Awakening, 2nd edition (2 page)

A silver ancient chariot , which could have made a great addition to a car museum , closed up on the right and immediately disappeared behind. Robert didn ’t catch the driver ’s face, but had no doubts about the kind of language the chariot ’s owner would be using to express his feelings about blazing objects on the highway. On the left , a monstrous dirty trailer emerged and in a few seconds disappeared along with its deafening rattle and stinky exhaust. Rrrahh . . . Rrrahh . . .

Now the Porsche was merely a few yards away. Robert almost unnoticeably turned the wheel to the left and a moment later was riding next to the joyfully cruising Porsche. Honking wasn ’t necessary—the driver looked around on his own. For a second or two Robert looked straight into his eyes, having established that weird high-velocity momentary eye contact that highways had introduced to humankind. It wouldn ’t have been fun had this been a teenager who ’d just got his lice nse. But this particular specimen was definitely used to being the King of the Road. So he had it coming . . .

Smiling in the utmost charming way, Robert extended his right arm and presented a well-know n gesture to the stunned specimen . The s pecimen ’s astonishment was clearly amplified by the view of Robert ’s left hand, which was busy performing the same action. Then, without returning his hands to the steering wheel and relying only on his left knee to hold it, Robert pushed the gas pedal all the way to the floor. The red hand of the tachometer jumped up in indignation, the motor ’s roar outvoiced the pulsating sound of music and the Porsche carrying its appalled driver was left behind.

Robert leaned back. The straight road ahead pointed towards the horizon like a sharp arrow. He touched the smooth knob. It was time to turn the volume down. Rrrahh . . . Rrrahh . . . Good album. A precise match for this kind of road entertainment.

One day it’d be nice to trade a career in management for professional racing. There ’s nothing better than this feeling of an unstoppable blaze, of the blasting speed that, if not handled right, would smash you in a split second. Wrong, there ’s one thing that comes close. Very close actually. Rock climbing. That trip last summer . . . Monstrous brownish red rocks piled up in eternal chaos under the cloudless shrill eye-hurting blue sky. Naked interweaving roots of writhing trees drilling the rocks in an endless attempt to penetrate deeper. And the crumbling stone underneath his right foot. That was some lo-ong fall . . .

Later, Sandra told him that this time she had been sure he wouldn ’t make it. The luck had to stop somewhere. But it didn ’t stop on that day. And Sandra, Sandra of steel, Sandra “The Cat , ” famous across three continents for her bitter tongue and unbreakable strength, hung on him and cried like a schoolgirl when he finally returned, his face a bloody mask and his left arm motionless.

Getting this spice of life every day surely would feel different. You can ’t get this blood-boiling feeling at work. But the pay is fair. And it isn ’t boring. You can live with that level of boredom knowing that it pays for your mortgage, equipment, and trips around the world. Sometimes you even get a company-sponsored trip. Like the one happening next week. A workshop of mystery. . .

“Robert, I’d like to emphasize again how highly I think of you. You ’re one of the strongest managers of your level across the entire division, and you have such great potential. This training gives you an excellent opportunity to advance your skills. And you have no idea who ’s taken a direct interest in sending you over there.”

Say, I do have an idea. Not that I really care though. Nevertheless, this trip sounds more exciting than another week at work. He said that it was somewhere up in the mountains. I wonder if they ’ve got any good climbing spots out there . . .

Kevin

“May I?”

“Sure, Kevin. Come in, please.”

“Thank you, Cheryl. Do you have a few minutes?”

“You know that I can always find a minute for you, don't you?”

“Yes, I know and I really, really appreciate it. It's amazing how you manage to find time for everyone. You're so busy, yet your door is always open.”

“I'm just doing my job. Sit down, please. So, Kevin, how can I help?”

“You see, I don't even know where to begin . . . Do you remember the problem we discussed a few months ago?”

“Is it Dennis again?”

“Right. You're so good at guessing things. Yes, it is about him. It just seems that things haven't been going really well and I figured you should know about it . . .”

“What is it this time? Is it again about not letting you speak openly?”

“No, not really. It's something else . . . But you know I'm not so sure about this anymore. It felt right when I was walking to your office, but now . . . ugh . . . I’m just not sure. I respect Dennis, he's a very nice person, I wish him well, I admire him . . . and now it almost feels like I'm going over his head and complaining to his boss . . . It’s true, we don't see eye to eye on some things, but it's okay. I ’d better go . . . Sorry about taking your time.”

“Now, Kevin, would you please stay and tell me what's going on. You came to see me ; you're obviously concerned and it's my responsibility to know what's been bothering you.”

“But, Cheryl . . .”

“Please. Don't worry. I know that you of all people would never complain without a good reason. So please do tell.”

“All right. It's about the way he runs the team. Long story short, I have some ideas about how things should be done and quite obviously he doesn't see things the way I do. That's pretty much it.”

“Kevin, did you just come here to vent? You have to give me specifics or there isn't a whole lot I can do about the situation.”

“Well, Dennis and I . . . we seem to have a disagreement about our team's priorities. I think— okay, to put it simply I agree with the goals that you've outlined for the entire organization. You know me, I'd be the first one to tell you if I thought you were wrong. But the goals are great, the priorities are crisp and clear, there's a great direction . . . I mean, everything is in place. So it's a shame to see all of this being ignored. Just a shame. And for no good reason whatsoever. Not to mention these rumors . . .”

“What rumors? What are you talking about?”

“Oh no . . . that’s something I really can't discuss. Please don't get me wrong, but I just can't. It isn't work related and it's none of my business. Dennis can disagree with me all he wants when I advise him to follow your directions, but that's his right and it's appropriate for me to discuss his views. He's my manager, after all. But this stuff was strictly off the record, it was in a private chat, so—a nyway, thank you very much for your time. I probably didn’t make much sense here. Thank you and—”

“Kevin, don't go. Now you have to finish telling me this.”

