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I look again at our CEO, a small smile on his lips that leaves a dimple on his left cheek.
Do I want him to know I’m here?
Do I want anyone to know I’m here?
2
ZANDER
I enter the hotel room in this small town of Cherrywood. Looking around at the beige walls that I’ll call home for the next few days, I sigh at the sterility of it all. Collapsing onto the mattress, I call my brothers.
Zach picks up after a few rings, and I can barely hear his greeting over the loud background noise.
“Where are you?” I almost yell into the phone so they can hear me.
“I decided to take baby brother clubbing. He needs to learn to have some fun,” Zach drawls. “Although I must say, St. Peppers has lost some of its shine since Zander Teager, the sexiest bachelor, has been away.”
“It’s only been a few hours since I’ve been out of St. Peppers. Or are you just upset that you’ve been dethroned from the sexiest-bachelor-in-town title by your big brother?” My body shakes as I suppress the burgeoning laughter, knowing my brother doesn’t take jokes, especially those at the expense of his image, too well.
“Grow up, bro. I’m happy those magazines are no longer following me with a camera on my face.”
I don’t believe him for a minute but still let his comment slide.
The phone is pulled away from Zach, and I hear my youngest brother’s stutter. “How’s-s Cherrywood-d? S-same or any different?”
“So far, things don’t look too different.”
“You ready to drop t-the big news-s tomorrow?” Zane asks.
They must have stepped out of the busy club, as the background noises fade significantly.
“Yes. Let’s see how it goes.”
I end the call, knowing my brothers deserve an occasional fun night.
After an early dinner, I amble toward the grand terrace attached to my hotel room. I place a glass of whiskey on the circular glass table and my laptop on the gray couch before walking toward the railing.
How will my staff in this whimsical town react after hearing the big news? Maybe it’s not the best idea to break the news of firing employees on the day they meet the CEO for the first time. A cell phone ringing interrupts my musing.
“Tell me you haven’t already fallen in love with my town.”
A deep chuckle leaves me at hearing Oscar’s excitement. Cherrywood is partly Oscar’s town. Established by his great-great-great or some of those grandfathers, a major portion of the business in this town is controlled by Hawthorne Estate.
“That depends on how tomorrow goes. Are we all set?”
“Yes, we meet at eight and don’t be late,” that smartass ribs me.
“Isn’t this something you should be telling your team? They’re the ones meeting the CEO for the first time,” I comment while walking back to get my drink.
“As you say, Mr. CEO. Have a good night’s sleep. We have a long day tomorrow.”
With a smile on my face, I flop down on the couch and take a sip of the single malt whiskey. I fire up my laptop and go through some of the emails as the light night air hits my face.
After coming inside my room, I place the empty glass on my nightstand and change into sweatpants before getting under the covers. Quiet nights alone are usually my time to reflect upon life, my day, and ponder about what’s waiting for us in the future. So many thoughts and memories flash across my mind. My brothers and me working in our company headquarters at St. Peppers in those early days. We three driving down to Cherrywood, scouting locations for our research division.
Four years ago, when we started Elixir, no one had imagined that we’d someday be the largest growing pharmaceutical company in the country. A year after we opened our main office in St. Peppers, we were able to setup our research division in this small town. But none of that success was handed to us on a silver plate. We have worked hard for every dime. We were boys who had seen too much too soon.
As they do every night, my thoughts drift to those early dark days. I try to bring them back to now, when things are simpler, safer. But I know it won’t be easy. Tomorrow is the anniversary of the day when, years ago, our lives changed in ways we never imagined. It’s also the death anniversary of the woman who taught me an early childhood lesson: this world is a savage place and it preys on the weak.
