Mergers and Acquisitions Read online

  “Give me that.” She snatched his phone out of his hand. She looked at the screen and scrolled. News articles and speculation about their breakup were everywhere. Candid photographs of herself and Jessica accompanied most articles. She rolled her eyes and passed the phone back to him. “We’re taking a break.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. Really.”

  She sniffed and turned away again. “Thank you.”

  “Do you want to talk about it?” he pressed.

  “What is there to talk about? It’s what everyone assumed would happen: the forty-seven-year-old woman couldn’t hold onto the twenty-seven year old.” She stared out of the car window, pleading with herself to stay strong and not repeat the incessant snivelling of the last few days.

  “But something must have happened. You two were perfect for each other,” Michael insisted. “Well, not when she first came to work at Mastery. Then, you were a beast and scared the living daylights out of her.”

  She chuckled. “I did, didn’t I?”

  “Yes, and you loved every second of it.” He smiled sadly. “What happened?”

  She opened her mouth to voice another denial, another line that she had been using to justify the situation to herself. But then she realised that wouldn’t help. If she was to move on with her life, she needed to be honest. If she couldn’t be honest with Michael, who could she be honest with?

  “I guess I held on a little too tightly,” she admitted. “I was afraid that she would find someone who was a better fit for her. Someone closer to her age. We argued about her career. I… I might have tried to hold her back.”

  The truth was, that was exactly what she had done. Jessica had told her so in no uncertain terms. But Georgina had dug her heels in, refused to budge. She knew she risked losing her, but she’d rather things end quickly and at her own hand than the alternative. The very thought of Jessica slowly drifting away from her was not even worth considering.

  What kept her awake most nights were thoughts of Jessica falling in love with another and gradually floating away. She looked for the tell-tale signs and even monitored her movements. Of course, she didn’t think that Jessica was the type to cheat. It was the others that she couldn’t trust. The ones she saw discreetly watching Jessica at parties. The ones who were waiting for their fairy-tale relationship to break down so they could swoop in and have Jessica for themselves.

  Georgina worried about them not waiting. She fretted about Jessica breaking her heart.

  Not wanting Michael to see the emotions that were playing across her face, she turned back to look out of the window. Since Jessica had walked out four days ago, Georgina had been bombarded with memories of their time together.

  When Jessica had come to work at Mastery, she was meek and unsure of herself. She had no interest in marketing, she wanted to work with charities. But a lull in the employment market and the need for a paying job had pushed her towards a temp agency at the exact same time that Georgina had fired three assistants in one week.

  Georgina could still remember the day Jessica walked into her office. Her long blonde hair and earnest expression had irritated her. She looked like a child, wide-eyed and hesitant. Georgina had itched to put the tall, slim woman into a fitted suit and have her hair and makeup professionally styled. There was obviously an attractive woman under that cheap blouse.

  They danced around their attraction for the better part a year, each of them convinced that the other was definitely not interested. The fact that a ridiculous episode in a stalled elevator had eventually drawn them together was such a cliché, but it had caused them to finally talk. And for Jessica to find the bravery to go after what she wanted.

  “Have you apologised?” Michael’s question broke through her reminiscing.

  “What do you think?” Georgina asked ruefully. “She’s gone, Michael. Let’s just get on with our lives.”

  The driver entered the car. “Your bags have been packed, Miss Masters. We can leave for the hotel now if you like?”

  “Please, this airport is ghastly,” she replied.

  The car started to move, and the privacy glass raised.

  Georgina turned to Michael. “I won’t hear another word about Jessica. We’re here to work.”

  “Of course, Georgina. Whatever you wish,” he said sweetly.

  She ignored the tone that indicated he was simply appeasing her now. “Kate Kennedy may think she’s won by dragging us over here, but that’s not going to last for long. You and I are going to kill her with kindness. She’s expecting us to be problematic, but we’re going to be veritable angels.”

