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Chase’s relentless determination has finally led to my submission—on the mat that is. “By sheer strength!” as I pointed out loudly, and he chuckled, his breath slightly labored.
Our gis didn’t stay on for long after, and it’s safe to say that our second roll—naked this time—ended in my favor, with him on top of me, while I succumbed to a beautiful wave of bliss.
After the grappling session, we left the Tensho in a hurry, our laughter echoing in the evening air as we jogged to our cars through a surprise shower of rain. Chase suggested we go out for dinner, so he could tell me more about his plan, calmly and without any pressure. He said I wouldn’t have to say yes, because he would rather back out of the buyout altogether than to lose me, but I’m very curious to hear what he came up with.
Now we find ourselves at a beachside restaurant, nibbling on our Scallop Bruschetta as an appetizer. It’s balmy and humid outside, and we’re protected by a roof, the darkness enveloping us, while the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore fills the air.
Memories of our time in Hawaii come rushing back, and a faint smile tugs at the corners of my lips when the image of us at Hulopoe beach emerges behind my eyes.
“What are you thinking about?” Chase asks, before he takes another bite of the bruschetta.
“Our time in Hawaii,” I say. “Feels like it was an eternity ago.”
“But it was good, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, it was great,” I say. “You really spoiled me.”
A wide grin appears on his handsome face. “So, it’s me then. You’re smiling because of me.”
That makes me chuckle, and I throw him an amused look. “You really are full of yourself.”
“Nah, just happy,” he says, and the content look on his face warms my heart.
“So, tell me,” I request. “What’s your great idea that could get us out of our dilemma?”
“Again, you don’t have to say yes,” he says, raising an appeasing hand. “But I honestly don’t think you’re going to want to say no.”
“Yes, you said that before, now stop teasing and get to the point.” I add a little wink to the defiant look on my face when I lean back with my arms crossed in front of my chest.
He swallows hard and takes a large sip of his beer, obviously anxious to share his thoughts with me. I have never seen him like this, so nervous and afraid of saying something wrong. I almost feel a little sorry for him, but I can’t deny that it also makes me feel rather powerful to see a man like him losing his nerves because of me.
“Okay, so, my idea was that I do in fact buy your company, or most of it, Mr. Hailey’s—your uncle’s—shares and those of Mr. Whalon, your third shareholder. You can keep yours—”
“But that would mean—”
“That I hold most of the company, yes, but let me finish,” he says, now raising both of his hands in an appeasing manner. “But, you’d still be on the board, and we would appoint you the job of Chief Technology Officer, the head of research and development for the whole conglomerate, including my company and everything that’s part of the whole group. You’d have a lot more responsibility, and a lot more influence and power than you do now, and not just for your father’s company, but for mine, too.”
My jaw drops to the floor when I stare at him in disbelief. “Are you insane? Chief Technology Officer for such a large enterprise! I could never—”
“Yes, you can,” he insists. “You have shown more than once that you have a knack for this, Madison. You may be young, but you’re smart, experienced and strong-willed. I wouldn’t offer you this position if I didn’t believe in you. You are way more capable than a lot of old moneybags who are sitting in a seat like that. You would also share the responsibilities of a CEO with me, of course. You wouldn’t lose anything, but gain a lot. You would be the one who’s responsible for the direction of our growth in the future.”
He’s right about that last part. The majority of the share would no longer be within the family, with my uncle out of the game, but we could pursue the growth I’ve been fighting for. After implementing the new 3d technology that I’ve been eying for months, we could make a much larger leap than I was expecting to begin with.
And I can’t even imagine what I could do as a Chief Technology Officer of such a large conglomerate, with no one above me, no one who can interfere with my ideas the way my uncle could before.
“And my uncle would be completely out?” I ask.
Chase nods. “Yes, I want him off the board. I’m sorry, I know he’s your uncle, but after what he tried to do, I no longer want to work with him at all. He can’t be trusted.”
“Agreed,” I say solemnly.
“And your father’s company would still be yours, for the most part,” Chase adds.
“What about the name?” I probe.
“You can keep it,” he says quickly. “Or we come up with a new one. Whatever you decide. But it doesn’t have to be absorbed by mine.”
“Good,” I say. “It would… I don’t know, it would feel like losing my father all over again.”
