by Dawn Tamayo
“It wasn’t quite like that, but I was just about to bring you some news cuttings and web shots to show you what I pulled off yesterday.”
“Humour me.” He looked pan-faced at her. Victoria thought if Ben Churchill was interested then he definitely hid it very well.
Victoria took a deep breath, she didn’t really like her boss but he was well respected within the marketing industry – the late fifties media mogul wasn’t known for his good manners, but he was known for his excellent and award winning marketing and advertising campaigns.
“I organised the donations and marketing for a country fete…”
“Cut the small bit and get to the Cumberland bit, that’s what I’m interested in.” He interrupted.
“Okay, erm. I arranged with Creative Technology Holdings for their Chairman to come by and I allowed them a one-hour slot for a photo shoot and a stall to showcase their newest releases to the press. But Jake Cumberland decided to extend it a bit and he ended parachuting in, nearly landing on me I might add. So that’s how I met him and then I ended up escorting him around the fete and making sure his PR team’s treasure hunt didn’t get out of hand.”
Ben Churchill roared out in laughter and his big belly moved up and down in front of him as he laughed. Victoria looked away concerned one of his buttons was going to pop if he laughed any harder.
“So how do you explain this?” he said handing across a print out of a picture of Jake with his arm around Victoria.
“He’s a very friendly guy.” Was all she could say with a slight shrug of her shoulders because she really couldn’t explain it herself. Victoria had asked herself that very same question this morning when she had gone into work early and looked at all the media shots and news footage. She had to admit that she and Jake did look pretty cosy, and she planned to head over to Mark’s office at lunchtime just to make sure he wasn’t too upset about it. But she knew she didn’t have to worry, Mark knew her better than that – knowing him he would probably just ask her if he could get an introduction to Jake Cumberland! Mark was probably one of the least jealous men she had ever met.
“Look Mr Churchill, I have made it clear from day one that I would like the opportunity to work on some of the larger campaigns, and if you look at what I achieved yesterday in my own time and without any assistance of this company, just imagine what I can achieve when working on a bigger campaign for you.”
Ben Churchill looked at her seriously for a moment.
“Will you give me the opportunity to show you what I am capable of and put me on the Wainright campaign, or one of the mobile phone company’s?” Victoria sat waiting for a moment. It felt like an eternity.
“I’ll tell you what. Get me Creative Technology Holdings’ advertising account for the UK and I’ll consider it.”
“What?” Victoria nearly fell off her chair. He had got to be joking! How on earth did he think she was going to manage that? She was sure that every major advertising and marketing company would be after his account! What on earth made him think that she could get it?
“You heard me. I have been trying to get CT Holdings’ account for the last six months since I heard they were breaking into the UK market. We haven’t even got a meeting with them so far! You get me their account and I’ll put you on a big campaign.”
“How am I supposed to do that? I only met the guy yesterday.”
“By any means possible and I mean any! I want that account and I want you to do anything to get it. I’ll make sure you have whatever you need, you can have a company credit card and an unlimited expense account. Just make sure you get that account! Your job is depending on it.”
Victoria looked at her boss. She had no doubt he meant every word, and if she didn’t get Jake Cumberland’s account then she could not only forget about working on a bigger campaign but she wouldn’t be working there at all.
“Okay, I’ll give it my best shot, but it will take a little time.”
“Good girl Victoria. Just remember, marketing and advertising is a tough business and if your best isn’t good enough then you are in the wrong business.”
Victoria groaned quietly to herself. This wasn’t what she had expected when she came into work this morning, not at all! She got Ben Churchill’s message loud and clear. Victoria stood up as he signalled that their meeting was over and she heard him pick up the phone instructing his personal assistant to have a company American Express card ready for Victoria to collect at lunchtime.
