Chapter 0219
How could it be too late? The walkout wasn’t scheduled until 2pm?
“I talked to him last night, Maria. He’s changed. Something clicked in him and he sees our side of it now,” I said. “He is literally on the phone with his grandfather right at this moment, negotiating for us. No one should walkout until they hear what he has to say.”
“He should have stood by us from the start, Hazel,” Maria countered. “So many people had to quit… where was he then? If he thinks he can get out of this with just a, “Oops, sorry everyone,‘ he has another thing coming.”
While I could agree that Logan should have stepped up long before now, the fact that he was on our side now shouldn’t be overlooked. “Better late than never,” said. “He just needed a push…”
“He needs a wake–up call,” Maria said, so mad she was practically huffing.
Looking at me, she sighed and tried to reign in her emotions. Softly, she added, “I know what he means to you, Hazel, and I’m sorry you’ll be hurt by this. But we have to show him this kind of behavior won’t be tolerated by anyone, even if he is trying to make things right this time.”
“What would it take then,” I said. “If an apology wouldn’t be enough… If going back to before wouldn’t be enough… What would?”
Maria considered my words. “The fastest way to win the employees back would be to ensure we feel appreciated. And I’m not talking about free snacks in the breakroom, or some kind of pizza day. Don’t insult us with that.”
“I wasn’t going to say that,” I said, feeling a bit defensive with the way she said that like I’m the enemy. Maria had accused me of forgetting who I am, and while she might have been right at the time, I was back on track now, even if we didn’t always see eye to eye.
“We want more money, Hazel,” Maria said. “A raise for all the core employees, to show their value and their worth.” She nodded at me. “You should be included on that list.”
Of all of my complaints about this company, my pay hadn’t really been part of that, especially since being promoted to Logan’s assistant. Though I certainly remembered the days of barely scraping by, unable to move out of my parents‘ home. When I’d been forced to leave, I couch surfed.
Employees should make enough to keep a roof over their heads and food in their bellies,
“I can speak to him,” I said. “But… returning to normal is big fight for him. His grandfather is an actual demon, and it costs Logan a lot to go up against him.”
I remembered the way Mr. Hatfield at sneered at me, making me feel worthless, just because I wasn’t rich.
“I’m just saying what the people want, Hazel,” Maria said. “If he hopes to stop the walkout, then he’s going to have to deliver something big”
“Just… hold it off as long as you can, okay? Let’s give Logan a chance to set things straight.”
Maria looked and me and sighed. “For our friendship, I see what I can do. I don’t trust him but I do trust you. But he had better deliver.”
“He will,” I said, confident of that somehow. Since last night, I felt like everything changed. Somehow
#251
- BONUS
Chapter 0219
Logan had been able to see beyond the silver spoon he’d been raised on. There were still many struggles of the working class that he hadn’t yet comprehended, but he was on the right track. It was a good start.
I would be there to help him see, and together, we could reclaim the trust of the employees that he lost. I was a good assistant, and I wanted to be a good wife. I’d personally make sure he wouldn’t lose everything.
By the time I returned to my desk, Logan was off the phone and his door was open. He called for me from inside his office. Grabbing my notepad and a pen, I went in to join him.
“Close the door,” he said. When I did as he asked, he said, “Come in here and sit down.”
Uh, oh, Logan rarely had me actually sit while I was working. Usually I stayed standing, though typically our meetings never went on for too long.
Nervous, I moved toward one of the chairs facing the desk and sat down. My stomach flipped catching sight of the worry line between Logan’s brow. Did the phone call with his grandfather did not go well?
What would we do about the walkout if that was the case?
“Hazel. We have a lot to talk about…”
I didn’t understand. Why did this sound like a breakup? After how close we were last night and this morning, he wouldn’t just end it, would he?
No. I needed to focus on the task at hand. This had to be work related.
I have things to tell you too,” I said.
That surprised him. “Oh?”
“I’ve heard that some of the employees are planning a walkout. I’ve been able to convince them to hold off for a little while, on the promise that things will get better.” I frowned a little. They will get better, right?”
“Yes, I was able to negotiate with Grandfather and he’s agreed to most of my terms. Work should return to usual around here. While we should always strive to be more efficient and productive, we’ll no longer force that issue, so long as everyone continues to carry their own weight.”
Great, that would help some. But… “I’ve heard the employees want a pay raise.”
“Absolutely not,” Logan said at once.
I leaned forward. “They’ve been disrespected, Logan. They don’t feel appreciated around here. And worse, some of them can’t even afford to move out of their parents‘ house on their pay…”
I might have projected somewhat there at the end.
Logan, seeing my passion, leaned back in his chair and considered my words. “Grandfather would never go for it. But…” He rubbed his hand along his chin. “I can swing a one–time bonus by docking my own pay for a while.”
Now it was my turn to be surprised. “You would give up your own salary for your employees?”
“They were wronged, there’s no doubting that. And I was the asshole who didn’t stand up for them the first time. Shouldn’t I be the one to pay for it?”
2/1
Chapter 0219
+25 BONUS
In my opinion, the company should have been the one to pay for it, but for Logan to want to foot the bill himself spoke of his character. I couldn’t wait to tell Maria. I only hoped it would be enough.
“I’ll spread the word,” I said.
“Good,” Logan said.
I had thought that would be the end of this, but looking at him, that worry line remained between his brows
This was all good news. What could he possibly be worried about?
Tired of guessing, I simply asked him, “Logan, what’s wrong?”
“My grandfather is not a giving man,” Logan said. “In order to negotiate for the employees‘ rights, I had to have some kind of leverage. The only thing I have in that regard, unfortunately, is my personal life.”
A very dark, sinking feeling grew within me. “What do you mean?”
Logan sighed as he looked up at me. “Hazel, I need to start dating again.”
