Alpha CEO

“Those are only a couple of things that I can personally handle,” I continued on. “But rest assured that my entire team was handpicked by yours truly. Each person brings their own level of expertise, from writing press releases and any other media communications on promoting our clients, and in some cases, even monitoring their social media accounts. Their ideas are fresh, and they understand how this industry works. It can eat you up and spit you out in a matter of a few hours, and my job is to make sure our T’s are crossed and our I’s are dotted. We act as a safety net for our clients and the rest of the consumer world. We’re a powerhouse and a force to be reckoned with. I am the best. Therefore, I only work with clients who are in desperate need of my services. The bigger the challenge, the more I accel.” I paused to let my words sink in, loving the energy I was creating through the boardroom.

It was such a high.

Success was as addicting as any drug could be, and it was the only reason I agreed to this position in the first place. If I took Mr. Locke on as a client, I could make partner in my agency. My hands were tied, and I had no choice if I wanted to advance my career to the next level, Mr. Locke would be the man to make that possible. Everyone would want to work with me, and there would be no competition. I’d be at the top of my game, the peak of my career, and there was no turning that down.

Even if it meant I had to swallow my pride and work with the son of a bitch who deemed me nothing more than a fuck. I had to do what was in the best interest of my future.

I didn’t tell them any of that. They didn’t need to know my personal agenda for taking Mr. Locke on as a client.

It was no one’s business.

Ignoring the thoughts in my mind, I proceeded with my pitch. “People love to feel like they’re a part of something, and given the fact your CEO doesn’t even participate in interviews makes it very hard for people to trust him with their hard-earned money. Especially when it comes to stock trade which is what you’re transitioning from a private enterprise to a public one. No one is going to want to trade with someone who seems unstable. It’s all about stability and image. Low risk, high reward. Mr. Locke may have a lot of money, but he needs to gain the notoriety and respect of his possible consumers. The media portrays him as a … well, please excuse my language, but he’s nothing more than an arrogant, controlling, and demanding asshole. Although that may work in the boardroom, business deals, and running a multibillion-dollar corporation, it doesn’t work for the average Joe Schmo.”

“Yes,” Claire agreed, smiling wide. “That’s exactly it. You nailed it, Miss Troy. Mr. Locke has built this company from the ground up. He spent years overseas in Italy, France, and Japan. Truly learning his craft and the ins and outs of sports cars. He’s always had a passion for cars being from Fort Worth, Texas, and he took that passion and built an empire. Being the first person to create an ultra-efficient motor with a high RPM without having to run down battery power has made him a very influential man. There was no electronic sports car before him, and it has most definitely piqued the world’s interest in who he is and what he’s capable of. It doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes and was voted most eligible bachelor by not only People magazine but Forbes three consecutive years in a row now.”

“All that may look great on paper, Claire, but it doesn’t mean a damn thing to him.” It was obvious Carl spoke his mind, and I, for one, appreciated his honesty.

“He couldn’t care less about the glorified titles from the media. He’s a businessman through and through and has no interest in being Locke Enterprises’ mascot. Regardless of the outcome.”

Carl didn’t know I was aware of what I was taking on, of who I was taking on.

He couldn’t say anything I didn’t already know just from personal experience and my history with him. I knew the son of a bitch better than anyone in this room did.

Or, at least, I used to.

With a curt nod, I countered, “You’re going to have to give him no other choice in the matter. If he refuses, then you need to make decisions based on what will benefit the company as a whole. Not Mr. Locke’s ego. Going public is a whole different ballgame. One you need to be prepared for if you’re going to dominate and succeed, and we have very little time.”