Page 23 of Finding Love in the Clouds

“You have built a strong company. Your staff is loyal and knows how to do their jobs. You are holding onto the reins with a white-knuckled grip, and you need to just let go and let people do their jobs without you looking over the shoulder and sitting in on every meeting. FK Media Group will still be standing when we get back, I promise. This is your chance to see that the company can survive without your fingers in every single pot so you can take more time to take care of yourself,” Sophie explained calmly.

Fernando took a deep breath, trying to calm the maelstrom brewing within him. “I hear what you are saying, but I am sayingnot now. Return my computer, Sophie.”

Saddened by his refusal to even consider the idea, she went to her own computer and pulled out a cream envelope of superior quality, which she handed to him.

“We love you, and we are worried about your health long term. Your staff is worried about your health as well. When your vice presidents come to your office and find you dead asleep on your desk at a time you requested they come to see you for a progress briefing, they understand firsthand that you are burning your candle at both ends and the middle.” She knew this would be difficult for him, and compassion reflected in her stormy gray eyes.

“That happened twice!”

“More like twice a month. They stopped coming through your door. They stop by my office, and we check to see if you’re sleeping. If you’re awake, I announce them. If you’re asleep, we let you be, and I reschedule the meeting. They all know how overworked you are, so they take the blame for rescheduling the meeting. Life goes on, but they worry about you, too.”

“The VPs all know that they are supposed to be sending me updates on the various projects while I’m gone. It will look unprofessional if I don’t respond.”

“Actually, Anthony and Gabe wrote a letter to everyone explaining that you would be taking time away and that anything urgent was to be forwarded to them, including any updates they were to send you over the next three weeks. It was signed by all four brothers, so the staff knew it was legit, and I hand-delivered it to all the VPs before we left. No one questioned it. Most, if not all of them, said it was about time you took a vacation.”

“My brother’s had no right to do that!”

“Actually, you own forty-five percent of the company, but your brothers, together, have fifty-five. That is why they all signed it. Theymake up the board. They said you were taking a vacation, and no one can argue with that.” Sophie could see the shell shock on Fernando’s face and rushed on. “No one is taking your company from you. Read the letter. It will help everything make sense.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Fernando could hardly breathe as he slid a finger under the lip of the envelope and popped it open. Hannah’s elegant cursive was at the top, but he could see that each of his brothers contributed to the letter.

Fernando,

Take a breath. I know this is hard for you, but understand that it was done out of love. There is no hostile takeover in the works. We all want what is best for you, and taking time away was not going to happen without some help from others. Julio’s pact was the perfect excuse to get this time booked into your schedule. Let go and trust that it will all work out alright. We love you, ~Hannah

Hey, man,

I get it if you’re mad, but listen, you and your company need this. You have hired amazing staff. You are an excellent leader, if a bit too controlling. Three weeks is a great test. Nothing tooterribly wrong can happen in that amount of time, especially with Anthony and I keeping an eye on things. The departments that keep things rolling smoothly or even jump ahead when not smothered by the CEO can be given some breathing room, and you will know that they will be fine. You can stop babysitting them. The departments that struggle while you’re gone, you’ll know need retrained, new leadership, or perhaps even restructured completely. You and I both know you can’t keep this up. This is the opportunity to see what’s what, and when you get back, we will come up with a plan to fix anything that’s broken. It is my personal belief that it will all work out well and when you get back, Anthony and I have a proposal for you. For now, enjoy your time with Sophie, remember what I said, and trust that we have your back. ~Gabe

Fernando,

It is your health as a brother and the health of the company that motivates us to take such extreme action. Gabriel and I believe this is the best move for the company. Trust your family; that perhaps is the biggest challenge of them all right now. You’ve got this. ~Anthony

Fern,

Don’t blame Sophie. She is worried about you and reached out to Hannah. We were here and jumped into action. You know us, it’s what we do. Don’t try to circumnavigate things with your phone; I took those privileges away, too. For now, stay in your lane- tourist and Loverboy. Have fun! ~Rique

Fern,

You know I’m the most silent of all silent partners, but I agree with the brothers on this one. You need a break. Take it from someone who knows. Either you take it when you can, or you take it when you have to, and usually, the latter version comes with titanium plates and stitches. I know you got on that plane to face your fear of flying, but you and I both know that isn’t your biggest fear. You chose the fear that was the most inconvenient, but I challenged you to face the fear that was holding you back. Don’t be a chicken. Remember to enjoy the adventure. ~Julio

Oh, and if you make that little lady cry over this, you will answer to me.

Fernando sighed deeply as he finished the letter from his family. They knew him so well, and it was clear they wanted what was best for him, but he was still seething inside at their intrusion into his business. Yes, they invested heavily in him, and together, they had been successful. Anthony and Gabe had been his biggest supporters and business advisors over the years. What they said made sense, but why didn’t they talk to him about it? He felt like a child being managed, not an adult with a multi-billion-dollar media empire to run.

“Are you okay? Hannah said the letter would clear things up, but you are still very upset,” Sophie said in a small voice.

“It did clear things up. I’m not mad at you or them, really. I mean, I am, but I’m not. It’s complicated,” Fernando said, waving the letter in the air in frustration before walking to the bed and flopping down on his back with a soft chuckle.

“What’s funny?” Sophie asked, coming to stand beside him.

“Rique said I needed to stay in my lane on this trip and just be a tourist. He’s NSA, not military. He has been spending too much time with his Ranger buddies. Their lingo is rubbing off on him.”

“Wait, Enrique is in the National Security Agency? That makes so much sense now!”

Fernando sat up abruptly and grabbed her hands, startling her. “Forget you heard that. Just forget that completely. You know nothing. Do you hear me, Soph? This is important!”

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