Page 17 of Negotiation Tactics
Yeah, that’s it. I’ve been working too much and was caught off-guard. But it’s all good now, I am aware of the mistake I let happen and I will fix it. I have things under control.
From now on, I’ve over that brat, and going forward, Joshua Anderson and I have a strictly professional relationship only.
7
Josh
“So,whenareyougoing to resubmit the proposal?” my brother demands from the other end of the call, shaking his head as he pops another fry into his mouth.
I click my tongue. “Not yet, Jaz. I’m still working on it. I really don’t want to waste my time again.”
I’m still fuming. Yesterday went worse than it could have. I can’t believe the commission didn’t even bother to meet with me and instead sent that handsome asshole. Ugh. And why, just why, did it have to behim?
“True. It was really shitty of them to send in the CEO’s son just to turn you down.” I roll my eyes at that, not needing to be reminded that the man I hooked up with is not just a Junior Partner at Devon Holidays, but the upcoming CEO. “By the way, Josh, how’s mom doing?” Jaz changes the topic, a clear sign he has no idea how to help me with my scandalous predicament.
If anyone found out I’d slept with the enemy, surely all hell would break loose.
“Same as usual, losing at chess versus Mr. Bennett.” Which is not what Jaz is asking, so I add, “Her heart has been okay, the meds are helping.”
I know my brothers feel bad that I’m the only one around to look after mom, but they don’t need to. I wantboth him and Steve to pursue their dreams and make it big since I won’t be able to.
“I’ll take over the fees once I’ve got money to spare,” he assures me. “Steve will pitch in, too.”
“Don’t worry about that, just focus on studying and graduating. We can talk again once you have a full-time job.”
He nods, stuffing three fries in his mouth. “By the way,” he drawls and I brace myself because this is as bad as a lead in can get.
“Yes?”
“I looked up Alistair Devon.” Ugh, here it comes. “He’s kind of hot. Totally your type too with that bad boy vibe he gives off.” He glances at his ceiling, tapping a finger against his cheek. “Reminds me a bit of your last ex, Eddie. Are you sure that shacking with the enemy has nothing to do with why you are so frustrated by the whole thing? As far as I know, union cases are rarely easy to win.”
I hate Jaz sometimes, but that dream I had again a few nights ago supports his claim. Not that I’m going to volunteer that information over to my brother.
“No, I mean, sure, he’s good-looking and the sex was great, but this and that are separate. Plus,” I huff out as I remember the meeting in the fancy conference room that probably costs more than this entire building. “He’s essentially still useless, but he came to talk to me instead of sending someone from the commission just so he could… what? Experience for himself what being an asshole who wastes my time is?”
I hear a chuckle and shift my attention toward the door where Lily is leaning one shoulder against its peeling frame. Jaz notices my distraction and shrugs. “It’s not like you haven’t dealt with bullshit before when you wereshadowing mom,” he lets me know. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
“I thought you were going to help me with that,” I counter, circling back to his words from the other day.
“Well, I did think about it, but I came up short so… It’s all yours,” he finishes with a flourish and hangs up.
Lily chuckles again as I shake my head. “You’re still trying to figure out the proposal?” she leads in with, claiming the chair in front of my desk.
“Yes. I drafted it, but I’m not sure if it’s any good.” Sighing, I lean back into my chair and rub my eyes with the flats of my palms. “If only someone from the Commission had been there instead of that useless idiot, maybe I could’ve convinced them to at least listen to me.”
Lily flashes me a sympathetic smile and places the folder she’s carrying on my desk. “I wrapped up the waste disposal case, so here is the report.”
I flick the document open and skim through, making sure everything is there so I can file it later. “Looks good.”
She stands up to leave, but lingers. “Also, I… got an invitation to Devon Holiday’s Gala event. It’s this Friday.”
I cross my arms and lift an eyebrow, a little surprised by Lily’s announcement. “You… did?”
The Gala is the biggest event of the month, maybe even of the year. Speculations are going around that Lewis Devon will be officially stepping down and handing over his empire to his son and my new nemesis.
“Yeah, it looks like they’ve invited everyone who knew the family in some capacity. Alistair and I went to the same economy club, and everyone who was part of it got an invite.”
I take a few moments to piece together what that means. Leaning forward with my elbows on my desk, I ask, “You two did extracurricular stuff together?” I pause, turning that information over. “So, you know Alistair Devon personally and didn’t tell me?”