  “Angels who throw the occasional wrench in the works?” Michael asked with a grin.

  “Precisely. Travelling all this way and not getting the Atrom contract is not an option.”

  Chapter 6

  Kate smoothed down her red sheath dress. She looked out of her office window at the London skyline. She’d met Georgina Masters in the past, but they had never spoken for any length of time. They shared a joke or two about the media’s constant comparisons of them and would then move on. Now, they were being forced to work together.

  She knew enough about Georgina to know that neither of them would be happy with the arrangement. Kate felt like she had the upper hand, having convinced Yannis that Georgina should travel to London to meet everyone and see the new car in action. Georgina had tried to back out, but Yannis’s tenacity soon forced her hand.

  Now, Georgina was to be set up in the Red Door offices for two weeks while the project got under way. Two torturous weeks where her lead competitor would be in her office, a fox in the henhouse.

  Kate knew that Georgina wanted to take the Atrom account, there was no other realistic reason for her to agree to so much compromise for The Bolt project. As far as Kate knew, Georgina wasn’t interested in sports cars. And, while the project would deliver a reasonable fee, it wasn’t exactly lucrative.

  Kate couldn’t afford to lose the Atrom contract. As hard as she tried to keep her business diversified, Atrom kept hiring Red Door for new projects. As Atrom expanded, they threw more cash into the marketing budget, which Kate was happy to spend. She’d always known that it was dangerous to have a business so heavily focused on one client, but the economic downturn had forced her hand. With no other clients with such substantial budgets, and a reticence to over-expand Red Door, Kate had been left in a bad situation.

  A far worse situation, now that Georgina was sniffing around. There was one contract and two bidders. There would be no compromise. Someone would win, and someone would lose.

  “Kate, darling!”

  She fixed a smile on her face before turning around. Georgina walked into the office with her arms open wide.

  “Georgina, it’s been forever.” Kate stepped into her loose embrace. They air-kissed each other’s cheeks.

  Kate took the opportunity to look at Georgina’s outfit: a simple black skirt with a white bouclé jacket. Very understated. Very not-Georgina.

  “I love your office,” Georgina announced. “Very… modern, spacious. And such a view.” She walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows and looked at the cityscape. “I’m surprised you get any work done with such a tremendous view.”

  “I try my best,” Kate replied with a small smile. “Please, sit down.” She gestured towards the two overstuffed armchairs in the corner of the office.

  “Such a lovely position. What part of London is this?” Georgina asked as she sauntered over to the armchair.

  “Farringdon,” Kate replied. “It’s become a hub for the up and coming. Can I get you a drink?”

  “No, thank you. I had breakfast at a delightful little cafe downstairs. Very… quaint.”

  Kate kept the forced smile on her face. While quaint may be a good thing for some, it certainly wasn’t for Georgina.

  “There are several places around, I’m sure you’ll find somewhere to your tastes,” Kate replied. “I forget, where did we book for you to stay?”


  Of course, Kate knew exactly where they had booked for her to stay. It had taken a lot of liaison with Georgina’s team in New York, as well as sending Jonathan to a handful of Kate’s favourite London hotels to find somewhere that would match up to the expected standards.

  “The Rosewood,” Georgina replied with a knowing grin.

  “Lovely.” Kate nodded.

  “As you know, I’m booked for two weeks, but of course I can extend my stay if we can’t figure out an appropriate working arrangement. Although I can’t imagine why we couldn’t.” Georgina looked through the glass wall out to the main office. “You seem to have up-to-date technology here.”

  Kate followed her gaze to the busy outer office. “Oh, we do,” she confirmed, “but, as I’m sure you know, Yannis likes to drop in now and then. It’s good to be within easy reach. Wouldn’t you agree?”

  “Absolutely. Although he spends about as much time in New York as he does in London these days.”

  Kate snapped her head back to look at Georgina.

