Uncontrolled Spin: The Power and Danger of Spin ("Un"missable Series Book 1) (27 page)

Sean is startled at first, then goes with it. He hugs Jessica amazingly close and holds her tightly in his arms. Wendy and Bonnie wink at each other as they watch the almost physical vibrations of emotion begin to solidify between Jess and Sean.

When they release each other, they make eye contact for a moment, and then Sean clears his throat and sits down on a lounge chair. “Okay, on to the next item. We all need to talk a bit.”

Through a huge amount of willpower, Bonnie represses a sigh. “Alright. Spit it out.”

Sean begins explaining to Wendy and Jessica that Bonnie has also decided she wants to purchase the old Nike factory from Ricardo.

“Jessica, this means that Bonnie will be your landlord. I have done some calculations, and if you sign the lease on the factory with Ricardo, Bonnie will most likely have to pay double what she would to purchase it without a tenant. What I’m proposing is that you should immediately tell Ricardo you have found a more promising property and, while you appreciate his help, you have decided not to lease his property. All of us can take a trip to the villa two weeks after this announcement, and I’ll take Bonnie to meet Ricardo as an apology for the misunderstanding about your deal with him. This way, Bonnie can strike a new deal with Ricardo for half the price in cash. Mr. Stoddard will have the purchase agreement all drawn up, as well as your lease agreement with Bonnie. When the purchase agreement is signed, we’ll contact Lidia and get the production schedule fired up. Are you willing to play along?”

Jess looks extremely uncomfortable, but after a moment of considering and remembering the way Ricardo had talked to Lidia, she says, “Of course I am. Bonnie just gave me three million dollars. Why wouldn’t I do that for her?”

Bonnie smiles. “What a payback that will be. If you do this for me, I’m going to make over a ten-million-dollar profit on my three-million-dollar investment in you.”

Jessica laughs and says, “Then I guess it’s a win-win for everyone here.”

Sean nods. “Great. We should all plan on being in Brazil in two weeks. Perhaps this time we can take a week to relax and recover from everything that has happened, then be ready to hit work hard again.”

Bonnie nods, then suggests, “Wendy, why don’t you join us at the villa?”

Wendy politely declines. “I have clients to take care of, and I have to move into a beachfront penthouse. By the way, Bonnie, how do you want me to handle things, like furniture and stuff, at the penthouse? I think I’d like to keep my own furniture.”

“I’ll come by and get my clothing, if you will donate Mark’s things before I get there? I don’t think I could bear to do that myself, and I’m not one to keep everything of his…” Bonnie replies quietly.

Wendy says, “Absolutely, I can do that.”

“Thank you. Everything else in the condo is yours, with the exception of a few photos I might want. I spent very little time there, as it was really for Mark when he had business in San Diego. If the furnishings aren’t what you want, do what you will with them. I’m not interested in any of them.”

Wendy considers. “Perhaps some of it will be better than what I have, and I can donate anything I don’t want I’m sure.”

Bonnie reminds her, “You no longer have to worry about budgeting so tightly. You are now a very rich woman, and I ask that you please learn to enjoy it with grace and humility.”

Wendy shakes her head in disbelief and replies, “You’re right. I keep forgetting my net worth basically went from nothing to six billion overnight. It’s going to take some time to sink it before it becomes real for me.” She gives Bonnie a wry smile.

“It will happen faster than you think,” Bonnie tells her. “Just don’t forget the less fortunate individuals and remember to help others often.”

Wendy smiles, a real smile this time, and says, “I have several causes I’ll be helping very soon. I’m glad to know you feel the same way about money that I do.”

The two women clasp hands, and Sean goes to put on his swimming suit. They enjoy the rest of the day in leisure, preparing for the weeks to come.

Wendy leaves the next morning after thanking Sean again for the use of his corporate jet.

She hugs Bonnie, telling her, “If you need anything, please call me anytime and I’ll be here for you.”

