Chapter 2 #3
It was now or never to show off my stuff. Another deep breath and I twisted the knob. I found it interesting that as soon as I walked in, Eric checked his watch. I almost barked at him, accusing him of taking bets on whether my team would make it in time.
At least I managed to control my caustic mouth.
This time.
“Did you come to ask for more time?” The certainty in his voice, the arrogance was as irritating as every other aspect regarding the pompous man.
I decided to take a page from my mother’s playbook. The terms ‘kill them with kindness’ or ‘butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth’ were perfect representations of the smile I offered him, complete with a gleam in my eye.
Just as I slapped the folder on his desk, gingerly placing a jump drive smack in the middle afterward. Just for kicks and giggles.
He stared at the offering, perhaps expecting it to blow up in his face. To his credit, he touched the jump drive, moving the small cylinder around in a circle. Then he turned his attention to whatever magazine he was flipping through.
“I’ll look at it in the morning.”
His deep voice resonated with me, but not in a good way. I was widely known for maintaining a professional cool through thick and thin, but right now, I was at the point of losing my shit.
I took a single step closer to his desk, which was all that was needed. As I’d seen him do a hundred times before, I planted my hands on the surface and leaned over, only this time so he couldn’t miss me.
“Unacceptable, Mr. Dannon. You asked for the impossible and my team provided. Not only in the timeframe allotted but early. You will extend us the courtesy of looking over the proposal. Now, won’t you?” There was that butter, slick and hot and tasty.
Only mine was laced with acid and seeing a flick of his eyes, I sensed he knew it.
The shock on his face was delicious and something I would remember for weeks to come.
Perhaps in the unemployment line.
He lifted his gaze, locking eyes with mine, which he held for an entire twenty seconds. I knew that because I counted.
One… two… three…
“Very well, Ms. Livingston. Let me see what you managed to come up with.”
I don’t know if I was expecting a solid no, but when he gave in, a tiny shock prevented me from reacting quickly enough. Which prompted a slight smile to cross his face, but I remained unfettered. Taking a solid step away, I held my arms, even cocking one hip.
He started flipping through the pages then once again lifted his gaze. “You can go back to your office.”
“I don’t have an office. I have space. Wide open space as deemed appropriate by some HR person who deserves to be fired. So I think I’ll wait.”
He was clearly amused. Or maybe impressed. I wasn’t entirely certain. “Very well.”
With a deep breath held in my lungs, I maintained as much professionalism and patience as I had left. I’d tossed out everything and if he didn’t like this campaign, I’d be locked out of my email before I made it back to my desk.
At first, he moved through the proposal as if prepared to laugh. Then he shifted in his seat, taking a little bit more time turning page after page. When he actually slipped the jump drive into his massive Mac computer, I was lightheaded.
Eric was silent as his eyes flickered seeing the artistry Brenda had managed to cook up on such short notice. If this worked, the girl deserved a raise. She had hidden talents.
After another five full minutes, moisture developed on the back of my neck. I would not show fear.
He sat back, running his index finger back and forth across his lips as he stared off into space. Now the utter silence was killing me. But I kept that smile, very proud of myself for being able to do so.
When he jerked forward, clasping his hands together, I was prepared for the lecture.
“You know, Violet, very few people in my life ever challenge me. Not my wife. Not my pain in the ass brother-in-law. Not a single employee. But you. I find that… curious. Tell me why you’re so passionate about this particular project. ”
Was he really looking for the truth or some trumped-up lie about how I gave a damn about my job?
Which I did, but I wouldn’t lick boots to keep it.
The truth was always better because it was easy to remember factual details, lies eventually kicking you in the ass.
“Because I need this job, Mr. Dannon. You live in a lap of luxury with maids and nannies. I have me and an affordable babysitter who is moving out of town because of her ailing mother, leaving me with a brilliant seven-year-old kid who likes to burn things. In addition, I love my team. They are amazing people, also brilliant in their artistry, but they are never given enough credit. Never. I want this for them, an unbridled campaign where they can be free to run with their ideas. They deserve that.”
