Hey everyone,
Happy New Year!
Thank you for another year of incredible support and kind words. I hope this new year will be better for each and every one of us.
Much Love,
Chelsea x
By 4pm the deal had been made and the paperwork signed. Mrs Savidge had agreed to our terms, reducing the asking price by two million when Christian guaranteed to have the money transferred into her account within the hour, as well as offering to cover all the legal costs.
The building and everything in it belonged to me and Mark. It didn't matter that his loan wouldn't come through for several days, he was my partner. Nor did it matter what percentage of the business was legally his., Mark will always be my equal.
Christian hung around for the rest of the afternoon, prepping me and Mark on the next stages and advising us on what we should do first. The priority was to notify everybody of the changes.
Notify our employees.
They needed to hear the news from us first, and Christian helped us devise a speech and plan the answers to questions that would undoubtably be asked. This was huge news for me to take in, I couldn't comprehend how everyone else would react to it.
We gathered the entire team into the largest conference room at the end of the day. It was nerve-wracking to stand in front of everyone, their eyes fixating on me as Mark started to explain what had unfolded behind closed doors this afternoon.
"I know it's a lot to process, to say the least" Mark said, scanning the room. He opened his arms out. "I'm sure you all must have questions, and we'll try to answer the best we can. The floor's open, guys."
One of the junior copy-editors in non-fiction raised her hand. Mark pointed to her.
"Are our jobs safe?" she asked tentatively.
"We want to protect as many jobs as possible, but we will be re-interviewing for various positions across the business," Mark revealed. "We have new roles we will be introducing and, unfortunately, some positions will be made redundant."
Eyes widened around the room. I knew that detail would cause a stir.
"But we haven't made any decisions yet," I quickly added, holding up my hand. "It's too early for that. We'll be making decisions over the coming weeks and we promise you will be the first to know when we have figured things out. Like Mark said, our aim is keep jobs – but we also want the right people in those jobs."
A murmur trickled around the room. I could sense discontent among the ranks.
From the centre of the room, a body stood up. I fixed my eyes on her, her leopard print dress standing her out from the crowd.
I braced myself for the onslaught.
"This has to be a joke," Maria snorted, shaking her head.
I should have known it was only a matter of time before she piped up.
"There is no way you are actually buying this place," she cackled.
"Bought," I corrected her. "We have already bought it. The contracts have been signed."
She crossed her arms under her chest and pushed her weight onto her right hip.
"This is fucking ridiculous," she tutted. "You? Running this place? What a joke."
I pursed my lips, staring her down.
"I mean, Mark I get," she said. "He has the experience, he's put in the hours, he knows his way around this place. But you? No way. You're not capable."
"I'm so glad to have your full support, Maria," I countered, somehow managing to keep my voice calm.
"I wouldn't trust you to look after a goldfish, let alone run a company," she grumbled.
"Good job I don't need your approval then."
"Let's be real, Ana, it's your sugar daddy who's bought this place," she pouted. She looked around the room. "Guys, I've said it all along, haven't I? She'll click her fingers and he'll swoop in and take over."
Christian was sat in the corner behind me, but I could feel his body tensing. I knew he want to push to his feet and defend me.
"You only got this job because of him," she seethed. "And now you're going to fuck everything up and run this place into the ground. You are going to ruin all of our hard work – the people who have been here for years, the people who have worked night and day to do our best."
"Wait a minute," I interrupted her. "Are you trying to make out you're one of those people?" I started laughing. "The most work I've ever seen you do is file your nails at your desk. You're not a team player. You don't sit at your desk until dead on 9am and you leave as soon as the clock hits five. You have never put in extra hours while I've been here."
"And this is coming from the woman who swans off here, there and everywhere at the drop of a hat?" she scowled back. "You are hardly ever here, so how you think you know my whereabouts is beyond me. Are you going to be "running" SIP from afar, or just let Mark do all the hard work while you take the credit?"
"It is none of your concern," I said coolly. "You won't be here to find out."
"What?"
"You're fired," I told her. "Pack up your belongings. I want you to leave."
