Head Over Heels
Why did old guys like to talk so much?
Fred fought to stay awake during his meeting. In front of him was a long black table where five old men sat talking about the commercial for next Sunday's football game. Granted, the men were only in their forties, but that was still old to Fred.
"We need to reach out to the younger female audience, that's where our numbers are weakest."
"And putting in more B-roll of the locker room scenes is supposed to do that?"
"Have you got any better ideas?"
Fred groaned. He did, but he was just an entry-level assistant here to fetch coffee and make copies. Not exactly what the job description listed when he applied to be an advertising assistant for ESPN. He had been out of college for a year and he had hoped to be running this place by now. He knew that was a long shot, but he needed the money. He had plans for a very special day that should have happened years ago, if only he had the money.
"What if we throw in some animals? Girls love animals." That was Richard Ashford, current executive media director. Head of advertising and Fred's least favourite person. He had no clue why this guy was in charge. His ideas were terrible and he had done nothing to improve viewership. He also treated Fred like he was stupid and had no right to be here, which easily got on Fred's nerves.
"Animals are good, but how do we work them in? Mascots?"
"Not every team has an animal mascot."
"And girls aren't going to care even if you throw in a hundred puppies," Fred mumbled under his breath.
The men at the table stopped and stared at Fred, who flinched and looked away, not realizing he had spoken out loud.
"Do you have something to say, boy?" Richard frowned in disapproval.
"No sir, just talking to myself." Fred kept his eyes trained on the table before him.
"Clearly you think you have some brilliant suggestion to share with the group. So let's hear it." Richard folded his arms as if he was challenging Fred.
"Well," Fred nervously looked around the room, meeting the eyes of everyone but Richard, "you can put as many animals as you want in the ad, but it won't change the fact that it's football and most girls aren't going to be interested."
"Then what, pray tell, do you think we should do." Richard had a smug smirk on his face, clearly anticipating some silly answer.
"Stop focusing on the audience we don't have, and won't get, and focus on maintaining the one we do have. If you put too much attention on a minority focus group, you'll lose the majority, and that's exactly what's happening." Fred stared at Richard head on. "And no offense sir, but your latest ideas have been the reason why."
Richard's face reddened to the point where he looked like a cherry. "How dare you."
"The kid's got a point, Rich. Our numbers have slowly been dropping and none of your ideas have helped." One of the men turned to Fred with an expectant look. "If you were in charge of this commercial, what would you do?"
Fred shrugged. "Focus on what's important, the fans. Give them the experience they want. Beer, hot cheerleaders, a fun rivalry. You know, classic football stuff. Don't glorify it and make it into something it's not."
The men around the table nodded and turned to Richard. "What do you think, Rich?"
By this point Richard was fuming. First he was insulted by this child and now his coworkers were agreeing with the kid. "I think you all are out of your minds. You can't listen to this kid. What does he know about marketing? I'm in charge, what I say goes."
"Maybe it's time for a change in power." A new man stood in the doorway, one Fred had never seen before. He appeared to be the same age as the others in the room, but this man gave off an air of power.
"Mr. Mercer." Richard's face paled. "I wasn't aware you would be joining us today."
"I decided to listen in for a bit." Mr. Mercer entered the room and smiled down on Fred. "I like the way you think, son. You could be a real benefit to this company. While you continue to disappoint." He turned to Richard before focusing his attention back on Fred. "Step inside my office for a moment would you?"
"Sure, sir." Fred got up and followed the new man out of the board room, not quite sure what was happening.
They stepped inside a large glass office that looked out over the New York City skyline. The office was high-end with large ornate furniture and a glass cart in the corner containing expensive and top of the line liquors.
"Whiskey?" Mr. Mercer stepped over the cart and poured himself a glass of whiskey.
Fred blinked. "Uh, sure." Was this a test? Seeing how committed he was to his job? Fred cautiously accepted the drink.
"How long have you been working here, Fred?"
Fred paused. How did this guy know his name? He had never seen him or even heard his name before, and yet he knew Fred. "A little over a year, sir."
"Oh, there's no need to be so formal. Call me Chris." Chris took a sip of his whiskey. "Do you like working here?"
"Yes, sir- I mean Chris."
"Good to hear. What do you think of Mr. Ashford's leadership in your department? Don't be afraid to be honest."
Fred hesitated, still not sure if he was being tested or not. "I think his ideas are old and they don't match the standard for today's advertising. We need someone who can give fresh ideas and keep the consumers happy."
"Someone like you perhaps?" Mr. Mercer reached into his desk and pulled out a short packet of paper. "I agree that Richard's suggestions are outdated. He no longer fits the position of executive media director. But you do."
Fred stilled. "I'm sorry?"
"Mr. Ashford will not be with this company much longer. We're going to need someone to fill his place. I would like that someone to be you." Chris spun the packet around so that Fred could read it. The words 'Offer of Employment and Employment Contract' stood out in bold letters across the top. "You're young, you're ideas are good, you know what the people want. You're exactly what this company needs. I'm prepared to make you an offer to be our new executive media director here at ESPN."
Fred couldn't take his eyes off of the paper before him. He had found where the starting salary was listed. "That's a lot of zeros."
