Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 61939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“You mean due respect?”
No…
“I’m running on fumes at this moment, and I could’ve sworn I just helped you with a five-hundred-million-dollar problem.”
“You helped me by doing what? Breathing in the room?” he asked. “Feel free to pick up an energy drink on your way here.”
“I haven’t gotten a decent night’s sleep since I started working under you.”
“Get used to that,” he said. “Sleep is for the weak.”
“It’s also for human beings.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“That I really need to get some rest, and if you want to be compassionate—”
“Why would someone you called an ‘asshole’ be compassionate, Miss Stone?” he cut me off, and I gasped.
“We can add ‘unemployed’ to the category that sleep-needy people fall under, if you like, because if you’re not here in forty minutes with those files, you won’t have a job anymore.”
The line went dead before I could say another word.
SEVENTEEN
HARRISON
Memo: “Thank You” from Harrison Cross
It has come to my attention that certain employees feel that I don’t appreciate your hard work, so let me be clear: that’s not true.
I expect hard work.
I show appreciation by paying you for it.
But…
If these words will make you feel any better…
Thank you.
I’ve recently heard musings about certain employees being tempted to leave during this transition process, so I want to remind you of the initial contract you signed with me.
Please see Clause 13B.
No employee is allowed to resign before this takeover is finalized.
No employee.
I may terminate you, but you are not permitted to leave me.
Executives working on a special project will be given a new tier of perks this week, and I will continue making salary adjustments as re-interview sessions allow.
THANK YOU for your attention to this issue.
(I will be sure to add this to every email moving forward.)
Your appreciative CEO,
Harrison Cross
CEO, Sweet Seasons Coffee
Founder & Owner, Cross Industries
ONE MONTH LATER
EIGHTEEN
ANDREA
Everly
I’m so glad that man finally saw that you need your own personal car and driver.
Lisa
You even have your own assistant now… Well deserved.
Everly
Now he needs to get you an office and he might make it off my shit list.
Lisa
Keyword: might.
Do his gestures make you hate him a little less?
HELL NO.
NINETEEN
ANDREA
Day #90 of Company Takeover
“In a matter of months, billionaire Harrison Cross has done it again!” an anchor announced on television. “He’s taken over Sweet Seasons and made sweeping policy changes that leave no doubt who’s in charge.”
“Sources say employees are praising his hands-on leadership. Live at the flagship store in Manhattan is Melanie Smith, speaking to a barista. Are you there, Melanie?”
I groaned and rummaged for the remote.
“I’m here, Rachel.” A red-haired woman beamed. “I’m on the scene with master barista, Stacy! How have things changed since Mr. Cross’s takeover?”
“It’s been utterly amazing!”
I refuse to listen to this.
I strained to reach the remote. It was only inches away. Close enough to mock me.
“We have designer uniforms, higher pay, and it feels like a place anyone would love to work at, you know?”
“Previously, Mr. Cross faced countless accusations of being a tyrant who is cruel to his employees, so—”
“He’s been incredible to all of us here.” Stacy couldn’t have sounded more like a suck-up if she tried. “I can’t think of a single bad thing to—”
I cut it off before she could spew any more nonsense.
Wincing as I stood, I noticed rain streaking down the windows in heavy sheets.
Ugh. Perfect.
Dave (Personal Driver )
I’m downstairs.
Be down in an hour.
LOL. Good one. You mean five minutes?
No. An hour.
Did you ask for permission from Mr. Cross?
Nope.
Feel free to drive around for a while. See you soon.
I silenced all my notifications, peeled out of my pajamas, and headed straight for the bathroom.
Turning on the hot water, I stepped beneath the spray and let the steam erase the clock. For the first time in weeks, I wasn’t rushing. I wasn’t counting minutes. I wasn’t listening for my phone.
When I finally stepped out, I tied a robe around my waist and wandered into the kitchen.
I made myself a tower of pancakes and sat at the breakfast nook like a human being. Then I picked up the romance novel I’d started months ago and finished a chapter.
Stretching, I took my time straightening up our living room before getting dressed.
Then I finally grabbed my umbrella before heading downstairs to the town car.
“Good morning, Miss Stone.” Dave shook his head at me as he opened the back door.
“Good morning.” I slid inside. “Thank you for picking me up.”
“It’s always a pleasure.” He tipped his hat before shutting the door.
As he slid behind the wheel, the other passenger door opened and Mr. Cross moved inside—glaring at me.
He was wearing his favorite dark gray coat, jaw clenched tight, eyes cutting through mine. He didn’t look the slightest bit amused, and I’d never seen him look like this before.
I glanced at the rearview mirror, hoping for Dave to throw some help my way, but he kept his gaze straight ahead and pulled onto the street.