Everything You Need: Everything For You Trilogy Book 1 by Orla Bailey Page B
Authors: Orla Bailey
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business. When I do business with someone, I need to know I’ll get something out of it too.” He leans closer into my space and I’m hyper-aware of even the slightest movement he makes.
I sit ramrod straight, my back more unyielding than the oak back of the chair. Is it my imagination or has his tone changed? I’m usually good at reading body language but being around Jack again has my senses in a spin.
“You’ll be guaranteed my company’s exclusive attention in promoting Zee-Com, just as my uncle gave you. We can both continue to profit by working together.”
He smiles guardedly. “I see how it would advantage you, Miss Caid. What I don’t see is what would be in it for me. What could you possibly offer Zee-Com that would persuade me not to sign with a major advertising player like Advance, but to re-sign with CaidCo, now headed by a young woman, albeit a talented one,” he concedes. He adds a sting in the tail. “A business woman with no proven track record.”
At least he has the decency not to mention one with drink and anxiety issues too. If I lose this argument I’ll never get another chance like it. I try to keep my eyes fixed on his no matter how disconcerting I find them, no matter what they do to my insides. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“ Whatever it takes is quite some offer, Miss Caid.” The slow smile burning his lips scorches my pride. “I don’t think you really know what you’re offering, any more than you did last Friday.”
I feel my face drain. “What are you talking about?”
“Last Friday. When you offered yourself to me.”
“You’re lying.”
“Am I? You were so drunk you’re in no position to refute my allegation.”
I back-pedal frantically. “I’m not here to discuss a personal situation last Friday. I’m discussing business.”
“You’ve avoided my calls all week but I’m not going to let you avoid discussing last Friday. That was a pretty serious business in itself and I’m pretty serious about dealing with it.”
I’m aghast. “You’re penalising me for my private life.” Who does he think he is?
“I’m applying consequences. To affect a change in your behaviour.”
“My behaviour is not your business.”
He smiles as he neatly closes the trap door. “But Zee-Com is and you want a piece of it.”
Do I? How desperate am I? I know if Jack pulls the Zee-Com account, other major clients will soon follow. I’m not stupid. Like he says, much of my business is built on the success of Zee-Com. People hang onto the tails of a shooting star. If the current exodus continues, soon all I might be left with is a high cost building, expensive staff I can’t pay, mounting business debts and a career that’s over before it begins. No-one will trust me ever again. I’m desperate enough.
“What would tempt you to give me a chance?”
“That’s a loaded question.” Lights dance in his eyes. I find them totally unnerving and I can’t ignore the flash of pleasure which crosses his face as he speaks. “Would CaidCo agree to a trial contract with my company at no charge?”
A life-line, for old times’ sake? I don’t hesitate. “Yes.”
Jack clicks his tongue at me repeatedly like I’m some naïve teenager, blind drunk at her first party. An image a bit too close to home. “That shows you haven’t yet developed any true business acumen. Aren’t your services worth paying for?” His eyebrow quirks with amusement at cornering me so deftly.
I frown, irritated he’s tricked me but I stick my chin up anyway, indignant and unimpressed. “Of course they are. But what use are my services if you won’t let me use them? I agreed as a gesture of goodwill. It’s a perfectly legitimate business offer. Haven’t you ever tried a free sample?”
When he laughs at me, I scowl and move to leave. It’s hard enough following the conversation as it is, the way he’s staring at me. “If you’re going to be disrespectful –”
Jack promptly shifts
I sit ramrod straight, my back more unyielding than the oak back of the chair. Is it my imagination or has his tone changed? I’m usually good at reading body language but being around Jack again has my senses in a spin.
“You’ll be guaranteed my company’s exclusive attention in promoting Zee-Com, just as my uncle gave you. We can both continue to profit by working together.”
He smiles guardedly. “I see how it would advantage you, Miss Caid. What I don’t see is what would be in it for me. What could you possibly offer Zee-Com that would persuade me not to sign with a major advertising player like Advance, but to re-sign with CaidCo, now headed by a young woman, albeit a talented one,” he concedes. He adds a sting in the tail. “A business woman with no proven track record.”
At least he has the decency not to mention one with drink and anxiety issues too. If I lose this argument I’ll never get another chance like it. I try to keep my eyes fixed on his no matter how disconcerting I find them, no matter what they do to my insides. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“ Whatever it takes is quite some offer, Miss Caid.” The slow smile burning his lips scorches my pride. “I don’t think you really know what you’re offering, any more than you did last Friday.”
I feel my face drain. “What are you talking about?”
“Last Friday. When you offered yourself to me.”
“You’re lying.”
“Am I? You were so drunk you’re in no position to refute my allegation.”
I back-pedal frantically. “I’m not here to discuss a personal situation last Friday. I’m discussing business.”
“You’ve avoided my calls all week but I’m not going to let you avoid discussing last Friday. That was a pretty serious business in itself and I’m pretty serious about dealing with it.”
I’m aghast. “You’re penalising me for my private life.” Who does he think he is?
“I’m applying consequences. To affect a change in your behaviour.”
“My behaviour is not your business.”
He smiles as he neatly closes the trap door. “But Zee-Com is and you want a piece of it.”
Do I? How desperate am I? I know if Jack pulls the Zee-Com account, other major clients will soon follow. I’m not stupid. Like he says, much of my business is built on the success of Zee-Com. People hang onto the tails of a shooting star. If the current exodus continues, soon all I might be left with is a high cost building, expensive staff I can’t pay, mounting business debts and a career that’s over before it begins. No-one will trust me ever again. I’m desperate enough.
“What would tempt you to give me a chance?”
“That’s a loaded question.” Lights dance in his eyes. I find them totally unnerving and I can’t ignore the flash of pleasure which crosses his face as he speaks. “Would CaidCo agree to a trial contract with my company at no charge?”
A life-line, for old times’ sake? I don’t hesitate. “Yes.”
Jack clicks his tongue at me repeatedly like I’m some naïve teenager, blind drunk at her first party. An image a bit too close to home. “That shows you haven’t yet developed any true business acumen. Aren’t your services worth paying for?” His eyebrow quirks with amusement at cornering me so deftly.
I frown, irritated he’s tricked me but I stick my chin up anyway, indignant and unimpressed. “Of course they are. But what use are my services if you won’t let me use them? I agreed as a gesture of goodwill. It’s a perfectly legitimate business offer. Haven’t you ever tried a free sample?”
When he laughs at me, I scowl and move to leave. It’s hard enough following the conversation as it is, the way he’s staring at me. “If you’re going to be disrespectful –”
Jack promptly shifts
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