by Vivien Vale
I walk to the front of the room and set up my laptop so that I can show them my ideas on the big screen against the wall.
“So,” I begin, trying to hide the nervousness from my voice. “Our conception is that Velvet Luxe should be based on love. Lingerie is sexy, and it’s meant to be shared.”
I’m not here to waste their time, so I figured I’d go straight to the point. There’s a long list of people who’ll be presenting today, and I figured a strong beginning statement about our campaign direction will set me apart.
I see a few approving nods.
“With this campaign, we’re centering on a TV ad that will encompass the message we’re getting across to our target market. What do I mean?
“Well, you’ll see a lovelorn woman. She’s beautiful, fashionable, and she lives a busy life, but internally, she’s hoping to meet that one right person.
“That’s when the guy shows up. He’ll be handsome, rugged and strong. They have a happenstance meeting, fall in love over the course of the ad, and in the end, he presents her with—what else?—the most beautiful lingerie Velvet Luxe has designed.”
I look around at the faces of the suits before me, and I’m happy to say they seemed pleased.
One of them says, “So your entire idea revolves around a story of falling in love, is that correct?”
“Yes,” I say. “But imagine it against the backdrop of fast music and snow falling, elegant interiors, and the most beautiful models we can find.”
“This sounds fabulous,” a woman exec says. “I like the theme of intense, romantic love. That’s really what this brand is about.”
“And here is the color scheme I was thinking of,” I say, switching my presentation to a slide with a pink-hued color palette. “And here are some mood boards that represent the overall energy of the entire campaign.” Again, I switch to the accompanying slide.
We talk for a while about the logistics, and I show them everything my designers and I have been working on. I’m really proud of what we’ve done, and we’ve given it our best so that’s all we can do.
The meeting ends, and I thank them for their time before making my way back out to the hallway. Liam’s waiting for me there.
“How’d you do?” he asks.
“I think it went okay.”
Soon, it’s his turn to go, and he strides in easily, with all manner of certainty. He has poise and fearlessness, likely because he’s done this many times before.
This client is not gonna make or break Liam. His company is gonna thrive no matter what. And that’s the difference between him and me.
He’s doing this presentation as a kind of thrill, to get off on the artistry of it. He’s not invested like I am.
I have an actual need for this client, and if it doesn’t push through…
I don’t know what I’ll do.
I wait in the hallway and realize that some of the competition is here waiting, as well. I try to remain calm and to exude a certain sense of self-possession, but it’s hard.
I click my pen open and closed, waiting for Liam impatiently.
Eventually, he comes out and has a smile on his face.
“That was fun,” he says.
My stomach drops as I think of how well he must’ve done. Liam is the most charismatic, handsome, talented person I know. He probably won them over within the first second of that meeting.
I like him so much. I have this connection with him, and yet I find myself hoping beyond hope that I win this campaign.
We all wait in the hallway, and a few more people go in to present their ideas. Liam sits with me, and it makes the minutes tick by quickly. Being in his presence is always pleasant, whether we’re sitting in a boring hallway or not.
This is the kind of charm I’m talking about. Liam possesses a certain sense of magnetism that makes hanging out with him easy.
He takes my hand and walks me around the hallway to look at the lingerie that’s illuminated in boxes set into the wall. This company really does have great products. The lingerie is so stunning that I wish I could take some home with me.
Though we’re in a corporate building, the expensive lingerie on display does add a certain level of sexiness. There’s the familiar palpable tension between Liam and me.
He walks me around the halls, and we look at each magnificent piece of lingerie. He whispers in my ear, “I’m imagining you in some of this lacy lingerie.”
I blush. I wish he could take me out of here and that this was all over with. I wish I could go with him back to his penthouse and finally focus on our relationship and nothing else.
I see Evan and Charlotte emerge from the elevator and walk down the hallway towards us. Apparently, they’ve met each other now.
“What are you doing here?” I ask Charlotte.
“Well, I came to support. Have you presented yet?” she asks.
“I have. It went pretty well.”
Liam introduces me to Evan. “Claire, this is Evan, my vice president.”
I shake his hand, “It’s very nice to meet you.”
Evan looks at me in an odd way, and I wonder why he’s being unfriendly. I wonder what his problem is with me?
We all talk in the hallway for a few minutes before one of the executives comes out and asked us all to please join them once again in the conference room. I look at Liam, and he flashes me a comforting smile.
We walk into the room, packed inside with all the competition, and I’m nervous as they make the announcement.
One of the executives stands, motioning for us to settle down enough so he can be heard.
“We’ve been shown several presentations today. We would like you to know how much we value all your time and work. We can clearly see how you’ve invested yourself and your companies into perfecting this ad campaign.”
My heart is thudding in my chest. What even are the chances of us winning?
“But with that said, we’d like to offer the contract to Epica. Congratulations, Miss Claire. We look forward to working with you.”
I can’t even believe what I’m hearing. Time stands still as the truth of what’s happening sets in.
