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My phone rings again, but this time it’s my cell phone, dancing across the surface of my desk as the ongoing vibrations announce an incoming call. It’s my old college friend, Gabe.
“You guys were right,” he says, without even saying ‘Hello’.
“About what?” I ask.
“Ella,” he says, and my blood begins to boil. “I should never have done this. She never deserved a second chance…”
His voice trails off, as if he was doubting his own words.
“I don’t know what you want to hear from me. A good old ‘I told you so’?” I retort, noticing the strain in my voice.
“I guess so, what else can you say. I feel like shit,” he says. “How are things in your world? Distract me from this crap. How is the snake doing?”
“She’s not… not a snake,” I tell him. “A lot has been going on, but I’m not sure if my tales are a good distraction for what you’re going through.”
“Oh, now I’m intrigued!” he exclaims. “Spill it.”
I go on to divulge the intricate web of emotions and business dealings that have entwined me with Madison. It’s the first time I’m sharing the whole story with anybody, leaving out almost no detail as to what has transpired between us. When I explain Madison’s business proposal and my doubts about its merits, he lets out an annoying groan.
“Well, sounds like that’s a good solution for her,” he says pointedly. “But you wouldn’t get what you’re after.”
“Well, it would be a joint venture. If she gets the other shareholder and the investor on board like she promised.”
“Dude, since when do you let some random woman torpedo your plans? She came up with this all by herself because it’s what’s best for her, not for you,” Gabe says, practically fuming as much as I was the last time we talked about him and his ex-girlfriend Ella.
He’s right, and I know it. But there’s more to it than that.
“And you said the investor is a Mr. Johnson? Craig Johnson? Of HealthWell Enterprises?”
I’m taken by surprise at his question. “How the hell do you know that guy?”
Gabe laughs. “Man, how can anyone not know him? He’s big—and you know he invested in one of my earlier endeavors, right? I can’t believe you don’t remember him. I mentioned him a lot back then. We’re still buddies, actually.”
Now that he mentions it, I actually do remember the guy. And I’m a little shocked that it didn’t come to me earlier. I was so absorbed with Madison and all the trouble surrounding her that I didn’t pay attention to the other players in this game—and the power I may yield over them.
“Don’t let your heart get in the way of what’s best for you, Chase. This is business. And in business you sometimes have to make tough decisions, even if it means hurting someone else’s feelings.”
Gabe’s response is swift and unyielding, his words echoing with conviction.
I nod, my thoughts swirling with the complexity of the situation. But then, he says something, that changes everything.
“You know, I could talk to Craig,” he proposes. “I think I could turn him in your favor, and make sure his investment is secured—but only if the company ends up in your hands.”
“What about Madison?” I implore.
“Well, she came up with a solution that suits herself. This way you could respond with a solution of your own,” he elaborates. “She can keep her shares, as long as you get all the others. I’m sure Craig could back you up and coax the other shareholder to sell to you. Granted, you wouldn’t get all of the company, but you would get most of it. It’s a compromise, just like what she suggested—but a compromise that makes you better off, and not her.”
“And Madison would still have a place there,” I muse. “This could be an option.”
It’s still a compromise because I wouldn’t end up with all shares as I had intended. But could this be the solution we need?
Chapter 40
Madison
Two days have passed since my conversation with Chase, and I find myself in my office, surrounded by the familiar trappings of corporate life. Papers are scattered across my desk awaiting my signature, and Ann-Marie hovers nearby, assisting with the final touches.
“And one here,” she says, sliding me another piece of paper that needs my name.
