With Roy White and Bruce Reese, on at least a "Break" From Ross's life, and his world.
Ross took a deep breath, and felt free for the first time in a long time.
At that point, Ross was able to focus , and Ross, Steve, and Fritz, were buying up one small distributorship after the next for their new business, and even, selling off some where the product they had, was in great demand by other business.
Ross was more relaxed, in the office, and at home.
Ross wanted to expand RK Mini Marketing to get Kayley even more money, but since Ross knew he would give Kayley most anything she wanted because she was his wife, Ross did not feel he should have "Too much on his plate"
Ross, Fritz, and Steve were amazed at the expansion in client relationships, products, and money in a very brief period of time.
Ross knew he would never "Give up" RossShell However, with Vic doing such a wonderful job with running the company, Ross became little more than a sign off CEO to approve monetary expense for the company, and a presence at board meetings, which were not held that often.
Even Ross and Kayley's emotional and physical relationship improved.
One night, after Ross and Kayley had made love, Kayley remarked how wonderful things were,
"God you have been so nice to live with lately, Ross, is this a dream?; Kayley chuckled.
"No, sweetie. It is just my appreciating what I have with you, with us, and in my work" Ross said
"I want to go away somewhere during the summer, (Which was upcoming) Please get away from the office for a week" Kayley appealed.
"Oh, absolutely. Maybe by then I will be free of all problems with B and R, but I dont want to talk about that now" Ross said.
Kayley even noticed Ross seemed to be sleeping better, as if she awakened during the night, Ross would be sleeping peacefully next to her, and not lying awake and obsessing about business, and or drafting up new ideas.
Ross was in a better mood at the office, not sulking around and going off to Victor about Reese, White, and constant business problems.
The 30 day hiatus with Ross, Bruce and Roy was fast approaching.
Ross was drafting up ideas of how to make their split permanent, except for the old money on old projects.
On the 30th day, Roy sent Ross a very civil email, asking for a meeting for an "idea" on a new project.
Ross, who already had an ever expanding business with Fritz and Steve, almost wanted to turn Roy down, to save Ross's sanity.
Ross showed Vic the email, and talked it over.
"30 day hiatus with Bruce and Roy is coming to an end, Roy just emailed me with a new idea, what do you think I should do?"
"Ross, you are the owner of this company, I am only your day to day manager, I dont feel right telling you what to do on a major business decision"
"I'm asking you your advice as a businessman, and as my friend, Vic" Ross replied.
"Honestly, I am so relieved to be free of Roy and Bruce constant BS, that I feel like saying no. Although, you and me both know that the businessman in me is curious" Ross said.
"Fine, then meet with him, do not commit to anything until you think about it and how it will affect you on all levels, and most important, keep your cool. There is nothing about this company which is that important as to get yourself so worked up over, the way you did before you took your hiatus from him" Vic said.
"Thanks, Vic, I appreciate the thoughts" Ross said.
Ross called Roy and arranged a lunch meeting for two days later.
For the rest of that day, Ross was distracted, wondering if he had made the right decision.
When Ross got home that evening, Kayley knew something was up.
"What;s with you, CEO? Bad day at the office"
"Nothing, just tired" Ross said,
"Bullshit, Ross, what did you do?" Kayley said.
Ross went into his closet, and undressed.
"Roy White called me today. Its the end of the 30 day hiatus, he asked me to meet him for lunch"
"You said yes?" Kayley said, clearly annoyed.
"Yes, I did" Ross replied.
"Liar!" Kayley exclaimed.
"Excuse me,. I resent you saying that because it is not true. I committed to take a 30 day break from Roy and Bruce. I told you that. I never said that I was not ever going to communicate with them again" Ross fired back.
"I dont get you, Ross C. Do you always have to constantly do something that is going to cause you and us more problems? What do you gain except aggravation? We already have more money then we can ever spend on our lives" Kayley said.
"I'm going to have one meeting with White and maybe Reese. I will not commit to anything, both to take care of my business and personal sanity. Unless they offer me something really good that is too attractive to pass up, I will tell them no. Fair enough?" Ross said.
"Fine" Kayley said.
On the day of the meeting with White, and Reese, Ross wore a new suit to the office. As Ross left for the lunch meeting, Ross was given some advice. :
"Ross , be careful. Please just listen, and do not commit to anything. We will discuss whatever they say to you" Vic said calmly, knowing that Ross sometimes made "Rash decisions" that Ross later often regretted.
Ross nodded his head and left for the meeting.
When he reached the place of the meeting, Ross shook Roy's hand, and ordered an iced tea.
"Ross, I was hoping you would hear me out on a proposal I have, no obligation of course" Roy said.
"Okay, I'm listening" Ross said.
