Chapter 8: Ellie

ELLIE

The moment I stepped into the room, it felt like the universe had played the cruelest joke on me. Alex Newsome, the billionaire CEO of Newsome Holdings, was also the man I had a wild, one-night stand with in Vegas nearly a month ago. Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, he walks into mine.

I could feel my face draining of color as if all the blood had decided it needed a quick vacation. "Ellie, you alright?" My dad’s voice cut through the thick fog of shock settling in my brain.

Summoning every ounce of wit, I grinned, "Oh, just absolutely thrilled to finally meet the man behind the Newsome Holdings empire. After all, didn’t you just finalize a deal for a tech firm in Silicon Valley, and aren’t you also pioneering some green initiatives on Wall Street? Quite the businessman."

Alex arched an eyebrow, his expression the picture of smooth confidence. "Impressed you know so much about my company, Ms. Mayer."

"I always do my homework," I retorted, smirking. But inside, my thoughts were racing a mile a minute, Though apparently not enough to figure out who I was sleeping with in Vegas. “I looked into your company in the last hour… though I didn’t research the CEO himself.”

My meaning was clear – I hadn’t been expecting him. 

Shifting in his chair, Alex interjected, "Shall we begin then?"

The room was filled with the ambient noise of papers shuffling, laptops booting up, and the clink of pens against the tabletop. But for me, it was the loud, deafening beat of my heart and the echo of memories from a wild Vegas night. This meeting was going to be a long one.

As Alex took center stage at the front of the room, I couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly he filled the role of the quintessential businessman. The sharp suit tailored to perfection, the polished shoes, the immaculate hair that looked like it defied all laws of gravity and humidity; it was as if the gods of Wall Street had handcrafted him specifically for boardroom dominance. 

And damn it, if that wasn’t a sight to behold. My insides did a funny twist, the same twist they'd done that wild night in Vegas. For a brief second, I cursed myself for having a thing for powerful men in suits. Get it together, Ellie, I chastised myself.

He started his pitch, and his voice had that deep, buttery quality that made even the most mundane business topics sound like sultry jazz. "I'm not here to upend the apple cart," he began, his gaze scanning the room before landing momentarily on me. "My intention is to acquire Mayer Financials, but I want to keep the soul of this company intact. I believe in local management, and I want all of you, especially Mr. and Mrs. Mayer, to continue steering this ship."

My parents exchanged glances. Mom, always the skeptic in business dealings, leaned forward, her brow slightly furrowed. "You promise not to dismantle the company? Sell off parts? Lay off employees? This isn't just some asset for us. It's a legacy."

He looked directly into her eyes, the epitome of sincerity. "Mrs. Mayer, I've done my research. This company isn't just about the numbers. It's about community, about family. My aim is not to strip it for parts. I see the potential here, and I want to elevate it, make it a name not just in upstate New York, but nationally."

Dad nodded, seeming to appreciate Alex's approach. "You understand that Mayer Financials isn't just a business to us. It's our life's work, and more than that, it’s a cornerstone of this community. Jobs, events, sponsorships – we have our hand in many pies."

Alex smiled, "And that's exactly why I want you to stay at the helm. I can bring in the resources, the connections, the expansion opportunities, but the heart of the company? That stays right here in Willowbrook."

Mom relaxed a tad, her posture easing as she seemed to take in his words. Dad chimed in, "We'd need to go over specifics, of course. Percentages, roles, oversight..."

"Absolutely," Alex nodded. "I'd expect nothing less."

Despite myself, I was impressed. Not just by his proposal but by his ability to read the room, to address concerns even before they were voiced. It wasn’t just charm – there was a keen intelligence there and a genuine respect for what Mayer Financials represented.

Still, as the meeting continued, my mind kept drifting back to Vegas to a night of glittering lights, whispered secrets, and heated passion. I shook my head subtly, trying to dislodge the memory. Now wasn’t the time for a trip down memory lane. But as Alex's gaze met mine once again, I could tell he was having the exact same thoughts.

