New Day, New Job, New Love

New Day, New Job, New Love

Josiah looked incredulously at his new Sao Paulo place littered with moving boxes. In the midst of the orchestrated chaos, he calmly and carefully unpacked his favorite suit and polished up his lucky shoes. He had meticulously prepared for the first day at his new job – THE DREAM JOB! He had worked so hard and sacrificed so much - to be more than what the job required and to make the move from his sleepy hometown. As he prepared for the day, he could hear his mom’s voice, see her tears of pride and sorrow, and feel her mama-bear hug around his neck. Now dressed and checking himself in the mirror, Josiah saw his dad’s reflection smiling back at him.

“I wish you could see me now, Pops! From South Carolina to South America . . .”

As he dodged boxes like an American Ninja Warrior, Josiah’s mind cruised through a visual montage of faces from his big “Growing Away” party back home. He smiled to himself as his mind replayed the conversations and voice mails. He smiled with the memories – until Amari’s teary goodbye rattled his brain and shook his heart. The thought of their last embrace stopped Josiah in his tracks. Amari begged him to take the job offer in South America. He searched hard for any reason to stay in South Carolina just to be close to her. Though they had grown very close over the last three months, Amari knew Josiah spent the last five years of his life preparing for this job opportunity. And, she would never forgive herself if he chose to stay in South Cack – for her.

Josiah walked the two blocks to his new job, but the stunning beauty of Sao Paulo was completely lost on him. Josiah’s mind swirled with Amari doubt and adjustment worry – the concern about how he would be accepted by the international collection of brilliantly talented young minds that he was now expected to lead. The world around him moved in slow motion. But, Josiah’s memory drive was operating in hyper-speed. He grew closer and closer to the high rise building that would soon be his home away from home. He ticked off the checklist of all he had done over the last 5 years and 7 months to build the resume he knew the job would need; Latin – Check, Spanish – Check, Italian – Check, Portuguese – Check, PHR – Check, Six Sigma – Check, $Billion dollar project governance portfolio – Check, International Client List – Check, French - Check . . .

Amari reluctantly helped Josiah through the linguistic whirlwind of mastering five new languages. Meanwhile, he secretly hoped she would be moved by the poetry and melody in French and Latin. Josiah thought, if she helped him she would want to learn at least one of the languages herself – not! There were so many great things Josiah saw in Amari. But, he wished, more than anything, she shared his enthusiasm for global experiences and trying new things. He remembered his disappointment in hearing Amari say she couldn’t move “that far away” because she would feel like an alien on a foreign . . .

Before the memory could play out, Josiah’s attention was taken by the worried look on his reflection in the office glass. He paused for one last check of the fit, wiped away the stressful memories, and smiled in anticipation of his bright potential that matched the brilliance of the rising sun. Josiah turned to walk the final few steps into his future. As he approached, the doors whooshed open with the baritone bellman bellowing a morning greeting, “Bom dia senhor!” Before Josiah could return the greeting, he glimpsed Amari stepping into one of the lobby elevators. Was his mind playing games with his eyes and his heart?

“Was that really Amari? Is she trying to surprise me? She must have changed her mind!”

Josiah was talking aloud to himself and moving swiftly to the elevator bay. He had to know for sure if that was his Amari. He watched the elevator floor indicator stop on his new floor. His heart began to beat wildly and his smile had grown into a full grin. He was giddy with the thought of Amari being HERE with him; exploring this beautiful city WITH HIM. Josiah entered the elevator still conversing with himself,

“Okay! Okay! Okay! Calm down 'Siah. Play it cool. You are still at work and this is your first day!”

He was able to relax his mind, but Josiah’s bright smile continued to sparkle. He stepped out of the elevator with his head on a swivel, looking right and left for Amari as he entered the lobby of his new office. And, there dead center of his new team stood --Allison, one of the team engineers. Though the color was half a shade lighter than Amari’s, Allison’s hair was styled EXACTLY the same. Josiah’s heart cried a little when he realized his mistake. He had seen Allison’s hair as she entered the elevator and he desperately wanted to believe it was his Amari.

With his heart shattered, Josiah never allowed his disappointment to show. He enthusiastically greeted his new team in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian honoring the diversity of his new team. Josiah was impressed and overcome by the camaraderie and chemistry of the team. He and the team briefly exchanged greetings in the lobby before transitioning to the grand tour. As he floated across the lobby to his new office, an unfamiliar voice called to him from the depths of a luxurious corner office,

“Hey, new guy! That was an impressive linguistics display of verbal judo!”

