I feel a little better now knowing he isn’t trolling the Fairmont for wealthy single women to invest in fake businesses. I know Hadlee said he was a nice guy, but how often do a pediatrician and urologist cross paths?
“So you’re a physician here in the city?”
“I am. I grew up out in the Richmond area and went to medical school across the bay. It wasn’t until my late wife insisted she wanted to go to Paris that I ever left California. I was almost thirty years old.”
CeCe smiles broadly. “I get it. California has all four seasons, and you’re in driving distance of some of the greatest beaches and best ski slopes. The weather is near perfect year-round. Why leave?”
“Well, that’s what I thought until I went to Paris, then Rome, then traveled throughout the Northeast. It’s wonderful here, and I learned I love to travel. I will admit”—he looks at my mother affectionately—“I’ve never been to Ohio, but if my lovely wants me to move there, I’m close to retirement, and I’ll go wherever she wants to go.”
I like what he has to say, so I’m careful to not judge too harshly. I’ll still have Jim Adelson do a background check on him before I’m completely sold, however.
The remainder of our brunch is my mother fawning all over CeCe. She’s over the moon when some young girls approach the table. “Hi, Miss Arnault. We were, uh… uh… wondering if you’d give us your autograph?”
She smiles. “Of course.”
I don’t think we’ve had one meal together where we weren’t interrupted, but she handles it with so much grace and style. I watch her sign the cards they present her with and even pose for a picture, which I take. My mother informs the girls that I’m CeCe’s boyfriend, and they seem very impressed.
A few minutes later, an older couple stops by the table to tell her, “You don’t need a prince that will drop his standards for a porn star.”
She’s kind and thanks them.
My mother leans over when they’re gone and asks, “Is it always like this?”
I nod. “She’s always kind to everyone.” I put my arm around the back of her chair as a sign of possession when I see two gentlemen looking and probably taking bets on who she’ll give her phone number to. They seem to back off immediately after that.
My mother loves the attention, but the rest of us are clearly uncomfortable. I pull my credit card out of my wallet, but Michael insists on paying for brunch. “It’s the least we can do.”
I like him a little bit more now. I see my mother is completely excited. I just hope he is what he says he is. She deserves someone who will love her unconditionally.
As we get in the car to head back to CeCe’s place, she says, “That was lovely. They are so in love with one another.”
“I’m going to make sure he isn’t after her money.”
“I thought you already talked to Hadlee about him?”
“I did, but really, how would a pediatrician know anything about a urologist? I’m just going to have Jim do a background check.”
She grins. “And when it comes out good, what will you do next?”
“I don’t know. My mom isn’t without her flaws, though he doesn’t seem to see them.”
“And you see mine?”
“You don’t have any flaws.”
“Sure, I do. Everyone does. You saw the biggest drawback to me today at lunch. People think they know me and approach the table and give me their opinion on my life. Do you see how rarely Trey and Sara go out publicly? Sara will go out without Trey periodically with friends, but rarely do they go out together, and then it’s only with protection. If my company, another flaw of mine these days, goes sideways, I may not even be able to live in San Francisco for a while. People will think I did something to sabotage the company, and over five thousand people will lose their jobs. That will be a nightmare.”
“Those aren’t flaws.”
“They are, actually.”
“Maybe because we’ve done so much socially for over five years, I just accept it about you.” I lean in and kiss her. “There isn’t anything about you that makes me want to run away.”
“That’s how Michael and your mother feel about one another,” she reminds me.
Chapter eight
CeCe
My phone is ringing. I roll over and look at the clock. It’s barely after six. Who could be calling me at this hour? “Hello?”
“Caroline? This is Philip.”
I can’t place who Philip is. I’ll have to play along until he says enough so I know who he is. “Yes? What can I do for you? It’s just after six o’clock.”
“I’m… I’m sorry to call so early. We have a problem.” I’ve figured out who he is. Philip is our IT person based out of New York City.
I sit up in bed, trying to shake the cobwebs away. “What is it?”
“People are posting about Metro Composition all over PeopleMover.”
“What are they posting?”
“It looks like all these horrific animal photos that have been used for cosmetic testing.” He’s struggling to talk about it, so they must be awful and disgusting pictures. “They say they were smuggled out by an employee in our labs. People are saying terrible things and vowing to boycott our brand.”
“We don’t test on animals. I’m confused.”
“Caroline, this is internet trolls pushing out fake information, and people read it as gospel because they saw it on the internet.”
I look up, frustrated. Why have they targeted Metro Composition? “Thank you for letting me know. I’ll reach out to the lawyer, and they can send a takedown notice to PeopleMover.”
We hang up, and I immediately call my lawyer. He answers quickly, “Hello, Daniel Wilkins.”
“Daniel, this is Caroline Arnault. I apologize for calling so early, but I’ve just been told there are several pictures that are circulating about Metro Composition on at least PeopleMover that are wholly untrue.”
“We can manage a takedown notice, but chances are they’re all over social media and soon will be all over your website and pages.”
My stomach turns, and the waves of nausea hit me. All I want to do is cry. “Can you start issuing takedown notices to all social media platforms?”
