The Deal

The view that met Naomi's eyes was s

imilar to that beyond Lucas's door, but this time it really was Georgio Melandros at the desk, and he was just as she expected – smartly dressed in a fitted three piece suit, but with a touch of flair and eccentricity in the choice of tie, handkerchief, and jewelry. He was dark haired and wore it short at the back and sides, but curls fell over his brow at the front, and he had an immaculately trimmed goatee beard.

He got up from his chair to come and greet her. "Thank you for coming. I'm so sorry I wasn’t able to attend our meeting last time."

"Don’t mention it. I do understand." I should thank you, she mused. "It's good to meet you, Mr. Melandros."

"Please, call me Georgio. Now, I've refreshed my memory about your background. Tell me about yourself while we look at your designs."

That made it easy for Naomi. She ran through her patter about her influences and what she was trying to achieve while she unfolded her samples. It was less formal than she expected and helped put her at her ease with him.

Georgio reached into his inside pocket and pulled out a pair of half-moon spectacles. When he rested them on the end of his nose, he immediately took on a more serious persona. His work tools, she guessed. He stood next to her on her side of his desk, examining the fabrics, holding the items up to the light.

"The colors are amazing." He seemed genuinely impressed.

"It's the result of close work with the fabric manufacture. I'm very lucky to have found a family run company who were willing to take this leap of faith with me."

One item appealed more than the others, she could tell, and he draped the soft woolen top over her shoulder, as if imagining it being worn. It made her smile, and she molded the item over her upper arm, following his lead.

"The fabric is flattering and the mix of fibers means its crease resistant, figure hugging, and long lasting. Just about everything a busy woman needs it to be."

"I like your work." He studied her over his half moon glasses. "You chat confidently too."

"You put me at my ease."

He smiled. "Have you done any public speaking?"

"Not as such, not beyond talking in seminar groups at college. The odd stand up question time at business conferences. Is it important?"

"I think so. Some of our clients stipulate no personal publicity. In my opinion it helps to get out there with your designs, particularly in fashion." He focused on the samples while he chatted. "Think about the big design names you know, the designers are often treated like celebrities. It's all part of the package for retailers and buyers alike. How would you feel about being interviewed, for example? People like to hear about the person behind the designs."

It was the same question Lucas had asked her two weeks before, except Mr. Melandros wasn’t asking it the way Lucas did. The thought made her smile.

Her companion looked up from his ponderings. He smiled back at her.

"I'm willing to try anything, especially if I could get guidance."

"The willingness is all we need. We have image consultants who can help with public speaking and so on. You don't need any help with personal presentation though, darling," he added. "You look fabulous."

Naomi blushed. She wasn't sure how to respond. Luckily he continued.

"I'll be honest with you Naomi, I love your work, but my list only has an opening for one more client at the moment. I met with two other potentials this week. Three of you, all exceptionally talented, and I can only take one on. The company director is most insistent we stick to manageable numbers, so everyone gets all the attention they need."

Despite the fact he was warning her she might fail to gain their representation, Naomi couldn’t help smiling. It was so Lucas, that emphasis on the client.

Georgio gestured fluidly with his hands as he spoke. He seemed a little embarrassed he couldn’t give her an immediate answer, and that characterized him for her. He was a nice guy.

"As soon as a new client has been launched," he continued, "and we move on to the next phase of representation, we can take a new client on board, but not before. I recently had a client move on to faze two of management, that’s why I've been able to meet with potentials these past few weeks. Alas, not all of you will get taken."

It was hard for her to hear. Especially given she had an Eaglestone contract in her hand just two weeks before. "I didn’t expect to get an answer straight away."

"It won't be long, I assure you. I'll have an answer for you by Monday." He returned to his side of the desk, opened his desk diary and picked up a fountain pen. "Let me make sure I have your contact details. I'll get in touch, either way. If we can't take you on, I'll make suggestions of other appropriate agents."

Naomi gave her phone number and email address again and he nodded.

"Will you still be in the city on Monday?"

"I'll stay until I hear the verdict."