Tasha's expression cooled. "This is real. I've grown this product from the very first brainstorming session."
"Did your family ever grow little cherry tomatoes? Or strawberries? I always loved the idea of walking through a garden and being able to taste what I helped grow," I said.
The smile returned, tentatively. "My favorite was chives," Tasha said. "I loved chewing on them while I was out in the yard."
"And fresh herbs for cooking? Can you imagine how great that would be?" I asked.
Tasha grinned. "You might actually be the target demographic we were going for: first-time gardeners who have the desire and just need a little help."
The fireworks in my stomach were heating up. "And what about you? Don't you want to create something you can harvest? I mean, something you can actually hold in your hands?"
"Fine. I'll admit that aspect of gardening appeals to me." Tasha had turned her chair towards me, but she snapped back when she realized the others in the room were listening.
The meeting was down to only six of us, two junior executives and the four department managers. I was sure that I would be asked to leave and I shifted to the edge of my office chair when the CFO shut the door.
"Now that I have the core team here, I feel that I should warn you: what I'm going to say next is going to be a shock," he said. It seemed to take forever for him to walk back to his place at the head of the long conference table.
"The reports all look favorable so far, sir," Tasha said. "I'm sure once we focus our media strategy, the sales will meet our expectations."
The CFO nodded but scrubbed a hand hard over his mouth. "I'm not sure you're getting my drift, Ms. Nichols," he said.
"Sir, there are a lot of people who worked very hard on this app. They sacrificed time with their families, everything so we could make the best possible product. Please consider them before you give us the axe." Tasha's hand was out on the table, near mine, as if unconsciously seeking support.
"She's right about the reports, sir," I said. "The buzz has been considerable, and I'm sure the sales will take off."
"Now, you I can understand, Rainer," the CFO said. "You were at the product launch party until the wee hours of the morning and spent the rest of the night God knows where. But you, Ms. Nichols. I'm surprised. Do you really have no idea what's happened with GroGreen?"
Tasha pressed her hand harder on the conference table. "I do, sir. I've watched it like a hawk since our first meetings. I don't understand why you don't think it will succeed. I can prove it to you."
The CFO held up both hands to ward off another pie chart. Then his expression broke and a surprising peal of laughter burst out. "Ms. Nichols, please, I respect your ardor, but you need to listen. I'm trying to give you good news."
"Good news?" Tasha asked, confused.
"GroGreen has far outreached our wildest expectations. Sales reached astronomical numbers late this morning. We are strategizing how this success will affect your team members, but as junior executives, you are automatically shareholders."
I leaned forward and caught Tasha's hand in mine. "We're automatic shareholders in a runaway success?" I asked the CFO "That is good news."
He laughed again. "More than that, Rainer. You and Tasha just made billions."
Chapter Five
Tasha
A loud buzzing took over my head. I could see the CFO's mouth moving, but the words couldn't reach me over the tsunami of sound. It built to a roar, and I shook my head. Finally, I could hear my own stuttering attempts at speech.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" I asked.
The CFO smiled, as if it was one big joke. "I said that as junior executives, you are automatically shareholders in GroGreen. With the astronomical sales and our current projections, you and Rainer are now billionaires."
"No," I said, shaking my head again. He had to be kidding.
It was all just an office prank. That would explain the sudden appearance of Rainer and his flirting with me. Men like him hardly ever noticed me, and when they did, it was just to make lewd suggestions. Rainer had been interested. It made more sense now that I suspected it was a joke.
I turned to look at Rainer and was shocked to find I was clutching his hand. His grip tightened and he leaned closer. "This is good news, Tasha. Congratulations."
I searched his face, waiting for the punchline, but he only smiled and squeezed my hand again.
"We just made billions," Rainer said.