Chase
One Month Ago
“Harry, it’s great to see you again.” Rising from the chair, I smooth a hand over my dark blue tie as I move around my desk to exchange a handshake. His grip is strong and sure, much like his business instincts. Harry Welker is the owner and CEO of multiple vacation resorts around the globe, many of them frequented by the rich and famous. As a billionaire, who repeatedly lists as one of Forbes’ top earners, he’s a very important man to have sitting in my office. Opportunities like this don’t come around more than once in a lifetime.
“Please have a seat.” I calmly gesture to one of the wide club chairs in front of my desk, while my stomach anxiously turns. “Can I get you something to drink? Water? Wyoming Whiskey?”
Harry chuckles. “Wyoming Whiskey, huh? Have you been doing your research, Chase?”
I smile. “You know me so well, Harry and we haven’t even done business together, yet.” I relax back into my large executive chair and nod with a small incline of my head. “Yes, I happen to have your favorite kind of whiskey and your preferred brand of cigars. What can I say? I like to get things right. Now, would you like me to get you either one?”
He ignores my question. “That’s the perfect example of why I’m here. I loved the ad mockups you sent and I want to proceed with moving forward on that account.”
A smile breaks across my face. “I’m glad to hear you were pleased. We can sign the contracts today if that works for you.”
“Let’s do that, but I have one more matter to discuss with you.”
“Sure.” What else could he need to talk to me about? I rack my brain for a clue, but come up empty. “You’ve piqued my interest. Please continue.”
“I’m opening another vacation spot, this one in Wyoming.”
Wyoming? Who the hell wants to vacation there?
He watches me closely to make sure he has my full attention. “King Ranch has been in my family for three generations. There are one thousand acres and we built a high end mountain resort for singles or families to vacation at. But with the price and amenities we offer we’re targeting the upper class. Think successful businessmen who are looking for a change or even the bored Hollywood stars or starlets. During their stay they can learn all aspects of running a ranch and also have plenty of time to enjoy exploring the gorgeous Wyoming vistas. We’ll be offering any imaginable amenities and providing various forms of entertainment. They can have whatever kind of experience they want. We can tailor it for each person.” He shifts forward in his seat. “I’ve had other advertising agencies working on mockups for this and while they’ve been good, they’re not what I’m looking for. Something’s off—there’s some component missing and I want this project to be an enormous success. After seeing the other mockups you did for me and observing your careful attention to detail, my gut is telling me you’re the man for the job.”
Wait. What? I’m stunned by his words. I began this meeting hopeful I might have a chance at working on one account for him and now I could possibly have two? Talk about life changing. He’s the kind of client who can keep you set for life.
He raises a hand, drawing me out of my musings. “Chase, this job is yours if you want it.”
I smile. “Of course I want it.”
“Good. I’m glad you agree. There is a small catch and although it’s somewhat unorthodox, I feel it’s necessary to achieve the results I’m hoping for.” He pauses, waiting for my nod.
My heart races as I think about working for his company. Whatever he needs I’m going to do it, to the best of my ability.
“I want you to fly out to Wyoming and spend four weeks on the ranch before you work on the ads.”
Huh? My eyes get big, and the poker face I wear for meetings disappears in a flash. “Four weeks in Wyoming?” I utter the question before I can stop it.
Harry steeples his fingers together, watching me. “Yes, that’s the required amount, but I’m prepared to make it financially worth your time and effort. I’ll pay you four hundred thousand dollars for the weeks you’re there, but you can’t leave early. You have to stick it out and take part in all the inner workings of the ranch. Only someone who knows firsthand what staying there is like can fully promote all King Ranch has to offer.”
I’m silent. I’m fucking stunned and can barely form a coherent thought.
“What do you think? Are you my guy?” Harry raises a brow.
Four weeks away from CM Advertising. How would that work? Can Mark, my business partner, keep this place running without me?
“How about if I sweeten the pot a little, eh?” Harry interrupts my squirrel like thoughts. “I’ll give you a one hundred thousand dollar signing bonus today, if you agree to my conditions.”
One hundred thousand dollars?
Jesus. That’s a lot of money.
“Okay, you got me.” Harry winks. “Two hundred thousand, but that’s my final offer.”
Two hundred fucking thousand dollars, today?
Someone’s gotta be fucking punking me right now. My head swivels from one side of the room to the next checking for cameras or something out of place.
“Chase? What’s your decision? I’d like to give you more time, but I’m running short and need to get this moving asap. Unfortunately, I can’t wait for you to think about this. I need an answer right now.”
Four weeks in Wyoming sounds like hell on earth, but I’ve done a lot worse for shit money in the past. And, two hundred thousand extra dollars being deposited into our bank account sounds pretty sweet. Plus, I get another four when the month is up, not to mention my going rate for the ad work I’ll do. Four weeks of my life to make more money than I’d make in a year. Sounds like a bargain and I’d be dumb to turn it down.
“So, what’s it going to be, Chase?”
I slowly smile. “You’ve got yourself a deal. Now how about that whiskey and cigar?”