Joel had strayed away from his spiritual truths for close to two years. But thank God for His mercies, Joel thought as he turned into his driveway. He could see clearly. The blinders of self-righteousness and thinking that he could accomplish anything on his own had been shredded. God seemed to be much better at putting plans together than he’d been. Regardless of who he was or what he’d done, this was a new day. Joel wholeheartedly believed that repenting and relying on God for direction had given him a clean slate. Madeline had given him a second chance, but the one coming from God was untouchable. He was determined not to stray away ever again from the only true peace he’d known, and that peace came from trusting God in all things, big and small. Some lessons were learned in classrooms. His had played out in the real world, in front of a highly judgmental and unforgiving audience.
He parked near the garage. Before he left the car, Joel sealed his revelation with a chat. “Lord, I’m grateful.” He let his head rest on the steering wheel. “I’m not worthy, but your purpose for my life is bigger than my shortcomings. I can see that now.” He shut his eyes tightly and let the Holy Spirit bring comfort. Joel hadn’t realized just how exhausted he’d become from groveling for success and redemption on his terms. “I’m not sure how to help Tamara, but, Lord, I ask that your mighty hand move in this situation. Not my will, but yours be done, in Jesus’s name.” Joel lingered a bit in the car, wanting to gobble up the tranquility.
Eventually, he went inside the house, where he found Zarah watching TV in the den. “You don’t come in here much,” he said.
“This is true. Thought I’d watch a show, but there’s nothing of interest for me.”
“Maybe we should check into getting a Bollywood channel,” Joel suggested.
“That would be nice,” Zarah said, lighting up.
Her expression was a reminder that his wife had sacrificed a great deal to be in the United States with him. Zarah had given up her family, her traditions, many foods, and even little things, like places to shop for the clothing she was accustomed to wearing. He felt awkward asking for more.
“Would you mind turning off the TV? I have something important to discuss.” She obliged, and he sat near her. “I had a very productive meeting at DMI.”
“Very good. I am most pleased that you will be in charge of DMI again. It was your father’s desire. You will do well.”
“I plan to do my best, but the job isn’t going to happen without your help.”
“How do you mean?” she asked.
“Harmonious Energy has to go. I know we talked about this before you went to the hospital, and you weren’t sure—”
Zarah cut him off. “And I’ve decided it is best to sell as well.”
“Wait. When did you decide this?” Joel asked, shocked. He tried to come up with the proper response to her news. He was excited, but he also recognized that she was selling her family’s legacy. He had to tread softly.
“I have given much thought to our marriage, to my family’s business, and to my faith. Every time I think of a scenario where you are not present, my heart weeps. My destiny is with you. I am your wife in my soul. This means I must be the wife you need and must support you at this most critical time.” Her voice dipped, followed by her gaze.
“Are you sure?” he asked, placing his index finger under her chin and gently lifting her head. Their gazes met. “I can understand if you don’t want to part with your family’s business.”
She peered deeply into his eyes and said, “You are my family. There is nothing on earth more important to me than being your wife and friend.”
Something washed over Joel. For a split second, she was simply divine. It wasn’t what she said that melted him to the core. It was how she looked at him. Her inner being stood naked before him, and he didn’t see any blemishes. He couldn’t recall experiencing such pure and profound devotion. Abigail had loved him. Samantha had lusted after him. Sheba had supported him. But Zarah was different than the rest. She honored him. Maybe that wasn’t the right word to describe how he felt in her presence, because it was so hard to describe. Yet the feeling was one he intended to hang on to.
“Then, it’s a done deal. I’ll give Don a call later and let him know. The DMI financial team will need to work out the details with Kumar.” Joel could see Zarah’s tears swelling. “We can deal with the details later. Let’s focus on us,” he said, scooting within several inches of her. A year ago she would have shied away. Zarah held her ground, which drew him an inch closer to her. “About the marriage . . .” He could see her tensing. “I meant what I said last week. I want our marriage to work.”
“I don’t want you to stay out of obligation.”
“Trust me; there is more in this for me than obligation. I sincerely care about you and want to make this work.” He desperately wanted to convince her. She deserved his devotion in return.
“Yes, and I as well. Tamara helped me to see that it is good for me to be happy about the marriage. Love will come from you in time. There is no shame for me if I stay. There is shame only if I go.”
“Tamara, huh? That’s great. I’m glad she’s been a good friend to you. It’s going to take some work with our different backgrounds. And you’ll have to give me time to develop the kind of love that you deserve. I’m not there yet, but I’m willing to get try if you’ll accept me on those terms.”
Zarah was beaming. “Yes, yes,” she said, squeezing his hand. “I am.”
“Cool,” Joel said and embraced her with as much passion as he could earnestly muster. “Then we have to rewind this relationship and start over. We have to date and get to know one another.”
“That would be very nice,” she said, with a smile that lit up the room.
“I know we’re doing this whole marriage thing backward by getting married and then dating, but what the heck? We have to do what works for us,” he said, laughing. “What do you think?”
“I am most pleased.”
He was touched. “This weekend I’ll take you shopping. Shoot, we might as well make a day of it, with lunch and maybe a movie.”