  “Oh, didn’t you know?” Georgina almost smirked. “I thought it was common knowledge. He’s bought a new business in New York. It’s taking up a lot of his time.”

  Kate knew that Yannis had business dealings in New York, but she wasn’t aware of a new deal. If he was to be spending more time in New York, then it might be more difficult to shake off Georgina than she’d thought.

  She narrowed her eyes and turned to look back out into the office. Her eyes fell on the tall man talking to Jonathan.

  “Ah, I see Michael is with you?” she changed the subject. “I would have thought you’d leave your number two in New York and bring an assistant instead.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Georgina stiffen slightly. Naturally, she knew about her relationship with Jessica and their subsequent breakup. While the young thing hadn’t been Georgina’s assistant for some time, it was common knowledge that Georgina hadn’t been able to hire another one since Jessica left Mastery.

  “Only the best for you and Yannis,” Georgina replied.

  “Well, I had anticipated your needs, and I’m happy to provide you with someone who can help out as an assistant and, of course, a liaison between us.” Kate reached over to the phone on the coffee table and pressed the intercom. “Jonathan, could you send Sophie in?”

  “Oh, you don’t need to do that,” Georgina said. “We’re fine as we are. Michael and I can muddle through.”

  “Please, I insist. I know it must be difficult to be without an assistant. I couldn’t possibly manage for two weeks without Jonathan. I think I’d starve,” she joked.

  A moment later, Sophie softly stumbled into the office. She looked a moment away from hyperventilating and held onto her ever-present notepad with a white-knuckle grip. Kate discreetly coughed to cover her growing smile. Not only would Georgina have a spy in her department, she’d also know that Kate had provided her with the most junior team member she could. It was a double win.

  “Sophie, come and meet Georgina Masters.” Kate gestured to Georgina, deliberately bucking the etiquette of introducing the higher-ranking person first. “Georgina, this is Sophie Young, your new liaison.”

  Georgina stood up and held out her hand. “Sophie, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Georgina.”

  Kate looked up as the two women shook hands. Irritatingly, Georgina didn’t appear to be at all offended by the gesture. Or she was doing a very good job of hiding it. Which was not the Georgina Masters she knew at all.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, too. I-I have prepared your office as per the instructions that were sent over,” Sophie replied.

  Georgina smiled. “That’s wonderful. I know I must seem very particular, but I do like my environment to be just so. I find I work more efficiently that way.” She turned to Kate. “If it’s okay with you, I’d like to settle into my new office now. We can catch up again at the team meeting after lunch.”

  Kate stood up. “Absolutely. Settle in and then we can crack on with some real work this afternoon. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to let Sophie know.”

  “Oh, I’m sure we’ll get on just fine.” Georgina took Sophie’s hand and looped it through her arm. “Lead the way.”

  Kate watched as Sophie blushed and inarticulately mumbled about directions to Georgina’s office. The two stepped out into the main office.

  Kate watched as they crossed the floor. Georgina’s office was located on the opposite side of the building. They could just about see each other’s office beyond the sea of people between them. It was all part of Kate’s plan to keep an eye on the woman, while also keeping her at arm’s length.

  She felt a little guilty for throwing Sophie to the wolf, but the girl needed to learn to toughen up or find new employment. Kate’s little scheme just meant that the decision would be made a lot sooner.

  Jonathan entered the office with a cup of tea, which Kate accepted gratefully.

  “How was Michael?” Kate asked.

  “Sickeningly sweet,” he replied. “Georgina?”

  “The same. It appears that they are on a charm offensive. Of course, she couldn’t keep it up for long. A couple of snide comments snuck out.” Kate sipped at her tea and watched as Sophie and Georgina entered Georgina’s new office. “We will need to keep a very close eye on them. They are without a doubt up to something.”

  Chapter 7

  Georgina hung on Sophie’s arm as she walked across the busy office floor. Of course, she knew the Red Door staff were watching her every step. She smiled and greeted people as they passed by. Anyone could be a spy or a potential ally.

