“I’m sure there’s just a little mix-up.” If her nervous laughter was meant to downplay the problem, it had backfired.
“Unfortunately, I’ll be alerting my team to stop work on the project effective immediately. If we don’t receive both installments by Wednesday, we’ll take legal action to recover the funds. You don’t wantthat, do you?”
“Zander, really. I think you’re overreacting.”
“Call it whatever you want, Anne. Deadline is Wednesday.” He ended the call.
In his ensuing series of calls, Zander spoke with his VP of Operations, left a message for his Chief Financial Officer, and touched base with his in-house attorney. Zander didn’t like being the bad guy, but a hundred and twenty-five million dollar loan was a significant chunk of change. If he didn’t play hardball, they’d continue to take advantage of the situation.Not happening.
Next, he spoke with two of his execs about the bankruptcy rumors. Nervous employees wanted guarantees. Despite his efforts to allay their fears, he couldn’t make any promises. Morale and productivity were in the toilet. Everyone was too busy talking about thepossibilityof bankruptcy to get any work done. Frustration burned a trail to his gut.
Then, he called his HR Director.
“I’m going to be frank with you,” she said. “You’re going to lose employees, possibly in key positions. Goes with the territory. That’ll improve our cash flow, but we’ll have to backfill, which brings us full circle.”
“Attrition might buy us time.”
They spoke for a few more minutes before Zander ended the call.
Driving east on Route 7, he glimpsed the sign for the Dulles Toll Road.Do it.Spontaneity wasn’t his forté, but he veered onto the ramp toward the airport. He had no game plan, no back-up strategy, and no idea where in the hell he’d find Savannah when he landed in New Mexico. But he didn’t care. He needed to see her.
Twenty minutes later, he strode into the busy terminal. Despite demanding routine and order, his world was in a shambles. He’d lost the Starry Cove project because his father wanted to preserve nature more than he wanted his son to succeed. His company teetered on bankruptcy, and his longtime business partner was dealing with a serious health issue, leaving Zander to pick up the slack.Let’s not forget about kissing my stepsister.His jaw ticked. He couldn’t handle any more stress.Step one: Find Savannah.
While waiting in line for a ticketing agent, he called his stepsister. Before the call connected, an available agent’s hand shot up. “Next,” she called out.
Zander hung up and approached the counter. “Good morning. I need a one-way ticket to Albuquerque.”
And just like that, he thrust himself headfirst into the fray.
