Page 9 of Words Unspoken

“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.

Ann stared at him, speechless.

“Please keep walking. I have someplace I need to be,” Michael turned and kept going down the stairs.

“Where do you have to be? What could be more important than what happened back there in the boardroom?” Ann hurried to catch up to him. “If we go back, maybe you could tell them it was a joke or something. We could undo the damage and you can get your position back.”

“That is not going to happen,” Michael pushed open a side door. Outside the car was waiting. The driver took his overnight bag and placed it in the trunk. Michael turned to face Ann. He didn’t want to apologize for what happened and he did not want to talk about it anymore. Mostly he just wanted to hug her and never let her go but of course he could not do that. Almost without his violation, his hands came up to cup her face. He swallowed thickly. “Goodbye, Ann.”

She stared up at him, confused and a little afraid. Michael dropped his hands and got into the waiting car. The driver shut the door and got into the front seat. Suddenly, the door was opened by Ann. “Move over.”

“Ann, I really need to be leaving,” he tried to explain.

“You are not going to move over, are you?” she said crisply.

“Ann!” he jerked slightly as she crawled over him and sat beside him.

“I don’t know where you are going but I am coming with,” she said stubbornly.

“Ann,” he closed his eyes. “Please leave.”

“No.”

“Mr. Ramesly, we need to be going if we are going to get there on time,” the driver gently reminded him.

Michael sighed. “Ann…”

“No,” repeated Ann. She reached across him and shut the door before telling the driver, “Please continue to wherever you are scheduled to take Mr. Ramesly.”

“Ann, please don’t do this,” Michael feared his voice was slightly tinged with desperation. The car had started moving, driving toward the hospital.

“Tell me what is going on. Tell me where you are going and why,” Ann insisted.

How could he? How could he tell her that today he was probably going to die? And if by some quirk of fate he did not die, that he was going to be damaged, changed in a horrible and irreversible way? That was, if things went to plan, best case scenario. If it didn’t, he could be a vegetable wishing he was dead for the rest of his life. He had taken the time to read the list of everything that could possibly go wrong and none of it was pleasant. How did anyone say such news? He swallowed hard and looked out the window at the passing city, going about its daily business without a care.

Then her fingers threaded through his, holding his hand. Michael didn’t dare look at her for fear of what he might do but his hand tightened in hers and he was thankful for the small comfort that she offered.