Alex's POV
"Guys, we really need to move forward, with creative ideas and a solid plan," I lectured everyone that sat around the mahogany table with me. However, I'm not one hundred percent sure that everyone was 'with me' so to speak. All of my employee's looked distant, like they had other things on their mind - it was a Friday morning after all. I had to step things up or my livelihood would come crashing down to the ground.
"If we don't do something, we will have to make up the funds from elsewhere, perhaps wages?" I suggested prerogatively, finally gaining the attention of my workers.
I didn't like to come across and the mean and nasty, ball busting office manager, but sometimes I had to call it like I see it. Now was one of those times and it was necessary as we had some serious competition. Larry Bloom was about to fuck me over with his stupid updated computing software. I had to snap into focus and get started on a new development plan to do something.
"BTS is raking in almost £10,000 more than we are a month. Those figures will sell themselves to the sponsors without any background information or business plans. With figures like those, it's a no-brainer. And that my friends, will leave us picking ourselves up out of the gutter with nowhere to go. Something needs to happen and it needs to happen now, I suggest we get working," I pitched, hoping it would get their minds ticking over and working at full speed.
"What about a refresh, new logos, new programmes and new product packaging," Natasha Jefferson asked, twiddling a pen in her fingers. I thought about the idea for a brief second.
"Where would the funds come for that?" I asked. It was quite a good idea but I couldn't understand how we could afford it. And we had a company refresh before launching our latest software product, again, because we thought it would catch people's attention and draw in more sales, but only by 5% which didn't really have the effect we, as a company desired.
This was how the meeting continued for a good few hours. The STAT's team had gathered all the necessary information on my company and Larry's, making pie charts, line graphs and all the different databases that were essential for a thorough analysis and comparisons. So far we had discovered he had almost doubled his profitable turnover in the last three months, leaving us trailing behind. It was difficult to discover where we had fluffed our lines so much but due to the PR team pulling together they found the main reason was down to our lack of social media presence - a discovery that sparked the first step in the right direction.
It was agreed social media was a great platform for us to not only promote our product but have a presence as a company, forming different relationships with consumers, business partners, and potential dealers.
"Hey, Alex, what about we do a deal or something," Nicky suggested. "Increase the price but throw in a month's free subscription and a free headset or something. It means if we can get a cheap deal on the headsets we might end up making a profit on the software," she elaborated.
I thought about it for a minute. Sure, it actually could work. The company could easily grab a good bulk deal on headsets and a month subscription could be promoted as try before you buy. "You know Nichols, that's the best idea you have had in the three years you've worked for me," I smiled.
Finally, we were on to something.
Piper's POV
I clung to the notebook which I held under the laptop I possessed. I was still hiding it from Larry. I know what he was like; if her book contained anything which he thought was business related he would sieve through it with a fork, picking out anything that he felt gave him leverage over her. I stepped out of the elevator as it pinged on the ground floor, exiting it and heading for the heavy oak door leading to the car park. I hopped into the car and placed my laptop and the spiral bound notebook on the passenger seat as I started the car and made my way out of the car park and headed to Alex's office.
My drive was quick due to the fact i had avoided rush-hour. I hoped Alex would still be there. I was fortunate enough that the parking at Alex's premises was pretty empty. I hated parking. Unfortunately, the rain had begun and I had to jog my way over to the reception. As I entered I could tell that Alex ran a tight ship. Everything was perfect and in its place. The hustle and bustle were actually quite and organised - everyone knew what they were doing, when it had to be done, and why.
"Are you okay Miss?" The brunette receptionist asked. Her badge read Lorna.
"I'm looking for Alex, Alex Vause," I amended.
"I'm sorry," she stopped looking for my name.
"Piper," I smiled.
Lorna grimaced in response before speaking, "I'm afraid Alex is holding a very important meeting right now and you will need an appointment."
I sighed. Really? What this really happening right now. I looked around. I didn't want to cause any trouble or make a scene, I just wanted to return her notepad - there could be something important in there. I finally spied a sign that listed each floor of the business complex and what that particular floor held. Level 7 - Conference Rooms and Admin Offices, bingo. I decided inconspicuousness was the way forward so after I excused myself I made my way for the side door next to the elevators. I got in pressed the button and within a few seconds, I was on the conference floor. Once I stepped out I knew exactly which room the meeting was in as there was an engaged sign on the door adjecent me. Just as I was about to knock a dozen people came out, Alex was gathering her papers and clearing the table.
"Piper?" She quizzed after looking up.
"I uh, I brought you your notepad," I stammered.
She walked around the table to stand beside me. I shuffled my laptop, pulled out the notepad and suggested for her to take it. She lifted it from my arms and flicked through it quickly.
"So that's where it went," Alex sighed, sounding relieved to have the notebook back again. "Thank you for returning it." Her smile fully showcased her pearly whites.
"No problem, I guessed you'd want something that important back," I replied.
"That important?" She asked confused. "This isn't implying the slightest," Alex shrugged.
I huffed, "all that sneaking about was for nothing."
Alex sat on the side of the table after pushing the chair next to her out for me to sit on. I realised what she was wearing. Black skinny jeans and a white floaty top. Her black sneakers and black leather jacket didn't really portray the professional ambiance the rest of the office held. Her glasses sat perched on her nose and her black hair framed her porcelain face.
"Why were you sneaking about Piper?" She questioned, looking into my eyes with a small smirk upon her lips. I felt compelled to tell her the truth.
"I was afraid Larry would find it and start snooping," I shrugged. "He kind of has beef with me about the coffee thing," I admitted.
Alex's face hardened. She wasn't happy and I could tell. It was plastered all over her face. She didn't have a very good poker face for a business woman. I was sure she'd have beef with Larry if she knew exactly what he was like.