Victoria walked back to her little office cubicle and sat down at her desk. What the hell was she doing to do now - how on earth was she going to get Jake Cumberland’s account? She sat and twiddled a pen in her hands for a moment thinking, then she decided there was only one way for it - the direct approach. So she reached down into her handbag and pulled out Jake’s business card. Tapping Jake’s mobile number into her phone she sat at her desk trying to ignore the thumping of her heart and the sickening feeling of nervous butterflies fluttering around in her stomach. Finally the phone stopped ringing and a voicemail kicked in. Victoria wasn’t sure whether to be disappointed she hadn’t managed to get hold of him or relieved that she didn’t have to talk to him just yet. She left a message on his voicemail.
“Good morning Mr Cumberland, Jake. This is Victoria Pembrose, we met at the fete yesterday and you gave me your business card. I would very much like to talk to you and if you would call me back I would appreciate it. Many thanks. Goodbye.”
Even to her own ears Victoria thought she sounded much calmer than she felt. Now all she had to do was hope that Jake Cumberland would call her back, but she wasn’t sure what her chances of that happening were, he must have a ridiculous number of people wanting to talk to him. But just in case he did call her back she was going to be prepared, she was about to try and secure her very first major account and what an account that was!
The clock clicked onto one o’clock and Victoria’s stomach was rumbling, but that didn’t matter right now, she had more important things to think about, so she planned to pick up a sandwich after she visited Mark at his office, it was only two short stops, just five minutes on the London underground. Equipped with her new company credit card she was also going to stop and make her first business expense purchase, and she knew just what she needed to buy. As Victoria picked up her bag and headed out the office she heard her mobile phone ring. She paused for a moment and checked the number and then a thumping sensation hit her stomach.
“Victoria Pembrose.” She answered trying to sound totally professional and not like every fibre of her body was shaking.
“Victoria, it’s Jake. What a pleasant surprise, I am hoping that you’ve changed your mind about dinner.”
“Thank you for calling me back Jake but I’m sorry to say no, I am still not available for dinner.” Victoria blushed surprised at how direct he was.
“Then I am confused. What can I do for you?” Jake had been surprised to hear a message from Victoria, he hadn’t expected her to call him even though he had been hoping she would.
“I have something I need to talk to you about. It is purely business and I hope you will give me five minutes of your time.” Victoria cringed as she talked, she knew there were probably about a hundred if not more people who wanted five minutes of Jake Cumberland’s time before he left London, so what made her think that he was going to give her some of those precious minutes?
“Oh, I see. Business huh?” Jake said disappointed, he had hoped it would be more than a business call but either way Victoria had his attention.
“Yes. I know you are a really busy man but just five minutes, please.”
“Okay, I’m staying at The Savoy. I’m assuming you know where that is.”
“Yes, my office isn’t far from there.”
“Alright, our London offices aren’t ready yet so we set up a temporary office in my suite. I’ll be free about six o’clock tonight. If you want to come then, I will leave your name with the front desk so they know to expe
ct you.”
“Thank you, that will be great. I will be there at six o’clock.” Victoria said not quite believing Jake Cumberland had agreed to see her. She looked at the clock again, she had to get a move on now and walked out the office door with a spring in her step.
Victoria walked up to Mark’s office expecting to see him sitting behind his desk through the large glass office window which adorned the interior hallways of the modern building. But he was nowhere to be seen. The receptionist had told her Mark was in his office, and she had even sent her through just like she always did, ever since Victoria had started dropping by for the odd lunch over the last few years. But today something felt strange, a little different, and Victoria couldn’t put her finger on what it was.
Victoria walked further down the hall to the set of office cubicles outside the glass offices and looked for Mark’s secretary, but she wasn’t there either. Turning to the other secretaries who seemed to be hard at work, or at least not acknowledging her standing there, Victoria asked if either of them knew where Mark was, but they both shook their heads.
“Or Francesca? Where is she?” She asked thinking they surely must know where their other team member was.
But again they shook their head and carried on working.
