CHAPTER 4HUGH
CHAPTER 4
HUGH
Lucian had texted me when Denise and I were walking to the office, and I figured I would stop in and see him before I got my day started. I’d spent the last half an hour imagining Denise, wearing that sexy ass shit I bought for her and nothing else, as I bent her over my kitchen island and filled her up.
She was making me blur the line. I’d have been late as fuck if that meant diving between her legs and hearing the sounds she made when I made her gush.
Lucian was pouring over a desk full of papers. He waved me in without looking up and gestured at the seat near me. I folded into the deeper-than-necessary chair and gazed toward him.
“I got your email update on Griffin. I see you.”
“Thanks,” I replied, surprised by the compliment.
“How’s your girl?” he asked.
“She’s cool. I have something planned for tonight that should help.” I cleared my throat, “So, do we need to talk to HR and—”
“Nah. Just grab the form off the portal and backdate it to the client party. I’ll hold on to it.” He studied me as my eyes widened a bit, giving away my surprise.
“Hugh. You ain’t as slick as you think you are. In fact, I’m surprised it took you this long.” He threw his pen down and leaned in his chair.
“Anyway,” I said, pointing towards his desk. “What do you need?”
“We lost the dude that was running marketing. I’m hoping one of these people is a good fit, but I’m not seeing what I’m searching for.”
Lucian shuffled through the papers and pulled a few resumes to the top.
“I didn’t know we had an opening. Let me see if there’s anyone I can recommend for the gig in my network.”
I stood as he nodded, “Good, thanks. I hope she can get her mind off all this shit tonight.”
Laughing, I turned and put my hands in my pockets.
“She’ll be with Cleo.”
His eyebrows lifted before he tried to smooth his expression.
“Maybe you can get Cleo to answer my texts.”
It was my turn to laugh. He laughed with me, but I could tell his sprung ass wasn’t joking. I shrugged and walked out, closing the door behind me.
There was a warm feeling in my chest at being recognized for the effort I put in. I was on the board for eight different organizations now, in addition to all the other shit I had going on. Founders trusted me and stayed with Foxx because of the trust I’d built with them.
After seven years at Foxx Ventures, I finally felt like I had my feet under me. It was about more than being good at my job, I wanted to be seen as a thought leader and strategist. Between me and my direct reports, we were responsible for over twenty percent of the firm’s revenue last quarter, and one of them was up for promotion.
The next step in my career, as much as I hated to admit it, probably wasn’t going to be at Foxx. I had some hope that this H1 project would be what Lucian needed to see that Xavier wasn’t the right fit for the firm anymore.
I’d cultivated the perfect image for myself, and I wasn’t going to fuck that up by undercutting and embarrassing people to get the promotion I deserved. But Xavier wasn’t adding much value anymore, and I had two options: be patient and hope that Lucian saw that,or leave.
Chuckling as I pulled out my cell, I thought back to the night that Cleo came to Foxx. I knew the second she literally landed on that man that he wanted her to stay right where she was. Whatever they had going on, there was no way I was getting between it. But I did know that Cleo had marketing and communication experience. Maybe I could stack the board and help them a little.
I dialed her number as I sat behind my desk. She answered on the third ring.
“What's up, Milk Dud?”
Cleo was a fool.
I shook my head as I pushed at my mouse.
“Miss Cleo. Can I get your help with something?”
She kissed her teeth.
“Not if it has anything to do with Lucian’s black ass.”
I laughed loud. The mouth on her would make a grown man cry. I was glad she wasn’t pointing that dangerous ass weapon at me.
“Hey,” I placated, “whatever that is between you both is between y'all. This is about business.” I left out that if it was for work, it was for Lucian, but she didn’t comment on it.
“What do you need?”
“I was examining over our escalation plan yesterday, and it could use a revamp,” I said, smiling to myself. I could tell her that I wanted to poach her, but I also knew whatever those two had going could possibly get in the way. This was the easiest way to get her to put herself in the running for the job.
“A triage document with an escalation plan. I can do that!” Cleo’s voice went up, and I knew she was the right person for the gig. There was genuine excitement in her tone.
I’d seen her portfolio. She was a damn Swiss army knife with management experience to boot. The marcom team was small, but all of them juggled multiple projects. Cleo would be a great addition to lead their team if she was open to it.
“I'll email you,” I said before adding, “and I’ll see you later.”
“Wait, did you tell her?” Cleo asked.
“It’s a surprise, Cleo. I told you that.” I sighed as she laughed.
“Alright, surprise... ” She cackled as she hung up.
Shaking my head, I went back to the deck I was reading to get ready for my team meeting later. We had pitching practice planned and they deserved all my focus.