“Uhh, Thank You?!?”, Josiah stated inquisitively peering around the magnificent opulence of this leadership perk – the marble furniture with pearl inlays, the mahogany floors, the six degrees on the wall, the pictures with political royalty from multiple countries, and the pristine view of –

THE most strikingly gorgeous woman Josiah had ever seen in his life stood from her chair across the room. She moved on a cloud as she floated across the room from behind her desk. As she moved, Josiah heard the sound of violins, harps, and angels in chorus. As she approached, the scent of La Vie Est Belle wrapped around Josiah, lifted him off his feet, squeezed his heart, and caressed his brain. When she stood close enough to extend her hand for a formal greeting, Josiah returned her handshake with his right hand, but also covered the softness of her skin with his left hand.

“Welcome and Hello! I’m I’mira, VP of Global Logistics. You and I will be working closely together while we grow our operations in Rome and Brazil . . .”

As she spoke, Josiah followed their future in her brown almond eyes, felt her heart beat strongly in his hands, and heard the sound of pure joy in the melody of her voice. His eyes travelled the soft rise and fall of her glistening lips. He instantly longed to caress the silky smoothness of her skin, feel the curve of her high cheekbones nuzzled against his face, and touch the tight curls that bounced like spring wind with her every movement. Her whole body was an inviting smile that instantly welcomed Josiah into her world and into her life. He was intrigued by her confidence and inspired by her intelligence. Her French accent spoke volumes to Josiah’s sens de l’aventure. He craved more!

In that moment, Josiah was absolutely certain he made the right decision to make Sao Paulo his new home. Before he could even find his way to his new office, the love of his life floated into his world from across the room.

And, she just invited him to lunch . . .

I’mira spent the morning reflecting on the ten years her dad spent grooming her to take over the company he built from the Sao Paulo mud with his bare hands. She clearly recalled the nights he tearfully poured his fears into her mother’s hands while her mom spoke quiet encouragement and fervently prayed words of strength and favor. I’mira’s father sent her to the best schools, paired her with strong mentors, and always shared the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of their business. He wanted her to be an excellent judge of character and have a spirit of wisdom and discernment well beyond her days. By the time his body was ravaged by the dreaded disease, I’mira had barely noticed her hero growing weaker. She thought there would be more time . . .

Yet, here she stood, commemorating five years; mentally peering into the hole in the ground where her father, her hero, her North Star was laid to rest. This was the first time in five years that she even came to work on this day. And, in all honesty, she would have probably been home again today if this weren’t the new COO’s first day. I’mira had already determined she would meet the new guy and then take the rest of day off – blame it on a client being in town or something, any reason to get out of this incredibly shrinking space.

The laughter and chaos from the lobby startled I’mira back to reality. Her ears were tickled by the laughter in the distinct, yet unrecognizable voice that controlled this insolent brood of millennials. The sound of those spoiled little brats yukk, yukk, yukking it up made I’mira aggravated and in need of a breakfast mimosa. Though she could not distinguish all that was spoken, I’mira could definitely hear greetings in at least three different languages.

“Ugghhh! This must be the New Guy Circus rolling into town. Here we go with the old ‘Dog & Pony’ show. Let me make this quick and I’m out! Hey new guy . . .”

I’mira was entirely unprepared for the 6 foot 4 inches of Carolina Strong that strolled into her office. Her attention was immediately captured by the shine of his custom Ferragamo’s that reminded I’mira of her dad’s favorite loafers. Though it trailed off as he entered her space, his voice boomeranged around her office and pulled I’mira to her feet. His voice was deep and soothing, like her favorite Billie Holiday record. His stride was long and powerful, confident yet humble, and moved him deeper into I’mira’s office before she even knew he was coming in.

She adored the way his bright smile never faded as he perused her trinkets. Just seeing him actually read the majors on her degrees, study the faces in the frames, and examine the origins of the stones and baubles allowed her a peek into the depths of his mind. I’mira was surprised to feel her heart flutter simply by the smile that widened as this stranger turned to face her and exchange eye contact. His teeth seemed to sparkle as the full width of his shoulders turned toward I’mira and glide in her direction. I’mira could barely speak as she took in the full height, width, and stature of this larger-than-life stranger who instantly melted away her fears and pain.

She had to get closer – close enough to see if his eyes were as alluring as his countenance, close enough to see if his well-tailored slim fit suit was a disguise, or if his cologne selection was as sharp as his fashion taste. I’mira was swept away from the pain of her past, riding a wave into her future with this man whose hands covered hers with warmth, compassion, and a sensual touch that felt like “I Do’s” and anniversaries. I’mira couldn’t stop herself from talking. The truth is, she would have said anything to keep this man in her presence and swimming in the depth of his brown eyes.

“Let me take you to lunch!”