Page 19 of Degrees of Innocence
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Swoosh…I look at my cell and see it’s an incoming message from Chase.
Message: Still pouting?
I don’t know what has gotten into me lately, but I am clearly attracted to this man and can’t help but smile at our game.
Reply: Still pouting… quite tormented and frustrated!
Message:Careful Baby or I will feel the need to come and put you out of your misery! Not joking!
Reply:Promises, promises… I am going to crawl into bed and try to sleep, although the ache between my legs is almost too much to bear…
Message:If you continue down this path I will be knocking on your door in a few moments. Do not tempt me. I want our first night together to be perfect and unrushed.
Reply:Okay, good night then. Still pouting.
Message: Good night, Baby. Sleep well, and remember what I told you about tomorrow.
Reply:I don’t know why tomorrow is going to be any different than today. I still need to work a little each night. I won’t argue, though…
Message:Sweet dreams.
The alarm on my phone pulls me out of a fitful sleep. I don’t feel rested at all after tossing and turning all night thinking about dark, smoldering green eyes, sandy hair, and a tall, muscular and tanned body pressing urgently against me. I shower and look through my closet, finally deciding on a black and gray jumper that I can pair with flats since I will be on my feet most of the day. I get dressed, throw on a little makeup, and allow my hair to air dry while I review the list of team members. I think we have the right balance of administrators and people that perform the jobs. I decide to have breakfast before I get to the conference room, hoping the food will settle my nerves a little. I order an omelet with Egg Beaters, fresh peppers, onions and mushrooms along with an English muffin and coffee.
When I reach the conference center, I pull up the presentation and spend time conversing with each team member as they arrive. It’s drawing near eight and everyone in attendance has gotten breakfast and is seated except Mr. Prestian.
“Welcome everyone. Thank you for freeing your schedules up and making the trip. I’m excited about the opportunity we’ve been given for developing a comprehensive healthcare delivery model in the Chicago area.”
I stop short as Chase walks into the conference room dressed in a dark suit. I’m sure the absolute confusion I feel is apparent.What is he doing here?He walks across the space and takes the microphone from my hand.
“Miss Meilers, I see you already have the presentation up. Ladies and Gentlemen, as you know, the facility we are about to create and design is the biggest community venture ever undertaken in the city of Chicago. It’s going to be the first of its size that will use Lean methodologies, before design. Lean is the concept of eliminating waste and streamlining processes to increase quality and efficiency. The focus on quality and service to our patients will ultimately drive effectiveness and cost, as a result. I am owner and chief executive officer of Prestian Corporation, and it’s my privilege to fund the collaboration between private and community clinics, community hospitals and what have historically been referred to as our community service programs. Miss Meilers has been gracious enough to allow me time on the agenda to discuss the importance of this project and outline the process we intend to use in developing this new healthcare delivery model and state-of-the-art facility. We will spend the week identifying areas of opportunities and developing a new model to improve care, and it will mean a significant change to all involved.”
He moves through the slides effortlessly, and I think I may be in a state of shock.
How is he the same man? Why didn’t he tell me?The reality hits me. I’m contractually obligated to work for this man, and in a relationship with him. I can’t seem to take my eyes off him, but he’s not even looking at me. In fact, he’s looking at everyone in the room, except me. I don’t understand and feel confused, hurt and embarrassed. I have to stay composed. Luckily, he’s only here for the hour and then will be heading back to the States which must be why he avoided having any more contact with me yesterday. As he nears the end of his presentation, I look up to catch him focused on my face.
“I have been extremely impressed with facility outcomes using this approach and look forward to working with the team this week as we develop a patient-centered approach to healthcare in Chicago,” he states.
He is staying all week?Surely I heard that wrong.
“Miss Meilers, thank you for allowing me to present. I will hand it back over to you now,” he says, smiling at me as he heads to the empty seat.
I review logistics of restroom locations, breaks, lunches, and then move into the morning’s agenda, feeling self-conscious and less than composed.
“Team, I’d like to start this morning with an icebreaker. Please share with the group where you work, your current position in the company, and what you expect to get out of this weeklong retreat. I will start, and then we can move to the left. I am Kate Meilers, and am employed by Torzial Consulting firm as a consultant for special projects. At the end of the week, I expect we will have mapped out new and improved processes for patients requiring any multitude of healthcare services and be in a position to design a state-of-the-art facility to support that.”
I’m always interested in what people believe they will get out of the week and listen intently as the team goes around the room, ending with Chase.
“I’ve already introduced myself, so I’ll just add that I expect by the end of the week we will have a future delivery model identified, but then will start the journey through cultural barriers and political resistance as we do the right thing for patients in our community.”
The rest of the morning goes as planned. Break approaches and I head for the door. I canfeel him, rather than see him, behind me. I keep moving... I just need some distance, and the bathrooms are right around the corner. As I approach the door, he grabs my arm.
“Katarina please, stop!” He turns me around to face him and looks down at me with an intensity I’ve not seen before. “I’ll explain everything tonight. It probably doesn’t make any sense right now, and I understand that.”
“No, I don’t think you do. You’re not the one that has been lied to and thoroughly embarrassed here,” I retort. I have to stay composed if I am going to get through this day. “I need to use the restroom before the break ends, so if you would kindly let go of me, I would appreciate it.”
He lets go of my arm, and I have to avoid his eyes, or I know the tears will come. I am so angry, hurt and confused right now. I head to the bathroom for a short reprieve before the meeting starts.
