Page 13 of Crave Me

CHAPTER 4

Evan

Clifton and Anne rush around the long conference table placed near the wall of windows. When I originally set up my office, I envisioned it as the perfect place to work. I could take in the busy streets forty-nine stories below, as well as watch the sun set between the neighboring buildings. But my days have allowed me to enjoy very little, and for too many days the sun has set without me noticing.

Maybe I should regret the days that have passed. But I’ve been so focused on saving my company, regrets are something I can’t afford.

I stop pacing, my attention pausing halfway down the diagnostics report I’m reviewing. “Have Davies and Munro implemented the changes to the capacitor for the new Mechanicus prototype?”

“Yes, Evan,” John replies.

“And?”

John smiles. “The control is far superior.”

“Good.” I make a note on the page. “What about the new micro-camera?”

It’s Scott who answers. “We subbed out the lens as per your instructions. The picture quality is twenty percent better. Trials will begin in two weeks.”

“One week,” I correct, meeting him in the eye. “Make it happen.”

He looks at John who nods. “All right, Evan. You’ve got it.”

Scott and John rush out, their lab coats flapping behind them in their haste. Clifton and Anne stay put, speaking quietly as they iron out the final details of the presentation. My building is filled with robotics engineers and software specialists, but it’s my marketing and sales team led by Clifton and Anne who will make the world aware of what iCronos has to offer. I’m proud of the progress my company has made in the short time since my arrival, but there’s more to be done before we work our way out of debt.

With the advanced technological breakthroughs we’ve developed here and in London, iCronos will be the global juggernaut the world needs. The first step, and one of the most important, takes place today.

I adjust the glasses I’m wearing. “The CEO of Presbyterian Medical Center is confirmed for this morning, correct?”

Clifton glances up. “Yes, Evan. Originally, it was going to be the Vice President and a few of the chairs.” He sighs, appearing hopeful. “But after your call, the CEO plans to attend. Oh, and the board and CEO of Saint Martin’s will follow after lunch.”

“Good,” I say. I place the folder down and reach for my coffee, taking a sip. It’s already cold. That doesn’t stop my smile when I see the large spinning flakes and remember who I met the last time it snowed.

Wren. Dear God, I can’t stop thinking about her.

She’s not someone I expected to meet, much less interact with on a personal level. A strong, vibrant woman with an underlying softness and sensuality who continues to fascinate me. I’d like to convince her to give me a chance, not that I’m certain how.

“It’s not a good time for me to get to know someone,” she’d said. If I’m being honest, it’s possibly the worst time for me as well. But I can’t ignore what I feel, and I’m thoroughly gobsmacked by this woman.

I’ve wanted to call her and thank her again, but refrained. She’s worked hard to build her stellar reputation (yet one more thing I admire about her) and I want to respect her request for space. Not that this means I’m done pursuing her.

She texted late yesterday to tell me my vehicle had arrived. I was in the middle of a production meeting. My response was brief, informing her that a car service would take me to the dealership in the morning. I’d planned to call her, but the meeting’s conclusions had me working late, and instead of the service taking me to the dealership, I had it bring me to the office just before dawn, to prepare for a meeting with my nanotechnologists. I’ve only had time to text her that I’m busy and that I’ll be by around six this evening. She assured me she’d wait for me. My hope is once we’re finished with business, she’ll agree to have dinner with me.

“I have a good feeling about this, Evan,” Anne says, beaming. “A great feeling.”

I nod, but don’t respond, forcing my thoughts back to the task at hand.

Anne straightens from where she’s stacking the presentation folders. Her hair is bleached so blond it’s white, cut short around her skull except for the top which is long enough to fall to one side. Today she’s in a dark purple suit and black shoes that match the large black frames of her glasses. She is a very intelligent woman, and supremely gifted when it comes to marketing and developing new sales strategies. I trust her and Clifton immensely, I only wish I could say that about more of my staff.

“I’ve barely slept,” she adds. “I’m so excited and really want this to go well today.”

“I do, too,” Clifton agrees. “But I’ll admit, we’re taking a risk by targeting hospitals that are community and charity oriented.”

“We have an ethical responsibility to take that risk,” I reply. “But both facilities need the technology to compete with hospitals in the surrounding areas. It’s the only way they can continue to run and care for their aging and economically challenged population.”

“It’s the right thing to do,” Anne says. “And a great product we’re offering. Adeptus will help thousands suffering from cancer and propel iCronos as a leader in nanorobotics.”

She’s right. Adeptus will potentially change the lives of millions world-wide.

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