A Passion Rekindled (8 page)

“Is that the reason you won’t make a move on him?”

She leaned into the desk. “Chris my family has been through so much and I just want to settle down and breathe.”

“I can understand that. It’s going to be ok.”

“I know.”

“Well we both should be getting home.”

“I have to finish all this stuff before tomorrow.”

“Says who? The only thing that needs to be done is the contract and you seem to have that finished.”

“Yeah but I need to double check his notes for the conference…select which families are approved for new housing and then have to make out the vouchers…there is a list of 80 families that have to leave their homes because of the remodeling and we can only fit 65 in the new buildings…that means 15 families will go without homes…no place to live but your shelter and because they don't have the money they just accept it.”

“I know and we have tried to figure out a way for that not to happen but.”

Scarlett sighed. “How can I just say you don’t deserve a house you know?”

“Yeah but what can we do?”

“I had a suggestion but it’s a long shot and maybe I am over stepping my boundaries.”

“I like new ideas so hit me with it.”

“Well I was looking at where I am living. It’s really nice and I have noticed there are a bunch of abandoned houses.”

“Yeah it’s for new employees and out of town guests…we try to keep a space or two open.”

“I have noticed that there are twenty three houses that are not in use as of yesterday. They are all in working condition and I was thinking if we could work it so that the families can move into those homes we can make sure we still have eight houses for new workers and guests. This is another reason why I am still here…I was looking into some things.”

She grabbed a piece of paper.

“See this is the ranking scale of each family. I ranked from high pay to low pay. The beauty of your apartments is that it’s perfect for those who are having it rough. You guys didn’t make them for profit because you are already making profits from the investments and Construction Company. But because you help your tenants as much as you can you have been turning a huge profit.”

“I get what you are saying but unfortunately those houses are specifically for our families those who work for us.”

“I kind of figured that…and that is why I have a plan B.” 

“Plan B? How many plans are there?”

She smiled. “That depends on how many ideas get turned down.”

“Ok so plan B?”

“I have looked into the jobs you guys have here and I was shocked to see that of 25 floors you have people working on everyone. You own this building.”

“Yeah we do…we rent it out to businesses…but what does that have to do with anything.”

“By renting it out to people they are working for you right?”

“Yes.”

“Well at least ten of the families on this list are from one of the floors under us…so technically they may be working for the Doctors’ offices or insurance or even cleaning but since you own the building that means that they work for you.”

“Wow…you are brilliant.”

“Well no I'm not but I know how it is to struggle.”

“Ok but that still leaves five families.”

“See the other five are tough because out of 80 people only ten are connected to this company…aside from hiring the five people I don’t know what we can do.”

“Look the calls go out tomorrow and once that happens it will be too late to do anything about it…let's call Christian up here and see if we can’t come up with something.”

“He’s at dinner with one of his girlfriends.”

“Well work comes first he knows that.” Chris pulled out his phone. 

“I feel three heads are better than one with this situation.”

“I think we can handle this.”

“You just don't want his girl to come up here with him.”

Scarlett folded her arms. “Why would I care?”

“You and I both know why. Hey Christian I know your busy but we need you at the office.”

“Oh thank you so much.”

“For what?”

“This was a horrible idea. So I will be there soon as I drop her off.”

“Good.”

Within fifteen minutes, Christian walked through the doors to the office. Scarlett’s heart leap for joy as it did every time she saw him. She tried to maintain her joy as he pulled off his Navy suit jacket and placed it on the coat rack.

“Ok so what's the big rush?”

“Your astonishing assistant came up with a brilliant idea…a way so that we can provide houses to everyone on our list.”

“Really; how?”

“Go ahead Scarlett it’s your idea so you should tell him.”

Scarlett cleared her throat and stood handing Christian a piece of paper.

“Well…there are 65 houses available in the Waters Empire Lot. And I noticed that in Empire Grove there are 23 houses available.”

“Yeah but those are specifically for workers…we aren’t able to put random families in there.” Chris nudged him.

“Will you just listen to her?”

“Ok sorry.”

“If you look at the paper I just gave you it shows how I went through the files and found out you own this building…and ten of those 80 people work inside here…so technically they work for you…so if you move them into Empire Grove it won’t be against your rules because they are your employees.”

“Yeah but what about the other five?”

“Now that I don’t know yet…that’s why we called you.”

Christian smiled as he placed the paper back on her desk.

“This is really good Scarlett.”

“Thanks…I just wish I could figure something out for the others.”

“Wait what about the Mahler building.”

“Mahler Building?” Chris hit his head.

“Yeah it’s our other building I'm sure we have a few others on that list who work there. It’s almost as big as this one.”

Christian began gathering some files from his office.

“Ok let’s take all of this into the conference room just for a little more space and then we can get your plan underway.”

Three hours later Scarlett was working on the proposal letter, Chris had called his parents in and Christian pulled all the documents they needed. As they explained their idea to Helen and Christopher, Chris stood in front of the projector.

