Written in the Stars

By Tvdfanpam

Chapter 32

New Business

Ana had a lot on her plate. She found a decorator with Andrea's help and was busy approving color choices and ordering furniture for the new house. The sale of SIP had gone through and a meeting was scheduled to meet the staff and get settled in. Kate was going to be the Managing Editor and Ana's official title was Publisher and CEO/Owner. Christian was the financial backer/silent partner/owner but not involved in the day to day operations. They were going to meet with all the staff separately; some were going to be given the pink slip due to less than stellar background checks. Some were going to be offered different jobs.

Kate had been working nonstop since she met with Ana and Christian. She had excelled at her job at the student newspaper and was eager to make her mark in the publishing industry. She had written up a business plan and had several ideas that would take them into the next year. She was anxious to get into the E-book market. She thought there was a lot of untapped potential in that field. She had plans to give workshops to local people to help them develop their ideas into books.

Christian liked that Kate was willing to give back to the community and had asked her to come up with ways that GEH could improve the lives of others. She was excited to do that! She decided to spend the next few years focused on her career and take a break from dating like she did in college. She was an adult now after all and wanted to show her parents that she was responsible.

Mia was touched that Ana asked her to be her assistant but declined. Mia was not ready to 'work' yet. She was enjoying her free time too much to give it up. She had been dabbling at jewelry design and wasn't ready to share that with anyone yet. She knew as soon as she did, her brother Christian would want to back her in a business venture. So she was keeping it secret for now.

The first staff meeting at SIP after the new owners took over was tense. The older workers were afraid they would lose their jobs to someone younger with more drive and creativity. The younger ones were afraid they would lose their jobs because the new management might want to clean house and start over with their own staff.

"Good morning everyone." Ana said pleasantly as she walked in the boardroom to a packed house. Christian followed her and Kate was behind him. They took seats at the head of the table. "Thank you all for taking time to meet with us. I am Ana Grey and I will be the new Publisher and CEO. I am very happy to be the new owner of Seattle Independent Publishing. I look forward to meeting each of you within the next few days. Here is the schedule for the next two days. We will meet with everyone and discuss your job within the company and the restructuring we are going to be doing. All new projects will be placed on hold until the meetings are concluded." Ana paused as Kate stood.

Kate passed around the itinerary for the next two days. She also had NDA for everyone to sign. "Included in your packet that Katherine Kavanagh is passing out is a non-disclosure agreement. It is mandatory that everyone sign this form before the meeting concludes." She made sure to make eye contact with as many people as possible.

There was a lot of shocked looks. A lot of shuffling around and a few huffs of indignation. "Mrs. Grey, what happens if we don't agree to sign this NDA?" Someone had the nerve to ask.

"Good morning sir. What is your name?" Ana asked pleasantly. He squirmed under her gaze.

"My name is Jack Hyde and I am the Managing Editor. I can see the assistants having to sign an NDA but there is nothing in my contract that requires that." He was barely civil and kept glaring at Christian.

Ana looked at her itinerary in front of her. "If you would like to wait outside then, you are first on my list." He stared in shock. "I still don't see how that applies to management." He tried again.

"Mrs. Grey has had security issues. There will be added security in the building and a reception desk will be added to the foyer. Everyone coming in will have to check in at the desk and sign in and get a visitor badge. No one goes past the reception desk without a visitor badge." Christian stated, ignoring Jack Hyde's tirade. "With a signed NDA from each employee, we are hoping to keep our personal business private and the receptionist will screen all visitors, cutting down on unscheduled visitors." Jack sat back in disgust.

"Thank you all for coming in this morning. I look forward to talking with each of you." Ana said and the staff stood up and filed out except for Jack Hyde.

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