Chapter 155: No Regrets

"Mom?"

Alex called her mom, who was busy proofing bread.

"Alex."

"Okay, for tomorrow."

"Thanks."

As instructed, Bob rented a twenty-five-seat shuttle bus to bring the Second Life Workshop workers and other hand tools to the Vance ancestral home. They maximized the use of vacant space and some seats, bringing whatever they could fit that wasn’t damaged by the fire.

Alexander had promised they could see the temporary facility before deciding whether to keep working for him, and he meant it.

There was just one problem.

Calling it a facility was generous.

The warehouse Alejandro had offered hadn’t been actively used in quite some time. It was structurally sound, but whichever building they chose would still need cleaning and repairs before anyone could start restoring the furniture inside.

Then there was the bunkhouse.

That needed work too.

They’d need additional sleeping accommodations, toilets and showers, a place to prepare meals, and probably some fencing to separate the temporary workshop and workers’ quarters from the areas used by guests of the Vance bed-and-breakfast.

For Rosalie’s peace of mind, Alex would have to provide T-shirts printed with his company name: Second Life Workshop. That way, they’d wear their personal clothes when they went home. His parents and the Vance Bed and Breakfast staff would be able to spot outsiders from his workers. We don’t want unscrupulous people taking advantage of the situation.

Alex thought to himself. Should he ask Bob to print the T-shirts now, or wait for the headcount of how many would stay? How many shirts per person? Apparently, he couldn’t use the shirts to advertise the office location and contact number. What color is the shirt? Collarless shirt? What about Bob’s uniform? A different color, or with a collar, or with an Operations Assistant title printed at the back?

Alexander let out a long sigh.

Elias glanced at him through the rearview mirror. He saw Alex’s pensive look. He moved his head and made facial expressions, as if he were talking to himself.

"This has certainly been challenging, sir."

"That’s one way of putting it."

"A test of resilience, courage, and grit."

Alexander looked at him. "Have you been reading motivational books?"

Elias smiled. Actually, my father kept saying that when he was still alive.

Alexander nodded, then looked out the window.

"How are you holding up, Elias?"

"Very well, sir."

"Any regrets about joining me instead of staying at Vance Holdings?"

Elias considered the question.

"If I’m being honest, sir, I admire what you did for the workers. You offered to continue paying their wages despite the temporary work stoppage. You also gave them a choice instead of simply expecting everyone to follow you to another location."

"Thank you, but you still didn’t answer my question."

Elias smiled again.

"No, sir. I have no regrets. In fact, I’m honored to be your driver. Apparently, I still have quite a lot to learn despite my age."

Alexander smiled.

"What about your children? Do they have a say in all this?

"My children are both adults now. They were happy I got the job. But surprisingly, they were even happier when I called them and said I decided to stay on as your personal driver."

"What do you mean?

"Apparently, my grown-up children recognized that for the first time I have found something I wanted to do, and stick by it. They were proud of me."

"I believed them more than I believed in myself."

That made two of them.

The bus carrying the workers followed behind their car.

For the first few minutes, Alexander paid it little attention. Then he noticed how closely it was following. If the car hit potholes, the bus did too. Alex could hear the sound from where he sat.

His shoulders gradually stiffened. He checked his seatbelt. He was fidgety.

Elias noticed that too.

Without asking, he signaled for the bus to pull over at a safe spot along the road.

"What happened?" Alexander asked.

"Nothing, sir. Give me a few minutes to handle this."

Elias got out and walked casually toward the bus.

Alexander watched through the window as his driver spoke briefly with the bus driver, gave him the general directions to the ancestral property, and asked him to leave more distance between the two vehicles. He also asked him to refrain from flashing his lights every time he hit a pothole.

"What was the flashing of lights for in the middle of the day?" Elias asked.

"Oh, that I was saying sorry; I hit a pothole." The shuttle bus driver responded.

"And you expect me to respond how?"

"Hmm. Not really. Probably a bad driving habit I picked up over the years."

"Okay, it’s settled then. Check your passengers to make sure they are all on board before you close the door and leave. There is no public transport in this area. If you accidentally leave one, you’d have to come back to fetch anyone left behind."

The driver nodded. While the two drivers were talking, a few passengers asked to get off the shuttle bus. Some to urinate, some to stretch their legs, and some just to see where they were headed. Bob stood and opened the window to let in fresh air. The smell of workers’ perspiration after rummaging through tools and soot clung to their baggage and shoes.

A few minutes later, Elias got back into the car and resumed driving.

"He knows where we’re going now," he said. "He’ll keep a safer distance."

Alexander relaxed against his seat.

"Thanks."

"It’s better that way."

"Yes."

Joe would’ve approved.

Apparently, years of being driven around had given Alexander very specific standards for the people behind the wheel.

Still, Elias’s earlier answer stayed with him.

No regrets.

Alexander appreciated hearing it, but Elias was only one person.

An entire bus of workers still sat behind them, about to see what continuing with Second Life Workshop would actually require.

A temporary warehouse.

Weekdays away from their families.

A bunkhouse that needed repairs.

Months of uncertainty while the original workshop remained tied up in inspections, insurance claims, and reconstruction.

Alexander had promised them wages during the work stoppage and the freedom to walk away if the new arrangement didn’t work for them.

By the end of the day, he would find out how many intended to take him up on that second offer.