“Okay well I will just leave a message in Mark’s office for him.” She said as she walked into his office, grabbed a pen and rummaged around in his top drawer for a pad or plain piece of paper. Just as she was scribbling on a piece of paper she heard a familiar voice coming from down the hall and she smiled putting the pen and paper down. As Victoria looked up through the glass she saw Mark walking back towards his office with his secretary Francesca. For a moment she stood and watched. Just then Mark saw Victoria standing waiting for him in his office and motioned for Francesca to go back to her desk. He quickened his pace and soon he was inside his glass office smiling, and kissing Victoria briefly on her lips.
“Well honey this is a surprise. You should have called me before coming.”
“Why? I wanted to surprise you, where would the fun be in that?”
“Well you certainly did. Here, let’s go and get a coffee around the corner.” Mark said pulling at her hand leading her towards the door.
“But you have just come back in! And why were you and Francesca out at the same time? That’s not good for your clients, she is supposed to be taking your messages when you are not in your office.”
“Yes I was just telling her the very same thing.” Mark said seriously, “I slipped out for lunch and I bumped into her coming back into the building. She had just been to get a coffee, but she shouldn’t have gone while I was out, and she knows that now - I spoke to her about it when we were in the lift coming back up. She won’t be doing that again.”
Victoria nodded as she looked across at Francesca who was sending her dagger-like looks through the glass. She assumed Francesca was annoyed for being told off by Mark, but it didn’t really matter to Victoria, she had never liked Francesca and she was sure Francesca didn’t like her either, which wasn’t ideal considering she was her fiancé’s secretary.
“Yes let’s get that coffee. I haven’t had lunch yet so can we go somewhere to get some food as well?” Victoria said quite relieved to get away from Francesca’s glare.
“Sorry honey, I’ve already eaten and I can only be quick anyway, I’m expecting clients to come in soon.”
A little disappointed Victoria agreed, she wished she had called ahead, she knew how busy he always was.
“Talking of clients, Mr Churchill told me he wants me to get the Creative Technology Holdings UK media account.” Victoria said as she walked with Mark out of his office and along the hallway back to the lift.
“Wow, that’s quite something.” Mark sounded impressed.
“Not really. He saw the media footage from the fete yesterday and he seems to think I can talk Mr Cumberland into giving him the account, which is preposterous. And, as if that isn’t bad enough, he’s made it perfectly clear that my job is hanging on this happening.”
“Ah yes, you and Mr Cumberland. I saw the photos, the two of you look very cosy, in fact a little too cosy.” Mark said as the lift doors closed and they were alone in the lift as it descended through the floors.
“Well that’s why I came to have lunch with you. You know how photographs can be misleading, I just wanted to check you weren’t upset about anything. He was just being friendly, I think he’s generally a very friendly guy and you know I would never do anything disrespectful to you.” Victoria said quickly to reassure Mark that nothing untoward had taken place. Luckily the photographs hadn’t shown Jake holding her hand when he refused to let it go, he had managed to hide it firmly behind her back whilst the photographs were being taken, but there were the odd ones with his arm around her. Victoria didn’t think those photographs looked too bad, people had their arms around each other in friendly poses all the time!
“Yes well I wasn’t best pleased, but I know what it’s like to have to grin and bear it with a client. Besides I hear that Jake Cumberland is Mr Sleaze and chases after every skirt he can, so I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised if he was chasing after you too.”
Victoria wasn’t sure how to take that. She was sure Mark didn’t mean it to sound like she wasn’t anything worth being chased after, but she couldn’t help feeling a bit hurt. Okay so she wasn’t the typical tall skinny model with abs to die for, but she thought she looked good, and her curves were in all the right places. “Oh I don’t think he was chasing after me. It wasn’t like that at all.” ‘Jake, Mr Sleeze?’ Victoria thought, she couldn’t imagine Jake being sleazy at all. Okay from the few press cuttings she had time to look at this morning he did seem to be a bit of a ladies’ man. But sleazy? No, she highly doubted he was that.