I won? The campaign is mine?
The thrill of the moment overwhelms me as I realize my company’s gonna be okay. And what’s more, we’ve landed one of the biggest clients there is.
We’re gonna be okay for a long, long time.
And not only that, I’ll be able to have a creative purpose for some time to come.
The executives are clapping, and they come to congratulate me. My competitions are clapping, as well.
“Thank you guys so much,” I say to the executives who come to introduce themselves. “I can’t tell you what this means to me. I promise you that Epica will bring you our finest work.”
Liam
All eyes are on Claire as they announce her as the winner. Usually, I skip this kind of meeting, but at this point, I just want to be around her.
She’s nailed it, and I think a part of me always knew that she would.
I know she needs this more than I do. I also know that she’s worked hard for it.
At least in this process, I learned a thing or two. I know that I don’t just have to be the boss. I can indulge in the artistry of the advertising world. The passion that started it all is alive and well—and Claire is the one who helped me to reestablish that.
I should be thanking her, really.
I realize in this moment that I care less about the campaign and more about her. Watching her smile and accept the win so graciously makes me feel proud of her.
She looks happy, and it’s an image I never want to forget.
Something real is starting to form between us. And though it’s taken us a while to get here, and while I can’t quite believe I’m actually considering monogamy, there’s nothing I want to do to jeopardize what we have.
She’s a keeper. But more than that, just the idea of her ever being with some other guy drives me crazy with j
ealousy that I know I’ll never let her go. Not for a second.
She’s thanking everybody and promising her commitment, but all I see is her beauty. Today more than ever, I see her in her element, and her power and elegance exude in a way that I never knew was possible.
I always knew I wanted a strong woman, someone who would test me and broaden my horizons, but I never dreamed for a second that someone like Claire could be real.
I’m lost in thought, so happy to be here for her win. Now she can go far, and her company will become something big.
Evan jolts me out of my daydream, and I’m annoyed that he’s even here. He’s the one that wanted to take her down, to ruin her chances of success—and I’m not proud to admit that I went along with it.
“Fuck man, what are we gonna do now? She wasn’t supposed to win,” he says to me as though I’m still on his side.
I look at him angrily, “Drop it, Evan. You hear me? Just let this go.”
“Why? Because you’ve become so wrapped up in her? I can’t believe you’d let a woman determined the fate of our company,” he challenges me.
I realize now that my VP is a shady son-of-a-bitch who doesn’t have my best interest at heart. He’s all about one thing…himself.
He’s starting to get on my last nerve. This is Claire’s moment, and I want to see her enjoy it. Instead, I have him complaining in my ear.
“It’s none of your damn business, Evan, what happens between us. The plan was a mistake. It’s over. She deserves this win,” I say.
“Wow. I never imagined that Liam Alton would be led astray by a woman. She’s been nothing but poison to you and to the firm. You’re the one making a mistake by letting her get this without a fight.”
“Fuck off, Evan, just go. You don’t know the truth about any of this,” I say with a certain amount of fury.
I’m trying to control my rage at Evan so that Claire can enjoy her moment without any drama. I turn my attention away from him and back to her. I can deal with Evan later, but for now, I want to help Claire celebrate.
She walks towards me, and I sweep her up in my arms.
“You did it, baby. You really did it.” I say to her.
“Are you mad, Liam? Do you wish Dignity Creative got the contract?” I can see she’s concerned that I might be upset.
“No, baby, I want you to have it. This lingerie company is all yours, and you deserve it. Never forget that, okay?” I tip her head up so she has to stare into my eyes.
I want her, bad. I’m aching to thrust my cock deep into her sweet, little pussy and to prove just how happy I am that she did it.
“And I want you.” I whisper into her ear.
People are congratulating her even as they are filing out the room. But I know she’s as wrapped up as I am in the world that’s happening between us.
She squeezes my hand and whispers, “When, Liam? When can we celebrate, just you and I?”
“Tonight,” I whisper so low that onlookers can’t hear. “I’ll take you somewhere special tonight. Can you wait until then?”
“Barely,” she says, and I feel the heat coming from her.
I take her out into the hallway, and she’s smiling and tearing up a little bit.
I keep my hand firmly around her waist as Charlotte comes over.
“Claire, we did it! You did it. The company is saved, and now Epica is officially a force to be reckoned with.”
“Couldn’t have done it without you, Charlotte, you know that. Now go call everyone and deliver the good news.”
“Of course,” Charlotte says, as she’s already on the phone.
Claire looks up at me with inquiring eyes, “Are you sure you’re not mad? I know you wanted this, too, Liam. I feel kinda bad about winning.”
“Baby, I want this for you. You deserve it. I never want you to feel guilty about winning, not for a second. I’m truly glad it was you.”
We’re suspended in time, just she and I. Her ocean blue eyes threaten to undo me right here, because it feels like she’s begging me to just be her fucking master and to fuck her over the table or something.
