I push past the feeling of the walls closing in to finish my presentation. “By adding Vicious Vixen underneath the umbrella of Clara’s Culotte not only do you have a chance to triple your profits as the graphs demonstrated on page sixteen, but you have the opportunity to do something many companies today are still avoiding. Inclusion is a valuable market, but also a bold statement that I believe will separate Clara’s from its biggest competitors.”
Claudette doesn’t move a muscle.
Her stoic emotion reminds me of my brother’s.
He mastered the stony stare at an early age. It was crucial for fending off bullies and of course fighting off villains who tried to interrupt our Princess Balls.
“Excellent.”
A heavy breath is instantly expelled.
She steeples her fingers and slowly begins to nod. “Excellent! This was more than I expected. I knew Diana wouldn’t disappoint. She’s never wasted my time in the past, and it is an absolute pleasure to see she still understands how valuable it is.”
I offer her a polite, professional smile.
“I’m going to take this information back with me to have my legal team begin forming the proper documents. We will be implementing a binary system of stores as suggested to help spread the Vicious Vixens brand and within those stores we will be launching the suggested maternity brand. While your point was valid, I believe it will be a better fit especially upon launching.” She turns off her tablet. “You are also interested in maintaining your position as head of this division, correct?”
“If possible, yes.”
“I believe for transition purposes is it not only possible but necessary. You know your business. You are very familiar with my company. You are the perfect fit, however, it will require you to work from our head office.”
“In France?”
“Oui.”
My shoulders plummet.
Can I really agree to that? Sure, once upon a time living in France, a million miles away from my overprotective brother and seemingly dismissive family would’ve been a dream come true. But now? Now that Paxton and I occasionally meet up after work for happy hour and my parents have finally started to learn more about my life after I broke down about how I had been feeling? I don’t know that I can. On the other hand…Wyatt and I could walk around freely without looking over our shoulders for my brother or imaginary shadows I know are just my mind playing tricks on me. We could eat all the pastries his heart desires and hop a train to go pretty much anywhere around Europe. It’d be so incredible to be stationary yet nomadic.
Unsure of my decision on the topic, I ask, “Is there any possibility I could…live elsewhere and travel as needed?”
Claudette’s bobbed head bounces side to side. “Perhaps. That would be something we would need to further discuss as well as the details, including whether or not the company would cover the cost.”
“I understand.”
“Let me reconvene with my team and review this proposal une dernière fois.” She stands and her assistant follows suit. “I’ll be in contact with the details of the merger on Monday.”
“I look forward to that call.”
We shake hands, and I escort her out of the small conference room. Afterwards, I rush to my office to grab my phone and purse, praying that Ryann won’t hate me for running late.
Without looking at the missed text from Wyatt, I scroll down to Ryann’s name and speedily shoot her a message.
Me: Meeting ran late. Leaving the office. Still have to change. Meet you at the spa ASAP.
My assistant, Karina, appears in the door way just as I’m about to check Wyatt’s text. “Well?!”
I dart my eyes to hers and smile wide. “They want us.”
“Shut. Up.”
Shaking my head, still in disbelief, I sigh, “They really want us. She loved my pitch. She loved how we’ve been in the black and that we already have a steady cliental. Loved the maternity line of designs we’ve been working on. She’s going to give the details one last once over and call me on Monday.”
“Oh my God!”
My phone vibrates in my hand distracting me from her excitement.
Ryann: Take your time. Wear something comfortable!
The warning gets my mind racing, and my feet moving. “No time to celebrate, though. Gotta get to my sister in laws bridal shower.” I head out of the office, questioning my own statement at the same time I tuck my phone into my purse. “Or is it her bachelorette party?” Pulling out my keys, I ponder, “What the fuck is the differenza?”
“One is tea and cookies, and the other is strippers and cake.”
Karina’s comment receives a snicker. “Remember, I’m completely unavailable from now until Monday morning.”
“I know. I know. Your brother’s wedding. Have fun!”
I quickly leave the office and head home, thoughts of appropriate clothing to wear tearing through my mind.
Another reason I miss Wyatt.
He does all the laundry.
Is it weird that I haven’t moved his favorite cup from the coffee table or the half eaten package of hot tamales from the window sill? Is it weird that it makes me feel more like he’s home with me even if I can’t physically see him?
While traffic puts me further behind schedule, so does having the elevator in my apartment closed for maintenance. The hike up the stairs has me slightly winded and regretting having nothing more than a protein shake for lunch. My slightly shaky body swiftly enters my apartment in desperate need of a small snack as well as a shower.
I toss my keys and purse on the kitchen counter to deal with the former when suddenly a strong arm winds itself around my waist and a damp cloth is firmly pressed to my face.
A dark, ominous voice I don’t recognize, whispers in my ear, “Just breathe, Julez…”
My struggle to get out of the man’s grip is fierce.
Driven.
Persistent.
Unfortunately, in spite of every cell in my body fighting to keep my body moving, my eyelids fall shut, and my entire world goes black.