Yulansa
For ten years, I've handled leather procurement for the group. Every year, I buy more than ten million euros' worth of rare hides.
As usual, I went to Marco's Leather Goods to choose some hides, but the owner, Marco Bellini, wasn't there.
Instead, his son, Leo Bellini, was sprawled on the couch playing video games.
I spoke as casually as always. "Hey, the grain on this year's saltwater crocodile hides looks a little flat. I'll cut a sample for testing."
Leo rolled his eyes at me and went back to his game.
I ran a finger along the edge of the hide, then sniffed my fingertip. The sharp smell of tanning chemicals hit my nose.
The brand's couture reputation was on the line, so I also cut small samples of lambskin and cowhide from the next rack for lab testing.
But as soon as I put them in a bag, Leo jumped up and knocked it to the floor.
"Quit acting like a big shot. If you can't afford it, just say so. This is the same premium leather Hermès uses. You think this is some scrap leather you can cut up whenever you feel like it?"
I took a deep breath and explained. "This batch doesn't feel right. I need to have it tested at the lab. That's how we've always done business.
"I place orders worth ten million euros with your dad every year. If you don't believe me, call him. We've always done it this way."
Leo snorted and video-called his father. "Dad, there's some woman here cutting up our stock and helping herself like she owns the place!"
Marco, who used to fawn over me whenever I walked in, appeared on the screen with an icy expression.
"We have a deal with a major North American conglomerate now. We don't need to coddle picky little buyers anymore.
"Charge her for every full hide she cut into. If she won't pay, call the cops!"
I looked at that ugly face on the screen, and without a word, I paid €50,000.
Then I walked out of the shop, turned left, and went into Bottega Artigiana, the quiet little shop next door.
An hour later, Leo was kneeling at the workshop entrance, fran