I stopped long enough to see if he was even listening.
He appeared to be, although I couldn’t read his mood.
“They’ve paid their dues and none of us are willing to bow down to corporate greed even though we know this campaign is very important to the bottom line. That’s why I know this calendar will be the biggest seller in the company’s history.”
There was no movement on his side of the desk. None. As if the man was frozen in time. When he finally took a deep breath, I was relieved I wouldn’t need to call 9-1-1.
“Not only are those men fucking hot, but they’re all in a dangerous profession with being smokejumpers.”
Eric didn’t say a word.
“Plus, we did a little test on the photos and had them added to some accounts we use, ranking creative ideas. They are getting a lot of traction and it’s only been a few hours.”
“How much traction?”
“Well, the photo of the sexy guy without his shirt had already received two hundred thousand likes.”
Did I just happen to notice a little jealousy on the man’s face?
His eyes flitted to the computer screen then back to me. “Very well, Violet. I can feel your passion, which is why I’m going to greenlight the project. To a point. These men are in Missoula?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then that’s where you’re going.”
What? Did he just agree to send my team? “The team will be so happy to get out of the city.”
“Hold on. I didn’t say there weren’t parameters. For starters, as with every normal person in the working world, you need to obtain permission and a willingness to pose for the calendar and other promotional items. That isn’t always as easy as you think.”
“Oh, trust me. I can convince anyone to do anything.” I used a touch of my sultry voice.
He chuckled, the sound nothing that I’d heard before. “I have no doubt about that, but I’m a cautious man, which is why I won’t sign off on major expenses until that happens. In addition, I’ll want some test shots done complete with scenery. Only then will I give you the full okay.”
“Scenery?”
“Well, yes, Ms. Livingston. If we’re going to take this idea of yours out for a spin then we might as well utilize every aspect, including the stunning surroundings. What did you call Montana? God’s country?”
“That’s true.”
“Good. We agree on something. If you can provide those two items and everything appears the way it does in your glossy proposal, then we’ll be a go. You’ll be going to Missoula as soon as arrangements can be made.”
“So I’ll be taking a photographer, a makeup artist. Lighting engineer.” I tried to think about the people I’d need. “And my assistant of course for errands.”
His grin was far too mischievous. “No, Ms. Livingston.”
God, I hated when he alternated using my surname and my first name. It was a little control tool he liked to use on everyone.
“You’re going by yourself. I will imagine you’ll be there for at least two or three weeks. I do anticipate this project taking a full three months if it’s a go. And that’s a big if at this point.”
“I’m sorry? You want me to do all that by myself?”
He stood and I sensed another dismissal coming. “On your resume you list your photographic talents. Is that true?”
“Yes, that’s true.” I’d once thought I would be a photographer. Until I’d learned how little they often made.
“Then you’re a one man, or in this case woman show. I expect great things from you.”
“But sir, I don’t think that—”
“This was your idea. Wasn’t it?” His eyes were twinkling. Damn the man.
“Yes, sir. It was. However—” He cut me off again with a wave of his hand.
“The idea is a good one, damn good in fact. However, I’m a businessman.
If you want this to work, I need to see more of the very same grit you showed me both this morning and in refusing to allow me to kick the idea down the road.
That shows traits of a true leader and that’s exactly what this corporation has been lacking.
A leadership quality that would serve me well on the executive floor. ”
He studied me as if I was going to have a meltdown. “I’ll need to make some arrangements.”
“Absolutely, including housing. Have your assistant see if she can find a rental house. Given your son’s penchant for flames, maybe meeting a couple firefighters will be good for him. By all means take him with you. I’ll need your final answer or your resignation letter on my desk in the morning.”
As he grabbed his jacket, heading for the door, I couldn’t move my feet. Had he just offered me a promotion if I dropped everything in my life and headed to Montana? I believe he had.
Exciting.
Amazing.
Terrifying.