It’s always like this between us, sparks flying and electricity going off. She’s helped me find my passion again. She’s jolted me out of my jaded slumber and made me feel alive.
Suddenly the world is my oyster.
And I only want to share with her.
Whether this is lust or love, whatever you would call it, I know that from this moment forward, I’m on her side, and I always will be.
She has to know my feelings. Now that it’s become obvious to me, I decide that tonight I’ll tell her exactly how it is...that she’s the only one.
I walk with her down the long hall, still admiring the beautiful lingerie on display and wishing she was in it.
“Okay, baby, I have to run to another meeting, but we’ll do something special tonight. I’ll call you.”
I give her a kiss and leave her side to wait for the elevator. She smiles at me and winks.
Sigh. I hate to go, but business calls.
I watch her tight ass saunter back over to where the executives, her new colleagues are, and feel a sense of pride wash over me. I feel like she’s mine already, and that I can partake of her happiness as if it’s my own.
Fuck. What’s happening to me?
But more importantly, where should I take her tonight
Claire
I leave Liam halfway down the corridor, so I can return to the business at hand.
I have executives to thank and a contract to sign.
It’s all happening, and I feel like I’m on cloud nine, considering our new client and the hunky man that’s taking me out to celebrate later.
I was really worried that he’d be pissed that I landed this big client and he didn’t. But I should’ve known that Liam is more of a man than that, that he doesn’t indulge in childish games and jealousy.
There’s a new sense of intimacy between us as I realize he cares more about me than he does about the campaign.
And that turns me on at a whole new level. I feel relieved that there’s no longer any competition between us, and we can just focus on being together.
He seems genuinely happy for me, and in truth, I relish his attention and how he’s proud of my success.
My life is coming together, both personally and professionally. Now my team and I don’t have to stress about landing the biggest campaign of our lives anymore—because we’ve actually done it. We’ve won, and my little company Epica is going to survive and thrive.
But beyond everything, this experience has made me acutely aware of the fact that Liam means more to me than I’d previously realized or allowed myself to admit.
What started out as a fling is maybe turning into something more real. Dare I hope?
I walk toward the Velvet Luxe team and see Evan talking to them. He looks furious, and suddenly I’m really wishing Liam hadn’t gone. I look back and see him down the hall, making a phone call by the elevator, and I long to go to him and to ask him to control his VP.
Evan glares at me as he speaks to the executives, and I feel that something’s about to go down.
He seems livid, and I wonder why. I won the account fair and square. Besides, he works for one of the biggest agencies out there; it’s not like they’re gonna suffer very much from losing one client.
The executives look up as I nervously approach them. I don’t know what he’s doing or what he’s saying, but it looks suspicious from the way they are all now looking at me.
I stop in the hallway a little awkwardly, wondering if I should come or if I should go.
Before long, my question is answered because the woman who was so nice to me earlier, the one who announced me as the winner, asks me to come join them.
It’s just Evan and I and the Velvet Luxe people standing in a circle outside the conference room. He casts me a self-righteous look, as if he’s in on some secret that I’m not aware of.
“Claire,”
the woman says. “I’m afraid that we’re gonna have to retract our previous offer. We’ve been made privy to evidence that you cheated and stole ideas for this campaign. We can’t have that kind of deception around our brand, and we’ve chosen to go with someone else.”
Time slows down as I take in what this means. I stare at them in disbelief and don’t know what to say. I see Evan in his corner, smirking—and I realize all at once this is because of him and Liam.
They must’ve set me up so that even if I won, it would be taken from me.
Surely, if Evan’s doing this, then it’s from Liam’s direction. I look over my shoulder and see him, my handsome dream guy, at the end of the hall chatting on his phone.
Is he sticking around to see my fall from grace? This is obviously an orchestrated move between them.
My heart shatters into a million pieces as it becomes clear that Liam never even liked me. It was all an act. He was pretending to be interested in me to lower my guard and to facilitate this underhanded plan.
He’s as ruthless as ever. I dared to go up against the biggest shark in the tank, and I let get wrapped up in his net instead, hook, line, and sinker.
I try to explain myself to the executives, to defend my company and our campaign, but they’re hearing none of it.
I plead with them, “This isn’t right. I didn’t steal anything. Those ideas are all mine. The people you should be looking at is Dignity Creative. They’re trying to undermine me to win this contract.”
One of the suits speaks up. “We’re sorry, Claire. We just can’t be associated with this kind of controversy. Whether you stole the ideas or not, the rumors reflect poorly on your character and that of your firm.”
I hold back the tears that are threatening to give me away. I’m not gonna give Evan and Liam the satisfaction of seeing me cry.
I never should’ve trusted Liam. I knew better, I kept telling myself not to go there, and in the end, I got burned.
It’s all my fault.
Images of Liam and me bombard my thoughts. All the nights, all the secret smiles, all the tender touches…it was all a game, an act to win.
Sure, I spied on him briefly, but he’s been setting me up this entire time.
