Chapter 14 The Meeting

Adam

“Mrs. Martinez, you need to get your notebook and a pen and follow me to the conference room where the meeting will take place,” I said to her after she had reminded me about the meeting I had at ten this morning. Walking outside of the room, I could hear her heels clicking on the floor behind me. Stopping at her office door she quickly went inside and fetched what I told her to bring before we went to the second floor where the conference room was. Entering I saw Emily was looking around the room admiring nothing but a big empty white room, with long brown mahogany with twenty black chairs around it.

The board of directors was starting to file in and they began to take their seats. Taking our seats beside each other, we waited for the last member to arrive. As soon as he did, the meeting began. “How are we going to fix this?” I asked. “We have been dominating this industry for a very long time and I am hell-bent on not letting that newbie company come in and try to get my client away from us. “The company was now facing challenges––another company was threatening my business. They were charging cheaper and were trying to get my clients to move away from my business.”

I had picked up on it about a week ago when I realized that two of the companies that I provide marketing services to had left. I was puzzled by this but I was informed by someone in the accounts department about what was going on and a few of my loyal clients reached out to me and also gave me a brief overview. Apparently, they wanted to force me out of business but they were just a small company, and luckily for me the companies that had left were also small so I didn’t lose much but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t upset.

How dare they try to force me out of the industry that I have been into for three years and try to steal from my clients which I was happy to know were loyal to me.

“I agree one hundred percent, Mr. Jacob. We need to show the ones that remain that sticking with us would benefit them in the long run rather than going to a small company that just started.

“Your right Mike,” I complimented the older man. “I couldn’t agree more, we would have to strategize so they see the reasoning.”

“Mr. Jacob, even though the company has snatched two of our clients we still had a small drop in our revenue generation. Even though it was small, it was still a decrease, and if we allow them to take more of our clients that small decrease will turn into a large one.” Helen, the head of accounting, spoke up. Helen was a good employee and every time we have meetings like this, I always invite her so she can give us a brief overview of what our profits look like.

When those words were uttered by Helen I could feel Emily's legs shaking. Putting my hand on her thigh, I initially wanted her to calm down but when I felt the smoothness of her skin–– how it felt like silk under the palm of my hand, I couldn't help but run my hand all over it. Moving my hand up her thigh slowly, I felt her body stiffen before it shudders underneath my touch. That was before I felt her hand coming down hard on mine. Taking up my hand, she placed it at my side. A ghost of a smile appeared on my face and I couldn't help but feel excited by the way her body shuddered when my hand was on her. It gave me hope that maybe just maybe she liked me, just as how I liked her.

I want something to happen between us and I will continue to push until it comes through.

“Mr. Jacob, did you hear what I said?”

“Oh, yes I heard. Does anyone have any suggestions on what we can do?” I asked my mind to come back to the matter at hand. There was silence after I had asked the question. It seemed like everyone was lost on what to do until I heard Emily's voice.

“Mr. Jacob, I do agree with what you had said early about strategizing.”

“I think everyone heard him,” Jake, another board member, spoke up.

“You didn't let me finish sir. I was saying that when you strategize you would show them why they choose this company to market their business and products in the first place. Look at how many marketing companies there are in New York City but they chose yours because you guys are the best–––you are great at what you do. Show them reasoning, that this small company can’t offer as many benefits as this one, and seeing that you have better business experience and you know what the industry is like. You know what to do, and you have the resources to solve problems quicker than the other companies.” Murmurs of agreement could be heard and all I could do was smile at her with admiration. She was a blessing to this company and someday she will be to me.

“That sounds brilliant, we can do a general meeting in a week and discuss it with everyone. We need everyone on board, we need everyone's ideas as they are a part of the company and what makes it great. That’s all for today, everyone is dismissed.” Looking at everyone leaving, I was anticipating the moment I was going to be alone with Emily. As soon as the last person had left the room and closed the door behind them, I turned to Emily who had an angry expression on her face.

“How dare you! How dare you do that!?” She shouted. I could see her body shaking slightly from her anger. It was sexy how she was getting all worked up.

“Do what?” I asked, feigning innocence.

“Stop playing dumb Mr. Jacob.”

“Adam,” I spoke calmly.

“What?” she asked, confused.

“Call me Adam when we are alone and Mr. Jacob when we are around people in the office.”

“Well okay Adam, why did you rub down my thigh?” she spat angrily.

