Page 35 of A Bossy Surprise

Kayla takes a breath. “When Mr. Grant came on board, he talked about wanting to put GNN on the map. This is how you do it. If we want to dominate the news we need to do it by going backto the news. We need to cut through all the noise. Viewers are tired of it. If we are able to execute my plan perfectly, I am sure we can increase our viewership on TV and across our social media platforms exponentially.”

“Again, I don’t think that will work. You say viewers are tired of how the news currently is. That may be true, but it doesn’t mean they want to go back to how things used to be.”

“I think you’re both right,” Arthur says. “We can meet somewhere in the middle. We can do what Kayla says. Removethe chaff from what we broadcast and return to journalistic basics. However, Adam isn’t wrong about grabbing attention. We can do that with our house style. We can revamp our graphics so that they are more attention-grabbing, we can switch up our presentation style and the wardrobe of our anchors, presenters, and newscasters.”

We all think about it for a moment then I ask, “Do you really think that would work?”

“Absolutely,” Arthur replies. “The only thing is that all of this is going to cost money. We are going to need to have our studios redone and pay for a brand new wardrobe for everyone who appears on our airwaves. We will also need to retrain our on-air talent. If we’re willing to give it a try, it’s going to be expensive.”

“Well, the both of you are the experts here,” I concede. “So if you think it can work, I’m willing to give it a try, but I need all of this to be done quickly. Like Kayla said, this is an election year. The time we have to get our goals accomplished is very finite.”

“Noted. As soon as the funds are approved, Kayla and I will get going and get everything done ASAP,” Arthur says confidently.

I close my eyes and tap my forehead, making a mental note. “That shouldn’t be a problem,” I reply. “I’ll get on it and the money should be available by close of business today.”

Arthur clasps his hands together. “Well, that was productive.” He turns to Kayla. “Great work. It’s going to be a bit of a gamble, but I look forward to seeing the results.”

Kayla smiles and gives Arthur an exaggerated, “Thank you.”

The meeting comes to an end and Arthur and I leave Kayla’s office.

“Geez, you don’t pull any punches do you?”

“No, I don’t. I have a lot riding on this. I can’t let the fact that I have a relationship with Kayla distract me from that.”

“That’s not what I’m saying. You could stand to be a little nicer.”

I snort at the word. “When have you ever known me to be nice?”

He chuckles. “I know it’s not a disposition you’re naturally inclined to, but you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”

“I’ve always hated that saying.”

“I believe you, but you might want to give it a try, because the way I see things going, you’re about to become a slave driver. I don’t have anything against that, but it will be easier to get people to work 18-hour days and give up their weekends if their boss isn’t a total asshole. Also, the last thing we need is for people to quit because of how you treat them.”

“I like being direct with people. I have found that’s the way to get the best out of them, but fine. I’ll think about it.”

“That’s all I ask.”

We separate and head to our individual offices.

Every day in my job I wonder why they haven’t found a way to work with people without actually having to work with them. This is the part of my job I hate the most. I’m not exactly a people person. So having to school my impulses is exhausting.

Well, I guess it comes with the territory.

At any rate, Arthur is right about Kayla. I should go easy on her. We decided that we won’t let the events in our personal lives affect our work lives. I didn’t even think about it the other way around.

The last thing I want is to piss her off at work and then have her take it out on me by withholding Brady.

I don’t know if she would ever do that, but I should tread lightly just in case.

11

KAYLA

Today is my first day off in three weeks.

Am I spending it in my pajamas and in bed? No. Am I having a spa day? No. Do I even get to spend the day catching up on errands? No.