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Miss. Solomon drags my attention back to her with a firm, “This is highly unusual, Miss. Powell. I’m sure you realize that, but for some reason Mr. Vieri wants you to run his campaign, which tells me there is something going on between you.”
She fixes me with a hard stare and leans forward. “I don’t care what that is, but Idocare about my reputation and that of the company I built up from scratch. You are inexperienced and liable to fail and only have six days to deliver a passable campaign.”
I am so miserable because everything she is saying is right. I can’t disagree. I’m as lousy as she says I am, and it’s all because I’m fucking the client and he wants to control my life.
For a moment, a hint of concern sparkles in her eyes and she says with a small smile. “Listen. I know Shade Vieri and his brother, too. That family doesn’t follow the same rules as the rest of us and it can be intoxicating and a little wild. Just don’t get sucked into their world, Allegra. Resist it at all costs because a young vulnerable woman like you wouldn’t last two hours when they play hard.”
She is looking at me with so much concern I almost crumble. I never realized just how stressful my life has become lately and a little kindness is going a long way. I almost consider confiding in her, but there is something stopping me. I don’t know what it is about Shade that has me hating him one minute with a passion and then wanting him back when he’s gone.
Miss. Solomon sighs heavily. “You will be assigned your own office and an assistant. I will be allocating one of my more experienced ones to this campaign to guide you through it.”
She shakes her head. “The client has paid a lot of money to get this moving and you only have six days to make it all happen. Your new assistant will be here soon, and I suggest listening to everything she says because time is against us. Run everything past me when you leave at five-thirty to head across town to meet with the client. That is the conditions of their contract and if you encounter any problems, my door is always open.”
She fixes me with a hard stare. “Don’t let me down, Miss. Powell. Your future career with The Queen is riding on this.”
A tentative knock to the door causes me to turn, and I’m delighted and extremely relieved when Alice heads inside. A vision of capability.
“Miss. Solomon. Miss. Powell.” She greets us both respectfully and Miss. Solomon says with a sigh. “It’s up to you now, girls. Spend that bastard’s money wisely and make this work because he is the last person I want to explain any failure to. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Miss. Solomon.” We dutifully answer and as we turn to go, it’s as if I’m carrying a huge burden of responsibility on my already loaded shoulders.
* * *
As soon aswe are out of earshot, Alice whispers her concern.
“Are you okay, Allegra?”
“I don’t think so.”
She stares at me with wide eyes. “I can’t believe this is happening. You should have seen Simone’s expression when she told me to report to you. I wish I had taken a photograph. I think it was the best moment of my life.”
We giggle like a couple of schoolgirls and as we take the elevator, she says with an excited grin. “Opportunities don’t come up like this very often. Let’s make this one count for something amazing.”
I really don’t want to burst her bubble because I am definitelynotexcited about this, but I realize my future career is riding on my success, so I push my anger aside and into the job at hand.
* * *
Alice showsme to a bright office overlooking the skyline and as she closes the door, she claps her hands with excitement.
“Okay, this is the plan. If you need me any hour of the day or night, call me. I don’t know if you have anything in mind, but I took the liberty of swiping some files from my computer. They are blueprints for campaigns similar to the one we must create, and it will provide us with a checklist if nothing else.”
I could kiss her because she has probably saved my life and as she fires up the computer, I say tentatively, “Should I fetch us some coffee?”
She rolls her eyes. “Your coffee making days are over. We’ll call for takeout because this is going to be a long six days.”
* * *
The day passes so quickly,I’m surprised when Alice glances up from her computer screen and sighs. “It’s time for you to report to Miss. Solomon. She told me you must take your ideas to the client at six thirty, so you will need to clear it with her first.”
“What shall I say?” I stare with horror at my life saver of an assistant and Alice sighs. “You don’t need to go into details. Just show her the mock up boards and the bullet point list. Ask her advice. She’s always delighted when she’s made to feel valued. Don’t pretend to know it all because she’ll suss that out in record time. Just show her what we’ve got so far and ask for her advice. It’s all you can do.”
The fact we worked solidly on this all day doesn’t show because we are no further forward with an idea than when we first started.
It’s a freaking lap-dancing club. What the hell do I know about them and so with a deep sigh, I gather the folder Alice has prepared and grabbing my purse say miserably, “Wish me luck.”
As I head to the door, I turn back and smile gratefully. “Thanks for your help, Alice. I wouldn’t know where to begin.”
She smiles reassuringly. “We’ll do this, Ally. I’ll work on it some more and see if I can come up with something. Leave it with me.”
