AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I stand up and walk around my desk to hug them each. They file out of the office, and I settle back down at my desk, but a minute later, Cecelia’s walking in.
“Good to see you,” she says, a little too brightly. She glances at the box with the dartboard set, then back at me. “We have a new client who will be arriving in about half an hour. This isn’t too complicated; he just needs a press release and a very small campaign. It’s honestly far beneath your skill set, but he asked for you specifically. It’s Arthur Raker.”
“Mason’s father?” I look at her in confusion.
She nods. “Yes. He’s going to be stepping down as head of his company and appointing someone else as CEO. It’s going to be important to show that he’ll still be involved, just scaling back his role. It’s vital to show that the company will still have strong leadership. You’ll meet with him in the conference room.”
“Are you sure this isn’t a conflict of interest?” I ask, receiving a raised eyebrow in return. “I mean… his son did practically fire me.”
She purses her lips. “I can’t begin to understand the dynamics here, but if he asked for you, he clearly thinks you’re more than capable.
“Too bad his stupid, arrogant son…”
My whispered words trail off when I get a look at Cece’s tilted head and narrowed eyes. “What?”
“Nothing. Just mumbling,” I say. “Uh ... okay. Thank you. I’ll prepare.” Cecelia leaves, and I scramble to do some quick research on the company and the major players who are currently involved.
My mind races, and I struggle to focus. Why of all people would Arthur Raker specifically request me?
Half an hour later, I’m shaking hands with a very handsome older version of Mason in the conference room.
“You’re the woman who’s been doing such a great job rehabilitating my son’s image,” he says.
My stomach twists because it sounds like he’s asked for me not realizing that Mason ditched me. I need this client. To prove to Cece that I’m still her best. So I stuff down those wayward feelings and put my best foot forward.
“That was me,” I agree. Oops. I shouldn’t have used the past tense. Sounds a little bitter.
He smiles wryly. “I know a little bit about what happened.”
My mouth drops open at this revelation.
So he does know.
Probably more than I do, I think glumly. He takes a seat across from me. “Your campaign was fantastic, and you really brought Mason out of his shell. Working with those kids has been as good for him as it was for them. He told me that the entire thing was your idea, and he fought it tooth and nail at first, but you were right in the end.”
“Well, thank you for saying that.” Now I’m really confused.
He heaves a sigh. “And he also told me that he had to choose someone else to complete the project, and you were probably really angry at him, and rightfully so.” He looks at me shrewdly, as if reading my reaction. “And no, he wouldn’t tell me why. I asked him. He just shrugged it off. He met up with his mother in person recently, and unfortunately, that woman can mess with his head like nobody else on earth. I wish I knew what happened there.” His gaze darkens, and his brow creases with anger.
“Me too.” My heart squeezes with sorrow.
“There’s something about the way that he talks about you ... I can tell you he’s never, ever had that look on his face before for anyone. Not Lexi, the girl he dated the longest. Not anyone. He’s going through something right now. It’s none of my business, but I think he made some kind of rash, stupid decision, which he does sometimes. When he does that, he’s doing what he thinks is best for everyone, but ...” he trails off. “Anyway, he’s in a terrible mood these days and frankly being a little shit, but he’s not drinking. So that’s something.” He cracks a smile.
“Thank heavens,” I say fervently. He looks at me and nods. “You do really care about him.”
I blink hard, and suddenly I’m almost about to cry. “I do. A lot. He’s a good person, I know that, and I know whatever he did is because he’s hurting.”
But he hurt me too, I think deep down inside. I wish the best for him, but it was probably a mistake from the beginning.
“Moving on,” Mr. Raker says. “I’ve been hoping for years that Mason would take over as CEO of the company. He’s a natural at it. He’s got some great ideas that would take the company in a new direction, but it’s a direction that I’m okay with. But the stubborn bastard isn’t ready yet, and I don’t know when he will be.” His brow creases. “I worry about him all the time, you know. Hockey is a dangerous sport.”
“It can be,” I agree. “Mason is very good at what he does. And life is a dangerous sport. I know it’s hard watching someone you care about do something risky, but he absolutely loves it, and all I can say is that life-altering injuries in hockey are pretty rare.”
He grimaces. “I tell myself that all the time. Anyway, I’m getting too personal. Let’s get back to business. I plan on stepping down in a couple of months, and it is very important to me that when my stubborn asshat of a son is finally ready to take over, the company’s still in great shape. What I want you to do is help me craft a press campaign that will reassure our clients that I am leaving the company in good hands.” He opens up his briefcase and pulls out stacks of paper. “Jeffrey Archer, who has been with the company for thirty years, will be CEO. Here’s a bunch of information about him, his credentials, his experience, and some personal stuff about his family and hobbies and the charitable causes he contributes to.”
“Mr. Raker,” I protest, laughing. “You’re doing my job for me.”
“Hey, I’m not a new kid on the block. I know how this works.”
