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“Excuse me?” Sarai said. “You’ve brought a list of alternatives, at this stage in the process and tothismeeting?”
“We have. We think it’s important that this concern is addressed right now, especially as we understand you’ve opted to give a continuous cut of the profits to ensure you get a good performance from whoever takes this role.”
Lukas stepped forward. “I’ve given some of my usual profit share. No more is being taken from any of you than you would normally be asked.”
“Be that as it may, our opinion still stands. We will all make more money if every element of this project is handled with the same level of care and attention you give us.”
I wasn’t sure what to do or say. I’d begun shaking, both angry and humiliated that this conversation was going on right in front of me. Daniel reached across and patted my hand.
“I think you should probably hear how Kit has been handling this before you write her off.” Daniel looked only at me as he spoke. “She’s more than capable of speaking for herself.”
There were a few frowns and confused faces, but Sarai immediately nodded. “Yes, before you interrupted me, I was about to hand over to Kit herself to have her tell you of the research and the items she’s already managed to source in preparation. Unlike the last project, she will be involved with us the whole way through.”
As soon as Sarai finished speaking, I got to my feet. Two of the men gasped and the woman who had made the comments put her hand over her mouth.
“I’d like to introduce Kit, our interior designer,” Lukas said, also moving closer to me. “It seems some of you weren’t aware she was in the room and doing everything she could to also reassure you about this project.”
“I apologize for saying such negative things in front of you.” The woman got up as everyone else tried to compose themselves. “That said, before you continue trying to tell us about your involvement, our concerns still stand. As much as you have done a good job with one project, you have no track record.”
Before I could respond, Lukas opened the door to the room.
“Then leave. Because Kit is our interior designer. I won’t do this project without her. In a few months she has already shown me she is one of the most capable people I know at her craft. She’s hard working, skilled, and as far as I am concerned worth more than every single one of you are put together. If you don’t like that, get out.”
Even I was surprised by the anger in Lukas’ demeanor and voice. No one moved, but the investors looked between each other like they couldn’t quite believe how they had been spoken to.
“I personally invited every single one of you into this project, and each of you gave me your word you would invest and trust me with whatever I felt was worth my time. I haven’t steered one of you wrong. Kit will be our interior designer. I chose her myself, and I’ll choose her again and again, until you have that track record you think you need.”
Slowly, the woman who had spoken sat back down again. I wasn’t sure how I was going to carry on, but Lukas also shut the door and Sarai gave me a nod. Somehow I managed to talk about everything I had done so far, keeping succinct, but making it clear I was taking all my experience, the feedback and criticism I’d already received and was going to ensure this project was better.
As soon as I sat down, Sarai took back over again and moved on to the rest of the project. Daniel was next to talk about why he was involved, what he brought to the table. To my surprise, he was also investing his money and he expected no other return than that gained him. He was lending his expertise and fame simply to ensure the return was as high as possible.
Henry went next, doing his part for Lukas, even though Lukas was now present. It was almost like Lukas refused to do more than be present for the investors and ensure the rest of the meeting went well. Slowly, I calmed, but I felt on edge.
Every time I glanced at Lukas, he was staring at me. The first few times, I had smiled, but I was more nervous and self-conscious with each subsequent look. It seemed he couldn’t take his eyes off me. I had appreciated that he had done everything to stand up for me and make sure I was still involved, but was there more to this?
I couldn’t wait for the meeting to end, not least of all because I wanted to be somewhere other than under the gaze of everyone while in a room with my ex, but the investors were also awkward.
By the end of the meeting, I knew Sarai was supposed to be collecting the rest of the funds from the investors and securing the next part of the project. When we had come into this meeting it had been assumed that none of them would say no or be awkward. Now, I wasn’t so sure.
Despite my fear, Sarai pulled out the contract and the bank details for the rest of the money to be transferred into. Once this meeting was over, it would be very difficult for any of them to object to anything unless it was in direct contradiction to something in the contract.
To my surprise, several of the investors quickly took the contract, flicked through it and signed. The rest took a little more time, but only because they appeared to be reading it to be sure. The only person who didn’t simply get on with it was the most vocal of them. It made me fear that she intended to pull out.
Again, Daniel was given a contract, and he quickly read through it and signed his money over. He was then the first to actually transfer the funds as well.
Although I wasn’t sure I was needed for the rest of this meeting, I didn’t leave my seat again. Henry and the others were still here as well, and I appreciated having them around.
Sarai collected up the documents once signed, and her assistant helped people transfer funds. Finally, Lukas opened the door as the first of the investors decided they were done. At this point everyone else got up and I followed suit, trusting there was some sort of significance to this.
The investors shook all our hands before leaving and I finally understood. Several of them apologized to me before they went to Lukas last. He had longer conversations with each investor, but it seemed to clear the air and they all left far happier than they had been in the meeting.
At last, there was only one woman left, and she had gained Sarai’s attention already, our project leader taking it on herself to tackle the awkward investor. As soon as I looked over at them, Sarai beckoned me over.
Although I didn’t want to go, I knew my alternative was to stand around looking like an idiot or go past Lukas to leave the room. Neither option seemed to be particularly appealing.
I went over to them and Sarai immediately walked away. Not having any idea what to say to this woman, I simply didn’t, waiting for her to speak.
“It seems I owe you an apology. While I shouldn’t lose sight of making sure my money is well invested, Lukas was right about one thing. I have always trusted him in the past. He seems to think incredibly highly of you. And he worked with you most recently. If he trusts you, then I will as well. Assuming you can forgive me and allow me to still work on this with you.”
