CHAPTER 12
CURTIS
Marvin Black, sixty-two-year-old owner and CEO of Ranger Foods, sat behind his desk. Photos of him smiling with his family on various holidays hung on the wall behind him, along with a few awards his company had won over the years. His salt-and-pepper hair was an inch too long to be neat, and the wrinkles at the corners of his brown eyes showed he either loved to smile and laugh or he’d spent too much time trying to read without his glasses. My bet was on the former.
I sat in my chair, trying not to show any signs of nervousness after giving him my pitch about why Knight Advertising was the one to entrust his latest campaign to. It was a solid pitch, and he’d reacted accordingly. Except, that wasn’t the part I was worried about. We were up to the questions part of the meeting, and I had to handle it in a way that impressed him but didn’t reveal that I was doing this without anyone else’s knowledge. That would just look weird, and the last thing I wanted to do was underminemyself by telling anyone that my father and the board of directors didn’t trust my judgment or leadership skills.
He leaned back and linked his hands over his small potbelly. “You know we weren’t looking for a new agency.”
“Yes, Mike mentioned that, but I’ve long admired your company and your ethics, and I think we’d be a good fit. Your collaboration with Empire Foodbank has made a difference to so many people. Yours is the kind of company we’ve been looking to partner with.”
He nodded slowly. “That’s a change from past years. If I may be honest, your father was…enthusiasticin the way he grew the company.”
By “enthusiastic,” I was pretty sure he meant ruthless. Being the latest victim, I wasn’t going to argue. “Yes, but I’m in charge now, and I’m trying to change things.” Maybe I should buy a Pinocchio doll for myself for Christmas as well, because was I really in charge of Knight Advertising?
“The other reason I’m not keen to change anything is the trust I have with our current agency.” The number one in the country, the one my father had always wanted to overtake because the guy running it once, thirty years ago, mistook him for a valet. I’d heard the story so many times. It would probably be the last thing he spoke about with his dying breath. Why I wanted that man’s approval, I didn’t know. Maybe I should look into therapy. “I’ve heard horror stories about fudged figures and results. Not from your agency, of course, but like I said, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
“I can respect that.” This married perfectly with what I wanted. Now I just had to convince him. Ah, the irony of landing a job based on integrity when I was lying to my own company about this. No one would know about this deal if I got it. This could be my saving grace when Dad tried to fire me. If I nailed this, it would prove I’m not the problem. “The thing is, I’d like to do all the creative but then run it past your team. I’d also set up anadvertising schedule and organize media interviews, etcetera, but then hand it to your team to execute, so you would have guidance on budgets and timing, but your company would control it all. I’d also be available to your team to answer any questions or suggest any changes based on how your numbers are looking. It would reduce the costs to you as well, if you have the manpower to take it on. This is all about full transparency.”
This was the craziest thing I’d ever done. We did everything inhouse, but I’d agree to almost anything to get this deal over the line, not to mention that I didn’t want anyone at work to be involved, and I didn’t have the skills or the time to design the whole damned thing as well as run it.
Who the hell was sabotaging me? Was it my own father? He’d never wanted me in this job, but to get rid of me, he’d need a damned good excuse, or Mom would be on the warpath. I tried to keep my face still as that realization hit me with the force of a nuclear blast. Would Marvin mind if I called a five-minute break and left to get my shit together?
Marvin stared at me for a bit. I did my best not to squirm under his assessing gaze. I was a CEO of a company worth almost as much as his—I needed to act like it and project confidence, no matter that my father thought I was incapable. “I am curious as to why you’re willing to take a reduced rate and let us control our ad spend. You have a strong company. Why so many concessions?”
“It’s a new method I’m testing. If it works, we’ll run more campaigns like it. We have a lot going on in the office, and my team is fully employed. This is a good solution for the companies who want more control over their advertising.”
He smiled knowingly. “Ah, the new kid on the block wants to make his mark. I can see this model working. I tell you what; I’m going to give you the job. But it’s not just from today’s meeting. You saved my daughter when you were both at college, and I’m grateful. I think this is the perfect opportunity to thank you.”
“Ah, thank you. I appreciate it. But anyone would’ve done what I did. I’m just glad that Melinda was okay.” She and her brother were twins. I hung out with him way more than her, but one night, we all went to a party. I saw one of the guys take her to his room. I’d never trusted him, and he had a bad rep. He was in a group of dickheads who were in a body-count competition. I went up there and walked in, pretending I’d done it by accident. When I saw Melinda struggling on the bed, him on top of her, I pulled him off, and she’d run out of the room. I’d punched the guy in the face for good measure, gave him a warning, and left.
“Well, you were the one who was there when she needed it. Thank you, son.”
“As I said, I’m just glad I could help, sir.” I smiled. This felt more like a conversation between friends rather than a business meeting. From what Mike had said, Marvin was a good father. I envied him. All the money in the world couldn’t make up for a parent who saw his children as assets or liabilities rather than children to love and spend time with.
He stood and leaned over the desk, holding out his hand. “I’ll have my lawyers email our standard contract. Make any changes and send it back.”
I shook his hand. “Great. And for now, send all communications to my email—I really want to surprise the board of directors when we get great results. Thanks again, sir, for giving me this opportunity. I won’t let you down.”
“I’m hoping not.” He chuckled. “I’m looking forward to seeing what you can do.”
Me too, Marvin. Me too. Now to make sure Donut Girl didn’t get wind of anything. Operation Take Back Control began now, and I wouldn’t let anything or anyone get in my way, not even the sassy-mouthed ball-breaker with the bewitching eyes manning my PA’s desk.
CHAPTER 13
FAITH
It was Friday morning, day four of “Why the heck did I say yes to this job?”
The phone rang, cutting off my yawn. “Knight Advertising. Curtis Knight’s office. How can I help you?” I would’ve said it with a smile, but I’d only had four hours’ sleep last night, and I wasn’t in the mood. I might never be again.
“It’s Marvin Black. Can I please speak to Curtis?”
“Just a moment, sir. I’ll see if he’s in.” I didn’t know why people said that. Everyone knew it was code for, I’ll see if he wants to talk to you. I buzzed Curtis and yawned before I could get a word out. “There’s a Marvin Black on line one for you.”
“Did you just yawn?”
“Yes. Do you want me to put Mr. Black through?”
