Chapter 18

Grant

I drove myself to Wade Co the next morning, with the top down again so my hair was ruffled by the end of it. I had my jaw clenched and my knuckles turned white from the grip with which I was grasping the steering wheel. I was on a mission, and I didn’t want to budge from it.

I parked the car, and keeping my cool I strolled into the office. The woman from the previous day was sitting behind a desk, filing her nails.

“Mr Jennings!” she said with a start and stood up from her chair.

“Hi, I’m sorry we haven’t met yet,” I put on my best smile and walked up to her with my hand stretched towards her.

“I’m Susan, I’m the receptionist,” she said and I noticed the slight blushing of her cheeks. Good, I thought, I was having the right effect on her.

“Hello, Susan. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” I said with the smile still on my face. We shook hands gently, till I pulled away from her and folded the sunglasses in my hand.

“If you’re here for Ms Wade, she’s not in yet,” Susan said and I was pleased to hear it. I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to deal with Beverley first thing.

“And are the others here?” I asked her and Susan crossed her brows.

“You mean John and Sasha? Yeah, they usually come in by eight,” she said and I nodded.

“Good. They work hard,” I said, just as a guy who I hadn’t met before, emerged from one of the rooms.

“You must be John,” I said to him and extended my hand to him.

“Yes, I am. And you are Grant Jennings,” he said with the usual starstruck expression I saw on so many faces. Sasha was quick to come into the reception room as well, and I shook his hand too.

“Bev isn’t here,” Sasha said and I nodded.

“I’m aware, Susan told me already,” I said.

“She usually comes in by nine, but she hasn’t been in the best mood lately,” Susan cut in and I nodded and smiled at her again.

“I’m not here for her actually. I was hoping to catch all of you together,” I told them and Susan sat back down slowly on her chair.

“How can we help you Mr Jennings?” John said.

“Please, call me Grant,” I said to him, and without invitation, I took the chair across from Susan’s desk and sat down.

“I wanted to get to know you all and give you a brief introduction on how Lonex works,” I said to them and I watched as Sasha and John’s eyes widened.

“So, you mean you’re keeping us on?” Sasha asked and I smiled.

“Of course I am. You are the people who know the product best. It would be a shame to lose any of you,” I told him and they exchanged looks.

“And what about…Bev? Beverley,” Sasha added and I took in a sharp breath.

“It appears as though Beverley has other plans,” I said and a nervous look took over all their faces. I could see where their loyalties lay. “But I don’t want you to worry. You will all be well taken care of and I want you to slowly naturalize to Lonex’s surroundings,” I informed them and made myself comfortable on the chair.

When nobody had said a word for some time, I decided to break the silence.

“First of all, I would like all of you to start working out of the Lonex office building. I will have space made for you with your own private offices so that you can continue your work seamlessly,” I said and that seemed to please Sasha and John a little.

“What about me? I’m just a receptionist here…but what role will I have at Lonex? Will I have a role at Lonex at all?” Susan was speaking too quick and I could see that she was beginning to panic.

“Yes, of course you will have a role with us. I want you to work with the HR team and they will find a position for you there. I’m certain you’ve amassed enough experience here to be useful to us at Lonex,” I told her and the firmness and kindness of my voice seemed to put her at ease. She had started to relax a little.

“Has Bev told you anything about her plans? We know nothing. She’s rarely at the office any more and if she is, she refuses to talk to us or disclose anything,” Sasha said and I clenched my jaw.

“I know just about as much as you do. We aren’t exactly friends,” I said, trying to sound casual but the others were exchanging looks again. I could see that they didn’t exactly buy my explanation. And also, the mention of Beverley’s name made me uncomfortable again. As much as I was trying to act normal, I was aware that these were her surroundings. That I was intruding on her space. I didn’t know what I would have done or even if I would have had this conversation if she was in the office. I would have probably just turned around and walked out of the building if she was in.

“We’re just a little concerned for her. This company is like her baby,” Susan added and I turned to her and nodded my head.

“I know, and I understand, but she has made her decision to not accept a position at Lonex. So there is nothing more I can do about it,” I said and Susan licked her lips nervously. I cold see that they were all concerned, it wasn’t just Susan. Besides Beverley’s achievements at creating brilliant technology, she had also been able to connect on a personal level with her employees. They trusted and believed in her and I felt a pang of regret for buying her company. But what else could I do? She had to sell it to somebody, better me than someone else who didn’t have her best interests at heart.