“I did it because your legs were shaking. Did you not like it?”

Looking at me I could see her hesitating and I knew I had her where I wanted her––well not technically. “No, I did not like it,” she finally said but I knew she was lying. I could hear it clearly in her voice.

“Then why did you shudder when I did?” I asked. With both eyebrows raised, I waited for her answer, wondering what her excuse was going to be.

“I was cold.”

Laughing at her while getting up, I walked right over to her. My height towering over her small frame.

“Why are you so afraid of letting me in? Why are you so against us? What exactly are you afraid of?” My questions came flying out. Licking her lips, I watched her intently. She was clearly nervous and a bit flustered by me being so close.

“I just don't want to––”

“You don't want Emily?” I asked curiously but before she could answer a knock came at the door. Straightening up, I saw James walking holding Heather by her arm in a tight vice grip.

“What's the meaning of this James?”

“Guess who I found lurking inside your office going through your stuff?”

Shaking my head, I asked both Emily to excuse Heather and I but before James had completely left the room I saw him flash me a smirk. Laughing at him, I sat back down and motioned for Heather to do the same.

“Why were you in my office Heather and who let you in?”

“I snuck in Adam and I was looking for you.”

“You were looking for me through my paperwork?”

“Well no not rea––”

“What do you want Heather?” I barked, getting impatient with her and her antics.

“I want you, Adam,” she spoke softly.

“Heather, I am going to say this once again and for the last time. You know I don't like repeating myself but I am going to make an exception this time because it seems my words didn't quite make it through your thick skull the last time. Leave me alone, we are over. There's no more us!”

“But––”

“No buts just please leave I can't go through this again with you, it's tiring.”

“It's really over?” She asked sadly as if reality had just hit her and my words have finally sunk in. Nodding my head, she got up and kissed my cheek and I was surprised that she didn't cause a scene. Walking towards the door, she grabbed the handle to turn it but stopped. Turning back to me she said, “I know when I'm not wanted anymore and I can clearly see that. I am sorry for pushing up and you and behaving the way I did. You know how much I like to chase, especially when they’re playing hard to get and that’s exactly what I thought you were doing. I know you’re surprised to see me this vulnerable, talking to you like this––so calm. I really am sorry for the scene I had caused the last time we saw each other. You telling me this now has made me finally realize that you will never love me.”

Smiling at her, I told her I was sorry. Smiling back at me she opened the door but before she walked out she turned to me and said.

“Treat her nicely Adam, she seems nice. She also seems like a girl who isn't about the fancy life and expensive gifts. Treat her like a queen, don't break her heart. Think about what you're doing before you get into a relationship with her because we both know how you are.”

Stepping out, she closed the door behind her. The door was opened a few seconds after but I was thinking about what Heather just said that I didn't see who came in.

“Penny for your thoughts.”

“Huh?” I asked while looking up to see who just spoke. It was James.

“What are you thinking about? Or should I ask who you’re thinking about?”

“I was thinking about what Heather said. She completely did three sixty-one me. She understood that I wasn't interested which confused me. But what made it got a bit worse was that she told me I should treat Emily like a queen and I should think before I go into a relationship with her because we both know how I am. Am I that obvious? Does it show that I am interested in Emily? Before James could continue we heard a knock at the door, telling the person to come in I saw it was Emily. Handing James and me a cup of coffee, she bolted right back out the door. Looking up at me, James smiled before giving me a thumbs up then proceeded to sip on the coffee.

“Yes, you are and I had told you that a few days ago if I can recall that you should think before you go in a relationship with her,” he spoke up once he had taken a few good sips.

“I know I will. I think it’s time I stop questioning myself, stop questioning what I feel for her, and just make the right move. She does seem a bit fragile and withdrawn when I am close to her and I think it has something to do in the past.”

“Well, when she is ready she will tell you. Don't force her into something she might not be ready for. Let her come to you willingly and you will take it from there.”

Smiling at him, he always knows what to say.

“Enough of that, It’s a Wednesday night. What do you plan on doing later?” Wednesday was our annual guys out night.

“How about we head to a bar?” he asked. Nodding my head, I got up and we shook hands and hugged before we exited the conference room leaving the now empty cups on the table for the office services to pick up. Making our way to my office, a thought came to mind. I just hope I can follow James' advice because the business trip was coming up and we were headed to Paris, the city of love. I just hope my hormones don't get the best of me and screw things up.