Nobody moved. Darius continued. “Documentation reduces the distance.”
Charles looked down again. “Ms. Hartwell.” Vanessa answered, “Yes.”
“You made the promotion based on this record?” Vanessa said, “Yes.”
“Within ten days.” Vanessa nodded. “The work had been occurring for three years.”
“The search had effectively already happened.” She looked around the board. “We simply had not been paying attention to the candidate.”
Charles closed the binder. “The board will meet privately.”
Darius stood. “Thank you.” He collected nothing unnecessary.
He walked out without looking backward. The door closed behind him. He leaned against the hallway wall and finally exhaled.
Two minutes later, Vanessa emerged. She looked at him. “You’re smiling.”
“I did good.” Vanessa shook her head. “You were extraordinary.”
Darius laughed. “Those numbers were extraordinary.”
“You built the numbers.” She stood beside him. “Charles returned to page three twice.”
“I noticed.” Vanessa nodded. “He never rereads things.”
Darius looked toward the ceiling. “Whatever happens, I don’t regret any of this.”
Vanessa turned. Darius continued. “Not the job.”
“Not bringing that binder to your house.” He smiled. “Not the terrible proposal.”
Vanessa’s mouth curved. “It was an objectively terrible proposal.”
“Still waiting on your formal answer.” Vanessa looked at him. “I already said okay.”
They stood quietly. Then Vanessa said, “Dinner tonight.”
Darius looked at her. “Nia has school tomorrow.”
“She texted me this morning saying she has an urgent update about Miles.” Darius closed his eyes. “Why does my daughter have your phone number?”
Vanessa smiled. “Because she is resourceful.” Darius sighed.
“She will run this company someday.” Vanessa considered it. “Probably better than we do.”
The board deliberated until the next afternoon. Evan sent Darius increasingly unstable updates. At 11:52, the message read, They have been inside for nearly three hours. I have consumed enough pretzels to become medically relevant.
Darius replied, Work. Evan answered, Breathing is my current work.
At 12:24, Vanessa called. Darius picked up immediately. Neither spoke for a second.
“They voted.” Darius waited. “Eleven to one.”
He leaned back. Vanessa continued. “The position and promotion are fully ratified.”