"I was thinking maybe you would be interested in partnering on a new product idea I have, and if you would be willing to talk to someone about it" Roy said.
Ross shook his head.
"If you mean Fritz and Steve, then the answer is a definite no. I will not mix Bruce and you with Fritz and Steve, especially with all the problems you, Bruce and me have" Ross said infatically.
"Maybe you might know someone who can help us" Roy said.
"I will think about it. However, considering our past and current business and personal differences, I will not let Fritz, Steve, or anyone either of them know to be involved" Ross said definitively.
"Okay, understood. " Roy said.
The two men finished their lunch, said Goodbye, and Ross went back to the office
"Well?" Vic said.
"Just what I thought. He wanted contacts of ours for a new product idea. I told him it would definitely not be Fritz or Steve, or anyone they know" Ross said.
That night, when Ross got home, he undressed,. and started massaging Kayley's bare feet in his lap.
"What did Roy want?" She asked.
"To suggest contacts for a new product idea." Ross replied.
Kayley angrily pulled her feet out of Ross's lap, and stood up, heading for the bedroom. "You Idiot!" Kayley charged.
Ross followed Kayley. "Stop it Kayley! What you are doing is unfair! Did I say I was going in with him? Did I offer to even help him?" Ross said.
"I know it is going around in your mind, and it pisses me off. You have been like a man free this last month! Things are going so well with your new venture. It is almost like you are.. addicted to these guys! You dont need the money. Why the hell would you even consider it?!" Kayley said, calmly, but clearly upset.
Kayley continued,. " I dont care what he offers you, say no. It seems you always must run almost like a three ring circus. You are rid of men who have made you so angry for so long! These men are not family or close friends, Ross, They are business contacts you tell everyone you cant stand, making money or no making money" Kayley reasoned.
Ross sighed.
"Okay, for my business sanity and so I wont cause World War Three with you, I will pass" Ross said.
"Forget about me. I am just your partner in life. I love you more than life itself, but your unwise decisions just upset me so much at times" Kayley said.
That night, when Ross went to bed, Kayley fell asleep, and Ross was having trouble doing so.
Why.. why was he even considering what White had said, considering the business and personal problems it might cause Ross, Kayley and his company?
Would Ross have the mind to pass, or would he succumb to his business addiction of sometimes making terrible decisions, regardless of what it cost him, his relationship with his wife, and his company?
That remained to be seen.
Ross took a deep breath, and felt free for the first time in a long time.
At that point, Ross was able to focus , and Ross, Steve, and Fritz, were buying up one small distributorship after the next for their new business, and even, selling off some where the product they had, was in great demand by other business.
Ross was more relaxed, in the office, and at home.
Ross wanted to expand RK Mini Marketing to get Kayley even more money, but since Ross knew he would give Kayley most anything she wanted because she was his wife, Ross did not feel he should have "Too much on his plate"
Ross, Fritz, and Steve were amazed at the expansion in client relationships, products, and money in a very brief period of time.
Ross knew he would never "Give up" RossShell However, with Vic doing such a wonderful job with running the company, Ross became little more than a sign off CEO to approve monetary expense for the company, and a presence at board meetings, which were not held that often.
Even Ross and Kayley's emotional and physical relationship improved.
One night, after Ross and Kayley had made love, Kayley remarked how wonderful things were,
"God you have been so nice to live with lately, Ross, is this a dream?; Kayley chuckled.
"No, sweetie. It is just my appreciating what I have with you, with us, and in my work" Ross said
"I want to go away somewhere during the summer, (Which was upcoming) Please get away from the office for a week" Kayley appealed.
"Oh, absolutely. Maybe by then I will be free of all problems with B and R, but I dont want to talk about that now" Ross said.
Kayley even noticed Ross seemed to be sleeping better, as if she awakened during the night, Ross would be sleeping peacefully next to her, and not lying awake and obsessing about business, and or drafting up new ideas.
Ross was in a better mood at the office, not sulking around and going off to Victor about Reese, White, and constant business problems.
The 30 day hiatus with Ross, Bruce and Roy was fast approaching.
Ross was drafting up ideas of how to make their split permanent, except for the old money on old projects.
On the 30th day, Roy sent Ross a very civil email, asking for a meeting for an "idea" on a new project.
Ross, who already had an ever expanding business with Fritz and Steve, almost wanted to turn Roy down, to save Ross's sanity.
Ross showed Vic the email, and talked it over.
"30 day hiatus with Bruce and Roy is coming to an end, Roy just emailed me with a new idea, what do you think I should do?"
"Ross, you are the owner of this company, I am only your day to day manager, I dont feel right telling you what to do on a major business decision"
"I'm asking you your advice as a businessman, and as my friend, Vic" Ross replied.
