by Tia Siren
“Mr. Ellis, this was faxed over from legal this morning. They need you to look it over before they make final arrangements.”
He looked down at the folder, opened it for a moment and folded it closed.
“What do you think, Nia?” he asked.
I made it a point to look over all legal documents; it was good practice for my business degree.
“They want to close it out at 15%, a 4% increase from the last proposal. You’d make an estimated 4 million from signing, and that’s before ground is struck,” I said confidently.
He opened it back up and sifted through a few of the papers. “What do you think? I want your opinion.”
I paused and thought. I couldn’t help but wonder if he was testing me, or if he really did just value my opinion. I considered a lie and thought I should agree with the numbers on the page but had a distinct feeling he wouldn’t enjoy his personal aide lying to him.
“The numbers are a little rough, but it’s a good deal. I think we could come up 3% on the back end but it’ll be a good investment either way, Mr. Ellis.”
He handed back the portfolio, and I stuffed it inside my briefcase. “Tell them to come up 3% or I won’t sign.”
I couldn’t help but feel a little giddy that he’d taken my advice and I also couldn’t help the shallow feeling that I may be wrong and might have cost him the deal.
“Mr. Ell-“
“Nia, I know you haven’t been working here long, but, after a month, you’d think that you’d get over the formalities with me. Just call me Tom like everyone else does.”
“Of course Mr. El-.” He shot me a look and I realized my mistake again. “Tom”
Another well-dressed man approached from the other side of the stage. “We’re just about ready for you. Another five minutes and we’ll be set.”
“Good, good. I have to get back to the office as soon as possible,” Tom replied.
The stranger disappeared into the small crowd that began to swell.
“Tom,” I said, feeling a little more personal, “come a little closer.”
He leaned in, smiling, and I took the opportunity to straighten up his collar. I couldn’t avoid the amazing smell that wafted from him; the cologne he wore must have cost more than my old apartment. He seemed not to be paying much attention to his clothing as he lingered a little longer than was needed.
“You’re all set,” I said. “I’ll have the documents drawn up again for the meeting later.”
“Nia, what would I do without you?” he asked with a smile.
“You’d find another personal assistant capable of making a slob like you look good.” I said with a wink.
He couldn’t help but laugh for a moment. His laughter was stopped by the man from before tapping him on the shoulder. Tom nodded, flashed me another smile, turned around and joined the rest of the suits on stage.
I took a moment to send an e-mail to the lawyers to draw up the new documentation, and, before long there was applause on stage as Tom stood behind the podium.
“Today, we are here for an historic occasion. What used to be an open parking lot will soon become low-rent housing for so many citizens that need it.
“I wish I could provide a home for every man, woman, and child in need, but one man can only do so much. I would like everyone to know that this will not be the last development project in this area as I am in the process of creating new places for people both young and old to relax and play.
“We are building a new park and a new community center that will be free for anyone and everyone to enjoy.
“Today is the dawn of a beautiful and bright future for us all. Thank you.”
The crowd cheered at his comments, and I felt proud of my boss. So much money in the world sat in banks, but he wasn’t afraid to spend it to improve the city in which he lived.
I knew this area well as I had grown up not far away. I can remember staying indoors to study while avoiding the gangs. I couldn’t forget playing on the street during the summer with my friends and wishing I had a real place nearby to play. To be honest, it really did make me into the person I am today and I wouldn’t have changed a thing when I look back.
Tom stepped off the stage and shook a few hands. There were a few people that I recognized in the crowd, but I didn’t try to presume that they’d want to sit around and talk. I had no time for reminiscing anyway.
I sent Brent a message to start the car and joined up with Tom once again. He had finally managed to clear himself from the crowd of people.
He took a novelty shovel from another fellow and walked to the middle of the parking lot where a patch of dirt had already been cleared. He shoved the shovel into the loose dirt and paused waiting for all the photo’s to be taken before ripping the dirt from its rest.
After more hand shaking had finished, we made for the nearby waiting car. Brent held the door as the two of us entered.
“I find it odd, Tom. You could probably take a helicopter instead of waiting in downtown traffic.”
“I like being driven,” he replied before taking a moment to think. He continued, “Flying makes me feel like I’m looking down on people, driving makes me feel like one of the people.”
I enjoyed that sentiment; feeling like a normal person and not looking down your nose at everyone else. I felt attracted to his honesty and tried to push back any romantic feelings I had. It was easier to do this morning as I knew what his previous night was like.
It wasn’t long before we reached his corporate headquarters in the heart of the city. The massive glass structure loomed over most of downtown and housed nearly all of his employees.
It was quite intimidating to look at every time we came.
Exiting the car, I was greeted by a courier holding a small stack of papers. The lawyers had already redrawn the agreement and I briefly checked for the changes which appeared in order.
“Here you are, sir. The new agreement, as requested,” I said, handing him the stack of papers.
He glanced over them as we walked through the lobby to be joined by many other finely dressed men ready to petition Tom for business approvals.