Mr. Mercer chuckled. "Yes, this is a multi-billion dollar corporation. We make sure to pay our higher-up employees very well. In addition to that starting salary, we are offering a large signing bonus that you can receive today if you sign this contract." He pointed to a spot a little further down on the page.
Time slowed down for Fred. It was exactly the amount of money he needed. He wasn't able to fully process the situation. He couldn't believe what was happening to him. This was exactly what he wanted. So why was his name not on the paper yet?
"Do you have a pen I can borrow?"
Chris grinned. "Of course."
The small, baby blue box bounced around inside Fred's shirt pocket. He kept checking to make sure it was still there, not wanting to lose his fifty thousand dollar purchase. He carried a bottle of expensive champagne in one hand, after all he needed to celebrate. And he wanted to do it with the woman he was head over heels for.
He opened the door to his and Kairi's small apartment. Kairi was sitting on the couch, sketching in her fashion design book. Once she had graduated from Parsons with her fashion degree she had started working alongside Skyler and Sydney doing hair, make-up, and costume design for their various shows and performances.
Kairi was so small and took up almost no space, and yet she was always able to light up the whole room in Fred's eyes. His Kairi, or Novella as he preferred to call her. He thought her birth name was prettier than the fake alias she had made up for herself when she had died.
He made sure the box was hidden inside his pocket and made his way over to Kairi. He picked her up bridal style in one easy swoop, her small weight nothing for Fred's built muscles.
Kairi giggled and looked up at him with bright eyes. "Hello, prince."
"Hello my beautiful princess." Fred placed a firm kiss on her lips.
Kairi noticed the champagne bottle. "What's that for?"
"Tonight is a special night."
"It is?" Kairi tilted her head. "Why?"
"Because someone got a promotion at work today which includes a very large paycheck." Fred put on a smug grin.
Kairi's eyes widened. "Fred! That's amazing! Congratulations!" She pulled him in for another kiss.
"But tonight is going to be special for another reason." Fred gently set Kairi down on the floor and grabbed her hand. "Come on, we don't have much time."
"Tonight must be pretty special if you wanted to come back here." Kairi grinned and sat down near the edge of the roof. It was the same roof in Little Italy where Fred had taken her on one of their first dates, where he had kissed her and told her that he loved her for the first time. Ironically enough, Kairi was wearing the same necklace he had given her that same date.
They'd been back to this roof a few times to watch the sunset together, but they'd only ever visited when it was a very special occasion. They had plenty of memories together of this place. Kairi felt her heart skip a beat just thinking about it.
"Oh, it is." Fred put his arm around her waist as he sat down next to her. He had placed the champagne bottle and two flute glasses behind them. They would need it all soon. The sun was just about to start its descent over the horizon. Sunset had quickly become Fred's favourite time of day.
Fred turned Kairi's chin towards him. Her light blonde hair turned golden underneath the glow of the sunset. He gazed down at her beautiful face, and surprisingly felt calm. He had expected his stomach to be doing summersaults as he got closer and closer the big moment, but as he gazed into Kairi's chocolate eyes, he only felt a radiating warmth flow from his heart all the way to the tips of his toes.
"Princess?"
"Hmm?" Kairi returned his loving gaze.
"Remember when we used to go on all those crazy adventures together?"
"Of course." Kairi beamed at him. "I loved our adventures. It sucks that we got so busy with college and work that we haven't been able to have one in a while."
"What if I had another great adventure planned out for us?" Fred slowly removed his arm from Kairi's waist and reached for the box in his shirt pocket, careful to keep it concealed in his hand.
"Really?" Kairi visibly perked up. "Where are we going?"
"Someplace very special." Fred grabbed Kairi's hand. "But it will provide many challenges for us, but I know without a doubt that you and I can conquer them without fail. I know that no one will ever hold my heart the way that you do, and I know that there's no one else I'd rather go on this wild adventure with. You're my best friend and the absolute love of my life."
In her eagerness, Kairi had started bouncing up and down. "Please, tell me what it is already."
Fred smiled and revealed the Tiffany blue engagement ring box he had been hiding. Kairi froze as her eyes locked onto the box, immediately knowing what it was. "Novella Cara Ricci, will you join me on our next greatest adventure together as my beautiful, loving, and perfect wife?"
He opened the box to reveal a Tiffany Soleste engagement ring. The centerpiece of the ring was a heart cut, three carat diamond outlined with rose pink tourmalines, Kairi's birthstone. The band was composed of several smaller diamonds arranged side by side.
The light reflected off of the diamonds and made Kairi's eyes sparkle. She became uncharacteristically quiet and touched the ring, as if making sure it was real. "Oh, Fred." Tears brimmed at the bottom of Kairi's eyes. She slowly started to shake her head yes, until she was rapidly moving her head up and down. "Yes! Yes, yes, yes!"
Kairi had trouble keeping her hand still as Fred slipped the ring on. It was a perfect fit. She pulled Fred in for a kiss, not letting go until she was out of breath. She broke away laughing, not able to contain her joy.
Fred pulled her in close. "I promise to make this the best adventure of your life."
A/N - Fred and Kairi are now officially engaged! So next comes the wedding, which of course with Kairi has to be big. ;) Thanks for reading!