Page 13 of Degrees of Acceptance
“Has anyone every told you how insufferable you can sometimes be,” I exclaim. “Seriously,” I fume.
He laughs. “In fact… yes, I believe it was you that last called me insufferable,” he states with a grin.
“I am serious, and you are making fun. I’ve got lots to do and want it to be done well. Why can’t you understand that I enjoy my work?”
“Katarina, you’re such a mystery in so many ways. The ladies I’ve known previously would like nothing more than not to work. I’m pleased you enjoy your job, but I don’t want to see you work your life away and never have a chance to enjoy it.”
“I know that Chase, and I appreciate your concern, but this project will make a difference in people’s lives. I also don’t want your employees to think I am handing over my job to other people and lollygagging. I’d like for them to get to know the hard-working kind of person that I am.”
“Allow your team to support you and you will be able to produce much more and, as a result, have a much better work-life balance. I learned that years ago but didn’t know about the theory of constraints at the time. Mary said you approved of Renee as your assistant. She has been with the company quite some time, and has a lot of untapped potential.”
I yawn, and it does not go unnoticed. He scoops me up gently, kissing me on the forehead as he carries me through the suite and places me on the king-size bed. I wiggle out of the robe and slip underneath the goose down covers while he is in the bathroom, thinking about how I can make him understand how I feel, but I am overcome by the long day and fall asleep.
CHAPTER THREE
In the morning, I shower and set out to find Chase. By this time he has usually gotten his workout in, and is already eating breakfast. I can’t find him so I decide to text him.
Message:Where are you?
Reply: At work.
Message:I thought the plan was to head in together. It’s only 7 a.m.
Reply:Text Jay when you’re ready.
Message: Are you okay? Why did you leave without me?
Reply:Get some breakfast. I’ll call you shortly.
Is he mad about me working? Jeez!
Going through the closet, I make a mental note to do some clothes shopping so I can leave some here as well as at the house. I text Jay to let him know I am ready to go.
Message: Okay. We’re going to need about 10 minutes. I’ll text you when we’re clear.
Reply: Clear?
Message: Clear.
I’m puzzled, but take the few minutes to have a banana. My phone rings and I answer Chase’s ringtone.
“Katarina, I don’t have a lot of time to talk, but we’ve had a lot of backlash from pulling out of the overseas deal. Security is being tightened for everyone. Jay will be up shortly to escort you to work, and he’ll have a couple other members of his team with him. They will be assigned to you going forward. I’ll fill you in when you get here,” he says.
“Okay,” I say, wondering what could have happened.
“What, no arguments this morning?” he asks.
“No, I told you I am going to try to leave things up to you,” I say.
“Good, I’ll see you when you get here,” he says, and I think I hear the relief in his voice before he hangs up.
The knock sounds a few seconds later, and I open the door to find Jay standing there with two men. “Kate you remember Sheldon and Derek from Aruba,” he says. They extend their hands to greet me with a “nice to see you again ma’am,” making me at once feel older than my twenty-six years.
“Come in,” I say, inviting the men into the foyer. Jay closes the door behind them.
“We’re going to have to go over a few things, Kate. First, I need you to put both Sheldon and Derek’s numbers in your phone contacts. They already have yours,” he says.
“Right now?” I ask, my eyes rising in question.
