Unforgiving

by Patricia Haley

  “Well, it’s only fair that you know everything. You’re not the only candidate,” she said, pushing against the desk. “Don is recommending Abigail.”

  “I thought she was resigning from her executive vice president position here to start her own business,” Joel replied.

  “She is, if we leave her alone.”

  “I didn’t realize we’d be going up against Abigail.”

  Joel was torn. He and Abigail had fought on many fronts. They’d worked tirelessly, hand in hand, to take DMI to new financial heights, and they’d accomplished their goal. They’d had a few professional squabbles, but the source of her bitterness toward him was purely personal. She was ready to act on feelings for him that he couldn’t reciprocate. Early in their professional partnership, Joel had made it clear to Abigail that God and DMI were the most important entities in his life. Admittedly, God had fallen a few notches back when Joel overdosed on power and notoriety, but his commitment to DMI never faltered. Everything and everybody, especially relationships, came second. Abigail didn’t accept rejection well, and his getting married, even if it was for business purposes a few months later, was the shove that sent her over the edge. Joel took no pride in hurting his friend. He wanted to make amends, but Abigail wasn’t willing. Perhaps in time, he thought.

  “If you want the job, you’ll have to beat her for it. Can you do that?”

  “I do want the job, and yes, I’m willing to run against Abigail and win with your help.”

  “So be it,” Madeline said, then stood and extended her hand for him to shake. As soon as he took her hand, her grip tightened. “You better not stab me in the back,” she warned him, with a piercing gaze that would make a lesser person shiver.

  “I have no intentions of crossing you, Madeline. That would generate a fight which I’m not planning to take on. Abigail is big enough.”

  Madeline squeezed his hand tighter and then let it go. “I hope so, because I’m giving you fair warning. If you cross me, Mr. Joel Mitchell, you’ll suffer my wrath.”

  “There’s no need to threaten me. I get your message and clearly understand the ramifications. You’ll see. I’m totally committed.”

  “You better be, because DMI is my baby.” She came around the desk with her arms crossed. “And you know I don’t allow anyone to mess with mine and get away with it. Just ask your mother.”

  It irked Joel, but he had to let the comment go. There was no way he was going to derail this one-shot deal of teaming up with Madeline. She had plenty of clout on the board of directors. “Let’s get started,” he said without hesitation.

  “I’ll have my assistant set up some planning sessions with you.”

  “Great . . . ” he replied.

  “By the way, I heard about your wife and baby. How’s she doing?”

  “Pretty good, considering she almost had a miscarriage. Thanks for asking.”

  “Do you think home life will become a distraction for you after the baby is born?”

  “Absolutely not,” he firmly stated, enunciating each syllable. Joel headed for the door. “I’ll see you soon.” Before crossing the threshold, he turned to her and said, “Thank you, and I sincerely mean it. You’ve single-handedly changed my life.”

  “Backing you is either the smartest or the dumbest thing I’ve ever done. Which it is remains to be seen.”

  “Wait and see for yourself,” he stated and walked out.

  Chapter 4

  Don could have grown weary from fretting over yet another battle over DMI. He had wondered about his father’s decision to marry Sherry after Madeline divorced him. If Dave Mitchell had known the family would be fighting long after his death, would he have remarried, anyway? Would the birth of his youngest son, Joel, have outweighed the sting of family discord in his father’s eyes? With his father gone for over three years now, no one would know. So Don wouldn’t bother second-guessing his father any longer. He had a task to accomplish.

  He glided his finger across the nameplate that had been placed outside the office situated several doors from his—ABIGAIL GERARD–EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT. He rapped on the door to get her attention.

  “Come in,” she said.

  “Do you have a few free minutes?” he asked as he entered her office cautiously.

  “Sure. What’s a few minutes going to hurt? I’ll be here late, anyway, working on the quarterly management reports.”

  Don remained standing as he didn’t want to be there long. “That’s what I like about you - dedication to the end.”

