A Wife for the Billionaire
Chapter 17: RICHARD

Chapter 17: RICHARD

"Vera, get your ass in here now!" I yelled immediately, she picked up the phone.

"Was the bouquet you arranged for Madame Dame a large one and which flowers were in it?" I asked her as soon as she scrambled in.

"Oh yes, the bouquet. It’s a large one but it’s just roses" she answered, trying hard not to fidget.

"Just roses, and it’s red I wager."

A nod.

With a hiss, I said "Surely I pay you to do better. Now, make arrangements for

12 long-stemmed, pale pink roses, 6 lavender sprigs, and 3 white peonies"

I didn’t care whether she would remember everything, I just listed exactly how the 5th Dame liked her bouquet, according to the research I made.

As she turned to leave, I added,

"Then get a bottle of La Belle, and um, never mind just get these things. I will handle the rest, be fast about it."

"But Sir_"

"What is it?" I snapped.

Recovering from the shock of my tone, she managed "Erm, we ran out of stock for La Belle last week"

La Belle and Le Beau, its counterpart was a perfume pair from Wellington Exotique. Our French brand that deals mostly with cosmetics, beauty products, deodorants and the likes.

Ranked No. 1 in excellence, exceptionality and luxury. A wisp of its exquisite fragrance could and has been likened to the scent of heaven. With notes of the perfect blend of floral, oriental and a hint of sophistication. La Belle and Le Beau remain unmatched in every market.

Not even La Dame and Le Duc, the famous French perfumes of the Dame Dynasty. Even though they were in existence before ours, ranking as No. 1, until we usurped that position placing them in second best.

Everything about La Belle spoke of its excellence. Contained in a hand-cut, crystal glass with intricate engravings

and enclosed by weighted, silver-plated caps adorned with the Wellington crest.

And placed in luxurious, velvet pouches with golden drawstrings.

Packaged in premium, matte-black boxes with silver foil stamping, velvet-covered inserts to cradle the perfume bottles and exclusive, hand-tied ribbons with the Wellington logo to finish.

"What do you mean we ran out of stock?"

She took a step backwards.

"Erm Sir, you will have to talk with the inventory management"

"Surely those lazy assholes have a lot of explaining to do, but that’s besides the point, I told you to get me a bottle of La Belle, how and where I don’t care. Just be resourceful and do your fucking job for once!"

"Right on it, which note precisely?"

"Rose petal absolut" I answered, hoping Madame Dame would like my choice.

I don’t know if she has ever used the product especially since they share a similar product in the market.

"Oh yes" I called, halting her at the door, "find those responsible for it and get me a Lavender Dream and a purple evening gown worthy of Madame Dame. Least I forget also make provisions for gourmet treats from La Doux Bakery, the very best. Get all these things, and seal it in one of our special delivery boxes and send it immediately to her office in New City, have I made myself clear?"

"Yes Sir, but uhm, Lavender Dream_"

"Just do as I say, this four year partnership contract we signed with them, how much do you think we’ll make by the end of it? So, you see we can’t lose this. Even if it means satisfying our partner with more than a million dollar jewelry, it’s worth it."

"Okay Sir"

And she left.

The truth was that nobody would be happy with me if they found out that I gifted our rival, not just our rare perfume which I remember now, it’s production was halted for the launch of Aura (for gods and goddesses), our new product set to hit the market after the launch of our new collection.

But also, Lavender Dream, a sterling silver necklace from Ixe - a company also in partnership with Wellington. With a beautiful oval-cut lavender quartz pendant, adorned with delicate and intricate filigree.

It was worth over 50 million dollars together with Dreams, the pair of sterling silver earrings made from the same oval-cut lavender quartz stone with intricate filigree. It’s usually a set with the necklace, the earrings, the ring and the bracelet.

Perhaps something would be said about it during the board meeting, but I know I’m very much in the right. Four good years of partnering with the Dame Dynasty will make us billions. I just have to convince the hotheads who call themselves the Lords of Wellington Empire.

I glanced at my watch, I had less than 20 minutes from the thirty minutes I allotted to Harry before I began the interview.

With such time, I decided to go through some of the files staked on my desk concerning most of the issues that would be discussed in the meeting. I hated being taken unaware. I hate surprises, so I always try to stay ten steps ahead of everyone else so I won’t be ambushed in the meeting or give those who hate that I was able to secure this position, a reason to declare incompetence.

...

"When was the Wellington Empire founded?" I asked the pair who sat before me exactly 20 minutes later.

They were aged. At least, Clinton should be within the bracket of 55 to 60. While Delores should be within 50 to 55.

As they exchanged glances, I wondered if truly I had been the one who accepted their applications. And yes, I remember with the rage that Benedict, the young man I fired. Could make such a typo, I had decided to try out those with age experience on the field.

They both were more than qualified, with over thirty years of experience each. They’ve worked for major publishing houses and their letters of recommendation came from top CEOs of publication firms.

But I wasn’t just looking for degrees and high qualifications. I need someone who understands what exactly is at stake. Someone who knows what it means to be a Wellington staff. Someone who knows what the company is all about.

I had been happy that Harry decided to enlighten them with some of the facts concerning the company and that someone I’m looking for must not only be qualified, he/she must know and understand these facts.

Taking them in pairs for the sake of time, I also made sure that they exited the board room with a copy of the Wellington journal to write out answers to my questions when I asked them.

Taking both journals, Delores answered correctly "1850" whereas Clinton got it wrong, "1860" he had written.

Handing the journals back, I said,

"I know this is not what you expected the interview to be like, but one thing we have to understand is that preparedness for even the unknown, that’s what I’m looking for. I’m not your average CEO or employer who will ask basic questions about the concentrated area of employment and select the candidate who is most qualified. It takes more than basic to be a Wellington staff and I’m afraid Clinton, you are not what I’m looking for, so kindly use the door"

"Now" I added in a tone that aroused briskness in him as he scrambled for his things and exited my office not looking back once.

I watched a nervous Delores take a gulp from the glass of water before her, her hands shaking.

"You have nothing to be afraid of, Delores, just answer the questions which Harry educated you on and you stand a chance of securing the spot. Now tell me, who are the five founding Lords of the Wellington Empire?"

She almost choked on the glass as I finished the question and leaned back.

"Sorry. That’s okay. You are fine, Delores. You are fine, just take a breather. Deep breaths" I kept saying as she coughed, her face turning a deep red.

"By God, Delores, just write down the answers if you know it and stop wasting my damn time. Unbelievable!" I snapped at her.

It’s been five minutes already and her cough was yet to subside. Was it a ploy to avoid answering the question, or a trick to get my pity? I don’t know, but were it any of the two, she obviously picked the wrong man.

I don’t tolerate my time being wasted and pity... I’m immune to the pathetic emotion.

"So... sorry... Sir" she managed between coughs.

Still in a fit of cough, she made to write in the journal.

"Ex...cuse me" she dropped her pen as she was thrown into a fit that shook her entire body and turned her redder. Veins appeared stark on her neck and forehead.

"Vera, get in here"

I didn’t need to use the telephone, I had requested that the door remained open.

"Get her out of here and call in the next set".

"Yes Sir, should I take her to the clinic? She looks like she really needs help" Vera asked escorting Delores who was still shaking with a cough.

"Do I look like I care, just call in the next pair."