Chapter 172: Where You Go

Elias had spent the last several months knowing his job came with an expiration date.

He just hadn’t expected Alexander Vance to be the one who changed it.

After leaving the Board meeting, Alexander had returned to the car and asked Elias to drive somewhere quiet instead of leaving the area immediately. They ended up parked several blocks away from Vance Holdings, far enough from the main entrance that nobody coming in and out of the building would pay them much attention.

For a moment, Alexander simply sat there.

Then he looked toward the front.

"I’m not going back to Vance Holdings as CEO."

Elias turned slightly in his seat.

He didn’t look particularly surprised.

Alexander noticed.

"You already knew?"

"I suspected."

"Was I that obvious?"

"You’ve been rebuilding Second Life Workshop."

Apparently, that answered everything.

Alexander supposed it probably did.

He’d spent months pouring more and more of himself into a business that was originally supposed to occupy him only during his leave. Then the workshop caught fire, and instead of taking it as an opportunity to walk away, Alexander had immediately started planning how to rebuild it.

Anyone paying attention could probably read between the lines.

Elias had certainly been paying attention.

Alexander leaned back.

"I’m no longer going back to Vance Holdings as CEO, but that doesn’t mean I no longer need you."

That got Elias’s full attention.

"If you want the position, I’d like you to continue as my personal driver."

Elias was quiet.

The arrangement would be different this time.

During Alexander’s leave, Elias’s employment had remained connected to Vance Holdings under a temporary arrangement because nobody knew whether Alexander would eventually return to his old position.

Now they knew.

"If you stay with me," Alexander continued, "you’ll be employed directly by me. Not Vance Holdings."

Elias nodded slowly.

"And since we’re already here, HR is waiting for your decision. You have the option of requesting reassignment within the company or resigning and accepting a private employment contract with me."

"What reassignment is available?"

"There’s currently no vacancy for another executive driver. They can offer you a fleet-driver position, though. You’d remain within the Vance Holdings structure."

It wasn’t necessarily a bad option.

Vance Holdings was stable. Elias would remain a corporate employee with an established position, without the uncertainty that might come with following a man who had just voluntarily resigned as CEO to run a restoration business that had recently burned down.

Alexander could admit that didn’t sound particularly reassuring when phrased that way.

"You don’t have to decide now," he added. "You can think about it and visit HR tomorrow."

"No need."

Alexander looked at him.

Elias had already turned farther around in his seat.

"I made up my mind a long time ago."

"Really?"

"Yes, sir. In fact, while I was waiting for you, I already submitted my decision to HR."

Alexander stared at him.

"And your decision?"

Elias smiled.

"I’m staying as your personal driver, if you’ll still have me."

Alexander hadn’t realized how much he’d been hoping to hear that until the relief hit him.

He exhaled.

"Welcome to my world, Elias."

Elias laughed quietly.

"Thank you for staying," Alexander continued. "I mean that. I’ll make it worth your while."

"You already have."

Alexander looked at him.

Elias’s expression had become more serious.

"I’ve seen what you do, sir. I’ve seen how you treat the people who work for you. I believe you."

For once, Alexander didn’t have an immediate answer.

Elias had joined him during one of the strangest periods of his life. He’d driven Alexander to school, Second Life Workshop, meetings, the ancestral home, and everywhere else his supposedly temporary five-month leave had taken him.

He’d also been there when Alexander’s plans changed repeatedly.

Apparently, none of that had frightened him away.

"Thank you," Alexander finally said.

Elias nodded.

The silence that followed was comfortable.

Alexander looked out the window at the distant Vance Holdings tower.

He’d walked into that building today as its CEO on leave.

He’d walked out knowing he would never hold that position again.

Strangely, the reality didn’t frighten him nearly as much as he’d once thought.

His phone rang.

Alexander pulled it from his pocket.

Giovanni.

He answered.

"Gio."

"Alex."

Something about Giovanni’s voice immediately told him the news had already traveled.

Alexander smiled faintly.

"That was fast."

"I heard you formally informed the Board that you won’t be returning as CEO."

"Apparently nothing stays confidential around here."

"You’re the controlling shareholder of Vance Holdings who just announced he isn’t returning to the chief executive position. People were going to notice."

Fair enough.

Giovanni was quiet for a moment.

"How do you feel?"

Alexander didn’t even have to think.

"Relieved."

"Good."

Alexander looked down at his hand.

"I should’ve told you before I went to the Board."

"You didn’t have to."

"I know. But we’re getting married, Gio. You probably shouldn’t have to hear something this important from someone else."

"That part I agree with."

Alexander laughed softly.

"I wasn’t trying to keep it from you. I just wanted to make the decision myself before I started discussing it with everyone."

"I know."

Alexander hesitated.

"I don’t think I could contribute much more as CEO than what I’ve already given Vance Holdings over the years."

"Alex."

He stopped.

"You don’t have to explain your decision to me."

Alexander became quiet.

"I just want you to be happy with whatever choice you make."

Something about that simplicity settled more deeply than Alexander expected.

No argument.

No discussion about whether leaving the CEO position was strategically wise.

No reminder of the prestige he was giving up.

Just whether Alexander was happy.

"I am."

"Then that’s enough for me."

Alexander smiled.

"I have a meeting in a few minutes," Giovanni added. "I’ll call you later."

"All right."

"And Alex?"

"Hmm?"

"Congratulations."

Alexander blinked.

"For resigning?"

"For figuring out what you want."

His smile widened.

"Thanks, Gio."

They ended the call.

Alexander lowered his phone and caught Elias looking at him through the rearview mirror.

"What?"

"Nothing, sir."

"That wasn’t nothing."

Elias wisely turned his attention forward.

Alexander shook his head.

Then his gaze returned to the Vance Holdings tower.

He still had one more conversation to have before they left.

Five months ago, Elias hadn’t been the only person who’d asked Alexander what would happen if he never returned.

Vincent had asked too.

And unlike Elias, Vincent had chosen to stay.

Alexander leaned forward.

"Actually, Elias, don’t leave yet."

"Yes, sir?"

"I need to go back inside."

Elias glanced toward the building, then nodded.

Alexander reached for the door.

Five months ago, Vincent had made the terms clear.

Five months from now, you tell me what you’re doing.

Alexander finally had his answer.