The Exiled Jeweler: a contemporary romance novel (The Rosa Legacy Book 2) (11 page)

Alex decided to head back to his house alone. Attempting to banish thoughts of her, he called his contact in Venezuela to discuss negotiations in process for new mining opportunities. He drove through Los Angeles traffic, discussing the intricacies of the Venezuelan market on his speaker phone until he could bare it no longer. Abruptly ending the call, he allowed his thoughts to return to her. He wanted her badly enough that he was almost willing to forget about the truth.

Chapter 7

Pushing thoughts of the gala out of her mind, Emilia worked closely with her designers on the concept for the launch. She held closed meetings and even had the windows of the conference room covered in brown paper so the designs remained secret.

Meeting around the clock with her team of four designers and Liv, they came up with a plan to roll out the new designs. Everyone worked long hours to get ready for the trade show that was less than two weeks away.

“I’ve scheduled outside photographers and a new advertising agency to do the campaign.”

One of her designers, a hipster in his late twenties who had numerous body piercings and tattoos, asked, “We have our own marketing department. Are you going to outsource their jobs?”

Emilia created an atmosphere of open communication and encouraged each member of the team to share their thoughts or concerns. She had hired a new designer to replace someone who couldn’t adjust to the changes.

Looking around her small group, she said, “I know I’ve asked you to embrace many changes. The fact that we are sitting in a conference room with blanked out windows, a white noise machine, and a locked door is a radical departure from how things were done. But we are trying to rescue Berceto from either a buyout or being forced out of business by our creditors. It’s a big deal that we can’t afford to pay all of our bills.”

Emilia stood up and began pacing the room, and someone else said to her, “I understand why you want secrecy, but most of the employees would do anything for this company. They wouldn’t reveal our new designs.”

“I agree. But the culture of this place over time shifted to not taking risks and not valuing innovation or new ideas. I plan to reveal the designs to the employees the night before the launch to create excitement. They need to be re-energized and to believe that the company can succeed.”

“Do you plan to outsource marketing?” It was a small company, and she knew Aiden was engaged to Anita in marketing.

“I know you must be worried about Anita and the rest of the marketing staff, but I can’t tell you what the future will hold. I’m not a marketing expert, but as a designer, I haven’t been satisfied with how the designs are showcased or promoted. Using an outside agency for this launch allowed me to dictate what I needed without dealing with resistance.”

Aiden nodded, saying, “I get it.”

“I have a few meetings to attend, but keep in mind that we will need to be ready by tomorrow morning to begin photographing.”

Leaving the conference room, Emilia went in search of her father. The tension in the air was palpable. The old-timers were upset that they were being excluded from the process.

She had asked for several changes to the production room, but nothing had happened. She needed to speak with the general manager, but the disagreeable man was out again. Walking by, she smiled and said good morning to several people who looked up from their work. Business was slow and they couldn’t keep everyone busy.

Meeting with her father, they went over the numbers. She sat back and tried to relax the knot of tension in her stomach. The numbers were problematic.

Her father remained positive and pointed out small successes. He had quietly supported her through the last several weeks.

Standing up and smoothing down her grey skirt, she said, “I’m going to meet with Alex this morning. I think he may be able to help with negotiating a better price for diamonds.”

After countless hours reviewing the financials, she knew that layoffs were inevitable unless she was able to work a miracle.

“Lia, we can’t do anything without sufficient capital. We need Alex Armati on our side. Without a major influx of capital, we won’t be able to purchase in sufficient quantities.”

She thought about his concerns. They found a better location and a building for a much lower cost. But for Berceto to purchase the new building and have money for renovations, they needed an investor. But she wasn’t convinced that Alex Armati was that person. He wanted fifty percent of the company.

After a few more minutes of discussion, she went back to her small office to check email. She had several requests for interviews which she forwarded to Liv.

An older employee knocked on her door.

Glancing up, she recognized Maria and smiled. “Please, come in. How can I help you?”

Maria’s voice was hesitant. “I’m sorry to bother you, Ms. Berceto.”

“Emilia. We’ve known each other since I was a young girl. I used to sit and watch you create strands of pearls.”

A moment of silence passed between them.

Maria said, “It must be very hard for you to be saddled with this business.”

“I’m worried but mostly I feel grateful. Berceto is part of me and I know that it can be turned around.”

“But there is very little work. People who have worked here for years, can’t afford to pay their bills. Everyone is now on three quarters pay.”

Her heart softened. “I understand the challenges facing everyone. I’ll find a way to improve the cash flow.”

‘What if nothing changes? I’ve worked here my entire life. I don’t know how to do anything else.”

Emilia stood up from her desk. “You won’t have to start over. Berceto will rise stronger than ever.”

Maria left her office. She thought about how difficult it must have been for Maria to approach her with her worries. She needed to do something.

She thought about the employees who had been with Berceto for years. When she was a child, they were her extended family. Her grandfather would invite them for summer barbecues and holiday parties. As the company grew larger, the dynamic had shifted. Her parents and uncle were much more private and reserved and purposely created more of a distance between the family and employees.

On an impulse, s she drove over to the Armati Auction House to speak with Alex.

She had to wait for nearly an hour to see him. When the receptionist finally brought her to his office, she was irritated and out of sorts.

Walking in, he immediately held her gaze and she felt warmth spread throughout her body. Why did she have such a reaction to being in the same room with him?

She heard the door close behind her and stopped in the middle of the room.

“To what do I owe this pleasure?” He seemed completely at ease.

She attempted to keep her voice neutral. “It’s not a pleasure. I’ve been waiting in reception for nearly an hour and the rest of my day will be destroyed.”

