Chapter 107 Choices

Over the next few days I do everything I can to focus on my work. My time is split between work and the hospital, although grandma keeps trying to send me away.

People frequently ask after grandma.

For the most part I'm able to maintain the story that she's suffering from food poisoning but that excuse has a expiration date. And everyday people seem to be more impatient to know when she'll be coming back to work.

I'm sitting in Noah's office, discussing his schedule on Friday afternoon, when there's a knock at the door. Martin enters the room and I get to my feet. I prepare to leave, thinking that Martin is here to speak to Noah but I'm taken aback when Martin turns to me.

"Sit back down, Eden," he says softly, coming to sit in the seat next to mine. "We've got a problem."

Oh dear. I don't need to know what the problem is to know that I'm not going to be happy about it. If I've been asked to stay then it must be to do with grandma.

"The department heads are growing restless," Martin says.

He doesn't need to tell me that. I've been on the other end of their frustration. For the most part, they've been polite as they have asked after my grandma, but there has been an undercurrent of impatience.

"You're grandma has never taken off more than a day or two before," Martin is still talking. "So some are suspicious."

I don't know what he expects me to say. This is a disaster because grandma is going to be coming back in a few day's time. No matter how much she might want to.

"It might be time to tell the higher ups the truth," Martin says.

Logically, I know he's right. We shouldn't lie to them but I don't want to endanger my grandma's company. The way I see it, both options are bad. I don't tell them and they lose trust when she doesn't come back next week, or I tell them and they refuse to let me or Martin manage things for grandma.

"They need to know she's in the hospital," Martin continues as if he's trying to convince me. I don't need convincing. I know he's right. I just don't know how to do it without allowing people like James Artie to take advantage of my grandma's sudden weakness.

"The only problem is that we'll need to announce a temporary replacement," Martin says.

His words are hardly surprising. I knew this was coming and I know he's going to tell me I should do it but I'm not ready for that. I have no idea how to manage a company. I mean, sure... I have a degree in business and I've managed a couple of non-profits but this is on another scale.

Noah's POV:

My fists begin to tighten. Here's the moment when Martin will finally show his true colours. I'm convinced of it. He's going to recommend himself for the position of temporary CEO and try and steal the company right out from underneath Eden's nose.

I open my mouth to say something, to try and protect Eden and her grandma's company but I don't get a word out before Martin is speaking again.

"I know it seems sudden," he is saying, "and it's overwhelming."

Here comes the 'I know you're not ready for this... Let me help you' offer. He's more manipulative than I have given him credit for. And with every word he utters, I become more convinced that maybe James Artie might have actually been saying the truth.

"But your a Clancy and this is what your grandma would want. She trusts your judgement. This is your inheritance and that means that nobody else could be more invested."

I can't believe what I'm hearing. Is he actually suggesting that Eden should manage the company? I hadn't expected that.

"I'll support you, help any way I can, and I'm sure Noah will too," Martin is still saying, "but this is your battle."

Eden doesn't look particularly encouraged by his words but as nervous as she looks at the idea of managing the company, even if it is only temporarily, she looks resigned to it. The decision has been made.

I find myself wondering if I've been too quick to judge Martin. It wouldn't be the first time. Eden is evidence of that. But it's also possible that this is all a ploy to make her fall flat on her face, proving herself incompetent before the board. It's possible but is it plausible?

Eden trusts Martin. Perhaps I should too...

"How much do you think we should tell them about my grandma's health?" Eden asks apprehensively, her eyes finding mine.

"There's no correct answer," Martin answers. "If you tell them too much it will cause panic; if you tell them too little they'll think you're hiding something."

"Martin is right," I find myself agreeing with the older man. "It's about balance. Perhaps we can explain that she's had a heart attack but not that she has a history of heart problems."

My suggestion is met with a nod from Martin. "I think that might be wise. It's serious enough to explain why she's missing but it doesn't give off the impression that Mrs Clancy has been keeping secrets."

Eden lets out a gentle huff. She's clearly still a little bit angry with her grandma that she didn't tell her about her health concerns.

"Will you be visiting your grandma later?" Martin asks.

"Yeah..." Eden answers quietly.

Eden's been to the hospital every night since our impromptu team dinner. I've offered to go with her but she's refused, saying that I'll only be bored. From the sounds of it, Mrs Clancy has mostly slept through her granddaughter's visits.

"Do you need a lift?" Martin asks.

"It's okay," Eden answers. "Noah has offered to give me a lift on the way to visit his own grandmother."

"Brilliant. The other thing I came to talk to you about," he hesitates, pausing briefly.

"Yes Martin?" Eden's voice is slightly hoarse and I wonder if all of this has been a little bit too much for her. A lot has happened this week... And it doesn't help that she still feels guilty for not telling me who she was sooner. She's apologised multiple times in the last few days.

"What do you want to do about your apartment?" he asks. "And the car, your cards..."

"I don't want to move out of the apartment," Eden answers. "I like it there."

"Okay... If that's what you want. I just wondered if you'd be moving home after everyone found out..."

"It's not like I was consistently living at home before," Eden says with a shrug.

"True. The car?"

"I love my car and would be more than happy to have it back." Eden's voice almost sounds excitable.

"That said..." She turns to face me,. her eyes sparkling. "Noah, you're not getting out of carpooling to work."

Like anyone could stop me from driving her to work. I grin at her, nodding my head in agreement.

"As for the cards, I guess I'll take them back." She sounds unconvinced, like she wants to refuse.

"You don't have to, Eden," Martin says. "If you're happier just receiving your wage from the company, we can carry on as things are."

"No. Whether I like it or not, I'm Eden Clancy. It was fun, playing the part of someone else but it's time to accept the responsibility that comes with my name."

"Okay... I'll make the arrangements."

Martin prepares to leave the room, getting to his feet.

"One last," Eden says.

"Sure. Anything."

"My wage..." Eden is blushing. "I want to do something with it, something meaningful."

"Alright..."

"I want to restart the workshops for underprivileged kids that my dad used to run," Eden is saying. "My wage can be used to pay the master craftsman that we hire."

"Of course it can," Martin agrees, and I think I see pride in his eyes.

"Presumably as I will be managing the company, even if it is only temporary, my wage will increase?" she asks.

"Yes." Martin is smirking. He doesn't know what she's going to ask, neither do I, but he's excited to hear what she'll suggest.

"With the rest, I'd like to set up similar initiatives within the company. I imagine the entire staff will be able to make some suggestions."