Chapter 5
I didn’t see Ethan for two weeks. I thought
he’d given up.
Then his company became our new partner, and he specifically requested me and my project manager to fly to New York for
negotiations.
I refused, asking them to send someone else.
My manager, Cheryl, tried to reason with me.
“Sarah, if we land this deal, there’s a $20,000
bonus. Think of what that could do for your
mom.”
Her words gave me pause.
Mom had sacrificed everything for me. She
Г
Mom had sacrificed everything for me. She
deserved better than a life of hardship and
illness.
$20,000 would make a huge difference.
Cheryl continued, “Sarah, everyone
recognizes your hard work. Management
thinks highly of you.”
“But if you refuse this assignment because of
a personal issue, do you think you’ll have any
chance of promotion?”
She had a point. Good jobs were hard to
come by. Losing this one would be a mistake.
The past was the past. I shouldn’t let it
control my present.
<
I agreed to go.
The next day, Cheryl and I flew to New York.
Five years later, Miller Industries was even
more impressive than I remembered.
But my feelings were completely different.
We told the receptionist our purpose, and a
staff member led us to a conference room.
Ethan, impeccably dressed, sat at the head of
the table, looking nothing like the distraught
man outside my apartment.
Jessica, seated beside him, paled when she
saw me.
L
“Sarah Matthews? What are you doing
here?!”
I smiled faintly. “Jessica, long time no see.”
Jessica turned to Cheryl, sneering. “You
probably don’t know this, but Sarah Matthews
used to work here. She stole my diamond
bracelet. I caught her red–handed. She had to
quit because she couldn’t face anyone.”
“Why would your company hire someone like
that?”
Ethan’s voice was calm but firm. “Jessica, I
told you never to mention that again. Leave.”
Jessica couldn’t believe her ears. “Ethan, are
you asking me to leave?”
“Yes. Get out.”
Furious and humiliated, Jessica stormed out.
Ethan calmly began discussing the
partnership. The negotiations went smoothly.
When we were finished, Ethan looked at
Cheryl. “Sarah and I have some personal
matters to discuss. Would you mind excusing us?”
Cheryl stood up immediately. “Of course, not a problem.”