“So as you see dad if we put 18 of the families who work in our buildings into Empire Grove, that would leave five houses for the workers who come in out of town. More if you agree to turn three of those into apartments. Scarlett did the research it won’t cost that much to convert them into apartments because most of our out of town guest don’t bring their families. We can make one two story house into three mini apartments where all they would have to share is the kitchen and most of the workers eat out anyways.”

“This is remarkable…all the information is accurate how many days did this take you?”

Scarlett looked up. “A little less than five hours.”

“Hours?”

“Yes sir when I realized we didn’t have enough room for all those families I went to work immediately. I couldn’t let them have no place to live.” Christopher grabbed Scarlett’s hand.

“You my dear are worth more than we are paying you. You came up with this all by yourself.”

“Well the guys helped.”

Chris piped up. “Only after she found out majority of the information…dad she has basically found a way we can help all those families.”

“You deserve to be recognized for this.”

“That is not necessary sir.”

Helen looked at the paperwork as well.

“Scarlett your mother told me you were an extraordinary girl and I guess you just proved your mother right. You have just helped not only this company but also those families. My husband is right you deserve a raise or something.”

Scarlett smiled and stood.

“I am just doing or trying to do what I would want someone to do for me…doing to them what you all did for me. Its 9:45 I am going to call Devon I know he's wondering where I am…if you can excuse me.”

Scarlett walked out the room and Helen looked at Christian. 

“You know I was kind of skeptical that she couldn’t handle this place but I am pleasantly surprised that she can…this idea is wonderful.”

“Yes guys it is…now there is nothing to stop us from moving forward and the apartment idea was noteworthy too I would have never thought of it.”

Chris clapped his hands together. “So we will push this through as soon as we can. We can have those families moved in by the end of the week.”

Christian smirked.

“You know she even threw in the idea of investing in a moving company. If we do then we can move our families for a discount.” Helen looked out the door to the reception area where Scarlett was on the phone.

“She is just full of ideas…this will certainly put us out there more in the public eye. To have all our families move into a new house and help them, which would not leave any room for the press to hurt us. They were having a field day when someone leaked we would have to kick some of our tenants out.”

“Well now we don’t…it's getting late but we will have everything in order by tomorrow afternoon.” Scarlett walked back into the room. Chris looked at her.

“Everything ok?”

“Yes. So what's next?”

“What is next is you go home and get some sleep. We have done all we can tonight. Tomorrow we will have our contractors began working on the houses and we will call all of our tenants and I am sure they will be happy to hear they are all moving into better housing…you have done a great job.”

“Thank you.”

“Well good job everyone and good night Christopher and I have a busy day tomorrow we are going to the hospital for the dedication of a wing.”

Chris took Scarlett’s hand. “Yes and I should be going too I know Jay is wondering why I haven’t called her. Scarlett Thank You so much.” They walked out the room and Scarlett gathered her things. Christian walked over to her.

“That was a great idea…why didn’t you bring it to me?”

“I didn’t plan on giving it to Chris we were talking and it slipped out.”

“You were talking?”

“Yeah I like your brother…he's easy to talk to…not that you aren’t but he just gives off that older brother vibe.”

“Well it was a very good job on your part…you have proven that you belong here…I am very proud of you.”

Scarlett turned towards him. “Proud of me?”

Christian moved closer to her.

“Well yeah…you not only saved those families you saved us from bad publicity.”

“Thank you…coming from you that means a lot.”

She looked at him and bit her lower lip. He was so handsome it hurt her not to stare at him, not to touch him. She turned away. 

“I better get going…it’s late and we have a lot to do in the morning.”

“Ok. Are you hungry?”

Scarlett touched her stomach. “Very.”

“Well I didn’t get to eat dinner because I was interrupted and wanted to know if you wanted to join me for something to eat.”

“Actually I was going to go to Ihop I really want some breakfast.”

“If you wouldn’t mind company I would love to come.”

Scarlett looked at her watch. “I don’t mind. It’s a little after 10 and I know the kids are in great hands with Devon.”

“How about we drive to your house and drop off your car since it’s on the way. No use using up all that gas.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

She grinned. He held out his hand.

“After you.”

As they walked out of the office Scarlett grabbed her purse. Walking with him to the elevator she couldn’t help but feel relieved Chris and his parents were still waiting. She just knew they would be gone and she would be alone with Christian again in the elevator, but with them standing there it gave her a chance to focus and pull herself together. Christian on the other hand was disappointed. 

“You guys still here?”

Chris smiled. “I guess we are not the only one’s leaving right now. I just wish they would hurry up with the renovations of the other two elevators.”

Christopher shook his head. “It’s like I always tell you don’t wish for things to get done in too much of a hurry because haste makes waste. They are on schedule and under budget so everything is fine.”

As the doors opened the men allowed Scarlett and Helen to enter first then they followed. After saying good bye again everyone Christian followed Scarlett to her house and she dropped her car off. As they drove to Ihop Scarlett laughed at herself. Christian glanced to her.

“What’s so funny?”

“I was just thinking that if they didn’t have an Ihop here I think I would lose my mind.”

“Really?”

“Yeah if there wasn’t an Ihop or Taco Bell here I would not be able to make it some days.”