Snapping back to the present, I squared my shoulders and fixed Alex with a pointed look. 

"Alright, Mr. Newsome, let’s talk specifics. How do you plan to maintain our level of community involvement while chasing a national profile? And what of the autonomy of our branch managers? They've been with us for years. And let's not even get started on the potential culture clash between a behemoth like Newsome Holdings and our close-knit family atmosphere. How do you plan to address that?" 

He took a moment, seemingly collecting his thoughts before answering. His gaze locked onto mine, not in a challenging manner, but as if he truly wanted me to understand his perspective. "Firstly, community involvement is non-negotiable. I've seen how Mayer Financials sponsors local events, helps out schools, and generally uplifts Willowbrook. That doesn't change. As for the branch managers, they have a wealth of experience that I'd be foolish to ignore. They’ll continue in their roles, with added support from Newsome if they need it."

"And the culture clash?" I pressed.

He grinned, "Mayer Financials has a heart, a soul, something a lot of big corporations lack. I don’t want to change that. I want to learn from it. I believe that if Newsome Holdings absorbs some of that heart, we could be even more successful."

For a moment, I was taken aback. It wasn't the answer I'd expected. "Alright, moving on. What's your vision for our team in terms of training and development?"

Before he could reply, Dad interjected, "And let’s talk more about this 'advisory CEO' idea."

Alex nodded, "My proposal is simple. I temporarily take the reins, see how things are done here, and get a feel for the operations. Think of it as a hands-on due diligence. As for your team, they'll have access to state-of-the-art training programs and resources, but we won't force anything upon them."

Dad raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but still wary. "And what do we get in return for letting you in, so to speak?"

"Consider it a rental agreement," Alex said with a smirk. "I'll pay Mayer Financials a 'rental fee,' enough to ensure you’re in the black for the next few months. It’ll take the financial pressure off, allowing you to focus on growth. If all goes well, once I present my findings to the Newsome board and get their approval, we make the purchase. The Mayer family, in return, stands to benefit significantly. And most crucially," he added, looking each of us in the eye, "every single person in Mayer Financials remains employed. Job security is a promise."

Mom exchanged glances with Dad, who seemed thoughtful. "That's a bold move, Mr. Newsome."

Alex leaned in, his eyes dancing with mischief. "Bold moves are my specialty, Mrs. Mayer. And you have my word, I’m committed to making this work."

I had to hand it to him; he had an answer for everything. And while I wasn’t sure how I felt about Alex Newsome, the man from Vegas, I couldn't deny that Alex Newsome, the businessman, was proving to be quite the force to reckon with.

Mom straightened her back, looking every bit the formidable lawyer she was. "Mr. Newsome, you’ve certainly presented us with a lot to digest. We appreciate the offer, but we're going to need some time to discuss it amongst ourselves."

Alex, leaning casually against the conference table, nodded with an understanding smile. "Of course, Mrs. Mayer. It's a significant decision. I'll be staying at the Willowbrook Elite," he replied, naming the town's most lavish hotel which was nestled just at the outskirts of town amidst the breathtaking backdrop of the woods. "Feel free to reach out anytime. Day or night, I'm at your disposal."

Mom met his gaze evenly. "Thank you for that. We'll be in touch first thing tomorrow morning with our answer."

"That sounds perfect," he responded, straightening his suit and picking up his sleek leather briefcase. His gaze shifted to me, and our eyes locked. There was an intensity there, a smoldering heat I remembered all too well from our night in Vegas. "It's been a genuine pleasure, Mayer family. Ellie," he added, the corner of his mouth quirking up slightly.

The air seemed to grow thick, and I was painfully aware of every heartbeat as he turned and left the room, the door clicking shut behind him.

I released the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, sinking into the nearest chair. My heart raced, and I felt like I was on the verge of a panic attack. "Oh my God," I whispered, running a hand through my hair.

Mom was the first to break the silence. "Well, that was... unexpected. To say the least."

I sighed. “Mom, you have no idea.”