PERSEVERANCE

Perseverance - 13

After the meeting with John, Emily felt a restless need to tell Steve everything that had transpired. She dialed his number, only to be met with a busy signal. Frustrated, she waited a few moments and then tried again. Still no answer. Sitting across from her, Madison noticed 

Emily's frown deepen with each failed attempt to reach him.

Unable to resist, Madison reached for her own phone and tried calling Steve. The line connected almost immediately, and a fleeting look of disappointment crossed Emily's face. She had hoped she would be the one to break the news to him, yearning for any interaction that might soften the sting of his recent silent treatment. She wanted so badly to make up with Steve, but he seemed intent on keeping her at a distance.

On the other end, as Steve's phone rang, Madison fumbled for words. "Steve, I... I want to meet you." She glanced sideways at Emily, whose eyes flickered with a hint of frustration, prompting Madison to hastily correct herself. "I mean... we want to tell you what happened in the meeting." She sighed inwardly, feeling her attempt at professionalism crumble slightly.

Just then, a cool, calm voice interjected on the other end: it was Emma. "During lunch, on the rooftop." Madison's face dropped as she realized Emma was the one holding the phone and not Steve. She wanted to demand that Emma hand the phone to him, but the line abruptly went dead. Her shoulders slumped slightly, resigned to the fact that she'd have to wait.

An hour later, as the lunch break approached, both Emily and Madison waited in Emily's office, each woman lost in her own thoughts. The silence between them was palpable, tinged with tension and anticipation. Finally, Madison stood and murmured, "I'll see you on the rooftop," before heading to her office to prepare. Determined to gain Steve's attention, she ordered his favorite food from a local restaurant. She thought that maybe, if she brought him something he loved, he might soften toward her—or at least talk to her.

When the lunch hour arrived, Madison was the first on the rooftop, arranging the food neatly and glancing around, hoping Steve would show up alone. But soon, Emily appeared, followed by Emma, each carrying their own air of tension. Finally, Steve emerged, his expression unreadable. Madison's heart quickened, and she tried to steady her voice as she offered him the food she'd brought.

"Thank you," he said with a measured tone, his voice calm but dominant. "But let's talk about the meeting first."

Emily and Madison exchanged glances, a brief acknowledgment of shared frustration before Emily finally spoke up. "Steve, Elena is stepping down. She's taking retirement..."

Steve's gaze remained steady, studying her. He sensed there was more, his expression prompting her to continue. After a tense pause, Emily added quietly, "And... they're planning to bring in a new CEO for the company."

He absorbed this, his thoughts taking a dark turn. Emily, Madison, and Emma watched him closely, sensing his dissatisfaction. His face betrayed nothing, yet they could tell he was not pleased.

Turning to Madison, he said coldly, "That's why... anger is a human's biggest enemy." He paused, his eyes glinting with a hidden calculation. "I manipulated Elena to make her the common enemy. I could do it again, if necessary." He left it unsaid, but the uncertainty lingered: he wasn't sure this new CEO could be controlled. He hated the risk, the unfamiliarity of it, but he couldn't deny that it was a calculated move he had taken for their benefit.

Resolving to keep his doubts to himself, he looked at each of them, assessing their loyalty. "Whatever happened is in the past. We have to focus on the future," he said, his voice cool and authoritative. "But don't think for a second that you're off the hook. Once we measure the impact of your mistakes on our goal, your punishment will be decided."