Chapter 37: Planning and strategy

Oliver scanned the detailed schedule Harper had emailed him, a small smile forming on his lips as he noted the 1pm lunch break. His mouse pointer hovered over the ‘reply’ button, tempted to type something flirtatious or demanding, but ultimately settling for a simple acknowledgment:

Reply-to: [e-mail]

Subject Line: Daily Schedule

Harper

I have received your email and would like to acknowledge it. Thank you for your message—I will review it and get back to you if needed.

Kind regards, Oliver Williams

“Prefect timing,” he muttered to himself, saving the email and minimizing it on his screen. The planning meeting with the senior team was first on his agenda– a task that required his full attention and strategic mindset. At precisely ten o’clock, Oliver emerged from his office, adjusting the cuffs on his jacket as he strode toward the conference room. He passed by Harpers desk, noting she wasn’t there.  He nodded curtly at various employees who greeted him along the way, maintaining his usual authoritative demeanour despite being curious about Harpers current location. Oliver entered the sleek, modern conference room, centred around a long, rectangular conference table with a smooth glossy surface. The table is neatly arranged with built-in rectangular panels, for cable management. On both sides of the table are matching high-backed office chairs upholstered in black leather. At the far end of the room, mounted on a wood-panelled accent wall, is a large flat-screen display. A potted plant sits in the corner near the windows, adding a touch of greenery and breaking up the otherwise corporate feel of the room.

Sever employees are already in the conference room. Billy and Sarah are standing to the right, talking to each other in husked whispers. Connie is seated by the table, flipping through a coral diary, with visible colourful highlight on the pages. Mark is trying to set up the flat-screen display. He looks from the laptop in front of him, to the flat-screen display to see if they are connected. As Oliver enters, everyone’s attention is drawn to him, and they each mutter a greeting. Billy and Sarah move to sit down at the desk. Connie flips her notebook to a blank page and holds a pink pen, ready to take notes. Mark manages to get the flat-screen display working and begins his presentation. During the one-hour strategy session, he remained focused but occasionally found his thoughts drifting back to lunchtime. His pen tapped rhythmically against the conference table as he listened to Mark from marketing drone on about market projections. “Mark, are you certain we are factoring in consumer sentiment regarding sustainable materials? Our focus groups indicated a significant preference shift,” Oliver interjected abruptly, cutting off the younger man’s presentation. He glances at his watch discreetly, noting the time creeping closer to noon.

The meeting dragged on longer than anticipated due to some heated debates between finance and marketing departments. Finally, at twelve-twenty-five, Oliver called a halt to the discussion. “We have covered everything necessary for now. Finance, please review these numbers by end of day. Marketing, refine your projection based on the consumer data points I just mentioned.” Standing up decisively, Oliver gathered his notes and headed toward the door without waiting for everyone else to disperse.

Outside Oliver’s office, Mr. Knox was waiting. He was talking to Harper by her desk. Mr. Knox is wearing a tailored, deep burgundy suit that fits closely to his muscular frame, with a white crip dress shirt and a slim black-tie underneath. His outfit colour matches Harper’s outfit colour, as if they had co-ordinated their outfits for the day. He is leaning against Harpers desk, smiling slightly as his curly strawberry blond hair hangs slightly in his face. “Aye, so yer sayin’ baggy jeans are the new trend, ‘cause we’re leanin’ more toward comfort an’ structured styles this season, eh?” Mr. Knox asks Harper, his Scottish accent thick as he tries to understand American fashion trends. Oliver’s steps faltered as he emerged from his office, his attention immediately drawn to the scene at Harpers desk. The sight of Knox– one of the most difficult designers knows for his eccentric personality and constant wardrobe malfunctions– gesticulating animatedly while Harper listened patiently sent a flicker of something possessive through Oliver’s chest. “Knox,” his voice cut through the conversation, sharp and commanding. “My office. Now. We have a meeting.” Mr. Knox jumped slightly, turning to face the CEO with a guilty expression. “Oh! Och, right, Mr. Williams—ma apologies,” Mr. Knox said and straightened his posture. He scurried away towards Oliver’s office. Oliver approached Harpers desk with deliberate slowness. His icy blue eyes scanning her face for any sign of irritation or annoyance at being interrupted. “Everything okay here?” he asked quietly, his tone softening considerably now that it was just the two of them.

“Yeah, everything is fine. Apparently Mr. Knox lacks an appreciate for the new fashion trend of baggy jeans,” Harper said with a light laugh. A low chuckle escaped Oliver’s lips as he listened to her explanation, shaking his head slightly. “Of course he doesn’t. Knox probably thinks anything that doesn’t require a tailor is an affront to human decency.” He leaned against the edge of Harper’s desk casually, crossing his arms over his broad chest. The movement caused his suit jacket to pull taut across his shoulders. “He has been complaining about millennial fashion choices since day one,” Oliver continued conversationally. “Last month he tried convincing me cargo shorts were making a comeback. I had to remind him we are designing luxury collections, not college dorm room attire.” His gaze flickered to Harper’s computer screen where Knox’s name likely still appeared in recent emails or messages. “Did he at least listen when you explained the concept? Or did he just launch into another tirade about youth culture destroying aesthetics?” Despite the critical tone in Oliver’s voice when mentioning Knox, his expression remained relaxed and engaged with her interaction. “Oh, he listened. Gave me some good insight into Scottish fashion trends. Apparently, functionality and sustainability are a big thing over there now,” Harper said with a bright smile. Oliver’s eyebrows raised slightly at the mention of Scottish fashion trends, a hint of amusement dancing in his icy blue eyes “Scottish fashion? That is certainly a departure from his usual rants about tailored suits and bespoke shoes.”