Page 87 of Billion Dollar Dispute

“Even better. I’m a dirty little secret,” I mutter as my frustration boils over. It’s not the first time I’ve felt like we’re sneaking around, but this just feels different. A part of me wants to call it out, to demand more, but I know that’s not the game we’re playing. Yet. The heat in my chest intensifies, and I can't quite figure out why I’m so torn. I should be content, but the secrecy is eating away at me.

“It’s not that. Can we refocus?”

I push off her desk, trying to compose myself. “Susie will be here soon. She’ll discuss updating this place with you.”

Her face changes into a hard expression. “I don’t want to change anything.”

“I’m paying for it.”

She crosses her arms. “I don’t need a handout.”

“I know. But this place is so boring. It should reflect who you are.”

“And simple isn't me?” she challenges.

“No. Not one fucking bit. You’re anything but simple.”

“What am I, then?” she presses.

I storm back to her desk. “Elegant, strong, intelligent, beautiful… just to name a few. Anything but this.” I gesture at the white peeling walls, the outdated wooden desk, and the small, cluttered bookshelf.

“I can do it later. It’s not important right now.”

“I’m here to help. So let me fucking help. Working in a warm, inviting environment boosts productivity. It will make a better impression on clients.”

We have a stare-off, the tension thick, before she finally snaps. “Fine. Let me know when she’s here.”

God, I want to fucking kiss her challenging ass so bad right now. But I hold back the urge and pull away, not wanting to make a mess of the papers. Leaning down, I try to gently pull my tie from the stack when I hear the unmistakable snap of the stapler. "Dammit," I mutter, looking down to find my tie firmly fastened to the documents.

I try to untangle it, but the more I tug, the tighter it digs into the fabric. With a frustrated sigh, I grab the scissors from her desk, cutting carefully around the staple. Finally free, I smooth out the tie, catching the sound of her soft giggle as I head to my office.

“You know,” she calls out after me. “If you’d actually keep it tied, you wouldn’t be in this mess.”

An hour later, Susie arrives. Jemima comes out when she hears her voice.

Jemima greets her with unexpected warmth, which surprises me. I expected her to say she doesn’t require her services.

Molly joins us, and we start explaining what the company is about and its needs. Susie takes notes and asks questions along the way. She designed my office and she’s good at what she does.

We show her the empty rooms and discuss the need for two offices now, with the possibility of more in the future. There’s one room with nothing in it, and an idea sparks in me. “How about setting up a kids’ area! You have spare rooms. That way, when you're meeting with clients, you have this waiting room that’s suitable for children,” I suggest, glancing at Jemima.

Her cheeks flush slightly, and a shy smile appears.

The earlier Jemima is gone and has been replaced with the softer version. The dangerous version. Her challenging one is safer, familiar… Our kiss changed things for me, and part of me thinks it changed things for her too.

“I never thought about that, but it could be great for the kids.”

“What’s he into?” Susie asks.

“Basketball,” Jemima and I answer simultaneously, exchanging a smile.

Susie turns to Molly to discuss what Hugo would like. Jemima explains she wants to support future hires with children, providing toys for all ages of kids, and comforts to accommodate their needs. She also mentions having options for last-minute babysitting.

My eyes twitch at her offering people to bring in their kids to work, but she explains paying for babysitters or a short-term-only plan. Like for an hour if they need to come in for a meeting or their kids are sick.

As Jemima talks, I wonder how many of my staff could benefit from having help with their kids so they could work and potentially perform better?

I quickly send an email to Esme, requesting her to send out an email with a form for each of my workers to fill out. The questionnaire will include how many kids they have, their ages, if they’re facing challenges with childcare, and whether they’d use a program if it were available. This will help me determine if I need to implement something like that within my businesses.

---