Hi Readers: Sorry for starting so late. But before we begin, I have a quick note regarding updating this weekend. This weekend, I have plans with my father and that may mean that I either (a) can only update at night, or (b) may only be able to update one of my stories. So, I am not sure what is going to happen; all I know is that I want to keep going with these stories, and I promise to figure out how to do that each and every day that I can. But for now, I am going to get back to today's update of The Caseys so that I can update L&F.
Chapter Two Hundred and Eighty-One
Preparing for the Statement at Home
She could still tell that her husband was nervous as she stood in the kitchen, carefully examining each and every muscle in his face and body; and there was a reason for that, which was due to the fact that she wanted to make sure that she caught it. Caught the twitch and sign that her husband makes when he's starting to get overwhelmed, because she knows that he's under a lot of pressure right now. And that was the last thing that Jane Solano wanted for her husband, especially as this is not his fault; and honestly, she just hopes that he knows that he just has to do his best. If he does that, then Mr. Casey is going to be happy; and that's all that matters at the end of the day. That he tries his best and makes sure that he does what's best for the company as he makes the statement.
Yet at the same time, she does know her husband; and she knows how he likes to have things go perfect, especially when it comes to his work. And that's because he doesn't take the title of Acting Chairman and CEO lightly, simply based on the fact that it's not their family company. He's the Acting Chairman and CEO of CASEY, a company which is owned by the Casey Family (95% by Matt and Gabby Casey, and 5% by Christie Casey and Violet Jordan). And that's the part that really scares him, because he knows that he's not playing with his own money; and that he's really taking care of another man's wealth. Wealth that he's earned by going through a lot of pain and suffering, and none of his own making; and the truth is, he just wants to believe that he can do this. That he can be a boss.
Because if he can't take care of the company when he's in charge in the interim, then who is he to believe that he can even do his job when he's just his boss' deputy; and that's what's weighing on Rafael right now, as he truly feels like the weight of the company is on his shoulders…and he feels like he has a duty to protect the Casey Family legacy, which isn't even his own. But that's just something that makes Jane love her husband even more, how he wants to help his boss even when he's so stressed out; she just hopes that he knows that she's here for him, and that she'll always be right by his side (where he needs her to be). And if he doesn't, then he's going to find out now as she set some eggs and coffee down next to him on the table; after which, she walked up behind him.
Bending down afterwards, Jane wrapped her arms around his neck and then proceeded to whisper in his ear. "I can only assume that you're worried that you're going to screw up?" Taking a breath as Jane asked him whether he's worried that he's going to screw up, Rafael agreed as that most certainly was exactly what he was worried about. "Jane, this is a big deal. I mean, this isn't something that you can just do easily; this is their family, and we want to protect them." Jane agreed with her husband as he said that, well aware that was the case. "Hey, and I know that you want to protect them Raf. And we are protecting them with the company, and we all have them in our thoughts and prayers. But you can't have the weight of the world on your shoulders all the time." Raf agreed with Jane.
After all, he does know that this isn't just on him to protect the company; he is going to have help, from his boss' sister. And that is in fact who is currently in the midst of calling him at the moment. Taking a breath, Rafael just looked up at his wife as he hated that he had to do this to her. "Jane, I'm sorry; it's…" Jane just understood, and agreed with her husband. "Hey, it's okay. I'm going to make some breakfast and wait for my mom. Just get ready for work and take it easy." Raf agreed with his wife as she said that, before turning his head and leaning up so that he could kiss her softly. "You're the best." Jane agreed with her husband as he told her that, before kissing him once more. "And you've got this Rafael…" And that's when she heard the doorbell ring. "I got it." Rafael agreed.
After which, he went ahead and turned to look at his phone so that he could answer it; but first, he proceeded to put his AirPods into his ears so that he can talk while reading. It just makes things easier, and he's glad that he got them earlier this year. Now, just to say good morning to Ms. Casey. "Good morning Ms. Casey." Christie snickered as she heard Rafael say that. "Rafael, you can call me Christie." Raf agreed with Christie as she said that. "And you can call me Raf. But now, what can I do for you this fine pre-press day morning?" Christie laughed as she heard Rafael say that, as that was the exact reason that she was calling him this morning. "I was just calling to see how you are. And I may have gotten a whiff from your wife that you're a bit nervous." Raf smiled as he heard that.
