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)
“I don’t think it’s possible for you to come off more likable in interviews,” I said, keeping my voice firm. “And in my professional opinion, I think you should take on a persona for each session instead.”
“I don’t have time for acting lessons, Miss Stone.”
“Mr. Lewis didn’t either,” I offered. “We picked and chose mannerisms from a collection of other businessmen and rehearsed for weeks.”
“I see…” He crumpled my note and tossed it in the trash. “If I told you to make me a list of five things that would improve our baristas’ quality of work, would you be able to give me that?”
“Yes.”
“Within the next three minutes?” He clicked a pen.
“Yes.”
“I’m listening.”
“Better training, limiting premium coffees, better pay, uniforms that itch a little less, and better perks when we have great sales weeks.”
“Interesting.” He scribbled down my notes on a pad, and then he looked up. “If you’re right about this, I’ll assign you to do some further investigating.”
“And if I’m wrong?”
“You’ll regret it.”
“You mean I’ll get fired?”
“There are far worse things I’d do to you before firing you, Miss Stone.”
Silence.
I sat still, waiting for him to change the subject or free me from the hold his eyes had over me, but I couldn’t move if I tried.
He pulled his breakfast tray closer and picked up a knife. He took his time spreading cream cheese across his bagel, still keeping his eyes on mine.
“We have a rare half-hour gap before my next meeting,” he said, gently pressing the knife through the bagel’s hole. “You should stop watching me and start filling it with work, since this will be the only gap we have for weeks.”
“I will…” I said, standing. “I have some tax studying to do.”
“Come again?” He sat up. “I don’t recall assigning you that.”
“You didn’t,” I said. “But I think Human Resources would be quite upset to know you’re giving yourself thirty minutes to eat a bagel—”
“Three bagels.”
“Three bagels.” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “I think they’d understand me wanting to use this time for something on myself.”
“We clearly need to have another conversation on time, Miss Stone.”
“Maybe,” I said. “It’ll have to be after I spend some time in the employee lounge by myself, though.”
“Okay, then.” A slow smile spread across his lips. “Go ahead and enjoy it…”
I didn’t bother saying anything else.
I left, proud that I’d shown a sliver of backbone today.
Slipping down the hall to the freight elevators, I rode one to the employee break floor.
When I stepped off, all the lights were dimmed.
Confused, I walked to the lounge doors, but they were locked.
I tried my override key code, but the keypad flashed red.
“Hmmm.” I returned to the elevator and rode it up to the rooftop café.
The doors glided open, revealing a completely bare space.
What the…
I stepped out, not believing my eyes. Gone were the clusters of soft sofas and TVs, and the enclosed glass had been removed.
Before I could process what was happening, my phone buzzed with a new message.
Mr. Cross
I appreciate the reminder about the employee lounge.
I meant to send out my latest memo earlier this morning…
You’re welcome.
TEN (B)
HARRISON
Memo: “Farewell” from Harrison Cross
Hopefully you saw this subject line and felt a tinge of sadness at the thought of me leaving so soon.
No need to cry.
This “farewell” refers to something else.
As of today, the “zen” nap room, basement exercise center, and rooftop café are PERMANENTLY CLOSED.
You can nap, exercise, and hang out with your friends on your own time.
Not mine.
I do realize that removing these perks may cost Sweet Seasons its Top 10 Places to Work in Manhattan ranking, but I’d rather see us on the Most Efficient & Profitable Business in the Country list.
At #1.
This is—after all—a business.
You should feel ecstatic that it’s finally starting to run like one.
Harrison Cross
CEO, Sweet Seasons Coffee
Founder & Owner, Cross Industries
ELEVEN
HARRISON
Day #30 of Company Takeover
Rain streaked across the jet’s window as I stared out at the empty tarmac.
One month into this takeover, and progress against the competition was slower than I’d anticipated.
Unacceptably so.
And at this rate, my takeover would be complete in a decade and not a month.
“Where is Miss Stone, and why is she late?” I looked over at Ciara. “I could’ve sworn I told her to be here at four thirty a.m.”
“You told me to keep her ‘busy as hell’ and out of your sight as much as possible this week.” She shot me a look. “Remember?”
“I don’t recall saying that to you at all.”
“Oh… Maybe that was Aaron then.” She shrugged. “Sorry.”
“What other secret conversations have you two been having about me behind my back?”
“That’s the only one—minus the one where we’ve been working on some missing financials, but we weren’t planning to bring it to you until we figure it out.”
Of course.
I pulled out my phone to call Aaron, but stopped when a town car pulled in front of the jet’s stairway. He stepped out of the passenger side while the driver rushed to the back door with an umbrella.