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“You’re not fit to even speak his name. Now, don’t let the door hit you where the good Lord split ya,” Tess said, making a shooing motion toward the older woman.
“She won’t keep you on, you know. Don’t think you didn’t piss her off. She’ll use you and then toss the accounts your name nets us to me.” With that said, Her Creepiness slunk out, closing the door behind her.
Tess released the breath she’d been holding for the last few seconds and tried to center herself. Anger galloped like a stallion through her body, pounding through her blood, leaving her trembling from the sudden adrenaline rush.
How dare Monique?
Tess spun toward her computer, moving her mouse, automatically clicking on her email out of habit, while her mind raced and the anger continued its steadfast course through her body.
A little ding announced a new email as the window popped open and there it was—all the information forwarded by Monique regarding the Oedipus account.
Un-freaking-believable.
Why had Monique not gone with Tess’s designs?
Yet deep down Tess knew. Monique had a sort of egotistical insecurity that prevented her from seeing what was in front of her. She’d felt threatened, so she’d made sure she would get the credit. Tess was fairly certain Monique needed some intensive therapy to deal with her Napoleon complex.
Monique won’t keep you on, you know.
At that moment, she understood everything about Monique’s intent. She didn’t want a team at Upstart. Not really. Tess was an instrument to be used… but not valued.
Here’s our Tess. You know she’s an Ullo, right? Works for us now because she realized her father’s company was a sinking ship. Utmost quality is what we offer—even an Ullo can attest to that. Her mark is on everything we do.
Yeah, right.
More like Here’s Tess Ullo. She does nothing but smile like a moron, and we lie to her and tell her what she wants to hear because it behooves us.
Clicking the mouse, Tess reviewed what Miles wanted, feeling only a smidge of pride at the clause stating Tess Ullo must be attached to the project as director or the contract was subject to a renegotiation of terms or a forfeit of agreement between the two parties. At least Miles valued her.
But how had he known?
Tess liked to sign her name to her renderings much as any artist. Perhaps Miles had glanced down at the signature and not recognized it as Tess’s? She was certain she hadn’t mentioned specifics at the mixer.
So how had Miles figured it out?
Maybe…
Couldn’t be.
Other than Monique, Graham was the only other person to see her execution for the floats, and he would have to be dog-assed stupid to mention her designs to Miles. Losing the Oedipus account would piss her father off. Sick or not, her old man wouldn’t suffer the loss of Oedipus. In fact, he’d likely fire Graham for losing so much business his first month as CEO… even if he did like the man.
And with Graham out of the way…
Oh, God, Tess. What the hell are you thinking? Do you want control of Ullo Float Builders so badly, you’d wish ill will on the man you lo—
She mentally clamped down on that thought.
No.
Deny that word. Contradict those feelings.
The fact was she didn’t want control of Ullo enough to stoop to Monique’s tactics. If anything came of this experience, it was that Tess knew better who she was. Tess was tough, stood up for her beliefs, and recognized she did indeed have weaknesses. She could sweet-talk a city inspector, she could coach a gaggle of seven-year-old future soccer stars, and she could cry on someone’s shoulder, allowing herself to be vulnerable.
She could also learn she was wrong.
Wasn’t easy for her to admit it, but she’d been off base in thinking she’d be capable of running Ullo at present. Perhaps she could have slipped right into her father’s Hush Puppies and never missed a beat, but then again, maybe those shoes wouldn’t have fit. Perhaps they never would.
Maybe she’d never be part of Ullo again so all this self discovery wouldn’t matter for shit. But now she knew being at Ullo meant being part of a team—a team that affirmed her and allowed her to shine. Her family company wasn’t perfect, but with failure came a chance to learn.