After which, he turned to look at the gorgeous woman he's proud to call his wife. "Yeah, I am a bit nervous. I mean, I am going to be speaking on behalf of a company which doesn't even share my last name. I am just the interim Chairman and CEO, while this is a family company." Christie agreed with the corporate executive as he said that, well aware that was the case. "Well, does it help that you're going to have me by your side? And if you want, I can do some statements." Rafael sighed. "I'm just worried for you. I want to do it where I'm maybe the filter for the questions, because I know that they are going to ask a lot of them about Matt and Gabby; and we don't want those to even go through. So if I can shut them down right away…" Christie agreed with Rafael, and appreciated that.
"You have no idea just how much I appreciate that you're offering to do that for us Rafael."
The interim Chairman and CEO agreed with his boss' sister as she said that, well aware that she appreciated what he was doing. "I know, this is a hard time for your family; and I just want to take whatever burden you have off your shoulders, and let you concentrate on your family. Plus, you shouldn't be out in the public when you need to take it easy. After all, you're still dealing with that debacle from the past; and you deal with the media all day in your role, which is why I want to do this for your family. So you don't have to deal with it any longer than you already have to Christie." Christie agreed with Raf as he said that, really appreciating what he was doing for her family; because what he's doing is something that really helps them, and just makes things a lot easier for all of them.
"You have no idea just how much that makes me smile, and I am so glad that Matt chose you."
Rafael then decided to bring a bit of humor to the conversation, as he was aware of the fact that she was a bit offended at first that she wasn't the one that was chosen for the position. "Are you still offended that you didn't get the position?" Christie laughed. "Not anymore, not when I'm going to be taking over ELLA…I mean Casey Creations for a while. God, I am still getting used to that new name." Rafael agreed with Ms. Casey as she said that, because he was doing the same thing. "Believe me, me and Jane are doing the same thing; it's weird not having to say ELLA anymore, but it makes sense that we want to bring the branding together." Christie agreed with him. "I believe that this is how it's meant to be. Not that I say that I am happy over how it happened." Raf agreed.
"Oh, believe me. I have no doubt in my mind that's the truth, what she did was horrible. And I promise that we're going to do all the statements. Now, are you certain that you guys don't want to go first as you're the family?"
All of a sudden, Rafael heard his call waiting sign and just took a breath as he went to look. "Christie, it's Gabby's brother. Can I add him to the call? I guess he had the same idea as you." Christie agreed with Rafael. "Of course, but I want to quickly let you know that I'm already at the office." Rafael agreed. "Good, but I am going to add Antonio now if that's okay." Christie agreed.
Answering his call waiting after putting Christie on hold, Rafael took a breath as he proceeded to speak to his boss' brother-in-law. ."Good morning Antonio, how are you?" Antonio laughed, as he could hear the worry in his voice. "Just calling to see how you're doing." Rafael agreed with Antonio as he said that. "I'm good, but I am going to add someone else onto the call if that's okay; I think you may want to speak to her today." Antonio was a bit confused as he heard Rafael say that, but just agreed as he is the interim Chairman and CEO; and therefore, his interim boss. But little did he know that he was going to want to speak to this woman. "Here we go, all merged so that we're on one conversation." Christie then proceeded to speak to her brother's brother-in-law.
"Morning Antonio, see you decided to call Rafael too in order to make sure that he was ready for today?"
Antonio was a bit taken aback as he heard Christie say that, as he hadn't expected her to be calling Rafael. "I didn't expect to hear you speak to me this morning. I am so sorry about this. Do you need to speak to Rafael alone?" Christie denied that request, as she was more than okay with sharing her time with Rafael with her de facto brother-in-law (they are just that close in the family). "No, we can share the conversation. Anyways, we're all going to be talking about the same thing. And that would be how things are going to go today." Rafael agreed as he went ahead and grabbed his coffee, before taking a sip of it. "Yes, and I want to talk to you both about that. So, what I was thinking is that I could do the opening and closing of the press conference." Antonio and Christie both agreed.