“Of course, though it will take a few months for some to comply.” He must be exaggerating. They must be able to take it down within a few hours.
“Thank you. I’ll reach out to my public relations person and work on some messaging, so some people may be in touch on my behalf as we learn more.”
I hang up and then call Greer. She doesn’t work for me but is one of my oldest friends and is a goddess when it comes to public relations. She answers immediately, and without any preamble, she says, “I just spoke with Vanessa. She’s reaching out to the crisis public relations company called Accurate Communications. William just worked with them recently about his family’s company. They’re good at it. You will weather this storm, but it’s going to be expensive, and it’s going to be difficult.”
“Thanks, Greer. We need to put out a notice to the employees on how to deal with the press.”
“She’s already on it. You don’t have anyone in a New York office right now, but we can expect the press to be camped out at your offices here this morning.”
“I need some coffee to deal with this.” I can’t hold the tears back any longer. “Why would anyone target Metro?”
“We’re going to get through this. Don’t worry.” She sighs loudly. “I’m here for you.”
I call my head of public relations, Becca, who manages press releases and getting the word out about our brand and our activities. She’s always so flowery and upbeat, but this is going to be a real test for her. When it goes to voice mail, I immediately call back, since most cell phones that are in Do Not Disturb mode will allow a call through if you call it a second time. Unfortunately, it goes to voice mail again. “Becca, it’s Caroline. We’re under attack by internet trolls. I need to coordinate a meeting with you and a crisis PR fi
rm. Call me back as soon as you get this.”
My head is killing me. It’s time to call Vanessa. She answers before it even rings through the line. “Hey, we have a call with Jeremy Padgett in twenty minutes. They’re assembling their troops and are getting prepared. They have some information on us since I contract out to them in case there’s bad press around Fashion Week.”
“Okay. I’ve already reached out to the lawyer, who is issuing takedown notices to PeopleMover and all social media sites. I’ve told him he may hear more from someone on our PR team. I left a message for Becca, and hopefully she can join us.”
“This will be expensive, but we will manage this.”
“Thank you, Vanessa.”
“You’re welcome. You and Becca should have an invite for the con call in your email.”
“I’m not out of bed yet. I’m going to need a lot of caffeine today.”
“Talk to you in a few.”
I pull the covers back and touch my feet to the floor. My head feels like a migraine is coming on, the severe throbbing pain and pulsing sensation on the side of my head, and I can feel nausea building. Light sensitivity is next, and then my day will be shot.
Why does everything have to go bad at the same time? I know this has shades of similarity to what’s been going on at SHN, so I have a feeling they somehow figured out my relationship with SHN. They always say there is no such thing as coincidence.
I start my computer for the call and then wander in search of coffee.
My first view as I walk into the kitchen is Mason. I stop short. He’s leaning into the refrigerator with only a pair of running shorts on, and all I see is his backside. My heart races as I see how tightly his shorts pull across his hips. I involuntarily shudder.
My God, he looks amazing. I need a fan.
I struggle to find my voice. “Good morning.”
He turns around, his chiseled chest, with just a sprinkling of hair, glistening from his workout this morning. I need to hold on to the countertop to keep my knees from buckling.
He crosses over to me and brings me into his arms. “You’re up early.” He leans down and kisses me softly, nipping at my lower lip as he rubs his hardness against my belly. I’d much rather pull him back to bed with me right now and have a repeat of our evening activities, but I can’t.
I pull back. “I just got a really disturbing call.” I walk him through what I know.
“But Metro doesn’t test on animals.” He looks confused.
“No, they don’t.” I put my head into my hands as I grasp for reality. “First, someone steals all of our fall line and undercuts us, making the last six months of work a complete waste. Now there’s talk of major boycotts. I don’t know how we’re going to weather this.”
Mason walks over to the espresso machine, and I watch him make me a double espresso as he listens. “You’ll need this,” he says as he places the steaming cup in my hands. He kisses me on the forehead. “I don’t see this as a coincidence.”
I shake my head. “I know. I don’t either.”
“Would you like me to join your call?”
I’m both stunned and touched. “I’d really appreciate that, just in case we determine this is related.”
We walk into my office and join the conference call. I still haven’t heard from Becca. Where could she be? My head goes to twenty different places and begins to question everything she’s done. Could she be the person who leaked our fall line? Did she target this mess at us?
I’m trying not to panic or overthink why she hasn’t responded in the last twenty minutes. Maybe she’s a sound sleeper, or in the shower, or at the gym with her phone in a locker.
Okay, I feel a bit better.
Everyone joins the call, and Vanessa begins by introducing me. “Jeremy, I’d like to introduce you to Caroline Arnault. Her mother is the founder of Metro Composition Cosmetics, and Caroline is now the owner and CEO of the company. Metro is based out of San Francisco and is a private and small independent cosmetics company. They’ve had rave reviews for their brand and usually fly under the radar.”
Mason squeezes my hand, and I feel so much better knowing he’s here.