“Yeah well either way just watch it with him and remember you’re mine, okay.” Mark said with a wink as the lift doors opened.
Victoria cringed, she couldn’t stand it when Mark referred to her as being “his”. She knew he didn’t mean it literally, and he was just trying to show her how much he loved her, but she didn’t like being referred to as an object to be owned - she was very much her own person and not an object.
They started to walk towards the building’s exit but Victoria realised Mark had stopped just outside the lift door, he was looking at the ringing phone in his hand.
“Look Victoria I’m really sorry but it’s a client. I need to go upstairs and call him back - I’m going to need his file to talk to him. We’re going to have to give that coffee a miss, I’ll see you back at home tonight okay? I might be late though.” Mark said as he turned around and walked back into the lift.
Victoria watched as the lift doors closed obscuring Mark as he went back up to his office. She sighed, well at least he wasn’t upset about the photos and that was the main thing.
Victoria turned around and walked out of Mark’s office building and set off to get herself some lunch and a cappuccino before heading to Borough Market for her first business purchase. She was excited about that, she loved buying gifts and she had a feeling she knew exactly what Jake Cumberland would like.
The Savoy hotel was everything Victoria remembered it to be; traditional, classy and extortionately expensive. She didn’t make a habit of going to the famous hotel on The Strand, but she had in the past been fortunate enough to be invited to the odd party or for a drink there. Now, standing in the lift as it rose slowly up through the floors Victoria’s stomach was doing a record number of somersaults. The concierge had already phoned through to Jake’s suite and sent Victoria straight on up saying someone would meet her from the lift.
The lift stopped and quickly Victoria took a look at herself in the lift mirror; her smart black work suit fitted sleekly across the curves of her breasts and hips, and her lilac shirt peeked through to soften the effect. She pulled her ponytail tighter making sure there were no loose strands hanging down and quickly straightened her simple square diamond stud earri
ngs. She smiled at herself, perfect – that was just how she wanted to look, professional and spotless. As the lift door opened she picked up the expensive paper shopping bag by her black high-heeled feet and walked out.
“Good evening Miss Pembrose, Mr Cumberland is expecting you.” A young pretty blonde haired woman said in a strong American accent as she waited to take Victoria inside through a large set of heavy wooden double doors. “I’m Andrea, Mr Cumberland’s personal assistant. Take a seat and he will be with you in just a minute.”
“Thank you.” Victoria said following the woman through into a large living room and taking a seat on the over-sized stuffed sofa. She let her eyes wander around the room taking in the antique wooden desk where the blonde personal assistant was now sitting with her laptop and the selection of expensive chairs in the room. Victoria looked past a dark wooden closed door, and then another, until she reached the bright window and she marvelled in the stunning view across the river Thames and the London Eye.
“It is beautiful isn’t it?” A deep American accent said making Victoria jump.
She hadn’t heard Jake come into the room, but she could see one of the previously closed doors was now wide open and Jake was heading her way.
Jake had been standing in the doorway for a moment looking at the impeccably dressed business woman with her red hair pulled back into a perfect long ponytail secured high on top of her head emphasising her long slim neck. He had heard her voice from inside his bedroom and opened the door expecting to find the casually dressed and crazy red haired woman of yesterday, but what he saw totally stopped him in his tracks! Jake’s eyes travelled down across her dark fitting suit jacket noting how it curved in at her waist and out again across her hips and bottom, and then further down to where her straight skirt stopped just above her knees teasingly revealing her shapely legs and calves, and finally to her high heeled shoes. Wow, he was taken aback! Jake was used to seeing business women every day of the week, but Victoria in a business suit was something else! Somehow she made a simple two-piece formal jacket and skirt look like a sexy outfit, calling for him to peel it off, slowly revealing something dynamite inside. He wondered if this was her intention when she dressed this morning, was this some kind of strategy and did she want to tease every sense of his body? Because if she did then she had totally succeeded. Jake swallowed hard to regain control of his senses and walked into the room.