Bonnie barely holds back the tears as she replies, “I know you will, and I promise to call if I need anything, but only if you do the same.”

Wendy says, “Okay, I promise too, and you better.”

Releasing Bonnie, she turns and gives Jessica a huge hug as well and whispers in her ear, “By the way, I was never interested in Sean, but I knew if you felt there might be some competition, you would go for it. Just take it one day at a time and enjoy the ride for all it’s worth.”

Jessica laughs a little tearfully and hugs Wendy back tightly, surprised at how fond she has gotten of the seemingly annoying woman. “Thank you for forcing me to make a decision, and by the way, if the ride is anything like my imagination, it will be awesome.”

Wendy giggles and says, “Then for your sake, I hope it surpasses your imagination.”

“Me too!”

Wendy then hugs Sean, whispering in his ear, “You should really ask Jessica out. I can see you’re attracted to her, and I’m pretty sure she would say yes. Your choice though.”

Sean replies awkwardly, “Um, thanks for everything, Wendy. Enjoy your first flight in a private jet.”

Jessica makes a sound of delight. “You’ll be amazed. I certainly was when we flew to Brazil.”

Sean smiles at her, then turns to Wendy, “Do you have a car at the airport, or should I have transportation arranged for that as well?”

Wendy smiles, overcome by the amount of concern she’s getting from her new friends. “Thanks everyone, but I left my car at the airport, and I’ll be just fine. I love you all.”

They watch as she walks down the steps to the waiting car and waves as she rides away. Her return to San Diego marks the change back to real life and the daily responsibilities that everyone has to return to. Sean needs to get back to his clients, Jessica needs to prepare her staff for the fully funded expansion, and Bonnie needs to get the purchase agreement and lease prepared for their trip to Brazil in two weeks.

As Sean and Jessica are leaving the estate, Bonnie recognizes her need to deal with the emotions and pain of being without Mark at their home for the first time. She realizes he will never be returning home. The thought comes to her that she may never get closure on Mark’s murder. As all these realizations come flooding in for her, she sits by the pool, remembering fondly the last time she and Mark enjoyed the pool together, and how she teased him. Silent and alone, even while surrounded by staff, Bonnie allows herself to accept the reality that Mark is dead, truly grieving for her loss for the first time since that shocking phone call.

After what seems like hours to her, she is approached by one of the women on the staff, who apologizes for disturbing her.

“Mrs. Stevens, I just received a call from a reporter who would like to interview you. What should I tell him?”

Bonnie looks up at her blankly, then comes back to herself and asks, “Could you please take a message and promise him I’ll get back to him in the morning with my schedule? Also, if you would be so kind as to bring me the best bottle of chardonnay we have, I would appreciate it. I don’t want to be disturbed for the rest of the day.”

The woman replies, “Yes, of course, Mrs. Stevens. If you need anything, I’m right here.”

Bonnie nods. “Thank you.” Then she returns to her thoughts and memories of Mark. She spends the rest of the day in deep thought and contemplation. She cries and laughs on and off throughout the day. She sips wine and eats the snacks that magically appear as the day progresses, but most of all, she truly misses Mark and wonders what is in store for her life now.

Jessica enters her office at nine in the morning, much to Nate’s surprise.

“Girl, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with Bonnie right now? Everything here is under control. You didn’t have to come in today.”

Jessica replies, “I know, I know, but Bonnie needs some time to be alone right now. I checked on her last night, and she was exhausted, but doing really well considering everything. She is a really strong woman. But anyway, we need to call an emergency staff meeting. It is mandatory that all staff be present, so if anyone is off duty, call them in. Let’s move.” She bustles into her private office with Nate on her heels.

He looks quizzically at her and she settles back into her desk, cocks his hips, places his hands on them, and says, “Well? Do you want to tell me what this is all about, before I stir everything in the place up?”

Jessica laughs and answers, “Why, yes, of course. Beauty Boutique Clothing is expanding into the international market through Brazil immediately.”

