27

On the drive back from the hospital, while James’ mind was filled with thoughts on what to do on Eric’s case, he was also thinking about what to do and who could possibly be efficient enough to run the company as an acting CEO since Eric was most probably going to be busy running around because of his sick daughter and to ease the mind of his worried sick wife, Mary.

On the other side, Eric was also thinking of a way to possibly manage a company that had been all so suddenly handed to him to run while trying to be there for his ailing daughter and his worried sick wife.

He opened his mouth to say something.

“Uhh…Mr. Wane, I was thinking and…” a hand on his shoulder made him halt and stop talking.

It was James’ hand.

“I have also been thinking ever since we left the hospital and I’m pretty sure I can guess just what exactly you have been thinking about. It would be very cruel of me to take you away from your family in this trying period when you all need to draw strength from each other and so you can take your time and make sure everyone is fine.” James said.

“I’m really grateful, Mr. Wane for the kind words and be rest assured that I will do everything in my power to make sure that I repay you for all your kind gesture towards me and my family, if it wasn’t for you my only daughter would have been dead by now.” Eric replied.

“That should be my line, if it wasn’t for you and your quick thinking and action, the story would have been different and we wouldn’t have come this far and please just call me James.” James answered.

“Okay then. So, you said you were thinking about what to do…will everything continue as planned or there is a new plan of action?” Eric asked.

“Everything would go on basically the same way as planned except for some little changes here and there.” James said, sighing the last part of his words.

“Okay, what might that be?” Eric inquired.

“We have to find someone who would take your place as the acting CEO, someone who'd do the job as efficiently as you and not get too greedy or easily wavered.” James sighed again, he couldn’t think of anyone to fit that description, every one of the Wane family already had something they are busy with and he would like for this whole issue to remain within the closest and immediate part of the family as possible.

Eric was also thinking about it but he had no connections and he didn’t even know of anyone of any particular standing until he met James. He lowered his head and felt a little disappointed in himself and his background.

They both mused about it for a while and it was Gregor who finally came to their rescue.

“Why don’t you try giving your uncle a call, he should have the right man for the job and if all of his people are currently busy with some work, I’m sure he would have someone trustworthy he could recommend for the job.”

“That’s right Gregor! Why didn’t I think of that myself, definitely uncle Ryan surely would have the perfect person for the job.” James explained.

“It is settled then. I’ll put him on the line right away.” Gregor announced and looked through the rear view mirror at James, to get his approval before he proceeded to ring Ryan Wane.

“I hope you really don’t mind that Eric?” James asked, he was worried Eric might feel bad or cheated on.

“Oh not at all, it wasn’t mine in the first place and I’m really grateful for your kind consideration of my current plight.” Eric said, gratitude written on all corners of his face and not even the slightest hint of a sour feeling that could possibly spell any evil intents whatsoever. James would later come to realize that Eric Wood is a good man of virtue, and very rare too.

“Okay, but if you don’t mind there is one more thing I would really like for you to do before you take your leave.” James said.

“Just say the word, anything at all and it’ll be done.” Eric said, set to do anything at all to help since he wasn’t able to help in the provision of the right person to take his place and feeling a little better about himself.

“You’d go into the company briefly tomorrow and call a meeting of executives at best for ten minutes and inform them that some personal issues require your presence and you’d have to leave the company for a while.”

“That is easy, but there might be a catch.” Eric responded thoughtfully.

“What could that be?” James asked and Gregor showed his interest by turning a little to look at them before turning back to focus on the road.

“What would I do if Mr. Sterling suggests that he be the one to man the company in my absence?”

“A catch indeed. Finding an excuse is going to be quite difficult.”

Gregor comes to the rescue again.

“Then he must go into the company with the new person for the job and introduce them as the ones to take his place and quieten all arguments before they even start.”

“That’s a good idea. But, how fast would this new person make it to the company in such a short notice?” Eric wondered.

“Hey Gregor, what is the message from Uncle Ryan?” James asked.

“I couldn’t get him on his phone but his personal assistant did say to try again in twenty-five minutes.” Gregor answered.

“Okay then, we’d wait for his call back. Now let us send Mr. Eric home to get prepared and get the necessary stuff for his wife and kid and then send him back to the hospital.”

Ring Ring Ring… James ringtone cut into the air, it was Lana.

“Lana, how is it going?” he asked her.

“ I arrived about an hour and thirty minutes ago but a lot had been piled waiting for me and I had to go through all of that. Just got a break and I called to ask how it is going over there.” she briefed him.

James gave her the gist of everything that has been going on.

“Eric is with me right now, we are driving him home to get some things for his wife and daughter in the hospital, she was moved to Sky Care Hospitals earlier today after being mispronounced dead.”

“That's definitely going to be tough. And oh that reminds me, with myself and Eric going off base, what is going to happen with your plans, do you plan to do your great entrance now?” she asked.

“Nope, not just yet. We have made few adjustments to the plan and Uncle is going to provide us with someone to take Eric’s place for this period and so would make a last appearance tomorrow at the company before he leaves, to brief them and introduce the new person as his acting CEO.” James explained.

“That is some fine tailored plan, even though I would want nothing more but for you to return to your rightful place and put an end to all of this drama on time.” she sighed.

“Soon cuz, soon and all of this would end.” he promised his worried cousin.

“Okay, talk later then. Send my regards to Eric and best wishes to him and his family.” she said and that ended their call.

“That was Lana, she sent her regards to you.’ James relayed to Eric.

“That is nice of her, thanks.”

James took a look at Eric and noticed that he looked more tired with every passing minute, with his daughter’s situation on his mind and having to run a company on short notice must have been tasking for him.

Just when he opened his mouth to speak, Gregor announced their arrival at Eric’s house. The house was a small one located at the not so fine part of Emerald Falls.

Eric felt a little embarrassed at how James looked at his house.

“I’m sorry but we are not exactly well off and this is all we could afford.” He apologized.

“Sorry? Don’t be sorry, you have done really well. Now go on and get the stuff you need.” James cheered.

“Okay I will be right back.

A thought was already forming in James mind, a thought on how best to repay Eric.