‘He’s right,’ says Jack, his voice a low rumble. The muscles in my body tighten in wary anticipation. ‘You did well.’
My body relaxes when I realise he’s not going to touch me or say anything more.
I’m in the mood for a celebratory drink when I get back to the office. I fire up my computer and email Amanda.
To: Darling, Amanda
From: Heath, Scarlett
Sent: Tuesday 7 Oct 2025 10.48
Subject: Rain check
How about that drink tonight?
To: Heath, Scarlett
From: Darling, Amanda
Sent: Tuesday 7 Oct 2025 10.48
Subject: Re: Rain check
6 p.m., on the button, no excuses.
Leaning back in my desk chair, I let my mind wander to Mr Ryans, perfect CEO. Those exquisite brown pools, his slicked hair begging to be pulled, his large, olive-skinned, manicured hands. It’s been a long time since a man has touched me. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever been touched by a man. Boys, fumbling and stuttering, yes. But Mr Ryans looked like he’d know exactly how and where to touch a woman.
‘Scarlett,’ Margaret whispers as she steps into my office. ‘Jack has a call, and he’d like you to join in his office.’
‘Thank you. Do you know who it is?’
‘A Mr Ryans, I believe.’
An electric pulse courses through my body just hearing his name. Forget it!
I pick up a notepad and head into Jack’s office.
Jack places the call on mute on his screen so that Mr Ryans, and no doubt Mr Lawrence and Mr Williams, can’t hear our exchange.
‘Eclectic is ready to give us details of the acquisition,’ Jack barks. ‘They specifically requested that you were on the call. They must be looking to have it done on the cheap.’
His words are bitter and I know it’s because of his targets. At Saunders, we have targets for everything: hours spent working on client matters, time spent in the office, the value of work billed to clients, the recovery rate of each invoice. If something can be expressed in numbers, Saunders will have a target for it. If I do the work for Eclectic, I get to put down my hours spent and I get to bill my time and every hour I work on the deal means an hour Jack loses towards his own figures. In truth, I don’t care much about Jack’s targets, or Jack for that matter, and I’m still reeling with delight from winning the pitch. I’m not sure anyone loves their job all day every day but the rush of closing a deal or winning a client more than makes up for the bad times.
Jack clicks unmute.
‘Good afternoon, gentlemen,’ I say.
‘Good afternoon, Miss Heath,’ Mr Lawrence calls. ‘Lawrence, Williams and Ryans here.’ His voice is matter of fact and professional without losing the soft tone he had when we met this morning. I imagine him sitting with his hands cupped and resting across his belly as he speaks.
‘Miss Heath,’ the others say simultaneously.
Mr Ryans begins to talk about Eclectic Technologies, mostly offering information I’ve already gathered from my research, but his enthusiasm is infectious, seemingly uncharacteristic of the taciturn and controlled man I witnessed this morning. His mood shifts when he begins to talk about Sea People International, the company he wishes to take over, and I have to wonder why he wants to buy a business he seems to resent. I remind myself that I know very little about Mr Ryans. Sea People runs a new social network site for travellers. The site is designed to make it easier for people to travel the world and stay in contact with friends and family. It gives them the opportunity to share experiences and has forums to provide tips to fellow travellers on the best places to visit in countries around the world. In all, it sounds like an interesting tool, if lacking a completely fresh take. I’m sure I would’ve used it if I’d ever ventured beyond Europe with my dad or on business trips to clients. I subconsciously make a note to ask Amanda if she’s ever come across it when she’s been travelling abroad.
‘I want to buy it, take it to pieces and sell it to the highest bidder.’ Mr Ryans’ sharp words interrupt my thoughts.
‘Well, subject to Jack’s, erm, Mr Jones’s thoughts…’ I cautiously eye Jack, seeking permission to speak, but he seems happy for me to go ahead. ‘I think much of the due diligence will need to be carried out on the intellectual property in the company. I’m assuming the social network site is the company’s main venture?’
‘It is,’ Mr Williams adds.
