In which I fall in love with my sister's brother.
"I should hate you." He whispers against my lips.
"You do." I say and he nods his head
"Then why does it feel like I'd burn the world for you if you asked."
Karina Poleman never planned to marry Nich...
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After the beautiful day I had with Mia, I decided to go home and get back to work. I liked working from home honestly. Everyone at work wondered what the attachment I had with her was.
Truth was, I saw myself in her. Broken orbs and trying to maintain a strong facade. She was too strong for a girl her age and I could only hope that strength made her a better person. A much better person than me anyways.
I went to bed early and woke up at around 4 am. I got ready for the office and left roughly at 6 am.
A typical day in my life as a CEO is dynamic and fast-paced, requiring me to balance big-picture strategy with day-to-day challenges. My mornings usually start early—I value the quiet hours before the world wakes up. I’ll take this time to reflect, catch up on industry news, or get a workout in to clear my head. Then, it’s straight to reviewing my priorities for the day. I go through emails and check my calendar to ensure I’m aligned with the most critical tasks.
The morning often kicks off with a leadership meeting. This is my chance to connect with my senior team, discuss progress on key initiatives, address any pressing challenges, and align on priorities.
These discussions set the tone for the day and ensure everyone is rowing in the same direction. But of course Nicholas has never showed up for any of them and personally I couldn't careless.
By mid-morning, I’m usually deep in strategic work. Whether it’s refining long-term goals, brainstorming new product ideas, or analyzing market trends, this is where I focus on steering the company forward.
I often meet with stakeholders—board members, investors, or key clients—to update them on our progress or negotiate new opportunities. I also make it a point to engage with the broader team, walking through the office, checking in on projects, and keeping a pulse on company morale.
Afternoons can be a whirlwind of activity. Unexpected problems inevitably arise, whether operational hiccups, financial challenges, or personnel issues, and I have to address them head-on.
It’s also a prime time for business development—building relationships, negotiating partnerships, or exploring new avenues for growth. Reviewing reports is another key part of my day; I go over financial statements, KPIs, and operational metrics to ensure we’re on track to meet our goals.
If I’m being honest, burying myself in work has become a way to avoid facing the weight of that one impulsive mistake. The sheer intensity of my schedule gives me little room to reflect, which is exactly what I’m looking for. I know it wasn’t just a meaningless moment—it left a mark, one I’m not entirely ready to confront.
Every meeting, decision, and strategy session keeps my mind occupied, preventing me from dwelling on the questions I don’t want to answer: What did it mean? What does it say about me? What do I do now? The thought of sitting still and letting those emotions surface is daunting, so I pour all my energy into the business instead. It’s easier to focus on the external demands of my role than to face the internal turmoil that night created.