"You can't fire me," she tutted, eyes wide.
"I can and I just have." I stood my ground, folding my arms. "Now, if you don't mind –"
"If you two are partners, like you say you are, you can't fire me alone," she huffed.
"This is a decision me and Ana have made together," Mark spoke up, stepping forward again to take the forefront. "We are starting over and we only want the best. We won't tolerate anyone who isn't on our side, anyone who isn't going to put authors first and any petty quarrels to the back of the line."
Sideways glances shifted across the room, people shuffling on their seats. I looked to Christian and he nodded, reassuring me.
"We will be reinterviewing but if you can't handle the idea of working under me and Mark, you need to leave right now," I added. "Don't waste our time or yours. If you stay, you can bet your ass we will expect your hard work and dedication from the start. If you're not prepared to do that, get up and get out."
The room was silent for a moment and then, one by one, there was movement.
Maria was the first to leave, storming out of the room in a whirlwind, her blonde hair trailing behind her.
Then her close companions followed in her wake.
The room emptied until only three remained. The intern, Mo, who joined us a few months ago. The receptionist, Claire, who had only ever been pleasant to me. And one of the finance guys, Jonathan.
"Thank you," I said to them, sighing. "I know I speak for us both when I say we appreciate your support. And that as long as you have our backs, we'll have yours."
Each of them smiled, nodding their heads. There was hesitation and anxiety in their faces, but I also saw faith and trust.
"You can pack up for the day," I urged. "Go and enjoy your weekend, and we'll see you first thing on Monday morning."
Mark and I took it in turns to shake their hands as they left the room. As the door closed behind Claire, I shook my head and let out an enormous sigh.
"We did it, kid," Mark joined me, draping an arm around my shoulders.
"We have no team," I said.
"We really are starting from scratch," he chuckled. "But that can only be a good thing. Fuck 'em. We don't need anyone who doesn't actually want to be here."
I hummed a reply.
"Let's use this as an opportunity," he suggested. "Put a pin in SIP and it's old ways, and completely rebrand."
"Rebrand?"
"A complete start over. SIP no more."
"As in, change the name?"
He nodded.
"It's a good decision," Christian advised from his seat. "You can still honour SIP's roots but stress the fact that this is a new era."
"What about Steele Griffin?" Mark suggested.
I liked the idea of having our names in writing, marking our territory, but something wasn't right.
"Grey Griffin," I corrected. "GG Publishing – that has a nice sound to it."
"GG," Mark smirked. "Gay and Gorgeous, the perfect description of me!"
I laughed as he did a twirl. Even Christian was grinning.
"Now, if you don't mind me, I need to go call Harry. I haven't even had chance to tell him the good news yet!"
Mark left us, blowing a kiss as he excused himself. I knew the kiss was for Christian's benefit, but it still made me smile.
"I think I'll be in safe hands with him by my side," I said.
"I'm sure you will be," Christian hummed. He stood up and crossed over to me. "Grey Griffin?"
"You don't like it?"
"I like it," he nodded. "You're taking my name?"
"Of course I am," I replied. I frowned. "Was there ever any doubt?"
"I wasn't sure if you'd want to," he shrugged. "I thought maybe you'd hyphenate your name."
"I want to turn Steele into one of my middle names," I explained. "I don't want to give it up because Steele is such a big part of who I am."
"I only turned Trevelyan into my middle name because it was a mouthful," he said. "Grey is one syllable. It's cold. Clear. Formal."
"It's powerful," I agreed. "And I can't want to become a Grey."
"I'm honoured you want to take my name," he smiled. He pressed his lips to my forehead. "It means a lot to me."
"Our baby will be a Grey," I reminded him. "I don't want to be the odd one out."
One of his hands dropped to my stomach.
"GG Publishing will be a success," he said confidently. "You have the enthusiasm and drive to make it work, no matter what. But this, right here –" he stroked just below my navel, where the tiniest of swellings lingered. "This will be our greatest achievement."
"They're our legacy," I smiled. "Whoever they are."
"Our bean," Christian smirked.
