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"Get the girl some help. Real help. Document the process. Show the good, the bad, and the ugly. Let her vocalize her struggles for once in her life without penalizing her for not being perfect. Then, we make her an icon for all the other people fighting the same fight. I'm thinking of benefits and galas in honor of charities that focus on these issues. Funneling tons of money into these organizations shows that Keith Hotels and Resorts cares more than just day spas and beachfront views." I'm on a roll now, and I can feel it. "Give Naomi something that makes her feel like she matters, give her a purpose."
Silence fills the room. Of course, Valerie has to be the one to speak first.
She glances between Jim and Max. "You can't seriously be considering that? Do you actually think that shouting Naomi's problems from the rooftops is a good idea? Our job is to make it seem like she isn't a royal fuck up, not prove that she is."
"Our job is to help our client, not just pretty her up and parade her around like a prized show pony." I grit through clenched teeth.
"You think just bec—" Valerie launches into me, but Max holds up a hand to quiet her. Surprisingly, she obeys.
He takes a deep breath. "It could be crazy enough to work. I'm not sure that we have another option. It's a risk, but it’s our last shot at this point." His eyes meet Jim's, and they share a nod. "Kate, call Mr. Keith. I need to run this by him. Juliet, I want your proposal on my desk within the hour."
"Excuse me?" Valerie exclaims; the shock on her face is unmistakable. "Are you all forgetting she's an intern? The ink on her degree is barely dry, and you want her to take the lead on an entire proposal? What, are you going to let her present it to Mr. Keith too?"
Max raises a brow. "In fact, I am. Juliet, can you handle that?"
I couldn't hide the grin on my face if I tried. "Absolutely."
Valerie storms from the room, and the door shuts behind her with a loud slam.
"Jim, you'll handle that? I don't have the patience this morning," Max asks, referring to Valerie's outburst. Jim nods. "And Juliet?"
I look up from my tablet, where I've already begun jotting down notes. "Yes?"
"If you pull off this pitch with Mr. Keith, I think it's safe to say you've more than earned a full-time position here."
My ears begin to ring, and I can feel the heat radiating over my skin. "Y-yes, sir. I won't let you down."
I have to pull this off. This is the next step toward my dream. All I have to do is convince Mr. Keith that this is the best way to save his daughter’s reputation and her life. If I can do this, I will no longer be an intern. Opportunities like this don't often happen in the real world, and there is no way in hell I will let it slip away. Now, I have to barricade myself at my desk and write the proposal of a lifetime.
Well, as soon as I'm done puking up my guts in the bathroom.
Chapter Six
Juliet
After I finish the pitch, I try to keep from fidgeting mercilessly as I await Mr. Keith’s response. The words flew from my mouth way too fast during the presentation, and I know my excitement must have been palpable.
“I don’t think we’ve met,” he eventually says in a deep, gruff voice. The dark circles under his eyes are a dead giveaway of the sleepless night he’s endured after what happened with his daughter.
“Juliet is a newer addition to Acton PR, but as you can tell, she’s quite passionate,” Jim explains.
“I see that,” Mr. Keith replies. “Tell me, Juliet, do you believe this is the best approach? Airing out my daughter’s dirty laundry for the world to see? Don’t you think we’re throwing her to the sharks? This could easily turn into a feeding frenzy, and the media could tear her apart.”
Well, at least I know now that his main concern is his daughter, not his image. I can work with that.
“Mr. Keith, it is clear that you love your daughter very much. I respect that, and I also respect that this is a terrifying move for you. You are right that this could lead to what some would consider social suicide. However, I honestly believe this is the only way to have a favorable outcome. I’m talking about a long-term favorable outcome. Sure, we can sweep it under the rug and keep forcing her to pretend she’s fine. But when it happens again, in a month or a year? Why not take this as the opportunity to allow her to heal truly, and to become someone she can be proud of? Please give her a voice for once in her life. Don’t ask her to be the heiress to Keith Hotels and Resorts; give her a chance to become Naomi first.”
Mr. Keith clears his throat, and his eyes glaze over.
Shit. I’ve upset him.
“Juliet, Miss?” he asks.
“Warren. Juliet Warren,” I answer.
“Miss Warren, I believe this is the first time I’ve spoken with anyone like you. Someone who seems actually to care about my daughter’s future, not just the here and now and what is profitable. I feel that is something even I myself have struggled with over the last few years.” He rises from the table, and Jim and Max follow suit. “Tell me what you need from me, and I’ll do it. Gentlemen, it seems you’ve found an extraordinary addition to your team. Thank you for putting so much of your heart into this, Juliet.”
I brace myself against the wall once the men have left the room. Pure adrenaline is coursing through my veins at this point, and I am pretty sure that is the only thing keeping me from passing out. After a few moments, Max reenters the room and wraps an arm around my shoulders.
