Uncontrolled Spin: The Power and Danger of Spin ("Un"missable Series Book 1) (17 page)

The next morning, Mark arrives at Sean’s office early. He delivers the cash and leaves, virtually unseen. Sean boards the jet to Brazil with preset meetings he personally arranged. Upon his arrival, he passes through customs without incident, as usual, and arrives at the villa in time for a drink and a light snack, then heads to bed. He meets Hugo by the pool fairly early the next morning and confirms Mark’s offer, which delights Hugo.

Sean holds out the bag of cash, allowing Hugo to grasp one of the handles before saying, “Your threat to Mark’s home life and marriage was not appreciated. It will not be tolerated in the future. If you would like to continue these profitable business arrangements with us, please make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Hugo, still holding onto his handle, asks Sean for clarification as to the specific issue.

Sean maintains a pleasant tone, but also infuses authority. “Mark takes the position that his business life and personal life are always separate, and should a vendor of his violate that provision, such as involving his wife in a deal, Mark wouldn’t be inclined to do business with them again. Ever.”

Hugo eyes Sean for a moment, then says, “Of course. Please extend my apologies to Mark. I assure you this will not be a problem again, given that the situation has been handled fairly and honorably.”

Sean nods and releases the bag to Hugo’s possession. “Care to join me for breakfast?” Sean asks, and Hugo accepts. They enjoy breakfast, then each heads their separate directions. Sean briefly telephones Mark to assure him everything is once again under control and extends Hugo’s apologies with a touch of irony.

Mark laughs, saying, “If that bastard threatens me again, I will destroy his business and his life.”

Sean nods, expecting an answer like that. “I gave him the message loud and clear. I suspect he won’t be a problem again.”

After their conversation, Sean boards his jet once again and heads back to San Francisco, feeling content that another potential crisis has been avoided.

Hugo sees Mark’s press release the day after meeting with Sean and is furious. He calls SGM, demanding to speak with him immediately. Evelyn interrupts Sean’s meeting with Jessica, just after he had begun to ask her for suggestions about how to best structure his proposal for services so as not to interfere with any potential cash flow issues he isn’t aware of in the fashion industry.

“Evelyn, I’m in a meeting. It will have to wait,” Sean says, attempting to get back to Jessica.

Evelyn clears her throat. “I’m sorry, Mr. Green, but it’s regarding your meeting yesterday, and it seems very important.”

“I see.” Sean sighs and turns to Jessica. “Do you mind if I take this call in the conference room? This is a critical situation that is currently in the developmental stages.”

Jessica glances up from his proposal and says, “Not at all.”

He excuses himself and moves to the conference room to handle the telephone call. He picks up the phone, and even thousands of miles away the tension is palpable.

“I am very disappointed by the most recent press release of Global Metal Refining, and I must say, I feel I have been somewhat misled,” Hugo begins.

Sean reminds him of their very first deal. “The statement yesterday was just a simple statement to strengthen Global Metal Refining’s corporate reputation in the United States. It in no way placed any blame on Diablo Mining. Did it not please you that Mark clearly indicated Diablo Mining was following all appropriate environmental laws in Brazil?”

Hugo explains, “Yes, that was fine. But the Brazilian environmental zealots are beginning to make my life miserable, and several of my business partners and clients are beginning to distance themselves from myself and my business.”

Sean rubs a hand over his face. “Once again, this was all to be expected. We need to stick to my marketing plan. This is why you were treated so honorably, over and above your demands. All of this will blow over in a few months if you just keep your dignity about you, as you always do. In the end, you will be positioned as your country’s environmental leader for the mining industry and recognized for your work internationally.”

Hugo sighs over the line and thanks Sean. “I will stay the course of your plan and call you if I have any further concerns.”

“Thank you, please do stay in touch,” Sean replies and hangs up the phone.

Returning to his meeting with Jessica, Sean apologizes for the rude interruption, assuring her that he usually doesn’t let anything interrupt his meetings, but the situation was critical.

Jessica nods. “I understand. Shall we?” He nods in return and takes his seat.

She lays out most of her concerns, including several industry timing issues.

“Perhaps we should structure SGM’s fee payments to coincide with the cash flow received for international operations, if you decide to undertake them? The fees can be a percentage that is proportional to the funds received, with the stop gap being my normal monthly rate. This way, the maximum payment would be my standard monthly fee and a proportional percentage of the receipts can be paid to SGM instead, so we can avoid undue burden on the Beauty Boutique,” Sean suggests, and Jessica nods, so he continues, “The full amount would still be owed, of course, but the contract for these services could then be extended until payment in full is reached.” He passes her a contract that states the annual fee will be four hundred and eighty thousand dollars.

Jessica sits speechless for a moment, staring at the document, then says incredulously, “Sean, this isn’t even half your usual annual fee. Why?”

Sean laughs and replies, “You, and Evelyn, have convinced me this is a good opportunity for SGM. I really don’t know much about the fashion industry, so you’ll have some teaching to do. That’s where the difference is, because I cut my inexperience in the fashion industry out of my fees. Also, if this is as successful as I hope it will be, I’ll make up for it in subsequent years. Fair enough?”

Jessica shakes her head disbelievingly. “This is amazing,” she says, “but you know, several things need to be put into place before I sign this agreement.”

Sean replies, “Absolutely, and I understand. I just didn’t want to be the reason you didn’t take the opportunity.”

She starts to stand. “Thank you, so much.”

He stands as well, to shake her hand, but Jessica steps in and hugs him.

Sean clears his throat. “Uh, welcome to SGM as our newest and smallest client.” Jessica’s head is spinning as to why she is hugging him, and then she realizes just how marvelous he feels and smells. For the first time in over a year, she finds herself wanting to see any man, but especially
this
man, naked. She snaps herself out of it and breaks away from his embrace.

