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“Follow me. Amala is looking forward to this meeting.”
“So are we,” I tell her, unable to hide my enthusiasm.
Our initial consultation went really well. Amala, Jay, and I built a rapport effortlessly. I knew she’d call for a second meeting, and here we are.
Felicia shows us the conference room, and we sit in plush Italian leather seats. The cushion threatens to swallow me as I sink down in its poofy softness.
“Mae, we need chairs like this.” Jay swivels as they settle in place.
If this all works out, I’ll be the Oprah of extravagant chair gifting—every employee will get one.
Elliot, the ever studious assistant he is, sets up camp with his laptop, iPad, notepad, and graphs. I’m going to promote him and give him a hefty raise after this. He deserves it.
I can’t remember the last time I felt this … magnanimous. Who knew all I needed was a night of unforgettable sex.
Amala waltzes in the conference room with a radiant smile. There’s an air about her. She knows who she is, and she owns it. Her team follows after her, taking up the rest of the seats around the conference table. It’s refreshing to see the women executives outnumber the men. Everyone passes pleasantries to us.
“Miranda, Jayden, Elliot,” she greets with a wide grin. “I’ve been waiting anxiously for this meeting. Your pitch impressed me, and I hope we can build a relationship that will last a long time.” She pulls down a projector screen. “Before we get into discussion, I want to show you who we are at Pür Innovations. This way, you can get a good grasp on what this company’s about.”
Elliot is poised to take notes as Jay gives me a look I dismiss. If they want to toot their own horn, I’m not going to protest. It will give us a better idea of what their media looks like and how we can improve it.
The promotional video goes through all subsidiaries of Pür, and it dawns on me how huge this contract will be. From baby products to food manufacturing—they seem to have spoons in a lot of bowls.
We’re probably going to have to hire more graphic designers.
As the video closes, the table claps and we join in. It’s great that the personnel are so enthusiastic about the company they work for.
“As you can see, whoever collaborates with us will have their work cut out for them. We’re on a global level, and we compete against aggressive companies. Our image is everything.” Even though her face is amiable, I detect a bit of calculation behind her eyes.
“Our team is aware and eager to show you just what they can do. Elliot, will you give Mrs. Williams the stats of the companies we work with?”
“That won’t be necessary. I already have what I need,” she says dismissively. Leaning in, she folds her perfectly French-manicured fingers in front of her. “Can I be candid with you?”
“By all means,” Jay answers.
The person to Amala’s right hands her some documents. “Robert Pingman is on our board of directors. When we expressed interest in working with Ever Heart, he advised against it.”
My stomach drops. This is one hell of a curveball, and one we may not hit out of the park. Fucking Pingman.
“Ever Heart is on the verge of a major… adjustment. If one more investor pulls out, you’re toast.” Amala is so matter-of-fact, and I don’t appreciate her flippant words nor the saucy way she delivers them.
I rear back in my seat, indignant. “That’s not true.”
“So you didn’t lose three major investors last quarter?” She stands tall, striding over to us. The documents she’s holding are plopped in front of me in all their financial critical-care glory.
My stomach churns because she has us. Conglomerates like Pür do not make business decisions with struggling companies.
“May I enlighten the room with context?” I interject, unable to keep the note of anger out of my voice. Which sounds a lot like desperation.
Ten pairs of eyes land on me. I don’t sweat under pressure, but as I sit here, beads of moisture form at my temples. The future of Ever Heart rests on this deal, and we’ve just been tagged out a yard before hitting a home run.
“Yes, we lost a few investors because our ideals are contradictory. I’m a single mother, and some think that my daughter is a liability when, in fact, she is my strength. She’s why I work so tirelessly to make sure this company is in great standing.”
If Jay’s surprised I’m talking about Isabel in a corporate meeting, they don’t show it. Elliot, on the other hand, looks like he’s about to shit a brick.
Amala grins. “Children are wonderful motivators, aren’t they? I’m a mother too, and sadly, I know all too well the challenges we face in a male-dominated business world.” She spreads her hands wide, gesturing to the executives in this room to prove her next point. “We, at Pür, are trying to change that. We want to work together with parents to create products that will benefit their and their children’s lives. We are the best in our industry, and despite what your investors say, we think you are too.”
Swift relief falls over my shoulders and releases the rope around my chest. “Thank you. We absolutely are.”
