Page 17 of Basil

“So, a shop? Like…with candles and essential oils?” one of Drew’s team members asked Summer.

“Yes,” Summer replied smiling.

She loved her store, and it was a great place to shop. She stocked fair trade and locally made items. She was passionate about what she sold, and people flocked to her place, which was why she was so busy during opening hours.

“Good thing you hooked up with Basil then, right? He’s loaded,” one woman tittered.

“And will be even more so when the company goes public,” another said.

Summer, once again, walked away.

“I’m almost too scared to open the last one, Jessie,” I admitted.

She gave me a sad smile. “It’s thebestone.”

I sighed. Summer wasn’t in the video, just Drew and one of her junior executives whose name I didn’t remember.

“Does she even know what an IPO is?” the junior executive said.

“Probably thinks it’s an essential oil.” Drew burst out laughing.

“I can’t believe Basil is still dating her.”

Drew drank some wine. She was drunk, it was apparent from how she swayed. “Not for long…not if I have anything to do with it.”

I stared at the black screen, a dull ringing in my ears.

Jessie’s voice was gentle. “I debated showing you this. But…when I heard what Drew was saying, I felt like you should have this. I don’t know why you and Summer broke up and, frankly, it’s none of my business. But what is my business is that someone uploaded these videos, which means some of our colleagues watched them. I hate to say this, but Drew is a liability. And, honestly, I like Felix as a CHRO, but his behavior was appalling, and I don’t quite know what to do with how I feel.”

My throat felt dry. “This is not easy to process.”

“I know.” She exhaled. “It isn’t easy for me either.”

I ran a hand through my hair. “Summer kept telling me this was happening and I kept….”

A thick silence settled between us before she spoke again. “Look, Basil. You’re a good CEO. People respect you.” She paused. “But they also think that to get ahead, they have to be your friend.”

I looked up at her sharply. “That’s not true.”

She tilted her head. “Isn’t it?”

I opened my mouth, then closed it.

Jessie stood, smoothing out her blazer. “Our best employees are starting to wonder if being good is enough—and if being in your inner circle is how one gets ahead in this company.”

“Thanks, Jessie. This took courage. I’m deeply indebted to you.”

“Just doing my job, Basil.”

“I’m going to have some conversations with the board and some others in the leadership team. I think…no, I know that I’m going to need your help in conveying some messages to the company both through actions and words.”

I rose and held out my hand. “I appreciate you, Jessie.”

She smiled and shook my hand. “I’m here to support you in any way that I can, Basil, and I appreciate you as well.”

8

NO BAND-AID LARGE ENOUGH

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