‘Okay…’
‘So, round one: play her at her own game – she’ll be smiling, sweet-talking to try to confuse you, so respond in kind. Be nice and show empathy, understand where she’s coming from. She’s expecting an argument, so don’t give her one and watch as she recalibrates and adjusts her tactics accordingly. Don’t get defensive or she’ll make quick work of you. Tell her that you understand what she’s saying and that she’s right – this will calm her down and give you the advantage. Putting you in control.’ Rory pauses for a breath before continuing.
‘Okay. I can do that.’
‘Round two: FBI mirror technique. Mirror her tone, her body language, repeat her words back to her. She really responds to this one and can’t help herself. It’s a hoot to watch.’
I bite the inside of my lip. I appreciate Rory’s help, but I think this is just too conspicuous. Like, she coughs, I cough? She crosses her legs, I cross my legs? I should probably tell Rory that YouTube isn’t how they train the real FBI.
‘Won’t that be obvious? Won’t she figure it out?’
Rory howls with laughter. ‘No way! No offence, but Lenka doesn’t think you’re anywhere near smart enough to try something like this. She underestimateseveryone. To her, we’re all just little people. Pea brains. So, no, she won’t have any idea what you’re doing, and she won’t suspect a thing. She’ll be totally absorbed in hearing herself talk to a captive audience of one.’
I gulp back another glass of water.
‘Wonderful! All right. For the last round: if you’ve done everything correctly and it’s working as planned, subtly drop in a way you can be of assistance to her – whether that’s boosting herprofile, sparing her from embarrassment or doing something she can’t do – let her come to the conclusion on her own. She’ll become your biggest ally in no time; you’ve made her remember that she’s a genius.’ He snaps his fingers in the air. ‘Andthat’show to turn this around.’
‘Do you honestly believe I can make this work?’ I ask, my voice tight with anxiety. My stomach churns, and I press my hands against it firmly, trying to calm the sense of dread.
Rory nods at me confidently.
I glance between Lenka’s door and him, gauging the potential for failure against possible success. Taking a deep breath, I finally meet his eyes. ‘Okay – let’s give it a shot.’
He smiles warmly as he presses both hands against his chest. ‘Team Wilder all the way. Daisy, you can do this.’
Maybe Icando this? Might I be able to actually pull it off?
After all, I’ve got this far. I’ve worked so hard. I’ve got so much at stake with this project, I can’t just let it slip through my fingers. My heart begins to beat a little faster; my hands start to tingle as I feel the courage and determination well up inside me. Suddenly, I’m filled with this surge of passion that’s just begging to be released. I take a deep breath and slowly exhale, feeling like it’s my moment to prove myself and show everyone what I’m made of.
Rory’s phone blares loudly before he quickly lifts the receiver.
‘She’s ready for you now.’
Ding-ding. Round one.
CHAPTER 3
THE MEETING
As I enter the room, Lenka’s head lifts. Her steely-grey gaze is on turbo-power mode, scanning me up and down. I meet her eyes with my own as she stands arms crossed, chin raised, ready for battle.
But as I draw closer, entering into her Chanel No. 5 aura, something feels odd and disorientating. A single unexpected detail… Harsh stance, mean eyes and then a super-sweetsmile; it’s almost human-like, surprisingly wide. Uncharacteristically collegiate.Disarmingly gentle.
Rory is on to something. I can sense that Lenka is also playing a game of sorts – her sudden change in demeanour is unsettling but also intriguing. Maybe those YouTube videos were worth a watch after all!
Lenka motions for me to take a seat on a brightly coloured, polka-dot mushroom stool beside her desk. Low down beside her desk, so she looks down at me, queen to courtier. She’s not sitting on a throne, but she might as well be, while I’m basically sat on the floor.
Play her at her own game. Tactics, Daisy, employ thoseYouTube crisis negotiation strategies. They’re all you’ve got.
I smile up at her.
She smiles back down –Ruby Woo red lips stretched to the max, showing teeth.
Let the games begin.
I return with a smile wider again; I try toflash a little of mygum-cleavage because that’s how much I care. We’re in a smile-off. And I’m not going to lose.
Her smile widensagain– even more teeth, possibly more than the standard set? Is this the latest aesthetic enhancement of the uber-achievers? Is this the latest trend among the rich and famous?
