Page 58 of The CEO's Sweetheart Deal
The drive to Rooted Pantry feels like it takes eons, even though it's only a few miles. I stride through the familiar lobby, nodding to the security guard as I make my way to Alice's office.
But she's not there. Her office is dark, the door closed.
I spot a light coming from another office down the hall and head toward it. Sydney is there, packing a box with personal items.
She looks up as I enter, her expression hardening. "Well, look who it is. The man himself."
"Sydney," I say, ignoring her tone – we can repair bridges later. "Where's Alice?"
"Why? So you can break her heart all over again?" She shoves a framed photo into the box with unnecessary force. "Haven't you done enough damage?"
"I didn't authorize those layoffs," I say. "I've just come from a board meeting where I got them suspended. Everyone's being offered their jobs back."
She pauses, surprise briefly crossing her face before the skepticism returns. "Too little, too late, don't you think?"
"I need to explain to Alice. Please, do you know where she is?"
She studies me for a long moment, as if weighing her options. Finally, she sighs.
"She doesn't want to see you, Oscar. She's made that pretty clear."
"I understand that, but if I could just explain?—"
"No," she cuts me off firmly. "You need to respect her wishes. She handed in her resignation an hour ago."
The words hit me like a physical blow. "What?"
"Yep." She closes her box and seals it with tape. "She's done. With Rooted Pantry, with you, with all of it."
"She can't just leave," I say, though even as the words leave my mouth, I know how ridiculous they sound. Of course she can leave. And of course she did.
"Actually, she can. And she did." Sydney picks up her box. "And for what it's worth, I think it's for the best. I hear you; you didn’tauthorize those layoffs, but it’s too much for her after everything you two have gone through.”
“Sydney,” I gasp, hating that she’s probably right.
“You've hurt her enough for one lifetime, don't you think?" she asks, though her voice is more sad than anything else.
I step aside to let her pass, but before she reaches the door, I call after her.
"Sydney, please. Tell her I never meant for any of this to happen."
She stops, turning to face me with a tired expression. "You know what your problem is, Oscar? Maybe you never mean for the bad things to happen, but somehow, they always do. At least where Alice is concerned."
Her words strike home with painful accuracy. I stand stock still, speechless, as she walks out, leaving me alone in the empty office.
I make my way back to Alice's office and try the door. It's unlocked. Inside, everything looks normal at first glance, but as I move closer to her desk, I notice the personal touches are gone. The framed photos, the small plant she kept on the corner, the stack of notebooks she always had within reach — all vanished. All that remains are the company-owned items and a single envelope in the center of the desk.
I pick it up and see it’s addressed to the board. Her formal resignation letter, I presume.
Feeling like an intruder, I set it back down and leave the office, closing the door softly behind me. In the lobby, I hesitate, then approach the receptionist.
"Do you have a current address for Alice?" I ask.
The young woman looks uncomfortable. "I'm sorry, Mr. Glynn, but Ms. Mackie left explicit instructions not to share her personal information with anyone from the company."
"I see." I pull out a business card and write ‘Please, let’s talk’on the back of it. "If you speak to her, would you please give her this? Tell her… tell her I'm sorry, and I'd like to explain."
She takes the card reluctantly, and I have a sinking feeling it will never reach Alice.
