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“Vhy though? You’re not tied to anything—”
“Actually, I am,” I explain nonchalantly. Herbert listens, completely taken aback as he hears these words.
“Since vhen?”
“Since recently. I, uh, there’s someone that I can’t leave behind.”
My thoughts drift to Sara. I know I hurt her, and with each passing day, the regret grows. I look at the paper on the table. I have to do this. It’s for her, for the good of my heart.
“Robert . . . .”
“I get it. But when you find the right person, leaving them behind, just like that, is impossible.”
Herbert doesn’t say a word. Maybe I am shooting my company in the foot. Even if I am, though, I know I’m doing the right thing. I have to follow my heart.
Herbert shakes his head.
“Fine. I’ll agree to your terms. I vant this deal, even if you refuse to at least put a little bit of ze leg work in.”
“I am putting the leg work in. I’m also negotiating. It’s called a compromise, Herbert. Think about that for a bit.”
“Oh, I vill. As for you, how do you want to go about this.”
I half-smile. I know they’ll come around eventually and listen to me.
“I’ll lay out the contractual terms. You bring part of your manufacturing plant stateside. I have the collateral to make this happen.”
He nods. “Very vell.”
I hang up and sit back, feeling the relief flood my body. I know that this isn’t the best way to do things, but sometimes, you need to stand your ground. Not fifteen minutes later a knock at the door interrupts my thoughts. I sit up and look toward the doorway.
Rebeca shows up again. She smiles, holding a series of papers in her hands. One of her hands moves to her ponytail to play with it and she’s giving me a funny look like she’s daft or something.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing. Herbert just signed the agreement and took out the Berlin condition. What did you tell him?” And she breaks out in a smile.
“Nothing that would negatively impact this.”
“But he changed his tune right away. I’ve never seen someone do that.”
“Well, expect the unexpected, Rebecca,” I point out with a smile.
Her brows furrow as she looks at me.
“I don’t know what you said, but you did make my life a little easier. So, thanks for that.”
“Hey, anytime.”
Rebecca places the papers on my desk, and I thank her. At least I can end the day with some kind of victory. She heads back to the door, but as she grips the handle, I speak.
“One more thing.”
“What?”
“I need you to do a little bit of research for me on a certain animal sanctuary.”
“Animal sanctuary?”