After which, Rafael took a breath so that he could continue. "Then, I was thinking of doing the individual statements; in the following order: myself for the entire company; you, Christie on behalf of the Casey family; you, Antonio on behalf of the the Dawson family; and then Jay on behalf of the Halstead family." Both of the other executives on the call agreed with the order immediately, as it seemed the most logical order for the press conference; however, Christie was a bit concerned. "I was just thinking. Maybe we actually book end it with the family statements to reinforce it. And that way, a member of the family is standing at the podium at the end for when reporters shout questions." Antonio was actually intrigued by that statement, as was Rafael since it made a lot of sense.
"Okay, well I can't say that I don't like that idea as I most certainly do like that idea. The order is seemingly much better. However, when I remember the statements some of them were merged. I believe the statements from myself, and Mr. and Ms. Casey were together in one press release; then yours and the Dawson, and Halstead Families were in another release."
Antonio agreed with Rafael as he said that, as that was how the releases were put out. "Yes, that was the case." Rafael took a breath as he thought about it. "Well, then that complicates things; because that means that we need to go by seniority of statements." Antonio was confused as he heard Rafael say that, not sure what he means. "And what would you mean by that?" Rafael sighed. "When they ask questions, they are going to ask them based on the statements. That would mean that Christie and I would have to go first, as we are attached to the same press release that came out with Mr. Casey's name on it; and then you need to go with the Halsteads, as you were attached to that press release." Christie and Antonio then both understood what Rafael was saying.
After all, that made sense. It had to go by seniority of statements that were released yesterday. "Had we not released statements yesterday, I would be all for you going before us Antonio as you are Gabby's brother; but since we already put statements out, then I think we need to go in order so that the questions can be asked in seniority. I want to be able to answer whatever questions I can to stop you guys from having to answer too many. But if you feel like answering some…" Antonio stopped Rafael right there. "No, we are just doing a press conference to put them out there. I do not want to do a Q&A session afterwards, as that is not necessary; the press do not need to do this again to my family, as they have in the past." Christie was in complete agreement with Antonio.
"I am in complete agreement with Antonio, so we are not going to be having a Q&A session after the press conference. We are going to release the statements, and we will let them speak for themselves."
Rafael took a breath as he heard them say that, as that complicates things. "Then what I'm wondering, is whether I should just read them; that way, we're in and out of the press room faster. You can all be on the stage, and we can just read them quickly. After which, we can walk away before they ask questions. I know, that's probably not what you want but…" Interrupting Rafael, Antonio just went to agree with him. "When I think about what you're saying, that actually makes a lot of sense. The longer we stay in there, the more chances we have at getting provoked; and the more chances we have at just making things worse for Matt and Gabby." Christie was (once again) in complete agreement with Antonio. "Once more, I am in complete agreement Antonio." Rafael smiled and agreed.
"Then what I think we're going to do then, is I'll go out there; I'll read the statements, say no comment and no questions. And then we will leave as a unified company, to show that we don't want to be disturbed."
Christie agreed with Rafael as he said that, as that most certainly is something that can happen. "Are you going to tell Jay this." That's when Rafael say Jay calling. "I am actually about to add him to the call, then we can just tell him what's going on. After which, we can go over this again at the office if you want so that we can rehearse. And maybe, if we do want to say something; we can change, and we can see what news has broken overnight. But let's do it together, and not do it individually so that we don't react before we get a chance to figure out a game plan together. Because that's what we need to do right now. Work together. So let's do this. We'll mee at the office and strategize there." All three of the executives agreed, as that was a good plan that Rafael just came up with.
"Then I think we'll see each other at the office. Have a good breakfast Rafael and Christie."
All three of the executives agreed once more, which then led to Rafael ending the call; after which, he closed his tablet as he didn't need to read the statement here at home anymore (not when he's going to do just that at the office). So, he instead decided to get up and make his way over to the door where his in-laws were walking in. "God, Raf is so stressed. I think he's going to appreciate this time off." Xo agreed with Jane as she said that, well aware that was the case. "And I have to say, you look quite handsome today Raf." Smiling as he heard Xo say that, Rafael made his way over to his mother-in-law (and his son's grandmother a hug). "Thanks, but I have a long day ahead of me today." Jane agreed with Raf as he said that. "You guys figure it out?" Raf sighed as Jane asked him that.