  She grunted. “You know I’m always going to do my job, even if it’s not always appreciated.”

  Noting her inflection and her tone, Don took a seat. His appeal might take a tad bit longer than he’d expected if Abigail was already unreceptive two minutes into the conversation.

  “See, that’s where you’re wrong. Not only are you appreciated here, but I want to recommend you for the CEO position.”

  “Yeah, right! Did every Mitchell in Detroit fall off a cliff? That’s about the only way I’d get a shot at CEO.”

  “Funny. And no, we haven’t fallen off a cliff. We’re all alive and breathing.”

  Abigail’s head tilted to the side as her body seemed to tense. “So what’s this business about CEO?”

  “I already told you I’m stepping down,” Don stated.

  “No, you told me you were thinking about making a change. That’s not the same as stepping down. Where are you going?”

  “I’m going to work hard at getting you to accept this offer.” Don clutched the arm of his chair, desperate to avoid answering her question truthfully. This conversation had the makings of a slippery slope, and Don didn’t want to end up at the bottom of it. Their professional relationship was solid but their personal history wasn’t as stable. Don was desperate not to let a private failure between them derail this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Abigail. He wanted to leave the company in her capable hands. She’d earned the promotion. So he had to think quickly and steer the conversation away from her probing and back to an area he could address without repercussions.

  “Seriously? You’re not going to answer me? Where are you going, or do I even need to ask?” she said, opening the top drawer of her desk then slamming it shut.

  Abigail let her gaze roam around her desk, much to Don’s relief. Having her stare at him was too awkward. He didn’t want to offend her and would continue dodging the questions and direct eye contact.

  “You’re going to South Africa, right?”

  Don reluctantly nodded in affirmation.

  “I figured as much,” she said, opening the top drawer of her desk again and extracting a small tube of lotion. She poured some into her palm and briskly rubbed her hands together. “Finally going after that woman, huh?”

  “Naledi.”

  “What?” she snapped.

  “Her name is Naledi.”

  “She’s finally hooked you and now you’re running across the world to be with her.”

  Don couldn’t figure out why Abigail wouldn’t let this go? Didn’t she know he was trying to protect her feelings? It was almost like she wanted the pain. Regardless, demoralizing someone wasn’t his way. There had been plenty of that to go around at DMI, but he wasn’t going to indulge her craving for heartache.

  “Can’t we talk about this great opportunity that I’ve laid before you?” he asked, resting his elbows on his thighs. “You deserve my role, and it’s about time you finally got your just due.”

  She didn’t respond. Instead, she closed her eyes and pinched her lips.

  He didn’t break the silence. Don would let her digest the magnitude of what he was asking. Her drive was bound to kick into high gear and overshadow her unrest.

  “Are you really going to marry this woman, someone that you barely know?” she finally asked.

  “Wait a minute. Why are we talking about marriage?”

  “Because not very many men pick up and move across the world, unless it’s
for a career or a serious relationship. Since you already have a career here, it must be for her.”

  “If you say so.” Don figured it was easier to agree and move on than to get caught in Abigail’s clutches.

  “Are you in love with her?” Abigail rested her elbow on the desk and pressed her forehead into her palm. “What is it about you Mitchell brothers? Neither of you can find a wife in Detroit. You both had to go to the other side of the world to find a woman.” She peered at the desk.

  Don’s strategy hadn’t changed. He aimed to keep quiet as much as possible until Abigail got through whatever she was experiencing. Maybe some of her emotions were wrapped in guilt. He wasn’t trying to blame her, but she’d contributed sufficiently to the situation. When he’d been in love with her, she’d chosen Joel. Don had been crushed, but he hadn’t blamed her. He’d taken full responsibility for not sharing his true feelings for her when it could have made a difference. By the time he conveyed his feelings, her heart had already settled on his younger brother. Don sighed, letting the past rest.

  “Abigail, you need to let it go. You’re a beautiful, intelligent, and fun person. Some man is going to be blessed having you for a wife.”

