“He’ll need our support, Isabella,” he whispers. “We can’t visit him yet, but I’m hopeful that once we’re given the green light that you’ll want to see him.”
I wasn’t working for Duke the last time this happened. I was still an intern.
Rumors about Duke’s addictions were the only thing anyone talked about when he didn’t show up for work one day.
That absence turned into a three-month stint in rehab for alcohol and drug addiction.
Duke collared that beast.
He went to meetings, sometimes twice a day. His commitment to sobriety was inspiring.
Sometime between then and now he lost the battle. He was arrested for public drunkenness and disorderly conduct on Fire Island late Friday night.
This morning, he was on an airplane headed to an addiction treatment facility just outside of Boston. His mom is making the trip with him.
Ivan steps back, his arms crossing his chest. “He needs to focus on his recovery. I need to be available whenever he needs me. Barrett agreed to take over as CEO.”
“In the interim?” I ask, hopefully. “Duke came back to work after a few months the last time…”
“No,” Ivan interrupts me with a shake of his head. “I fear I put too much pressure on my son.”
Guilt favors those who love deeply.
I can tell that he thinks Duke’s fall from grace is his fault.
“If…no, when, he comes back to Garent, we will figure out where he feels most comfortable.” His gaze drops. “That’s not something to think about today. Duke’s recovery is what matters. My son has a bright future ahead of him.”
He’s right.
Duke has a lot of life left to live. He’s only thirty-six-years-old. The company will still be here when he’s ready to come back.
“I should have explained all of this earlier.” He glances at the open doorway of Duke’s office. “I was trying to juggle too many things at once this morning. I assumed you’d take a longer lunch and I’d get to you before you got to Barrett.”
I look over to where Barrett is standing next to Duke’s desk. He’s focused on the phone in his hands.
“I offered you the new contract to keep you here, Isabella. You’re Duke’s closest ally. You know every deal, every contact, everything. My hope is that with you by his side, Barrett’s transition to CEO will be seamless.”
All Mr. Garent needs from me is reassurance, so I give that to him. “I’ll do my best, sir.”
“You always do.” He straightens his jacket. “I’m going take Barrett down to marketing to introduce him to the team. You’ll hold down the fort until we’re done with that?”
“Of course. You’ll let me know how Duke is doing?” I lower my voice. “If you or Mrs. Garent need anything, I’m always here for you.”
“I’ll check in regularly.” He lets out a deep breath. “I only need one thing from you. Do your job exactly the same way you have for the past six months. You’re the best executive assistant my son ever had. I expect you to be the same to Barrett.”
I wait until he walks into Duke’s office before I unlock the top drawer of my desk and pull out my copy of the contract I signed earlier.
I scan it quickly, noting that nowhere does it mention Duke by name.
When I reach the bottom of page three, I stop and read the last line.
Isabella Calvetti will report directly to the CEO of Garent Industries, Mr. Barrett Adler.
Dammit. I just found the fine print.
***
An hour later, I let the ringing office phone go to voicemail. I know that I’ll have to explain to whoever is on the other end, that Duke is no longer in charge. I’ve already had that conversation with three Garent employees. All of them had the same reaction; shock and disappointment.