Page 22 of Devanté
CHAPTER SIX
“Miss Remington, we have a contract. You can’t drop me as a client. That’s ridiculous.” Mr. Horner’s voice exploded from his mouth, reddening his sagging cheeks. I put on my smiling mask and looked at him across the slate table with my fingers linked together.
“Mr. Horner, I am the director of design and marketing here at Watson. I’m literally in charge of every campaign, every brand client, and every other thing people lay their eyes on. I had your contract drafted, you don’t need to tell me what’s in it or what it’s about because I already know.” I paused to take a sip of water from the glass to my right. My red lips stained the rim and I smiled at it for a moment, hoping it let Mr. Horner know he was doing business with a woman.
“Well, then you’d know you can’t terminate a contract because I disagree with you,” he grumbled.
“I can pull up your contract right now and we can end this discussion.” With the flick of my finger, I had his contract on my iPad. “Clause twenty-three states if the client refuses sound, reasonable brand advice, and goes against the already established branding and advertising campaign, Watson Marketing and Advertising has the right to terminate the client’s contract without further notice.” I stopped reading and looked across the table at Mr. Horner with another smile.
“Shall I go on, or do you understand that you are in clear violation of clause twenty-three?”
He opened his mouth letting out a wave of silence, then he buttoned his lips. Crimson inched around his neck making a ring that stopped at his tightly knotted silk tie.
“Mr. Horner? Would you like to continue discussing this or can I go ahead and terminate your contract with us now?”
“No…no need for that, Blake.”
Oh, now I’m Blake again?
“Would you just explain to me why you’re advising against a name change? I think it would fit the brand and company better if…”
“You don’t have enough brand stability to confuse your customers right now Mr. Horner. We’ve worked our asses off to raise your profit margins and they’re increasing but if you make a hasty decision like changing your company name on a whim, then you lose the ground you’re gaining. You lose your brand trustworthiness and believe me, that’s something you don’t want to rebuild from the ground up. It’s like starting at square one.” The air conditioning kicked on in the office humming quietly and pushing cool air through the spacious conference room.
“I got the advice from my nephew and he’s majoring in marketing at Harvard.”
“That’s lovely,” I interrupted, holding my hand up. “However, your nephew isn’t in charge of your multi-million-dollar contract here at Watson and he’s just getting his feet wet.” I paused for effect then stood to my feet. “I know what I’m doing and I didn’t make it to where I am now because I took the advice of someone still fighting through school. Let me handle the big branding ideas, Mr. Horner. Your company is safe with me.” I smiled then moved over to the door. “If there’s nothing else, I have a two o’clock meeting.”
“You’re a goddamn shark, that’s what you are, Blake,” he said, aiming a finger at me.
“Well then, aren’t you glad you have me on your side?” I winked and closed the door without letting him get an answer out. I was over Mr. Horner.
“Hey boss lady, you kicked Horner out of here fast. What happened?” Noa, my assistant, and absolute best fucking friend moved into the conference room like she lived there. She flopped on the couch and looked to me for the details.
“He wanted to change his company’s name and came to talk to me about creating an entirely new branding strategy.”
“What the fuck?” She frowned, pulling down her thick brows.
“Exactly! He’s in the middle of a contract and on phase three of his branding campaign. We’re building credibility and trustworthiness and he wants to throw it all away. The fuck?” I tossed my hand up and sat beside her on the couch.
Noa grabbed my hand and examined my nails closely. “Ooh, chica…you need a fill-in.”
“I know. I know. My guy Tony went to visit his family in Korea. He comes back next week.”
“Well, if your nails come off you can always call me. My family lives in Compton so I won’t even be out of state when I go visit.”
“Really, Noa? You’re going to do my nails,” I laughed.
“I’ll paint them shits whatever color you want.” We shared a loud laugh but quieted down when Mr. Perez walked in.
“Ladies, I see we’re having a fun little break.” He turned his eyes to Noa. “If you’re in here then you’re not being productive for Miss Remington.” He looked at her and she nodded with a tight smile.
“You’re so right. Let me go send some emails or something.” She shot me a look when she reached the glass door then flipped Mr. Perez off behind his back. I swallowed the bubbly laughter trying to escape and put my game face on.
“Mr. Perez, you needed to see me?”
“I do need to see you, Blake. Can we speak in my office?” His smile was warm and kind. He extended his hand to help me off the couch then led me down the brightly lit hallway to his spacious corner office.
Pictures of his daughter, Gabi, and his ex-wife sat in frames on his desk punctuated by Father’s Day gifts that boasted about him being the best dad in the world. I suppressed my smile whenever I saw Gabi’s pictures in his office.