  “Why can’t that man be you?”

  Don chuckled. “I don’t deserve you,” he said, continuing to chuckle. “You deserve a better man than I am.” Abigail’s blank stare abruptly halted Don’s chuckles. “I have to run. Can you give my request serious consideration, please?” Don asked. He lowered his forehead to his fingertips, which were pressed together, as if he were doing a Japanese greeting. “You’re the best candidate, and I’d feel a lot better about DMI and my family’s legacy if you were in the corner office,” Don added as he headed to the door. Just as Don was about to escape for a breath of fresh air, Abigail’s words snared him.

  “So you’re going to give me your job and Naledi your heart. Which is the better deal?” she asked.

  Don left the office certain no answer would satisfy Abigail Gerard except a marriage proposal of her own. He was no more certain of her interest in the CEO position than he had been upon entering her office. He schlepped to his office. Nothing came easy at DMI, nothing.

  Chapter 5

  Tamara had spent the last twenty minutes of her visit with Zarah consumed with wonder. Why was Joel at DMI with Madeline? She knew they were both set on nabbing DMI’s West Coast division. Maybe they were scheming to beat her. Nah, Madeline and Joel working together under any condition was a ludicrous idea. There had to be another reason they were meeting, and she would find out.

  Within thirty minutes of her cab arriving to pick her up from Zarah’s, Tamara was hustling into the DMI office building. Madeline’s office door was closed, so Tamara headed for Don’s office and found his door partially open. She heard him on the phone.

  “Do you want me to let him know you’re here?” his assistant asked.

  Tamara waved her off and decided to wait quietly nearby until her brother was off the phone. He was bound to have some answers regarding Joel.

  “You know, I left your office without you giving me an answer,” she overheard him say on the phone.

  It felt slightly awkward to stand outside Don’s office, but her anxiety wouldn’t allow her to leave. She kept watch over Madeline’s office door too, avoiding eye contact with Don’s assistant, who periodically gave her a hard stare. Her mother’s door remained shut.

  “Maybe? Is that the best you can give me?” he asked. “Well, at least it’s not a flat-out no. Guess I’ll take it. We’ll talk later,” he said and seemed to end the call.

  It was none too soon. Don’s assistant was about to burn a hole through Tamara. She went into her brother’s office without being announced.

  “Hey, sis. What brings you here in the middle of the day?”

  “Can’t I visit my brother without a reason?”

  “Not generally,” he said, scratching his chin.

  “Actually, I’m here to see Mother.”

  “Oh, man. About what?”

  “Zarah told me Joel is meeting with her, and I want to know why. They better not try to steal the West Coast division from me, because I’m ready to fight for it.”

  “That’s not why they’re meeting.”

  “Really? So why are they meeting?”

  Don was normally very responsive, but all he could muster was a weird look for a moment. “We need to talk,” he said finally.

  She tensed. “About what?”

  He stood and walked toward her. Let’s go to Mother’s office. We need to speak with you together.”

  Tamara followed behind, a flood of possibilities racing through her mind, none of which were positive. Just as they reached the desk of Madeline’s assistant, Joel slithered from Madeline’s office, sending a chill down Tamara’s spine. Her defenses jumped into high gear.

  Joel and Don exchanged greetings. Tamara ignored Joel as they brushed against each other.

  Niceties weren’t in Tamara’s stratosphere today. She was strictly about business and delved right in without as much as a hello or a “How do you do?” upon entering Madeline’s office. “What was Joel doing here?”

  “Have a seat,” Madeline offered, closing her portfolio and setting her pen to the side as she sat at her desk.

  Don sat.

  “I don’t want to take a seat,” Tamara said with her voice rising. She’d been around these people long enough to smell foul play. The stench was palpable. “I want to know what Joel was doing here. Are you trying to gang up against me?”

  “Please take a seat,” Madeline said again.