“I’m busy,
cara
. If you ask for a last minute meeting and agree to being squeezed in, then you’ll need to be patient.”

This was off to a bad start. She needed a favor from him and now he wouldn’t be particularly agreeable.

He went to pour himself a glass of water and turned to offer her one by raising a glass.

His exquisite suit complemented his athletic build. She remembered his body clothed in swimming trunks and had to look away to dispel the image.

She accepted the glass from him and took a sip.

He asked her, “Have you come to tell me that you have told your family?”

“Not yet. I came to talk with you about something else.”

He checked his watch. “I have five minutes before I leave for New York.”

Without thinking she said, “What about the gala on Friday?”

“I expect you to attend the entire evening and allow yourself to be seen. I’ll have a courier bring you the necklace that afternoon.”

Disappointment flooded over her in waves. Maybe he was going to New York to visit a woman?

Emilia stepped forward and handed him a report on diamond prices.

He looked at her and raised his eyebrows.

“Berceto needs to purchase diamonds at a more reasonable cost. I was hoping your contacts in the mining world could help us achieve that.”

“No.” His dismissive attitude let her know that she wouldn’t be able to sway him. He held her gaze and then shrugged, “I need to go.”

“You are not even going to consider helping me?”

“If you have more to say then you can ride with me to the airport and my driver will bring you back.”

Alex opened the office door and communicated a few details to his receptionist before heading to the elevator.

She followed him and was surprised at how quickly they were in the limo heading to the airport. He had closed the window between the driver and the seating area.

“You have fifteen minutes to argue your point. But be warned, I’m losing patience. There is an offer on the table for investment that you haven’t accepted and you have done nothing to set the record straight with your family.”

She tugged on her skirt to cover more of her thighs and tried to push away the feeling of being alone with him in a small space. The scent of his cologne created a sensory overload and she wanted to melt at his feet.

“I’m asking for your help. It’ll cost you nothing to share information with me.”

“If you want me as a partner, great. We can sign the documents. I can hand over the cash and begin helping you streamline the business. But I’m not going to do it for free. You will need to hand over fifty percent of Berceto.”

She met his gaze. “What if we used our inventory as collateral against a private loan?”

“We are talking in circles. You owe enormous sums to your creditors, which would make a lien on your inventory almost impossible. The question is, are you willing to offer fifty percent to get my help?”

Alex watched her take in a deep breath. She had a delectable body underneath her white silk shirt and he wanted to give her what she asked for so they could move their relationship to a more personal basis. But he wouldn’t allow himself to be taken advantage of by a beautiful woman. That was his grandfather’s weakness and it took years of struggling to put the business back on solid footing.

“I don’t have anything to offer an investor except potential. I’m not willing to give up fifty percent ownership. The company has no liquid assets, dismal sales, and the workforce is sharpening their pitch forks.”

He had to resist pulling her into his lap and sinking his mouth into her neck.

“Emilia, you’ll have to do better than that. First of all, don’t show your weaknesses. Next, you must have something to bargain with before approaching a potential investor.”

He would enjoy every moment of seducing her. She was responsive and reactive.

“I’ve already given you four of the most expensive heirloom pieces we have.”

Her hair fell in front of her face as she looked out the window. He would love to take her to New York and forget about battling over the jewelry empire for a few days.

“You’re wasting my time,
cara
.”

Frustration rushed through his body. He needed to put some distance between them.

The limo pulled up to the departure gate for private jets. “You are running out of time. Without additional cash, you will fold. Then I’ll purchase a hundred percent of the company from the courts.”

Her chin lifted. “I can’t imagine the reputation would be worth much at that point. And I intend to look for a more reasonable investor.”

“Goodbye,
cara
.” He reached over and placed a brief kiss on her lips before getting out of the car. He took his bag from the driver and walked into the airport without looking back. He wanted her with an intensity that shook him. He wanted to revise his rules about percentages and winning. He would rather pursue her then solve the mystery of his family borrowing money from Berceto decades ago. But he needed their relationship to be built on honesty. He wasn’t willing to put up with her parents forcing her to hide the truth. He knew from experience that it could be a slippery slope at times. His parents thought they were protecting his grandfather and the rest of the family, but in fact they enabled his behavior for years.

Emilia spent the next few days trying to figure out Alex Armati. What did he want from Berceto? Why wasn’t he attending the gala?

Emilia met Liv in Beverly Hills to find a gown for the gala. She had the image of the necklace on her phone and the challenge that faced the two women was finding the perfect gown to showcase it. She had already known that it would have to be an off the shoulder formal gown and she would wear her hair up.

Liv, along with a boutique owner, had picked a crimson red gown that was wildly sexy and would bring attention to whoever wore it. As Emilia looked in the mirror, she worried it was too much. She would prefer a neutral gown that would showcase the necklace not the woman wearing the gown.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she tried to find the courage to agree to the gown. Liv said, “You are not just showcasing the necklace for Alex. You are trying to get the Berceto name out there. A neutral gown won’t help with that.”

She knew that most gowns would make her feel as if she was calling too much attention to herself. She needed to push past the fear.

“But I have to feel confident or I’ll look awkward.”

“I don’t know that you will feel comfortable. Going to a gala, wearing a million-dollar necklace and showcasing Berceto will be difficult for someone who was raised in a fortress and values obscurity.”

Emilia turned back to the mirror. “I don’t value obscurity but I don’t want to make a spectacle of myself.”

Liv was checking something on her phone and barely looked at her. “Emilia, you are somewhat reserved and you don’t like to be the center of attention. So you may need to challenge yourself a little here. We think this is the right choice for the gala.”

She was tired of trying on gowns. It was true that she had very little experience with going to a formal event. “Let’s go with it.”