Nate gasps and says, “Oh my God, Jess! We have so much to do!” He throws up his hands and turns to leave her office, but immediately reappears. “Wait, how are we funding this?”

She stands and walks over to Nate, taking his hand. “The expansion and SGM’s first year’s fee are prepaid, and a five-hundred-thousand-dollar expansion fund has already been established, courtesy of Mrs. Bonnie Stevens.”

Nate’s jaw drops and, without thinking, he squeaks, “Holy shit!” Catching himself, he clears his throat and apologizes for the impropriety.

Jess just smiles and says, “It’s okay. I can’t believe it either. I need you to do two things immediately. First, I need you to reject Ricardo’s lease agreement, and second, call the staff meeting.”

Nate’s excitement turns to complete confusion. “Wait, what do you mean, reject Ricardo’s lease? It’s everything you wanted!”

Jessica waves a hand and says, “Yes, I know it is, but tell him we have located a more promising site we are pursuing at the moment.”

Nate raises an eyebrow and asks, “And where exactly is this site?”

Jess then goes on to explain to Nate the plans Bonnie and Sean came up with for the purchase of the factory.

“Bonnie will profit enormously from the gift she gave me in funding the expansion,” she says in conclusion. “It works better for everyone, especially since Ricardo seems like such an asshole.”

Nate nods, understanding. “Wow, I never realized Bonnie was that smart, business savvy, or shrewd. But what do you suppose Ricardo is going to do when he finds out? He will find out, Jess, and he is going to be pissed. Can’t he interfere with any governmental approvals you need through Hugo?”

Jess shrugs. “I don’t think so. We already have the approvals from Juan Zamora in hand, and I don’t believe Ricardo has the political clout on his own. Hugo is worried about losing his contracts with Global Metal Refining, so it’s not anticipated that he will help Ricardo in any way when Bonnie and I have so much influence with Global Metal Refining now.”

Nate seems concerned. “It still seems like a pretty risky plan. No one knows how Ricardo is going to react.”

Jessica replies, “I guess we will find out soon enough. Bonnie, Sean, and I are all heading to Brazil in two weeks to finalize everything and hire the laid-off factory workers and Lidia. After this is finished, I’ll need several production supervisors to head to Brazil for a couple of weeks. Please develop a strategy for implementation by the end of next week. And hold onto your hat. We have just entered the realm of international fashion design and marketing.”

After the entire staff of the Beauty Boutique is assembled, Jessica makes the announcement, explaining the company’s expansion into Brazil.

“Funds are already in place to fully pay for this expansion, from hiring the necessary staff for the factory there, to paying for the company’s first year of marketing through SGM. We’ve got nothing to lose, people,” she tells them all excitedly.

Everyone is happy to hear the news, but they also recognize that each of them will now be required to step up their game, because the rules have changed dramatically. There will be an increased operational tempo required for organizational survival in the much more competitive realm of international fashion.

Jessica further explains, “Nate is devising a strategy for immediate implementation whereby several of the production supervisors will be heading to Brazil for three week stints on a rotating basis until each is convinced, as a team, that the factory workers in Brazil are performing up to our standards. Furthermore, the team of supervisors will also need to identify and properly train production supervisors for the Brazil operations, with whom they will coordinate shipping and receiving logistics both within the United States and abroad. So keep your eye out for anyone promising during each of your shifts in Brazil,” she says, making eye contact with each of her supervisors, then continues. “In two weeks, I will be in Brazil with Mrs. Stevens and Mr. Green getting all the contracts signed, along with hiring the initial factory staff for the production supervisors to evaluate and train. If there are any workers hired that you feel are under, or not at all, qualified to perform the functions of the job descriptions, you are to document them and notify me so I can make the necessary changes. Any questions?” She pauses, giving everyone time to consider, and when there are no further questions she finishes, “Thank you all. Without your hard work and dedication to the continued success of Beauty Boutique Clothing, none of this would have been possible. As this organization prospers so will each of you.”