  “Answer me,” Tamara demanded.

  “Calm down, Tamara. Don’t get worked up,” Don said.

  Tamara wasn’t going to shut up until they started telling the truth. She wasn’t going to be suckered into believing a lame lie, either. She was ready for them.

  “Tamara, you need to sit down and lower your voice,” Madeline told her. “I’m still the mother. Don’t push me,” she said, letting her gaze roll all over Tamara. “If you’d act with some sense, we could tell you about the changes going on here. Don is stepping down, and we’re appointing a new CEO in his place.”

  “Please tell me it’s not Joel,” Tamara said.

  “If it’s left up to me, yes, Joel will be the CEO,” Madeline said.

  Tamara shook her head. “You can’t be serious.”

  “Not only am I serious, we’re preparing to make a recommendation to the board this month.”

  “You don’t agree with her, right?” Tamara asked Don.

  “No,” Don replied.

  “Thank goodness,” Tamara sighed.

  “I’m recommending Abigail instead.”

  “What?” Tamara shouted. The room was twirling faster and faster, and she nearly stumbled. She had to take a seat. “How can the two of you skip over me and offer the CEO position to Joel and Abigail? How can you do this to me?” Tamara alternated between sitting and standing and fidgeted when she was seated. “I’m entitled to a shot at the top spot. Not Abigail, an outsider, and definitely not Joel, the very person who drove this company into the ground. What a joke the two of you are. I should have known not to trust you. Mother, you were so keen on getting me to move back to Detroit and join the family at DMI. For what, so you could stab me in the back?”

  “Watch your mouth,” Madeline said. “Young lady, have you forgotten? Most of the time you don’t want anything to do with DMI. One day you’re in. The next day you’re out. I practically begged you to take on a serious role from the moment we knew you were coming back to Detroit, and you turned me down cold. The best we could talk you into was taking the junior marketing position. It was never my plan to put you in such a junior role. That was your choice, young lady. So, I’m sorry if you feel slighted, but tough. We can’t run a company based on your whims. Grow up. This isn’t a day care center where we jump every time you cry foul. You had a chance.”

  “No, Mother. I was never offered the C
EO role.”

  “Do you really think you’re qualified to be CEO?” Don asked.

  “Maybe not, but I should have been asked.”

  “I don’t think so, young lady. This is a business, not your testing ground,” Madeline said.

  “Like I said, I should have known not to put my guard down with you. I was raped once under your care. Now I feel violated again,” Tamara told Madeline.

  “Tamara, that’s enough,” Don said.

  “No, let her talk. Get it all out, Tamara, because this is the last time I’m going to let you guilt me into feeling sorry for you. I know Andre violated you, and I can’t take it back. None of us can. I wish I could, but I can’t!” Madeline shouted and smacked the table with the palm of her hand. “Do you think I’m proud that my daughter was raped by my son? Do you think I’m happy that my son killed his brother to avenge his sister’s rape and then committed suicide? I lost three children that day including you. As far as I’m concerned, all of us were raped too.”

  “No, you weren’t,” Tamara fired back, too angry to give way to tears.

  “Yes, we were. Our family lost its innocence along with you. Sure we had problems before then, but the Mitchell family changed that day, forever. You are my daughter.” Madeline rose from her seat and approached Tamara, but then she stopped when her daughter retreated. “My heart breaks for your pain, but the pity stops here. I’m not the perfect parent, by no means. But you know what? I did the best I could with what I had. Now that I know better, I can do better, but you’re not going to keep me in the pit with you. No more, baby girl. It’s over. Now you can choose to get on board, make a full commitment to DMI, and work together with us as a family, or you can walk away. Either way, I’ll love you to the grave, but I’m not going to let you push me there any sooner than I’m intended to go. You understand?”

  Tamara wanted to hoof off, defeated. But her need to claim retribution for all she’d suffered as a member of the family held her hostage. “You’re no different than Dad. You’re doing the exact same thing he did.”