Page 21 of Seducing the Billionaire

“It’s not as simple as that,” I tell her, leaving it at that.

She studies me for a moment, then nods. “So what can we do? To make your new job more like your old one? More variety? Travel? Committing to fewer meetings?”

Yes to all of the above. But that still doesn’t help me understand the vast amount of inside tips and tricks Dad had about the business that I don’t.

There’s a knock at the open door, and Angelina, our public relations guru, pokes her head in. “You ready for me?”

I motion to the seat next to Emma, bracing myself for her assessment. Angelina’s been working on a comprehensive plan for me as CEO, while also handling all press inquiries about the death of my father and Bishop Industries’ future. I gave her free rein to do whatever she thinks best regarding the press.

“Well, your interview Friday didn’t go the way we want,” she states bluntly as she sits down. That’s putting it mildly. The host had been on the attack from the first minute. “But public response has been in our favor. You just lost your father, you’ve only been CEO for a week, blah blah blah, you get the gist.” Wow, Archer wasn’t kidding when he warned me she was straightforward. “They shouldn’t have been so aggressive, but that’s how they were with your dad. They were used to that dynamic.”

“Well, I’m not… aggressive. Not like he was.”

“No, but that’s what people are expecting.”

What is she saying? I have to become an asshole just because my father was? “Can’t I be a reasonable person who has a conversation with the media rather than assaulting each other on-air?”

Angelina blinks at me. “Um, sure. But I’ll need to rework our strategy, then.”

“Okay, do that.”

She looks down at the packet in her lap. “We’ll start with this, at least.”

I internally groan as she hands it to me, sensing it won’t be good news. Maybe I can get Emma to give me the highlights.

“We’ll focus for now on media where we can control the narrative,” she continues. “I have a contact at MediaTech Magazine and they’ve agreed to do a feature on you. If you’re wanting to change your image compared to your dad, this is the perfect opportunity. Especially because it’s still early enough that you’re an unknown.”

“Unknown? I didn’t pop out of nowhere. I’ve been with the company for years.”

“Yeah, but you’ve been out of the country, out of the papers too long. Everyone’s expecting you to be a hardass like your father, but maybe you’re straitlaced like Archer or a partier like Gabriel. The question is, what are you?”

Is she hoping I’ll give her an answer now? I glance at Emma, who pauses in her note-taking as she catches my eye.

“We should show Connor as capable and hardworking,” Emma pipes up when I remain silent. “That the company is in good hands.”

My stomach makes an odd twisting motion. She really thinks the company is doing well with me in charge? She said something to that effect the other day, but I feel like I’m winging it half the time.

Angelina nods in agreement. “Absolutely. We want to portray confidence. Stability. Not changing the status quo. I’ve already sent out press releases over the weekend in response to the interview and confirmed your attendance at a few key events over the next couple of weeks. It’s all in the packet there.”

The lightness in my belly sinks. This is all filled with events I’m supposed to attend? I’m barely holding my head above water trying to learn how to be the CEO. “What’s first?”

She takes it from me, flipping a few pages in. “A benefit for the American Heart Association. The cause is obviously near and dear to you.”

“How many events do I have to go to?”

She sets the packet down, giving me a level look. “Listen, I know you’re busy. I get it. But it’s my job to improve Bishop Industries’ image. We’re mainly a social media site, for God’s sake. And right now, you’re the only one who hasn’t abandoned ship. So I’m working with what I have.”

“I’m not knocking your plan. I’ll do whatever you think is necessary.” I scrub my hands over my jaw. “But I’m so tired already.” The momentum I had going from the chiefs meeting has faded, a heavy weight settling on my shoulders at the mere thought of having to do more.

“This is temporary, right?” Emma asks, turning to Angelina. “Only a few weeks until he makes an impression, and then he can cut back?”

The PR expert studies me, and I can only imagine what she’s thinking. I’ve had a dream job handed to me on a silver platter that others would kill for, and I have the nerve to complain about it? Yeah, I’d be tired of me too.

“Yes, it’s only temporary,” she replies in a soft voice. “Everything’s laid out for you in the packet. Pick what you want to do and me or Emma will set it up.”

She stands and heads toward the door. “How about we meet again in another week to determine how everything is going? We’ll make adjustments later if we need to.”

Emma nods. “I’ll add it to the schedule.”

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