  “So, tell me, Sophie. How long have you been working at Red Door?”

  Sophie swallowed, and Georgina felt the muscles in her arm constrict. She had a feeling she already knew the answer: not long. It was a genius tactic, supplying support staff in the form of an anxious and timid junior. It ensured that the support was more trouble than it was worth. Georgina would have to add it to her own arsenal.

  “In all, nearly four months,” Sophie said.

  Georgina let out a throaty chuckle. “And, in reality?”

  “Three weeks,” Sophie mumbled.

  Georgina smiled. She wondered if Sophie was the most junior employee Kate could dig up. She was surprised Kate had even remembered Sophie’s name. But if that was the game Kate wished to play, Georgina was willing to fight fire with fire. Or, in this case, contempt with kindness. It would infuriate Kate to know that Georgina found Sophie helpful. Invaluable, even. And the girl was probably tasked with spying on her. Showing her some kindness might mean that information turned into a two-way street.

  “Three weeks? Well, you have a head start on me. We can learn the ropes together.”

  As she stepped into her temporary office, Georgina let go of Sophie’s arm and looked around the room. It was a reasonable size and seemed well-furnished. A set of armchairs, like the ones in Kate’s office, sat in the corner, out of view of the main floor. Her desk was large and white, as per her specifications. Her MacBook stand, plug, mouse, and extra keyboard were all laid out as she liked. Her water, glasses, and fruit sat on the corner of the desk in the usual configuration. The latest marketing magazines were fanned out on the table beside her desk. Everything was set up perfectly.

  She turned to Sophie. The girl looked nervously around the room.

  This was usually the point where Georgina would dismiss her assistant and slam the door. But these were unique circumstances. She needed to find a way to be kind, to gain Sophie’s trust. Being kind to an assistant had started and ended with Jessica, but she was on a mission and allowances needed to be made.

  “You’ve done a wonderful job,” Georgina said. Normally, such praise would never pass her lips. It felt strange, eerie but somehow familiar.

  She pulled out the office chair and sat down.

  “Can I… get you a drink? Something to eat?” Sophie asked. She hesitated in the doorway. It was clear that she
had no idea what her job entailed. Her panic reminded her of Jessica’s first few anxious days, something that Georgina didn’t want reminding of. She needed to help Sophie fast-forward past the nervous stage.

  “You can sit down.” Georgina gestured to the visitor chair in front of her desk.

  Sophie’s eyes bugged in fear. She turned and looked out at the main office before turning back and slowly edging towards the chair.

  “Unless you have a pressing matter to attend to?”

  Sophie shook her head and sat down. “No, no, I—”

  “Good. If we’re going to work together, we should get to know each other.” Georgina leaned forward and snagged a red apple from the bowl on her desk. “Tell me about yourself.” She took a hearty bite and waited.

  Sophie sat silent for a moment. Georgina could almost hear the cogs of her mind whirring around. She was about to prompt the girl with a specific question when she took a deep breath and began to speak.

  “I have worked as an Operations Junior Administrator for the last three weeks. Before that I worked in accounts for three months as an intern—”

  “An intern?” Georgina couldn’t help but interrupt.

  “Yeah.” Sophie squirmed in her seat. “I just really, really wanted to work in marketing, and no one was hiring. I was working in a law firm, but I hated it. I saw the intern role and thought it was a good opportunity. I’d written it off because it was unpaid, but my boyfriend convinced me to go for it. He’s supported me, and now I have a real job, in marketing.”

  “I see. And what does an Operations Junior Administrator do?”

  “Um, well, I help with the Operations team… which is mainly me. And Jonathan, kinda.”

  “I see, you’re a gopher.” Georgina understood.

  Sophie balked. “‘Gopher’?”

  “Go fetch this, go fetch that. Gopher.”

  Sophie sadly nodded. “Yeah. I guess that’s me.”