She nodded profusely as her tears flowed. He wasn’t delusional enough to think this chain of events would erase the devastation she’d endured with the miscarriage. However, he was thrilled to see the happiness bubbling in her. She deserved a break, and finally, Zarah was getting it.
“I have to run out,” he told her.
“Where are you going?”
“To call Don and take care of a few things.” He was inclined to be evasive, but then he decided against the temptation. “I want to stop by the Westin to close my account and officially move out of there and back in here.”
He knew Zarah was pleased without her having to utter the words. He’d already spent a month in the guest room. So the move wasn’t going to change much, except he would no longer have a hotel bill. He was going home, but he didn’t plan on sharing the same bed with Zarah. That would happen if and when they got remarried. He didn’t bother sharing that tidbit with her and potentially dampening the mood. She was elated, and he was too. The rest would fall into place naturally. Why not? Everything else had, thanks be to God.
Chapter 49
Solemn, Madeline stood in her office, peering out the window. She wasn’t a stranger to grief. Being married to Dave Mitchell had served as the basis for her greatest joys and her most crushing sorrows. She let the memories marinate. If Madeline had to live the past thirty years over, there wasn’t much she’d change. The good outweighed the bad, with the exception of one vital element of her life, and that was her relationship with Tamara.
“Excuse me, Mother. The meeting starts in half an hour,” Don said. “Are you ready?”
She continued peering out the window. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
“You don’t sound too confident. Are you concerned that the board won’t vote Joel in?”
She turned in his direction. “I’m not worried about Joel. He’ll get appointed one way o
r another. At the end of the day, this is my company. If I want Joel to be CEO, there’s not enough resistance on the board to stop me.”
“Okay. Then if it’s not Joel, what is bothering you?”
“What else? Tamara.”
“Have you spoken with her?”
“I haven’t, and that’s what worries me. At least she’s still staying with you,” Madeline told Don.
“She is, but if you ask me, Tamara could be out of here any day. As a matter of fact, I’m surprised Tamara’s still here after telling you that she was ready to go, regardless of the pending legal case against Remo.”
“You don’t seem too alarmed,” Madeline told Don, crossing her arms.
“Because worrying isn’t going to change her mind.”
“We can’t stand by and do nothing.”
“I understand, but she’s a grown woman who’s fully capable of making her own decisions,” Don said. “She knows I want her to be happy. How she chooses to get there is on her. We have to trust her and not impose our will on her.”
“You’re probably right, but it’s hard to let go. Maybe Joel can convince her to stay. Remember, he was going to try.” Madeline unfolded her arms and rested both hands on her hips. “Ah, in my gut, I know you’re right. What can Joel or any of us do? I appreciate his effort, but I highly doubt that he can make a difference. She’s through with us. I just know it. I’ve lost my child for good.” Madeline became very sullen.
“I don’t know what Joel can do, but there’s something we can do,” Don stated.
“What?” she asked, cheering up slightly.
“We can always pray.”
“Prayer, prayer, prayer; that’s always your same canned answer. It has never done much for me.”
Don approached his mother and placed his hand on her shoulder. “The way I see it, you don’t have anything to lose. If you do nothing, she’s gone. Prayer and God’s involvement are not your last option. They’re your only option.”
Madeline prided herself on being a wise businesswoman who made rational decisions. She couldn’t ignore Don’s argument, and actually, Madeline wasn’t completely opposed. She’d recited the Lord’s Prayer a few days ago. She wasn’t convinced that it had helped, but for sure the prayer hadn’t hurt, either. “I guess you have a point.”
“Excuse me, Mrs. Mitchell. The board members have arrived,” Madeline’s assistant said after poking her head in the office.
“Is my daughter here?”
“No, every other member except her.”
“Fine. Can you close the door? Don and I will be there shortly.”
The assistant did as she was told.
“I was hoping Tamara might show up for the board meeting, but it doesn’t look like she’s coming,” Madeline told Don.
“The offer to pray is still out there.”
“Sure. Let’s pray. Like you said, what do I have to lose?”
The two joined hands as Don prayed. “Father, I thank you for my family. We know that you have a plan for Tamara’s life, a purpose, and a calling. We ask you, Lord, to allow her to fulfill her destiny in you. No matter where she goes, Father, I ask that you allow her to see, feel, and touch true love. I pray that the trauma she has suffered in the past will not hold her future hostage.”
Madeline began sobbing softly. Don clutched her hand tighter, and then went on. “I pray that she will no longer feel a need to run from her problems. I ask that you plant her in a place where she can come to know you as her Savior and protector and provider. I pray that she no longer lives under the shadow of fear. Neither Remo nor anyone in this family can cause her to feel unsafe. Deliver her, Lord. Teach her to have a forgiving heart. Wherever she goes, I know that you will be with her. Thank you, Lord, and in Jesus’s name, we pray. Amen.”
Don sealed the prayer with a hug, which his mother gladly received. Madeline’s sobbing remained mild, although her spirit was severely wounded.
