AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Mr. Armstrong, you know I’m the best person for this account,” I say confidently. The thought of having to compete for an account against Lucas irritates me. He has won some big clients, but I question his methods.
“Again, you both are my top managers, so I can’t make this decision lightly. You two will have to bring your A game. I have a meeting scheduled with them at the end of this week, so I expect the proposals in my office no later than Friday afternoon.”
“Friday? Like tomorrow or next Friday?”
“Tomorrow. Is that something you can’t handle, Ms. Greene?”
I never want to look incompetent in front of my boss, and certainly not Lucas. But I’d prefer a little more time to develop and do my research. I glance at Lucas, who is wearing a smirk I want to slap off his face. “I can handle it, sir,” I reply, my gaze locked directly on to his. He will not intimidate me.
“Great. Now off you two go. Good luck to you both.”
We stand to exit, and Lucas steps aside, opening the door, being all chivalrous and shit. I can’t even muster up a thank you and storm out, heading straight to my office.
“Are you such a bitch you can’t even say thank you?” he asks, keeping up with my stride.
“Are you are such a kiss-ass you had to weasel your way into Armstrong’s plan. You know he wants me to have the client.”
“Oh, really? Why? Because you went to school at his alma mater?”
Throwing personal jabs is not what we need to do in front of everyone, but he crossed the line. “It’s better than fucking his daughter. In his house. In his bed.”
“How’d you find out?”
“Word gets around, Mr. Weathers.” I reach my office but stop at the threshold, not allowing him to enter. “If I were you, I’d secede now. It’ll be less painful,” I say when I turn and face him.
“But I like pain, Ms. Greene.”
“Good. Then this should please you well.” I slam the door, and it barely misses his mug…barely. Through the folds of the blinds on my window, I see him walk away with his hand rubbing at his nose. Taking a couple of deep breaths, I sit and begin to strategize how to win the Clemet account. I pull up the company’s website and launch researching the board of directors and putting together a cheat sheet. After all, they are the ones who influence a company’s financial decisions. This is going to be tougher than I thought. Some of the more influential members are into the adventure sports sort of thing, so I can’t do a lunch with them tomorrow at a racetrack. Too short notice. I see a few of them love golfing so I figure a lunch at the local country club would be perfect. I golf a little. Putt-Putt counts, right?
“Tanya, can I see you for a moment?” I mutter through the intercom.
“Yes, Simone,” she says, entering my office.
“Can you call White Barn Country Club and set up a nine-hole with lunch for me tomorrow. Make it for four people.”
“Okay, but Weathers has a time scheduled already. Belle already put it on the office schedule.”
I roll my eyes, and for a moment, I can’t get my lids to reopen and think they may have finally stuck. “Perfect. Book it thirty minutes before his, but don’t put it on the calendar. I’ll draft the invite for you to send to the team over at Clemet’s so you can coordinate with their assistant. Also, call HR and schedule me off work tomorrow for business.”
“Okay, got it, boss lady. Anything else?”
“I hate to imposition you, but if you hear anything from Belle, Lucas’ assistant, let me know. I want to stay one step ahead of him. We meet with Armstrong and the team Friday morning, and I want him to eat shit.”
“I’ll do what I can.” She leaves, closing the door behind her.
Online, I find me some gear for tomorrow and order several of my bi-fold brochures for pickup at the local print supplier. When I complete my research, I go to our supply closet for promotional material to take to my luncheon tomorrow. When I swing open the door and find—HIM—in there grabbing the same items.
“Great minds do think alike, I see,” he mutters.
Taking a deep breath, I reluctantly enter the closet. Once inside, I select some folders, pens, our company brochure, and a few fun things like stress balls while working to keep from showing my disdain. Not very effective, I’m sure, because I feel his eyes on me.
“What did I do to you, Simone, that you won’t even talk to me? We’re colleagues whether you like it or not.”
“Doesn’t mean I have to speak to you.”
“True, but you don’t even try.”
“Lucas, I don’t like you.” I continue to grab things and toss them into my bag.
