, and I would determine my future.
Chapter 24
Christie
I couldn’t believe I was here again. Dallas seemed so different when I landed this time. Instead of the casual sway of people ambling toward the baggage claim, it felt robust, panicked, a lot like I was the first time I’d come. More suits and coats decorated the paths through the terminals, and I felt a certain thrill when I entered the black rental car courtesy of Mayhew Industries.
I’d reviewed the projections and outline for Mayhew Industries’ new venture, but until I finished the onboarding process, they didn’t send me anything concrete or specific. Still, I wanted to be prepared, so I’d worked with the little they gave me to make ripples on my first day.
Damned if I was going to be unprepared for this.
I had a few ideas, though I had no way to tell whether they’d already reviewed the directions I planned to advise. I’d be working with a team of consultants. I wondered if they were hired specifically for this project. The pay was enough to get me by, but when I got my feet wet and felt comfortable with the temperature, maybe I could take on more.
No matter who I walked in on in there, I refused to feel intimidated. Even if Andrew was the first face I saw. I couldn’t let anything bother me if I planned to make this work. I’d show them I was an asset before they had time to question my worth.
They booked me a new hotel after Mom insisted I tell them I had returned home. I felt stupid. Leaving early made me feel uncommunicative. Or just unpredictable. They didn’t seem to think that, though, and I begrudgingly admitted my mom was right when they not only booked me a hotel room but promised reimbursement for any other travel-related expenses, including the flight I’d already booked and a rental car.
That news alone reignited my excitement for this job.