Everyone settles back into their chairs, but not Mave. He subtly tilts his head, letting me know he’s going to be by the door, standing guard with Riley, then offers his seat to my mother before walking away.
I clench my hands into fists, but say nothing, and when Mom occupies Mave’s chair, she sends a fiery look my way, clearly rattled that I’ve seated myself in her rightful place. If she’s expecting me to move, then she’s going to be disappointed. I’m very comfortable where I am, and I don’t plan on getting up any time soon.
She notices that, of course, and shifts her attention from me to her employees, who quickly catch her up on what has been said in the meeting so far.
“But our price range has always been well-received,” she argues. “And, with the introduction of limited-edition clothing, we are establishing the fact that our brand is to be held under the same light as those that cater to luxury wear.”
“If that was your goal, Mom, then you should have expandedLureto cities like LA, NYC, or even somewhere in Europe,” I counter. “But all our offline stores are limited to Riverside, and whatever online sales we were making, dropped significantly when COVID and lockdown hit. Avenues and lifestyles have changed now; people are prioritizing money over luxury. IfLurewants to survive, it’ll either have to reduce its product prices and focus more on everyday clothing, or expand to cities, or countries, where it would gain some rightful traction.”
Mom looks beyond livid, but she’s hiding it well. “I wouldn’t be so dramatic with my approaches, Cignette,” she bites out. “I’m sure there’s something that can be done to save face and go about in the same direction as we are right now.”
Waleed “broke up” with her a week after the charity gala 3 months ago. Not only that, but he also stepped down asLure’ssponsor, and headed back to Abu Dhabi to resume his family business. Kinda sucks because his money was good forLure, but on the other hand, I don’t pity Mom at all.
“I’m afraid Miss Adler is right, ma’am,” Erin says. “ForLureto survive, we must at least consider one of the two suggested options.”
“Which are?” Mother Dearest asks dumbly.
Erin and the others look mildly irritated, and I have to purse my lips to stop the smile from taking over my face.
“Uh, about the extension ofLurein other cities, or the reduction of prices, ma’am,” says another member of the marketing team.
“Or we can have a clearance sale,” Raj suggests. “For now, I mean.”
“A clearance sale?” Mom places a hand over her chest as if that’s the most appalling thing she’s ever heard.
“Thosearepretty popular,” Lexie, my team member, says. “And, from what I’ve seen on our website, we’ve got quite a lot of apparels from the last three years that could sell out rapidly if they’re available at half their original prices.”
Misty,Lure’scustomer service in charge, puts forward a file in Mom’s direction. “Around 70% of the recent customer complaints I’ve received, have been about the price increase and stock limitations. A clearance sale could be an immediate relief mechanism while the other teams work on additional options.”
Please don’t ask what the additional options are, I pray.
Mom grabs the file and takes a good amount of time going through the customer emails and DMs, then clears her throat and looks up at Erin. “Would introducing more…casualwear be a solution?”
“That alone? I doubt it, ma’am.”
Mom places her forearms on the table and steeples her fingers together. “Minus 25% on all current prices – including the cost of limited-edition clothing. Should that be enough?”
Erin glances at her team members, then gives Mom a hesitant nod. “Temporarily, yes.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Mom asks in a raised voice. “I createdLurefor success, not for charity. And you all have been hired to help me achieve that. What you’re asking of me is preposterous, but I’m still willing to try because I cannot think of anything else that might aid us right now, and you’re still not fully sure if that’s enough?”
“In a long run, most definitely not,” I say, and when Mom whips her head at me, I lean forward and arch a brow at her. “What you’re doing right now with your launch decisions makesLureseem like a brand fit for costume parties. We’ve got fur, leather, glitter, gossamer, skimpy, bold, and extravagant, but our catalog lacks the induction of plus size apparels, diversity options, along with casual and comfortable clothing. Maybe if you spend more time in understanding customer needs, and less on forcing our designers to make clothes that are red-carpet worthy, and not couch-appropriate, we’ll be able to saveLurefrom drowning after all.” I get to my feet and grab my purse. “Now, if you’ll please excuse me, I have another engagement I need to get to. I’ve put forth my suggestions regarding this issue here today, but if there are other ideas discussed in my absence, I’d appreciate it if I’m made aware of them.” And with that, I turn around and start walking towards the exit.
Mave opens the door for me, and once we’ve left the room and crossed at least half the hallway, he starts laughing, making me stop and do the same.
“Oh my God, did you see herface?” I lean against the wall and continue to laugh.
He joins me. “Atta girl; I’m so proud of you.”
I smile at him. “Thanks. It was…liberating.”
“I bet. Riley wasn’t amused, though. He looked quite offended on Miranda’s behalf.”
I wave a hand dismissively. “They deserve each other.”
“Quite.” He nudges his left shoe against my pumps. “You said you have another engagement. Am I missing something?”
I wink at him. “I have a very private, one-on-one appointment with my bed in about…” I check my watch. “20 minutes – if we can successfully evade Downtown traffic.”
