Page 26 of Save Me
“Now, before Eleanor begins highlighting our upcoming events, I want to talk about the President’s Club. Again, this is more for you, Ronan.” She strolls by, enjoying every moment of my ignorance and her ability to remind me of it in front of others. “Each year, total profit dollars earned from contracts are tallied, and the general manager with the highest numbers wins.” Herhands curl around the headrest of a leather chair as she turns to face us. “I expect to win.”
“And what do you win?” I ask.
“Cash bonuses, jewelry, an exotic trip. One time was a two-week stay in Bali and this.” She taps the face of her diamond-encrusted watch. “Another time, it was a luxury cruise.”
It’s clear Belinda is a frequent flyer of this President’s Club. Not surprising, given how much Henry relies on her. “So, let me get this straight. Lena and I bust our asses to sign these contracts, and you reap the rewards?”
“What can I say, perks of being the general manager.” Belinda studies her nails. “Directors are also suitably rewarded.”
“With what?”
“Hotel vouchers and bonuses.” She shrugs. “That sort of thing.”
I was already in a bad mood coming into this meeting, but now I’m annoyed. No one told me I’d have to be a salesman to line Henry’s gold pockets. “Well, it sounds like this GrayStone contract has guaranteed your club seat.” I lean back in my chair, making a point of stretching out my thighs. “I’d prefer the cash bonus, thanks. How about you, Lena?”
“Always a fan of cash.” She’s enjoying watching me hang myself with our boss.
Belinda sneers at my leisurely position. “These meetings you have lined up over the next few days? All this prep work you’ve been doing to ingratiate yourself with our special guests? I expect results.”
“Kissing ass is not one of my strong suits, if youhaven’t noticed yet.” Now I’m just poking the bear. But, fuck it, Henry’s going to fire me anyway once I walk into dinner with Sloane tonight.
Our tablets chirp with an incoming email from Mindy.
Belinda stares at me for a lengthy moment before peeling away. “You may begin, Eleanor.”
At the sound of her name, the owlish events manager begins rhyming off events and projections like a programmed computer.
All the while, Belinda’s eyes bore into me.
“Stay back a moment, please, Ronan,”Belinda beckons in a clipped tone.
I sink back into my chair as the ladies leave. I should have known I wouldn’t get away that easily after being a dick.
Belinda saunters over to shut the door behind them. “Okay, what the fuck has gotten into you today?”
It’s more about what I’ve gotten into. Or who I’ve gotten into.
“I had a shitty sleep,” I say instead. “I was up early.”
“Yes, I heard you dragged our pro out on the course.”
I sigh. “Okay, give me whatever lecture you’re dying to give.”
“Who says I’m going to lecture you?”
“Because I recognize that tone, I’ve heard it so many times before. You want to make me feel like a complete idiot, so go ahead. Let’s have it.”
Instead of retaking her chair, she settles onto the boardroom table, her ankle brushing my knee as she crosses her legs. That skirt of hers is climbing dangerously high. This undoubtedly breaks an HR rule or five.
Then again, we broke all those rules and then some in Wolf Cove two years ago.
“I haven’t spent hours training you only for you to fall apart during one of the most important weeks of the year,” she says calmly.
“You haven’t trained me to be a fucking salesperson.”
“Is that why you’re in such a little snit?” She studies my face. “You have exceeded my expectations up until now. The sky is the limit for you at Wolf if you apply yourself.”
“You mean, if I earn you diamonds and vacations.”
