Sophia Jones was a few months away from finishing her master and she was terrified. She didn't want to admit to anyone including herself that she didn't know what to do after. All she's ever known is studying and studying. Getting into the world wit...
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They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.
Andy Warhol
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When I went to see Sophia I didn't expect things to go that way. I expected her to get mad to scream at me but she was calm the entire time.
And that was something I always admired about her. The way she communicates her feelings in a calm and calculated way allows you to have a proper conversation.
But even with that calm voice, I could feel how hurt she was and how much I screwed up.
Everything she said was true and I had no excuse for myself.
Her words were definite as if she was telling me a forever goodbye but I wasn't going to let that happen.
Talking to her only made me realize that I wanted her more. That a future without her would be empty and meaningless.
Getting coffee in the morning by myself made the coffee taste like sand.
The lack of her cupcakes for lunch made the break sour and boring.
The gym looked awfully empty all of the sudden and my motivation to exercise went downhill.
And all those moments had something in common. They were good memories related to her.
She was the cause of my happiness in those moments and brought excitement to my life.
Taking that happiness from me felt the same way it felt when my mother was taken from me.
But this time I could still fix it. I still had time to get her back.
When I went back to the office on Monday I held an emergency meeting with the marketing department.
"I'll go directly to the point. It came to my ears multiple rumors of my possible relationship with Sophia Jones. It also got to my ears all kinds of ridiculous speculations and very serious accusations. So I'm going to ask you once and if none of you are honest the consequences will be applied to all of you." My jaw was clenched and all of them looked at me carefully unaware of what was awaiting them.
"But before that let me be clear. The people I befriend and the relationship I have with them in and outside the company is my own business. Your job is not to gossip about me but to work on your tasks. As for how I recruit my employees is none of your business either but since you are curious, everyone goes through an interview where their qualifications are questioned and tested. No one gets into my company without proving they have potential."
My anger was growing by the minute.
"I met Eleanor outside the business and then decided to hire her. Does that mean I slept with her? I met Andrew on vacation by accident and after a casual talk, I decided to hire him. Does that mean I slept with him? Do you see how ridiculous that sounds? So my point is that none of the things I do is your business."
Then I let out a stern look at them and asked the question.
"Who said those disrespectful words to Sophia?" Everyone went dead silent. For about two minutes no one said anything so I decided to put pressure.
"If none of you say anything I'll expect all your resignation letters by this afternoon." I stood from my chair to leave the room.
Gasps and murmurs were heard until someone spoke up.
"It was Carlise," Amanda said, pointing at Carlise who looked betrayed.
"Is that true?" I looked like her like I was ready to murder her.
"I...Sir...no...I mean not really... someone told me that" she was stuttering and looking everywhere for people's support.
"Did you or did you not say that about your colleague? I'm giving you a chance to speak before I resort to legal actions" My words were definite and deadly.
"I...I...I did" She finally admitted.
"Anyone else?" I looked around at them, they looked terrified.
Two more people raised their hands saying they believed Charlise and badmouthed Sophia.
"The three of you go to HR to sign your resignation papers. And for the rest let this be a lesson. You are here to work and not to badmouth and spread rumors. If you are jealous of someone make sure you're better and try to excel on your own. I plan to have this same meeting with other departments. It seems like I've been too permissive and my employees have relaxed."
Of course, it spread to the entire office and word even got to the other offices I manage.
I was ignorant while probably many more employees like Sophia were being disrespected at work. She was a motivator but I did that before.
Everyone who worked with me for years knew I do not permit bullying in my company or any other disrespectful attitude.
—
"Can I get the company if I get Mariano out of the plan?" I asked Alex, my lawyer.
"Yes, you'll still have a total of 62% if you decide to go on without Mariano. However, you won't have it easy. You'll have to use Plan B for that." Alex said, checking his papers.
"Good, then we'll go with plan B," I said without a second thought.
"That is surprising. Can I ask you why you changed your mind?" Alex knew I was someone who calculated every move, especially in relation to the plan.
"He hurt someone important to me and I realized that person was more important than him." Alex looked surprised.
"Are you finally settling down?"
"Maybe, if I fix my mistake and she still wants me around" I admitted but I didn't have much confidence in my words.
I spent the rest of the week having meetings with other departments in all my offices and came to realize how Sophia's situation wasn't an isolated case.
About twenty employees were fired in total and that got me in a foul mood. It made me see how out of tune I was with my own employees and decided to change that for the future.
After work, I skipped gym and went directly home to read books about feminism and what it really means to be a woman. I also watched documentaries about the topic.
And even if I know some things are biased I got a general idea and finally understood why Sophia felt that way.
I was supposed to give her protection and all I gave her was doubt and insecurities. No one smart enough would settle for that.
It also made me understand many of my mother's insecurities and why she was mad many times with my father.
But I wasn't going to give up no matter what.
So I designed a new plan to win Sophia over. I was determined to do anything in my power to get her back.
And the first thing I did was go buy flowers and get her coffee. Then show in front of her door on Saturday morning.
"Luke?" She opened the door half asleep. It was clear I woke her up and I kind of felt bad but seeing her like that was worth it.
Her hair was a cute mess and that baggy pajama made her look smaller than she is. Despite all that, my heart was beating fast in my chest both from being nervous and excited to see her.
"Good morning, I'm sorry to come so early but I want to talk to you" She gave me a questioning look.
"At 8 am on a Saturday morning?" She said, arching a brow.
"Well, I have a business meeting at lunch so I don't have any free time so I came as soon as I woke up. I want to tell you the truth." She let out a defeated sight and opened up the door larger to let me in.