"We'll figure it out more at the office, which means that we need to go after eating breakfast."
Jane agreed with Raf as he said that, before walking over to the man she loves; after which, she wrapped her arm around him and leaned up to kiss him softly. "That's okay, then maybe we should eat so that we can head to the office." And that was when they all heard Matteo, which led to both of the parents taking a breath; however, it wasn't long before Xo offered to go get him. "I got him, you guys go eat." Raf and Jane both agreed with Xo as she said that, watching as she walked away to go get their son; meanwhile, the parents made their way into the kitchen so that they could have breakfast with each other this morning. "So, you think that you already got this under control?" Raf sighed as Jane asked him whether he has things under control.
"Honestly, I have no clue. We are still figuring things out as we go."
Jane agreed with Raf as he said that, before walking into the kitchen with him; after which, Raf tried to go over to his laptop. But that was not where he was going right now, as he was coming to the kitchen with her. "Ah, kitchen." Looking at Jane as she said that, Rafael agreed as he followed her into the kitchen; after all, he could see something in her eyes that made him think that she wanted something. And she did want something, which would be a sweet kiss from her husband. "Come here, I want a kiss from my man." Smirking as he heard Jay say that, Rafael made his way over to her so that he could hold her in his arms; that way, he could give her exactly what she wants from him right now ahead of Matteo coming downstairs with Xo: a sweet kiss from husband-to-wife.
And right now, that's exactly what Rafael wants as well, as he wants to hold his wife close to him as he kissed her softly, which he started to do the moment he bent down, and kissed her softly. "I can't wait for a weekend alone with you." Jane agreed with her loving husband as he said that, well aware that was the case as she took things nice and slow with the man she loves. "I love you, and I am ready for that as well. And today, you are going to do fine Rafael; I promise, and I swear that you are going to do incredible. I have no doubt in my mind that's going to be the case." Raf smirked as he heard Jane say that, before getting close to her and moving to kiss her forehead softly. Because at the end of the day, that's really what she wants to do with her man…hold him and kiss him softly.
Walking downstairs with Matteo in her arms, Xo smiled as she walked in to the sight of Rafael and Jane kissing in the kitchen; after all, that's exactly what she wants for her daughter. She wants her to be happy and holding her husband close to her. She just hopes that she's okay with her smiling at them. "God, you guys are so adorable." Breaking away from the kiss, Jane smiled as she turned her head and looked at her mother as she held their beautiful son in his arms. "Hi mister." Xo smiled as she heard Jane say that, before turning her head to look at her grandson; at the same time, Jane realized that her mom already changed him. "Did you already change him mom?" Xo agreed with Jane. "And I already packed him up to go. That way, you guys can just relax." Rafael was shocked.
"Xo, that's way too much."
Xo laughed as she heard Rafael say that, as she knew that he was stressed. "Not when I know what you guys are dealing with today, do you really think that I don't read the news? I know why you need a weekend alone, and it's not because you want to give me another grandchild." Jane agreed with her mother as she said that. "Yeah, things have been hard at the company lately." Xo agreed. "I can't help but feel horrible for your bosses. How are they holding up?" Jane sighed. "Honestly, much better than I would be if we were dealing with this." Raf agreed. "Especially since they're also dealing with a partial miscarriage." Jane was confused as she heard Raf say that. "What?" Raf was shocked. "I thought I told you? It was supposed to be triplets." Jane and Xo were both shocked.
Now, this just makes things worse. In the past few months, the couple had two premature births, and they lost a baby too. "Oh god, that's just horrible." Raf agreed with Jane as she said that. "That's why I want them to take it easy, and I am going to try and keep Matt out as long as I can. He needs this time to rest and recover. But listen, we need to get out of here soon. So, how about you all go relax while I make some breakfast?" Jane shook her head. "No, you go do that. I will make sure that you get a good breakfast ahead of today." Raf agreed with Jane as she said that, before smiling as he proceeded to kiss her forehead; after which, he followed Xo and Matteo to the living room. Meanwhile, Jane walked over to the kitchen to make them some breakfast.
Which is something that another one of the executives' wives are currently doing. More specifically, Ms. Alex Halstead.