“Thank you. That was a very nice prayer. Maybe it will work. I hope so,” she said, seeking a tissue in her desk. “We better get to this meeting,” she added, then cleared her throat and grabbed a tube of lipstick from the top desk drawer. There was a place for tears, but it wasn’t in the boardroom. She adjusted her suit jacket, patted down her hair, and led the way. Business was calling, and she fully intended to answer.
Chapter 50
Joel sat quietly at the oversize conference table, patiently waiting for Madeline and Don to arrive. There was another ten minutes left before the meeting was scheduled to begin, and it seemed like an eternity. He couldn’t possibly survive another five minutes, let alone ten.
“Good morning, everyone,” Madeline said, entering the room with Don and her assistant, who was following closely behind with a stack of presentations.
Shew. Joel was relieved.
“We can get started in a few minutes. We’ll give our ninth member a chance to get here,” Madeline stated, letting her gaze circle the table.
“Do we expect her to arrive on time?” one member asked.
“I guess we’ll have to wait and see, won’t we?” Madeline snapped. They all were going to give Tamara the courtesy of waiting. Madeline would see to it.
Minutes passed, but Tamara remained a no-show. Before some pushy board member reminded her of the time, Madeline took charge. “My assistant is handing out copies of the presentation. As soon as she’s finished, I’ll have you turn to page one and we’ll get started.”
“This may be a technicality, but Joel is no longer a board member. It seems a bit unorthodox to have him attend a session where we’re evaluating his candidacy,” stated the same outspoken board member who’d made the comment about Tamara.
“Come on. This is DMI. We don’t have to be so formal,” Don responded.
“That’s the beauty of being privately held. We can extend a few privileges that might be frowned on elsewhere,” Madeline added.
“But—” the member uttered before Madeline cut him off.
“But we don’t have anything to hide. We’re offering full transparency. Joel is sitting right here. As we walk through the proposal, you’ll have a chance to ask him questions directly. Are there any objections?” Madeline said, seeming to stare each member down. No one objected.
Joel appreciated Madeline’s take-charge approach and relaxed a tad bit. He’d been in the seat where the ill-advised board member was. Several years ago, he’d been the one grilling Madeline, only to have her unleash a whirlwind of fury, which was not readily contained. Round one was over, and Madeline had won handily. They were in good shape, but a silent prayer for extra reinforcement couldn’t hurt.
“Seeing that there are no objections, please turn to page one. Don and I are recommending that the DMI board of directors appoint Joel Mitchell as the new CEO upon Don’s departure. We understand this will be a tough sell given some of the challenges we endured during Joel’s past tenure. However, we have a compelling case as to why he should assume the role.”
“I’m curious to see what you have to say,” a second board member said.
“Joel, why don’t you kick off the proposal we’ve laid out,” Madeline suggested.
“Sure,” he responded and stood after sliding a paper from his portfolio. He had a better command of the audience on his feet. “Let’s deal with the elephant in the room upfront, which is Harmonious Energy.” At the mention of that company, some of the board members began whispering among themselves, and Joel allowed them to quiet down before proceeding. “My first assignment as head of DMI will be to complete the sale of Harmonious Energy.”
“That’s quite a task, seeing that DMI owns only half,” a board member stated.
“True, but I have a signed letter of intent to sell from Zarah Bengali Mitchell. As you know she owns the other half of Harmonious Energy.”
“Can I see that?” someone asked.
“Sure,” Joel said, gladly passing the letter around. “My top priority will be to sell the company jointly o
r divest our holdings. We’ll pursue whichever option will create a win-win for both companies.”
“Looks good,” said one of the board members who hadn’t spoken previously.
“This appears legitimate on the surface, but you’ve presented proposals in the past that didn’t turn out to be as ironclad as you thought. Why should we believe you?” the outspoken board member asked.
“As current CEO, I find the plan to sell Harmonious Energy a sound proposition,” Don said.
Joel chimed in as the tension in the room intensified. “In addition to selling Harmonious Energy, there may be an opportunity to regain the West Coast division in this deal.”
Several eyebrows rose, and there were nods of affirmation.
“That sounds intriguing,” one board member stated.
“Oh, come on,” the outspoken board member interjected. “Don’t waste our time with folly. Unless you have a second letter of intent, let’s stick to the facts about your proposal. Keep the fuzzy deals off the table. We’ve already experienced our share of that with you.”
Don jumped in. “No one else in this room can get Zarah Mitchell to sign off except Joel. So if we want to divest the company and have a shot at getting the West Coast division back under the DMI umbrella, Joel is our best means of getting this done—plain and simple,” Don said and sliced his hands in the air like an umpire calling a runner out.
“But this is his wife. How do we know it’s solid?” one of the board members asked.
“Did you read the document for Harmonious Energy?” Madeline retorted. “It has bonded signatures from Zarah, her father’s estate executor, their chief financial officer, and their chief counsel. That seems pretty official to me. If you want, I can have my assistant get our chief counsel in here to authenticate the document,” she said, waving the paper in the air.
“It won’t be necessary,” the board member replied, acquiescing.
“Great. Then let’s move on, shall we?” Madeline said curtly. No one else would dare protest.
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