As we entered the elevator, I shooed the incoming crowd away and was met with harsh stares of disappointment. It honestly made me feel a little important.
We zoomed to the top of the tower. I had to break the silence. “Your private box is being readied for the game later today, sir. Any special requests?”
He pondered briefly before replying. “It would be nice if my assistant could come as well.” A coy smile crossed his lips.
I stifled a laugh and continued. “It’s supposed to be a private event with your brother and his family.”
“What’s the name of his youngest son?” he asked.
“Jonathan, sir. He’ll be two years old in March. Their oldest is a girl named Isabel she just turned five last month. His wife, if you can’t remember her name, is Lydia.”
“Oh, I remember her name. I was just testing you, is all. Send my brother an e-mail and let him know I’m excited to see him and his family again. And request to have some toys brought there as well. I don’t know what kids like anymore.”
I couldn’t picture him around kids and what I could imagine made me fear for his future wife.
“I’ll send a runner to make a selection.” The elevator shimmied open and he went on ahead while I fussed about sending more messages here and there.
I tried my best to look professional, but, in a world full of old men, it was hard being a young woman.
Tom entered a glass walled meeting room and sat at the head as he always had. I got a lot of rough looks from one of elder statesman in the room; it was easy to see he didn’t like me at all. I didn’t have the heart to ask whether it was my sex or my race that angered him the most. Racial diversity nearly seemed an afterthought in the office building.
I plucked the water carafe from the stand and poured Tom some water while he finished looking over all the papers.
<
br /> “Tom, why the devil did you bring that sales mark up 3%? You’re making them nervous; it’s going to blow the whole thing!” chimed in the elder statesman.
“George, I did it because the deal wasn’t solid enough as they offered. On the will of my personal assistant I increased the price and I trust her judgement.”
“You trust her judgement,” he restated. “I wouldn’t trust her with a serving tray let alone a multi-million dollar deal. You should’ve left this one where you found her.”
My anger was tugging at me and draining what little patience I had.
“If I cared for your point-of-view I’d ask for it, Mr. Dibney. But, your opinion is worth about as much as the dirt I stepped in on the way over.”
Mr. Dibney looked obviously distraught having his opinion so carelessly negated. “Listen here, Tom. Your dad and I were running this company before you were in diapers! My opinion should be the only one that matters!”
Tom sat in his chair with his face resting in his hand and listened. “You know, you used to run this company before I bought it, Mr. Dibney. I only kept you around out of respect for my father that helped build it. And, let me emphasize that I bought it. I didn’t have it handed to me on a platter like many sons do. I didn’t spend my days doing nothing but driving fast cars and meeting loose women. I spent them studying and investing so that I could one day make something of myself.” Tom paused and grinned. “If you’d like, I would happily give you Nia’s job. She could take yours.”
Mr. Dibney sat back in his chair and didn’t pursue his thought any further. But it was obvious that he had a lot more he wanted to say.
I grew a bit more fascinated by my boss when he talked like that. He was shrewd when he needed to be and never minded using the stick instead of the carrot. His powerful words gave me a new sense of accomplishment and I wanted to live up to them.
“Mr. Dibney, you’ve given me a great idea. I’m going to add a provision that any money accrued on the 3% figure, that you so obviously hate, will be deposited in a trust for my personal assistant to do with as she pleases,” Tom said.
I quickly did the math in my head and nearly fainted thinking about the numbers. The amount of money would be nearly 1.2 million dollars.
“Now see here, Tom. Throwing money around doesn’t do any good for this company. You’re going to cost a lot of jobs if this deal doesn’t go through. Are you prepared to deal with that?” Mr. Dibney spouted.
“If a deal is to cost jobs, I should make it yours. The amount of money in bonuses you make at years end would shore up the loss quite readily. So, I should hope for your sake that this deal goes through.” Spat Tom.
I couldn’t tell if Tom was interested in this conversation or not. He had a stake in the outcome of this deal, but treating an old businessman like this felt a little harsh, even by my standards.
I leaned in and whispered in Tom’s ear. “You don’t have to keep fighting for me, if that’s what this is about. I get annoyed by racist rhetoric but I’m professional enough to deal with it.”
Tom turned and whispered back. “I like watching him squirm, he knows it’s a good deal, he just wants more money for his pet projects. Besides, you’ll need some seed money when you start your own business and I want to be an investor.”
I felt giddy again knowing that he was being serious about giving me a percentage.
It was around then that another group of people entered the meeting room. They looked like penguins lined up in a row as they sat on the opposite side of the table.
“Mr. Ellis,” began one of the men; it was Mr. Benjamin Riley a lawyer whom we’d had favorable dealings with in the past. “I see you wanted to increase the margin by 3%? I don’t think my client is able to go that high with the economy as it stands. We can go as high as 16%.”
Tom stood up, and looked over the crowd of new people at the table.
