“Oh, don’t worry. You’ll still be presenting your ideas for the launch strategy, Eric. You both will. Individually.”
“Why do you need two strategies?” Bancroft is struggling to maintain his cool, professional persona and I stifle a laugh.
“Great question,” Mr. Catcher declares, stroking his salt-and-pepper stubble with his thumb and forefinger. “This launch is a vital move in Catch Group maintaining domination across the dating industry. This is a fresh take to capture users who aren’t interested in the new online-focused methods of dating, or they’vebecome tired of swiping with no end result. I want perspectives from both my leading apps to make this work. I’ll also need you both to log your feedback during the research stage.”
Bancroft’s signet ring glints in the sunlight as he runs his hand over his face and reluctantly asks, “And... the promotion?”
“Still on the table,” Mr. Catcher answers swiftly. “However, Miss Hastings’s strategy will also be taken into consideration.”
My voice quivers: “Umm... the research stage? And... what promotion?”
He shoots an annoyed glance at a squeamish Susie, sighs and then turns back to me. “My apologies, I assumed you were told. There is an open role at Ditto. Head of Marketing. We want to bring someone who already knows the inner workings of the company on board, so the individual with the favored strategy to launch Ditto will be considered for the new position.”
I hold in a gasp as I try to clarify. “So our strategy presentations will also be a job interview?”
Mr. Catcher nods decidedly. “There’ll be outside candidates considered, but I want to keep this new venture as internal as possible. Especially at this sensitive ideation stage.”
My whole body becomes clammy. So... it’s me versus Bancroft?
“This will be a collaborative effort,” he continues. “I know, based on your experience and backgrounds,you’ll have very different takes on a launch strategy, and I’m looking forward to seeing them both. I’d like you to work together on trialing and bringing in potential partners. It will be more impactful to have representatives from Ignite and Fate showing a united front when approaching brands, don’t you agree?”
Bancroft, louder than he has been the whole meeting, starts to protest. “This really isn’t necessary—I already have meetings lined—”
“I have no problem with it,” I answer, shooting a polite smile toward our three seniors. If a few extra meetings with Bancroft is the price I have to pay for a promotion, so be it. I can be civil.
“Great,” Mr. Catcher replies. “Eric can catch you up on the particulars.”
Susie finally chimes in: “I can’t sign off on this if she isn’t going to deliver on her usual KPIs for the next six weeks.”
I stare at Susie’s irritated face and internally wince. I’m going to pay for this, but it might be my only path to a promotion. My only way out of late-night mental breakdowns. Last-minute expense sheets. It’s notjustSusie. The more I think about it, the more I feel the weight of the constant “true love” rhetoric at Fate pressing down on me. I want out, and this is my chance.
I clear my throat and straighten my shoulders. “I can still deliver my normal level of work. Thank you for the opportunity, sir”—nodding my head for emphasis.
“Fantastic.” Mr. Catcher claps his hands togetherloudly. “We need to ensure that, as always, the UX is second to none. I want you to road-test the dates, get into the user-experience mindset. Your presentations need to include first-hand research and development of these pre-planned dates, and how to promote the concept appropriately.”
My stomach sinks, then flops over and over like an old slinky dropping down a flight of stairs as the meaning of this sets in. I have to go on dates... with Eric Bancroft?
I try to stop the shock from showing but my body is rapidly going through the stages of rigor mortis. Susie raises an eyebrow at me from across the room as though she’s trying to telepathically talk me out of taking Mr. Catcher’s offer.
Bancroft gives me a sly smile, and looks at his watch, clocking my time of death. This is my worst nightmare. “It doesn’t seem as though Miss Hastings would be comfortable with that.”
“Of course. Grace, you don’t have to do this if you’re uncomfortable.” Mr. Catcher gives an awkward laugh. “I’m sure there is another member of the Fate marketing team that would be happy with this opportunity?”
“No! It’s fine, totally fine! I’ll do it,” I blurt out before either of them can suggest an alternative. “I can keep delivering my work on time, and I can go on the dates. Yes.”
Mr. Catcher turns to Bancroft, a dominating, defiant smile across his face. “Fantastic! I hope you don’t mind a bit of friendly competition, Eric?”
4
Fuck, fuck,fuck.
My heart is pounding so hard I can feel it in my skull.
What have I done?
The consequences of screwing over Bancroft are one thing, but the repercussions of going against Susie’s wishes are undoubtedly going to bite me in the arse sooner rather than later. She used to relish my enthusiasm, my willingness to pitch new ideas and go above and beyond my role. Now it’s like she resents the fact that I would ever want any form of career progression. The glass door hisses against the green carpet tiles as I push through it and stomp into the Fate office.
I weave through rows of my colleagues’ work stations, trying not to make eye contact with anyone until I reach my desk and drop into the squeaky wheelie chair.
