Overcoming Fear (Growing Pains #2)(117)

“Why hasn’t Ben said anything?” Krista asked, dumbstruck.

Sean was quiet behind his steeped fingers. Krista waited him out. Finally he said, “Ben is thinking about his offers. He isn’t concerned with money. He is concerned with happiness…” Sean shook his head. “I swear, I have never met anyone like him. Most people say that, but when push comes to shove, money talks. Ben doesn’t care. He just wants what will stimulate him the most. He isn’t sure yet what he wants.”

“Well—“ Krista was frustrated and a little jealous. “Why hasn’t he mentioned it to me? Why are you the springboard all of a sudden? Why are you the best friend?”

“Krista…” Sean was smiling. “Ben didn’t tell me, either. Relax. Ben is being secretive about all of this. I’m not sure what Tory has offered him—I heard from Tory about their meeting, not from Ben. I heard from John, not from Ben. Ben is being Ben in all of this.”

Krista shook her head. No, he wasn’t. Ben talked it out. Ben asked her about these things. He spring boarded business things with her. But then, recently he was frazzled. That could explain it.

“Okay, fine,” Krista said, switching gears. “I told Tory I would wait for your offer. So…?”

“Mr. Montgomery won’t be fired,” Sean said matter-of-factly. “He also won’t lose his position to you because you are largely inexperienced. He is easier to sell to prospective clients. Likewise, Larry will remain the assistant. I think the bosses like men in the lead.”

Krista stared dumbly, roused herself, and then said, “Aside from that last comment, which would greatly piss me off if it were true, Mr. Montgomery is crap. But I don’t have to work with him.”

“Do you remember when you first agreed to work with me? I said I would return you after we were done with the client?”

Krista nodded mutely. She didn’t like where this was going.

“Well, you are nearly ready to be returned. Jasmine and Kate with you. You are no longer the lowest on the totem pole, with Jasmine and Kate, but you aren’t any higher up, either. That is, until John offers you a promotion.”

“Well, that’s good news. That’s what I would be asking for. But I thought you said something about restructuring before...”

Sean leaned back and sighed, “The execs don’t want to mess with anything just yet. We have this big client. Right on the cusp of failing with Dell. They don’t want to damage that with inner-company turmoil.”

“Okay, but I’ll still get a promotion.”

“But Krista, you will be working for Mr. Montgomery. Larry will be your superior. They will try to bury you. Plus, I seriously doubt either of them are going anywhere, which means you will never climb any ladders at this company.”

“What about money?”

“You will get a bump there, too. But you have only one account under you, and Mr. Montgomery will make sure you don’t get any others. Which means your résumé will show you nearly as inexperienced as when you got here. Money means nothing when you are looking elsewhere.”

“But…” Krista was dumbfounded. That was all logical. Also, true. But she’d worked so hard. She’d done so many great things. To be returned to a crappy existence…

“Krista,” Sean’s voice softened, “I am just trying to give you a harsh, realistic look of what you are facing. John is going to try and spin it the other way, but you are too bright to be closeted in this company for half of what you are worth.”

“Okay, so what are my options?”

“Take in what John tells you. Then see what Tory is offering. Keep an open mind both ways and see how it turns out. Be smart about it. If you like one of them, take it. If you don’t like either, then look elsewhere.”

“But...I won’t be working with you if I go with Tory. Or move on.”

Sean half-smiled, “Most people don’t work with their significant others. Plus, we are in separate departments. We won’t be working together for much longer anyway.”

“What about Kate and Jasmine?”

“I’ve already talked with them. It is in their best interest to work here for at least a year, and then move elsewhere with their experience. They’re happy enough to be working together regardless of what you end up doing. I am sure they don’t want to see you fall from grace, either.”

He was laying it on a bit thick, but with the truth. It was what she had to look forward to.

She nodded, got up silently and left.

An hour later she was sitting in front of John, after having waited with his assistant for the first time.

“Krista,” John said as he looked up. He had shed all forms of distraction. “I wanted to discuss your employment with us.”

“Okay,” she said calmly.

“When we first brought you onto our team, it was under the understanding that when your services were no longer needed you would be returned to the Research Department.”

She nodded. Old news.

“As the leader of the team in which you were employed, it is up to me to make that transition as easy as possible. Now, you have had some problems with James. You have enlisted help of other staff, as well. However, James remains the manager of that department, and as such, he is still, and will remain, your boss.”