Hello Quarterback (Hello #8)

3. Mia

3

MIA

I stood in front of the board for our quarterly meeting, just having presented my plan for acquiring Andersen Avenue. I knew I’d crushed the presentation, even though it wasn’t a project Griffen Industries typically invested in.

All I needed was a majority vote in favor of the acquisition, and I could extend an official offer to them before another investment banker realized what a good move the Andersen sisters were and took our chance.

“This will use the rest of our allotment for acquisitions for the year,” I said. “Unless there’s anything else, we can move forward with the vote.”

Several people were nodding their heads, shifting like they were getting ready, but then Thomas stood from his chair. “Actually, I have something else...”

As the CFO, Thomas had missed his calling as a model or a high-powered politician. With a head full of thick brown hair, a winning smile surely assisted by veneers that were flawless, an impeccable wardrobe, and a wife who talked him up at all company functions, he was well-liked within the company. By pretty much everyone except me. I felt like he’d been trying to undermine me since I started in my role as CEO.

Everyone turned to watch him, and I used the distraction to veil the frustration on my face. I sat back down at the long white table, settling into the sleek office chair with chrome finishings.

Now that he had the floor, he said, “Griffen Industries has a long track record of successful investments. None of them in this space. I’d like to find an alternate to propose to the board, more in line with our typical acquisitions and present it at the next meeting.”

My gaze narrowed at him. Thomas hadn’t even mentioned this in any of our meetings.

The CTO said, “Can’t be a bad idea to have more options, right, Mia?”

I ground my teeth together. “I wasn’t aware we needed more options.”

“Investing based on emotions and goodwill isn’t what got Griffen Industries to this point. But it sure as hell will drive us into the ground.”

It took all I had not to slug him. “Ignoring data and stalling for another quarter, there’s a chance another firm will extend an offer they can’t turn down.”

Thomas leveled his gaze at me. “Have they had other offers?”

Damn it. “Not at this time. Which puts us at an advantage so we don’t have to compete with other offers.”

Thomas said, “It seems like the fair thing to do is vote. All in favor of waiting for an additional, potentially more proven investment option?”

I clenched my fists under the table as, one by one, a majority of the people at the meeting raised their hands.

I got back to my office and slammed my notebook on my desk, chest heaving with frustration. Those fucking assholes.

I didn’t even have to close my eyes to remember Thomas standing pompously at the front of the boardroom, saying, “Investing based on emotions and goodwill isn’t what got Griffen Industries to this point. But it sure as hell will drive us into the ground.”

My jaw tensed as I shucked my heels and paced in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of my high-rise office, giving me an unmatched view of Dallas that I couldn’t even appreciate right now.

I’d done everything in the board meeting to show them how this could be beneficial for Griffen Industries, including a detailed presentation showing them we could be profitable within the first three years while building goodwill with the public. Something priceless for a company like ours.

I thought some of them were going for it, but Thomas was quick to turn the tables. I had no doubt he’d come back next quarter with some bland company to acquire, just like ones we’d done before. But deep down, I knew he wasn’t opposing this acquisition because it could be big for the company—only because it would be good for me.

A knock sounded on my glass door, and I turned to see my assistant, Vanover, with the door cracked. He looked stylish and professional as usual, his wavy brown hair gelled back and his suit perfectly tailored. “Tallie is here,” he said. “I can tell her to fuck off.”

I managed a smile, grateful for him. For some levity amidst my frustration. “It’s okay, Van. Send her in.”

He shrugged like he wouldn’t mind the chance to annoy my head of PR. “Can I get you something? Perhaps some ice water to dump on that hot head of yours?”

I rolled my eyes. “An ashwagandha green tea would be nice.” My wellness specialist had given me several tips to help with the stress that came with this job. And since I didn’t want to have a heart attack at fifty thanks to stupid Thomas, I followed most of her advice.

Vanover nodded and left for a moment before returning with Tallie Hyde. She had a sharp nose and an equally pointed gaze with hazel eyes, pale skin, and a caramel-colored bob.

She glanced from my head to my bare feet. “Grounding only works if you’re not six hundred feet in the air,” she deadpanned.

I gave her a wry smile. “Is something happening? We don’t have a meeting scheduled.” The last thing I needed right now was a crisis.

“We do now,” she said, approaching my glass meeting table with an armful of manila folders. Her short hair fell over her face as she leaned over, stacking them neatly on the table.

“What is this?” I asked.

“You know not all PR happens in the outside world, right? Internal PR is an essential part of my position.”

I nodded slowly, standing across the table from her. It was important to keep the employees in the organization satisfied and help them feel like a part of the team. One of the reasons I’d been looking for just the right CPO for a while now and why I wrote a “Letter from the CEO” once a month.

Tallie tucked her bob behind one ear. “Well, Thomas is running a campaign of his own to undermine you as CEO. If you don’t watch out, not only will he tank this acquisition when it comes to a vote next quarter, but he’ll also get you booted from this position at the earliest opportunity.”

