The earthy floral scent carried the sweet vanilla, and on the back end of it was just a hint of spice. I was yet to figure out what it was, though.
“I’ve structured our day today around this early start,” I said, banishing the inappropriate thoughts from my mind. “We’ll work in a few more calls with clients in similar time zones to this one before lunch. We’ll eat earlier than usual, and hopefully, you’ll be able to get out of the office earlier.”
“And you?” She tilted her head to the side as she asked, a small V between her light eyebrows. “Will you also be leaving earlier?”
“Nope.” I chuckled and tore my gaze away from hers. I already had all the details to be discussed on this call in my head, but I needed a break from looking right into her warm eyes when she was so close, yet so completely out of reach. So I focused on the papers in front of me instead. “I rarely have the luxury of leaving early, but it’s by my own design. I don’t enjoy wasting time. There’s no one waiting for me at home, and I rarely go out, so staying at work just makes more sense.”
“That sounds incredibly…” She drummed her fingers over her lips before allowing them to form a small smile. “Sad. That’s just sad, Marco.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “Nah. I prefer it this way. The company is important to me. I’ve worked hard to get it to where it is today. Maybe there will come a time when I feel differently, but for now, it is what it is.”
She paused for a long second. Although I was still looking at the folder, I could see her in my periphery. “Yeah, I get that. I feel the same way, even though I’m obviously in a totally different position to you. For now, I’m also happy with the way things are.”
“That’s good. I can’t stand those people who are constantly complaining about their lives. If you don’t like where you are in life, move. You’re not a tree.”
“Did you just quote a meme?” She let out a surprised chuckle.
I lifted my shoulders but looked up again to wink at her. “Maybe the meme quoted me. Whichever way around it is doesn’t make it any less true.”
“Well, it’s true for some people. It’s not true for everyone, though. Some people can’t just move. It’s not that easy.”
I rocked my head from side to side, considering. “Maybe, but many people have overcome great adversity to get to where they are. Anyway, we can talk more about it later. We have to get that.”
The phone had started ringing, and I inclined my head toward it on my last sentence. Addy nodded and took a deep breath.
“I’m going to take the lead on the calls today,” I said. “I just want you here to learn how to talk to the clients and to get some firsthand experience.”
I jabbed at the green button with my finger, then plastered a smile on my face despite the fact the client couldn’t see me. Mother believed people could hear smiles, and it couldn’t hurt to try.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen.” There would be a team on the other end of the line, even if only Dave would speak.
Sure enough, only his voice came in reply. “Good morning, Marco. Thanks for speaking to us so early in your time.”
“It’s not a problem at all. I understand you have some issues keeping the Lee Shipping contracts in place now that we’ve acquired them.”
“Yes. We weren’t given notice of the pending sale. If we had been, we wouldn’t have signed the renewal. We’ve now been informed that the contracts remain valid, which doesn’t make sense. Information was kept from us. We shouldn’t be bound by those contracts.”
Leaning forward, I fixed the crescent-shaped phone on my desk with a stare. “What’s worrying you about keeping the contracts in place? I see how you might be concerned about not having been told about the sale, but we committed to honoring all the contracts the shipping line has in place. There won’t be any delays or extra cost to you.”
“It’s the principle of the matter. We won’t be cornered into doing business with someone. Besides, you say now that there won’t be any delays or extra costs, but what happens if there is? We’ve already signed those contracts. We’re locked in.”
“If there are any delays or extra costs, I’ll release you from the agreements you signed. We have no interest in hurting or milking the businesses of any of our clients, and that roster now includes you.”
“Why don’t you just release us now?” he huffed. “I trusted the Lees. I don’t even know you.”
“You don’t know me yet,” I corrected subtly. “I assure you we have a very capable team of people in place to take care of you. As for trusting Edward and his people, they’re staying with the company. We’ve taken them over with their entire workforce.”
“But he lied to me.”
I screwed my eyes shut, frustration mounting like lead hardening in my stomach. Arguing with the man wouldn’t convince him to stay with us.
Edward hadn’t lied to him, despite what he believed. The terms of our deal had been structured in such a way that it hadn’t been necessary for him to inform clients like Dave. Their contract values were below the limit and their businesses wouldn’t have been affected by the sale.
It was business as usual, simply under a new umbrella. The only real issue here was Dave’s hurt feelings, which were unfortunately a lot harder to work around than actual technical problems.
“If you’re uncomfortable with continued business with the team in China as a result of what has happened, we can appoint one of our team members here to look after you.”
He scoffed. “Another person I don’t know.”
“I’ll fly them out there to meet you.” Dave’s