Vanessa continues, “Caroline, this is Jeremy Padgett. He runs the best crisis management firm in the world. He’s managed everything from Janet Jackson’s Nipplegate, to all sorts of political scandals, the food-poisoning outbreak with Verde Burritos, to William Bettencourt’s issue with the CEO and several members of the board and the executive team who were caught up in the human trafficking mess a few months ago. We will be in very good hands.”
“Caroline, I won’t confirm or deny anything Vanessa just shared, as we’re under confidentiality agreements with our clients, but it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Jeremy begins. “I wish it was under better circumstances, of course. With me, I have fifteen people who make up the front line of your team.”
“Nice to meet you. With me, I have Mason Sullivan. He’s the managing partner of Sullivan Healy Newhouse. He’ll be the link to the US attorney’s office and the FBI. I sit as an advisor to them, and they’ve been dealing with a group of hackers. We think these may be related. We’re concerned that it’s too coincidental that both our companies are dealing with this in different ways.”
“That will bring in some other questions, but let’s start with where we are and what we’re doing.”
My phone pings, indicating a text.
Becca: I’m here on the phone, too. Sorry, I was in the shower when you called and didn’t hear it ring.
“And Becca Bentley is on the phone,” I share “She heads up our in-house public relations.”
“Hello, Caroline, Mason, Becca, and Vanessa. My name is Adam Warner, and I’ll be your project manager on this. My specialty is media relations. I’ve had the opportunity to see the photos posted on the Internet, and I’ll admit, they aren’t pretty. Do you do any testing of your cosmetics on animals?”
“None whatsoever. We decided when we were founded to not test on animals, and we’re an environmentally and socially conscious company. It’s part of who we are—not to mention we also like hip colors and were the company that was the first to come up with blue, black, and green nail polish colors. My mother has never been a fan of pink and wanted something else.”
“This is Neil Rube in Research. I understand from Vanessa that a Chinese company recently stole your entire palette and fall line. What have you found out about that?”
“Unfortunately, it’s slow going. They claim to have over six months of research in determining their palette and color names. They also had the same packaging we had designed.”
“This is Mason. I wish I could say we knew who was behind it, but we don’t know yet. The FBI is on it, as is Jim Adelson with Clear Security.”
“I’m impressed you’re working with Jim Adelson,” Jeremy says.
“I work with him in my venture capital firm, and he’s a friend,” Mason replies.
“Caroline, this is Neil again. Did you decide to launch those same colors and packaging?”
“No, Vanessa said it would be confusing to the consumer.”
“This is Liz Crown, in media planning, that is actually very good news. We can certainly deflect that it isn’t your company but rather this Chinese manufacturer who did the testing on their products, and it’s unrelated to you.”
I sit back in my chair, and for the first time, I’m relieved. “Thank you, Liz. I think you just made my day.”
“We aren’t out of the woods yet, but we’ve scheduled you on four morning shows tomorrow here in New York. Can you be here by dinner tonight and we can walk through everything? That will give us about eight hours to pull it all together and be ready to go.”
I look up at Mason, and he nods. “Yes, I can be there.”
The conversation shifts to what information we’re pushing out to our employees and how we’re going to combat this mess. Mason kisses me on the forehead and whispers, “You’re going to be just fine,” as
we wind down the conference call.
Once everyone’s hung up, it’s time to make the hardest call of all. I make myself one more double espresso and pick up the phone.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” my mother answers. “This is early for you.”
“Hi, Mom.” I begin to walk her through what’s happened, but she stops me before I get too far.
“Hold on a moment. I’d like your dad on the phone, too.”
Once my dad has joined the call, I start over and walk them through the latest and what the plan is.
“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry. I’m glad Mason is dealing with the FBI and US attorney’s office to take it off your plate,” my dad says.
“Yes, he’s been very helpful through this mess. I’m flying out later this morning and will meet with the crisis management firm for dinner in New York this evening. We’ll go through what they’ve accomplished and the plan moving forward.”
“Keep us posted and let me know if there’s anything I can do.”
“Thank you both.”
“We love you. Stay strong,” my mom says.
I was unable to get a commercial flight to New York. I hate flying private, but this couldn’t be helped. I enjoy the ability to go when I want, but it’s such an environmental waste to fly across the country for just me. When I land, Vanessa is there to meet me with her car service.
“This can’t be good,” I tell her.
“Nonsense!” She hugs me tight and kisses both of my cheeks. “I wanted you all to myself before Jeremy and his team have you.”
“You’ll be with me tonight and tomorrow, won’t you?”
“I’ll be with you as long as you want me to be, not only as your public relations manager but as your friend.”
I can’t help but love her even more. “Vanessa, I’d be lost without you.” We get in the car and start speeding away into Manhattan.
“You have a reservation at the Four Seasons. They have your regular suite ready for you.”
I stare at the sprawl of warehouses in the industrial area. The traffic is slow. “Thank you for all your help. I realized when we were talking to Jeremy that had I not listened to you and instead released our palette, knowing our customers would be loyal to our brand, we’d be in a different world of hurt right now.”
Fascination: (Billionaire Venture Capitalist #9): A Friends to Lovers Romance Page 8