Page 23 of Embracing Love

“I see,” said Mr Zimmerman, and took the sketches from her. He appraised them quietly, one after the other; giving them his careful attention.

Not missing a thing, thought Tanya as she waited patiently.

“Encouraging. It seems to me as though you’ve made some progress. Relations between the two of you have improved?” he asked.

She hated his use of that word primarily because it reminded her of what had happened between the two of them. It should be a taboo word and she prayed that her cheeks would not tingle and she could hold her own. “I think we didn't really see eye to eye in the beginning. I actually think Flight might have had another agency in mind to carry out this work.”

Zimmerman kept his gaze cool and listened, saying nothing.

“I think Mr. Valois might have felt we were imposing our campaign and ideas on him. Even though this directive came from his parent company.”

Michael inhaled then moved his hands until they were flat on the table. “I've met him a few times and he seems a very hard-nosed businessman. Completely different than Russell Trent, but that might be a cultural issue. Whatever his opinion on the matter he has no option but to take on whatever the parent company decides. Nevertheless, I'm glad things are working well between you both.” He shifted his weight forward and leaned across as if to impress a very important point home. “This client account is very important to us because it will improve relations and strengthen our bond with Flight worldwide. It cannot fail.”

Tanya’s gaze dropped to the brochures on the table in front of her and her stomach clenched. Perhaps he didn’t think she was doing such a good job after all?

And when he opened his mouth and said his next words, she knew what the purpose of his trip had been all along. “While I am here, it might be worth your while to visit the Milan office.”

The tightness in her jaw muscles prevented her mouth from falling open as easily as it would have done so.

Why?

“Right now, Michael?” she laughed uneasily.

“Now would be a good time.”

“I hadn’t planned on it. I’ve only just got my momentum going here.” She wasn’t going to let him off so easy.

He laughed a little, tried to make light of the situation. “Of course, but I'm here for a few weeks and now would be the best time for you to get yourself ready, at least to have a look around the Milan office.”

It wasn’t a request; it was an order, disguised with that smooth smile of his. She was in no position to say otherwise.

“As you wish,” she said, tightly.

“I was in the Milan office a few weeks ago, and I noted a few things that I see are not at all in line with our systems. I think it might be a good idea for you to go there sooner—just to see the scale of what you’re up against—rather than later. I also think that by now you have a better idea of how the systems are rolling out here? You and Thierry will have to bring me up to date on that later on. I have to rush; I have another meeting scheduled near the Louvre.”

She’d lost interest in his meetings and what else he was here for. The words failure drummed loudly in her ears. And the thought of hastily having to alter her schedule to fit in with what he deemed necessary irritated her.

“When do you want me to go to Milan?”

“Next week? It would be good if we could spend a few days where you can show me how the system implementations are coming along.”

“I'll get my flight booked for next week,” she said, agreeing to whatever he wanted her to do. She hated the idea of being dictated to and for the first time she understood Gabriel’s initial disdain at working with the Zimmerman Group. At having another way of working imposed on him.

“I've been going through some of the processes with Thierry, while you were out of the office,” he said, “I think there are a few that we can refine.”

Her stomach knotted, like a ball of yarn among a litter of kittens. How long had he been here? She’d only left for Gabriel’s meeting a few hours ago and already he’d gone through the work she’d been doing here in three months? Maybe he’d already been brought up to speed by Thierry and Stephan.

“I'm only following the procedures that you and Nadine laid out.”

“I know,” he said, defensively. “I’m not blaming you for anything.”

She was about to utter something, but thought better of it. Then, striving to keep the sarcasm from her voice, “I think we always knew Paris was going to be the guinea pig to an extent.”

“Of course,” he leaned back in his chair, and she knew he’d sensed her unease. She knew he would now examine her face and try to allay her fears. Years of working for his company had taught her how he operated. He was a good man, a fair boss….and she wished, wished she hadn’t crossed that line…

“Everything you’re doing is fine but there are a few things which we need to go over.”

“What about the Flight campaign?” she asked, knowing full well that she’d promised Gabriel proper mockups with his changes implemented in them. And they had arranged to meet in a few days’ time.

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