“Um, sorry about that,” she murmurs, gathering up her things.

“No need to apologize. I enjoyed it. I mean—” He clears his throat again. “I enjoy the fact we are beginning to build trust within our professional relationship.”

Jessica nods, finishes packing up her stuff, and leaves Sean’s office, thinking,
what in the hell did I do that for?

Sean sits behind his desk, dazed, thinking,
Shit, why did I clarify the professional relationship?

Evelyn stands in the doorway watching Sean for a moment, then asks, “Well, what has you so deep in contemplation, Mr. Green?”

Sean is startled back to reality and looks up at Evelyn, saying, “I just proposed a very benevolent contract to the Beauty Boutique and was questioning whether or not it was the right thing to do.”

Evelyn picks the copy of the contract up off Sean’s desk and looks at the fee payment schedule. Stunned, she says with a coy smile, “Is there anything else I need to know about this new client?”

“Yes,” Sean retorts, “they are our smallest client. And it’s your fault that I was so generous.”

“Oh, I hope so,” Evelyn replies, then snorts. “Anything else?”

Sean glares at her. “Like what? Oh, yes, actually. Please make a note in the file that I am to be notified if they miss any payment to us so I can immediately cancel this pathetic deal.”

Evelyn sighs, rolls her eyes, and turns to leave his office. “Consider it done. You know, for a moment there, I thought you actually had a heart.”

CHAPTER 13

NO PUN INTENDED

J
essica leaves Sean’s office with her thoughts reeling about what had happened, on both a personal and professional level. Her personal feelings about Sean Green changed somewhere along the line, and she has no idea when or how it happened. She closes the door of her Vallejo Street home behind her and drops all of her stuff in the entry. She immediately walks into the kitchen, pours herself a large glass of wine, and telephones Bonnie. When Bonnie hears the deal Sean cut for Jessica, she is excited. Bonnie tells Jessica it is a wonderful contract and SGM will take the Beauty Boutique to a much higher level than it is already on.

Bonnie senses Jessica is troubled by something, even among the excitement of the day, and she starts to probe. Initially, Jessica resists and tries to play off her distraction as fatigue, but Bonnie isn’t buying any of it.

“Girl, please, we have been friends all of our lives. I know when something is bugging you, so out with it!”

There is a pause while Jess considers simply hanging up. Then she sighs, takes a big gulp of her wine, and says, “If you insist, but this could take a while.”

“Well, I’m listening, and I’ve got all night,” replies Bonnie.

“Okay, here it goes…” Jessica begins to divulge her concerns, fears, and confusion. She explains she is excited to have SGM agree to represent Beauty Boutique Clothing, especially given the rocky start, but she is also understandably concerned about risking everything she has worked for thus far, not to mention all of her financial resources and her staff’s future.

“Honey, there are investors constantly looking for good opportunities, and I am sure the Beauty Boutique could attract many of them,” Bonnie reminds her.

Jessica acknowledges that this is probably true. “But I was hoping to keep control of my company, rather than allowing a lender’s board to take over. Right now, I could probably risk my assets and still swing the deal,” she replies. Bonnie listens patiently as Jessica brings up one pitfall after another. “SGM’s contract is a terrific deal, but it would impact company cash flow and potentially profits,” Jess continues. “The travel time necessary to ensure the factory in Brazil would be up and running to my standards as quickly as possible is a huge chunk of time I don’t usually have, and there’s also the increased cost of flying back and forth…”

As Jessica trails off, Bonnie suddenly figures out what is really bugging her and blurts out, “Oh my God! Jessica, you think Sean is hot and he scares you to death!”

Jess groans. “Damn it, I hate it when I’m transparent!”

Bonnie laughs and says, “You’re not. I just know you better than most, and you would
not
be this scared if it was just money you were risking. Omigod!” Bonnie’s voice jumps an octave. “Did you guys do it in Brazil? How could you hold out on me?”

“No!” Jessica exclaims. “But I saw him swimming, and he has really taken care of himself. He was a complete gentleman, charming, thoughtful, witty, and even patient with me…”

“So, what’s the problem then?”

Jess considers. “Well, I don’t have time to get involved in any significant type of relationship, especially with a business associate like Sean.”

Bonnie thinks for a minute and then clarifies what she has perceived from the conversation. “Let me see if I’ve got this straight. You seriously like Sean, and you’re thinking he could be much more than a casual fling, aren’t you?”

Jessica stutters, “W-well, m-maybe, but I’m at a point in my life where one night stands and casual romances aren’t worth the trouble. I am happy with who I am and my success. The only way I would consider becoming involved with anyone is in an exclusive and committed structure.”

“So? What’s the problem?”

“I don’t think Sean would be of the same mindset, and we will be working very closely together. We need to maintain a professional relationship, or things could get really awkward, really fast.”

“Why do you think he wouldn’t have the same mindset?” Bonnie asks.

“Well, just because I think we’re in a different place. And platonic is the way our relationship should be,” Jess replies, unable to come up with a more specific reason.

“You’re scared, aren’t you? How do you know Sean isn’t feeling the same way you are?”

Jess shakes her head. “I don’t. It’s just not appropriate, given the circumstances.”

“Oh, I see. So two successful people can’t fall in love and work together, is that it?” Bonnie asks sarcastically.

“Yes, precisely!”

“Bullshit! You’re just scared to let anyone close to you after that last douche bag. I think you should just take it one day at a time and leave yourself open to anything that may pop up.” She chuckles. “No pun intended, but that too. Anyway, Mark and Sean are heading to Sean’s place in McCall in two weeks. Are we still going to the villa?”

Jessica sighs with relief that the interrogation has ended. “Yes, we should still go.”