“Need I remind you all what this deal is for?” Tom started. “We’re here to change the lives of so many people.” He walked down the line of chairs while he spoke. “This is to secure the land rights for the park. Are you really trying to profit off the backs of subjugated minorities? I know I’m not. That’s why I’m waiving my usual fees to make this deal happen.” He stopped and leaned against Mr. Dibney’s chair, which continued to fluster the old man.
“You might be waiving your fee, but you stand to make a lot of money from this deal, hiring people from your own company to build a project that the city is commissioning from you.” Mr. Riley leaned back in his chair. “You also will own the land rights for any businesses that build on the site meaning that we couldn’t go near it with any franchise we own. You’re asking a lot, even though you know we need to sell, the deal is still raw.”
“I’ll not have any franchises mucking up this community center, nor will they tarnish the parks. This is to be a place for small local business to thrive and build up. The only way for people to care about their community is to be active members of it. I’ll build the buildings, I’ll handle the rent check, but you’ll still get paid a fair share, and more than a fair share. I could give you less than twenty percent, but instead I’m giving you more than eighty.”
Tom was right and they knew it.
The group of men talked amongst themselves for a moment and returned. “We’ll sign and we hope you might reconsider the option at a later date.”
Tom had received his increase in price, which was great for him and great for the people. Hands were shaken, papers were signed, and I couldn’t help but respect him just a little more.
The room cleared quickly, and Tom stared out the 60th floor window looking out at the expanse of the city. He may like to keep his feet on the ground, but it was obvious that he loved surveying his domain.
“Did I make a change, today?” he asked suddenly.
It took me a moment to piece together an answer. “You are improving the lives of a community in which I used to live. Of course you made a change today.”
I cleaned the space a bit, replacing water glasses and readying papers to be filed or shredded.
“Really, Nia, I made a promise to improve lives and create jobs for as many as I could. I feel like it takes so long to make things happen that I won’t have really done a thing by the end.”
“Nonsense, sir. You are young and bold. Rocks are only hard to drag when going up a hill, not down one. I think you’ve carried this rock to the top of the mountain, and all it needs to do now is roll down into place.”
He laughed and sighed.
“Thank you, Nia. I’ll be sure to add your provision to the document when legal is done going over the final particulars.”
The way he stood seemed so introspective and lonely. I wanted to give him a hug and assure him it would be alright. I wanted to give him the strength to continue with the fight that I knew he would win. Then I stymied the thought, knowing that I shouldn’t be thinking of my boss that way.
He handed me his now empty glass and walked out. The rest of the day continued as usual, but it would be shorter than normal as he had to leave for his game today.
****
I took the opportunity to make some time for myself that I hadn’t had in quite a while. I invited my friend Denise out to drinks and to catch up, and she was more than willing. It wasn’t long until we were more than a couple drinks into our evening and chatting like we were schoolgirls again.
“Okay, okay, tell me. Is he cute?” she said through slurs.
“I don’t want to think like that. He’s my boss!” I replied.
“Yeah, but he’s gotta be cute, otherwise you wouldn’t still be working there, right?”
“I can’t confirm nor deny his cuteness.”
“Spoken like a businessman. I want details, details!” she replied.
She wouldn’t let me go until I said something.
“He’s cute for a white guy; I can’t say I haven’t thought about it. But, he’s my boss!” I said for what felt like the millionth t
ime.
“Nia, you are barely out of college and this gorgeous rich boy picks you up and makes you his assistant? Sure, you might be some smarty businesswoman, but deep down he’s gotta be thinkin’ about that sweet backside you know you like showin’ off.”
She was half-right. It came off as odd now that I spent time thinking about it. He hired me, from thousands of candidates, to handle his personal affairs.
“Where are you living these days, hun?” she continued.
“Well … I’m a live-in personal assistant. He requires near constant help with his affairs so, per my contract, I live in his mansion.”
Her eyes lit up. “You live with him? Girl, you might as well be married already.” She continued to sip at her drink while making eyes at nearly every man in the room.
I laughed at her off beat comment; she always had a way of making me laugh at myself. “I doubt he’d want to marry someone who wasn’t white. You should see the models I have to throw out almost daily. He wouldn’t be interested in someone like me.”
“Hun, he might sleep with a bunch of white chicks, but that boy is all over you, trust me.”
I continued my laughter. “Girl, don’t preach like that. I’m doing this job until I figure out what I want out of life. And, I hope I can figure it out soon because it has been exhausting.”
The night continued on and soon my friend would leave my company for a man. She knew what she wanted out of life, and it made me a little envious. Her cavalier attitude towards meeting men was a sight to behold; not ten minutes later she was dancing with a completely different man.
I finished my drink and called Brent who readily drove by and picked me up. It had started raining, and I had a feeling the evening was only getting started.
A few minutes passed, and we were back on the estate. I sheltered my hair from the rain with a file from earlier in the day, but it did little to help me from getting drenched in the short walk to the entrance. Brent didn’t seem to be having much of a time of it either as he trudged into the house.