When I replied he could buy them himself, the darkness in his eyes gave me pause.It wasn’t the kind of response I would expect from a senior member of my team.Nor was the request, but I wrote it off in the moment as him being a cocky bastard.
“They were given to employees as compensation when I was unable to pay everyone their full worth.You know that,” I replied to histhat’s disappointingresponse.“You’re paid exceptionally well and got an enormous multi-six-figure bonus at Christmas.”
Greed.
Victor stretched out his legs and shook his head.“Okay.That’s fair.But how would you feel if I got poached?”
I felt my heckles lifting.
It was a poorly hidden threat.
“No one is irreplaceable, Victor.Not even me.”
“Well, I can’t say I’m not disappointed in this conversation, but I have all the information I need.”He’d nodded and left.
I put the discussion behind us, knowing we pay top dollar.It’s one of our key pillars to attract the best people and retain them.
As the head of finance, Victor knows this.
I can’t help shake the feeling that he’s enjoying watching the Crown Plaza development wobble.Figuratively.
“Mr.Remington, your next meeting has arrived ten minutes early,” Emily says from the doorway and my entire body reacts to hearing her voice.
I glance at Amanda, then Emily, and realize she needs looping in.
“How many of your team will be attending on Wednesday night?”I ask her.
Amanda blinks, surprised by my question while appearing to ignore my PA.
“Two, possibly three.Why?”Amanda replies.
I nod.
“Take them down to the boardroom.Thank you, Emily,” I say and run my eyes over her neck.She’s put her hair up, and it looks sexy as hell.
“Okay.”Her cheeks are red, her eyes darting between me and Amanda.
“Then return,” I tell her.
Emily nods.
As she disappears, I walk over and close the door, then face my team.
“Brandon and Victor are aware of this, but I need to brief you in as well.”I tell Amanda, who is an experienced marketer, a wife, and a very honest person.I know this won’t sit well with her.
“Sebastian is engaged to his PA.”Victor spits out with zero tact.
“Excuse me?”Amanda’s eyes widen in surprise.
“Victor, Jesus.Let me explain.”I hold up a hand, then launch into the full story.Brandon shares that the idea was originally his, which I appreciate.
As predicted, Amanda looks very unimpressed.
“Is Emily okay with this?Sebastian, I think you should run it past Julie.”
HR?I probably should have, but Julie would strongly advise against this, and Brandon’s my lawyer so...
Truth is, the fewer people involved, the better.
