2| Progress Meeting

“Look, aunty Iz, it was great seeing you, but I have a meeting to prepare for.”

“Of course, of course,” she said with a smile as she stood from her chair, “I’ll leave you be. Hug for the road?”

I smiled at her and walked over to hug her before we said our goodbyes and she left. I exhaled deeply and sat back down behind my desk.

Isaac has been making moves on me since we were kids. He’s only a year older than me, and when we were 6 and 7, we had a “wedding" in my living room where I used a pillowcase as a veil and he wore a costume top hat. A teddy bear was the officiant.

I chuckled remembering it. We had been through everything together, even college. While I studied business and design, Isaac studied machinery like his mother.

My parents are his godparents, and Isabella is my father's best friend, so we spend holidays and birthdays together most of the time. Don’t worry, we aren’t actually related.

His advances toward me were always subtle and gentle. When we were kids, he would share his candy and Yoo-Hoo with me. In high school, he asked me to prom, and I had to turn him down because I already had a date. He was upset at first but quickly got over it, so I didn’t pay it much mind.

He brings me flowers randomly, he checks in with me if he hears I’m under a lot of stress, he gives the best bear hugs and sometimes kisses my temple or the top of my head while hugging me and sways us side to side. He is an amazing guy.

At first, I thought nothing of his moves. I thought they were just sweet gestures between friends, but one night at a party he had kissed me, and everything was different after that.

I enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong, and I love Isaac, I just don’t know if I love him the way that he wants me to love him. That, or, I’m scared to admit that I do. Regardless, I’m focused on my career, and if anything went wrong between us and our friendship was ruined, I just don't know what I would do with myself.

I cleared my throat and shook my head. I have an investor meeting to get to and I cannot afford to be distracted by silly boys.

*

“Some of us investors wish to drop out.”

“Why?”

The men in the boardroom all looked at each other with uneasiness. There were only three of them along with myself at the dark, oval table big enough to seat twelve. I was seated at the head of the table, and the men were across from me on either side.

I faced my palms up, “Well?”

The man on the right, Mr. Lennox looked at me and extended his hand an inch on the table toward me, “The business isn’t bringing any money and hasn’t for quite some time.”

“And?”

They looked at me with raised brows. I acknowledge that a business that doesn’t bring in money is a turn-off for investors, but these men have no idea what I am capable of achieving, and backing out now would be a huge mistake.

“We just sometimes question if a woman is the best choice for the position of a-"

“Gentlemen,” I stood from my seat with my hands on the table and refused to let Mr. Lennox finish. “I understand your concerns as it pertains to the companies financial wellness, but I can assure you that we are about to land a huge partnership deal with Knightingdale Suits that will solve all of our problems.”

“Knightingdale?” The man directly in front of me, Ms. Gallagher, asked with raised brows.

The other two men had equally intrigued looks and focused on me for elaboration.

“Yes. I have a meeting with Dominic Knight when we are done here and I am going to pitch to him a partnership between us. With Mr. Knight’s partnership, Claudette Reed will expand into menswear.”

“And how exactly are you going to pitch this to him?” Mr. Gallagher looked back and forth between the other two men and chuckled, “There isn’t much to offer in return.”

“Maybe not from you, but I have something that the three of you do not.”

“Which is?” The man to the left, Mr. Reece, finally said as he rubbed his jaw.

“My name.”

They all began to laugh, so I slammed my hand on the table to shut them up.

“Gentlemen.” I spoke sternly, “My name is linked to several companies that are wildly successful. Greene Designs and Greene Repurposed were begun by my father, then he added on a children’s clothing line-”

“Which was short-lived,” mumbled Mr. Lennox, but I chose to ignore him.

“My mother began Claudette Reed separately and started with ready-to-wear. I have the experience of every aspect in fashion-"

“Besides menswear,” interrupted Mr. Gallagher.

“Which is why we need him,” I forced a smile to the old man. “He’s the hottest suit designer since Armani. Our business will skyrocket with this partnership, and with my help and my name, I will help him expand his clientele and his knowledge in the industry.”

“You sound rather confident, Ms. Greene.”

“I am.”

There was a moment of silence before Mr. Lennox spoke again, “What if this meeting with Mr. Knight doesn't go well and he refuses to partner with you?”

I stared at him for a moment before I inhaled sharply and answered, “No one says no to me. I will convince him that this is the right move for both of our companies. I will not take no for an answer.”

“Mhmm,” the men hummed, seeming unconvinced.

Mr. Reece swiveled in his chair and added, “If everything goes downhill, you can always offer your body-"

“Gentlemen.” I interrupted them again, “If you wish to stop funding my company due to your lack of respect for women, then I cannot, and will not, convince you to stay. I will leave you with this, though: I am more than what some believe. I do not need to use my sexuality as a weapon because I have my parent’s genes to make me a strong, fierce competitor in the industry. I have expansion plans, and leaving Claudette Reed now of all times would be a grave mistake for you to make.”

I eyed each of them before finishing my little speech, “I can make each of you richer than you already are. I just need you to have a little patience, and the slightest bit of faith in my abilities. Thank you for your time.”

I grabbed my stuff without another word and left the conference room for my office across the floor with my head held high and my steps strong, even though my blood was boiling. I ignored everyone who tried to grab my attention along the way - I am in no place to converse with anyone right now.

Once back to my office, I dropped my stuff at my desk and began pacing the floor, muttering incoherent words to myself about misogynistic men and how women are only seen for their bodies.

These old fuckers are such perverts. If I didn’t need their funding, I would have called them out long ago and parted ways, possibly even looked into a restraining order for Mr. Reece. They were disgusting and reminded me why I ignored menswear. It wasn’t much of ignoring the clothing, it was ignoring the buyer.

Men are pigs. I can’t stand relationships because anyone I’ve dated tried to get into my pants on the first date. I am very conscious of my dating life and I try to steer clear of the same reputation as my father, but one of the downsides of having the last name Greene is dealing with the expectations of not only having the same successes as my parents but also the same failures.

I refuse to be a failure.