“But Cheryl, it's nothing. Really. And frankly, how can I even repeat that stuff? Repeat it to you? I'd rather not. If I start telling you what Dennis tells people in the restroom it may go way, way too far. You can't even imagine how much respect I have for you. You're such a great leader, such a wonderful person . . . s o hearing him say this sh— excuse me, this stuff about you . . . t rust me, I was shocked and angry. And I don’t want you to end up feeling the same way.”

“Kevin, how many times do I have to ask you to stop beating about the bush and just tell me the truth?”

“Okay . . . But please, you've got to understand. . .”

“I don't get it. Why are you taking Kevin's people away from me? And where do they all go?”

“Let me repeat: I'm taking Kevin away because you're struggling with meeting your commitments as the manager of your team. Starting next week , Kevin will report directly to me. And if I were you, I'd try to stay more focused on my commitments. You keep doing that and Kevin’s team won’t be the last one.”

“Keep doing what? Cheryl, this must be a misunderstanding. You knew that we were going to slip. I told you! And you were fine with it! And how can Kevin report to you? Haven’t you said many times that you already have too many directs? And his team is just too small for that level.”

“Dennis, this behavior is exactly what I’m talking about. You’re not listening. You’re too busy arguing. Yes , you informed me, but only when it was too late to change anything. You need to stop judging your manager and focus on the work.”

“Judging my manager? Where did that come from?”

“Dennis, I’d appreciate it if you do not raise your voice when talking to me. As for Kevin, you don’t need to worry about the size of his team. I’m moving Emmant’s group under him.”

“Emmant’s? Are you serious? That’s like a hundred and fifty people combined. Kevin doesn’t have a clue on how to lead an org of that size!”

“Dennis, I consider this conversation over. Unlike you, Kevin will do just fine with my guidance and with a leadership class we’re sending him to. As for you, you have issues all over the place and you need to start taking your job more seriously. And to watch your language once in a while . . .”

Stella

“Let me reiterate : We won ’t be using your services on these terms.”

“But why? And what ’s this whole deal with the new terms? Dylan said this meeting was going to be just a formality. We were only supposed to finalize the timeline and shake hands.”

“I am so glad to hear that you ’ve established such a productive business relationship with Mr. Volano, ” Stella said in the same benevolent tone. “However, due to some unforeseen circumstances outside of his control, he couldn ’t make it to the meeting today. From now on, I represent our company, and any verbal commitments you might have received from Mr. Volano are no longer valid. Unless, of course, ” she smiled, this time coldly, “you can provide a written statement signed by any of our representatives—including Mr. Volano.”

The three men at the opposite side of the long, dark-wood table simultaneously shook their heads.

“Somehow, I expected this to be the case. So, do we have a deal?”

“It’s highway robbery, ” the red-haired, thickset man said grimly, nervously loosening his tie. “Highway robbery, I say.”

His tall, thin-lipped neighbor raised his palm in warning and sent him a sharp look. Stella waited patiently, keeping silent.

“You realize, of course, ” Thin Lips said flatly, “that your proposal is simply unacceptable. Instead of a deal, you ’ll bring a refusal to your management. A final and complete refusal.”

“And
you realize, of course, ”
Stella replied, subtly mimicking his polite tone, “that a refusal may cost you much more than the deal would have.” Her straight, black eyebrow moved up slightly.

“What the—” Red Hair erupted. “What are you insinuating here? Did you hear her? Did she just—” Thin Lips ’ palm firmly squeezed his shoulder.

“I see that we have reached a mutual understanding, ” Stella summarized with satisfaction. “Would you like to take some time to think this over? Perhaps discuss it with others? We can easily arrange another meeting.”

Thin Lips’ eyes studied her suspiciously. “Thank you for the offer, ” he said, after remaining silent for a while. “I think another meeting could be useful. We would like to request, though, that next time , your company sends its usual representative.”

Stella slowly shook her head.

“I’m not sure to whom you ’re referring. I am the sole representative of our company in this matter.”

She rose. Three figures in gray suits stood up with her.

“It was so nice to meet you . . . This was a great discussion . . . We ’ve taken a step in the right direction, ” she was saying a minute later while shaking hands with them. “You can contact my assistant to arrange the next meeting. Good to meet you all.”

Closing the door, she overheard the spiteful whisper behind her back.

“That bitch!”

Stella smiled.
A bitch? You ’re damn right about that!
That ’s who she wanted to be all her life. Dangerous, intimidating, with real power. And a bitch. A woman. A woman not inferior to any man in any way. Moreover, superior to most men. Not a ‘first lady ’ kind of a woman who ’s there just to smile when reporters take pictures of her powerful husband. And not even an invisible behind-the-scenes power figure—that artful seductress who, rumor has it, stands behind any successful man. No, not that kind of a woman. But the kind whose great power lies in herself.

It was not a coincidence that she had been chosen to conduct this meeting, which could potentially have a great impact on the entire company. First, she had to decipher the double game played so deviously by that sleazy Volano. Then, using every connection possible, push for a meeting with the right execs, test the waters carefully, stun them with an unquestionable proof, convince . . . And then , without losing momentum, unfold before their eyes her masterfully crafted plan. The plan, the fruit of three sleepless nights, was simply brilliant. Not only did it show the way to take care of the ugly situation at hand, but on top of that, it was turning the problem into a solution. With the right execution, it promised to result in a decent profit, nice PR, and, above all, to make the company a major player in this underdeveloped part of the industry that had been waiting for its new king. But to turn this plan into reality, they needed somebody who was up for that job. Somebody right.
Her.