"Honestly, I am so relieved to be free of Roy and Bruce constant BS, that I feel like saying no. Although, you and me both know that the businessman in me is curious" Ross said.
"Fine, then meet with him, do not commit to anything until you think about it and how it will affect you on all levels, and most important, keep your cool. There is nothing about this company which is that important as to get yourself so worked up over, the way you did before you took your hiatus from him" Vic said.
"Thanks, Vic, I appreciate the thoughts" Ross said.
Ross called Roy and arranged a lunch meeting for two days later.
For the rest of that day, Ross was distracted, wondering if he had made the right decision.
When Ross got home that evening, Kayley knew something was up.
"What;s with you, CEO? Bad day at the office"
"Nothing, just tired" Ross said,
"Bullshit, Ross, what did you do?" Kayley said.
Ross went into his closet, and undressed.
"Roy White called me today. Its the end of the 30 day hiatus, he asked me to meet him for lunch"
"You said yes?" Kayley said, clearly annoyed.
"Yes, I did" Ross replied.
"Liar!" Kayley exclaimed.
"Excuse me,. I resent you saying that because it is not true. I committed to take a 30 day break from Roy and Bruce. I told you that. I never said that I was not ever going to communicate with them again" Ross fired back.
"I dont get you, Ross C. Do you always have to constantly do something that is going to cause you and us more problems? What do you gain except aggravation? We already have more money then we can ever spend on our lives" Kayley said.
"I'm going to have one meeting with White and maybe Reese. I will not commit to anything, both to take care of my business and personal sanity. Unless they offer me something really good that is too attractive to pass up, I will tell them no. Fair enough?" Ross said.
"Fine" Kayley said.
On the day of the meeting with White, and Reese, Ross wore a new suit to the office. As Ross left for the lunch meeting, Ross was given some advice. :
"Ross , be careful. Please just listen, and do not commit to anything. We will discuss whatever they say to you" Vic said calmly, knowing that Ross sometimes made "Rash decisions" that Ross later often regretted.
Ross nodded his head and left for the meeting.
When he reached the place of the meeting, Ross shook Roy's hand, and ordered an iced tea.
"Ross, I was hoping you would hear me out on a proposal I have, no obligation of course" Roy said.
"Okay, I'm listening" Ross said.
"I was thinking maybe you would be interested in partnering on a new product idea I have, and if you would be willing to talk to someone about it" Roy said.
Ross shook his head.
"If you mean Fritz and Steve, then the answer is a definite no. I will not mix Bruce and you with Fritz and Steve, especially with all the problems you, Bruce and me have" Ross said infatically.
"Maybe you might know someone who can help us" Roy said.
"I will think about it. However, considering our past and current business and personal differences, I will not let Fritz, Steve, or anyone either of them know to be involved" Ross said definitively.
"Okay, understood. " Roy said.
The two men finished their lunch, said Goodbye, and Ross went back to the office
"Well?" Vic said.
"Just what I thought. He wanted contacts of ours for a new product idea. I told him it would definitely not be Fritz or Steve, or anyone they know" Ross said.
That night, when Ross got home, he undressed,. and started massaging Kayley's bare feet in his lap.
"What did Roy want?" She asked.
"To suggest contacts for a new product idea." Ross replied.
Kayley angrily pulled her feet out of Ross's lap, and stood up, heading for the bedroom. "You Idiot!" Kayley charged.
Ross followed Kayley. "Stop it Kayley! What you are doing is unfair! Did I say I was going in with him? Did I offer to even help him?" Ross said.
"I know it is going around in your mind, and it pisses me off. You have been like a man free this last month! Things are going so well with your new venture. It is almost like you are.. addicted to these guys! You dont need the money. Why the hell would you even consider it?!" Kayley said, calmly, but clearly upset.
Kayley continued,. " I dont care what he offers you, say no. It seems you always must run almost like a three ring circus. You are rid of men who have made you so angry for so long! These men are not family or close friends, Ross, They are business contacts you tell everyone you cant stand, making money or no making money" Kayley reasoned.
Ross sighed.
"Okay, for my business sanity and so I wont cause World War Three with you, I will pass" Ross said.
"Forget about me. I am just your partner in life. I love you more than life itself, but your unwise decisions just upset me so much at times" Kayley said.
That night, when Ross went to bed, Kayley fell asleep, and Ross was having trouble doing so.
Why.. why was he even considering what White had said, considering the business and personal problems it might cause Ross, Kayley and his company?
Would Ross have the mind to pass, or would he succumb to his business addiction of sometimes making terrible decisions, regardless of what it cost him, his relationship with his wife, and his company?
That remained to be seen.