As if on cue, Vanover returned with my tea. If it wasn’t steaming hot, I would have chugged it. He handed it to me, then passed Tallie a cappuccino with a swan swirl on top.

“Thank you,” she said, taking a sip. I swore her eyes lingered on him a moment longer than usual as he dipped his head and walked away.

We both sat at the table. I blew on the tea and then took a scalding drink before setting it down. “Tell me you have a plan. Because right now, the only idea I can come up with is decking him in the nose.”

“Good thing that scenario is included in our emergency procedures.”

I couldn’t tell if she was joking.

She took another drink, and for a moment, it struck me how different it was to be sitting at this table with Tallie, when I used to be at the secretary’s desk, watching her work with Gage.

Life had changed so much in the last few years.

Immune to my nostalgia, she said, “There are several ways to change your employees’ perception of you. However, most of these are tactics you’re already doing well. Fair pay, generous benefits, time off, a culture of accountability and integrity, volunteering...”

“But...” I said, eyeing the folders.

“You can become more relatable, more sympathetic,” she said.

I raised my eyebrows. Relatable? I’d done everything I could not to be relatable, rising above what society expected of a chubby blond secretary. I’d worked my way up, obtained a master’s degree, worked with the best mentors money could buy. I wanted to be an outlier, not another predictable statistic.

“How would you suggest I become more relatable?” I asked. “I don’t have time for a puppy.”

Tallie’s lips quirked in half a smile, and she tugged a folder away from the stack, dropping it on the floor. “What do you think most of our employees do when they go home?”

I shrugged. “Work out, hang out with family, go on dates, have a life?”

Tallie nodded. “What if you picked up a sport?”

“Hot yoga doesn’t count?”

She shook her head. “Too individual. Maybe softball? We have a company league.”

I laughed. Genuinely. “ Next .”

She shuffled aside another folder. “You could be seen publicly with your parents. Having aging parents is something so many people can rela?—”

“Next,” I said.

She opened her mouth to argue, but I shook my head. “My family is off-limits. They are not pawns in this company’s game.”

Nodding solemnly, she picked up the last folder. “You could have a relationship.”

I pushed back my chair to stand and started pacing again. “What is this? The eighteenth century? I need a man to gain approval in this company? No. Dating someone just to get ahead is against everything I stand for! I made damn sure nothing ever happened with Gage because when I earned a promotion, I didn’t want anyone to think I’d slept my way to the top.”

Tallie eyed me evenly, unphased. “Are you done?”

I pressed my lips together, continuing to pace.

“What does Thomas’s wife do at every company event? Every day when she brings his lunch to the office?”

My shoulders sagged as I stared out over the city, the skyline hazy with smog. “She campaigns for him.” We both knew it. Every word out of her mouth was strategic. And charming. And earning Thomas’s favor amongst the board.

“Can’t we ask an employee to talk me up?” I asked.

She folded her arms across her chest, making her blazer’s shoulders bunch. “You could. But it won’t be as effective since you’re paying them.”

“Thomas pays his wife to stay home!” I rebutted. Their kids were all grown, they didn’t have a pet—or really anything their team of housekeepers didn’t care for.

“We both know plenty of rich housewives who hate their husbands,” she replied. “Thomas’s relationship is refreshing. Gives people hope. That’s something you could have too, with the right partner.”

My phone speaker buzzed, and Vanover said, “Look sharp.” Our code that someone important was walking through.

I stalled by my desk and slipped my heels back on. “You have to be kidding me, Tallie. This was your idea? Throw a ball around? Exploit my parents? Date someone? I’m not in middle school. I’m perfectly capable of running a company without a man.” Then I remembered Vanover listened to almost all my meetings so he could take notes. “A man other than Vanover,” I corrected.

I glanced through the window to see him stifling a smile at the reception desk.

Tallie stayed seated, keeping her calm far better than me. I practiced a breathing technique, taking two quick breaths and then releasing them slowly.

“I want you to listen with an open mind,” she said.

I paused for a long moment. “Okay.”

She eyed me skeptically.

“Okay!” I shook out my shoulders and leaned back against my desk.

“Picture this—you have a high-powered ‘boyfriend,’ someone who is well-liked amongst the company. He comes to charities, galas, and the company picnic with you. In the moments you’re separated, he talks you up to the people who respect him—the ones you’re trying to win over. When the vote comes next quarter, you won’t only have the data and vision on your side—you’ll have the swing vote.”

I blinked slowly, absorbing her idea.

Tallie said, “It only takes one person being your hype man, to have confidence in you, to show everyone else that they should too.”

I looked up at her. “You really think this will work?”

She squared her shoulders, nodded. “If it doesn’t, I’ll resign.”

Studying her, I could tell she meant it. “Why would you do this, Tallie?”

She lowered her gaze and looked back up at me. “My mom and I lived in a homeless shelter after she left my dad. For me, this isn’t just business. This is personal.”

I nodded. “Okay then, let’s get started.”