CHAPTER 4: Contract Negotiation

He went to a nearby cafe and ordered black coffee. Though it wasn’t that cold, he needed something strong to calm his throbbing temples. He felt he was conflicted about this issue but he cared more about his business, otherwise he would lose reputation if he can’t find the best designer for this job in a month's time. Or else he will have to outsource the expertise. Outsourcing will only incur more costs than hiring a permanent manager who will also be directly answerable to him

Three days later, the boss as he is mostly called in the office, made up his mind about the executive position that was still open. He had a pending project that needed the expertise of a high end Interior designer and he couldn’t delay anymore. He picked up the phone and made the call himself.

“Hello” a female voice sounded from the other side. He cringed. “Hello, may I speak with Ms Scott please?” a male voice beamed. “Which Ms Scott? There are three of them. Is it Bianca, Leah or Evette?” the female voice interrogated deliberately saying Evette’s name last though it’s her cellphone she answered. The boss looked at his phone screen. ‘I thought this was a personal number? Is it a house phone?’ wondered the boss.

“Ms Evette Scott please” the male voice said a little annoyed. “Who are you to her? Boyfriend, friend or an acquaintance?” the female voice continued with an annoying interrogation. “ Uhm, more like her business acquaintance, will you allow me speak to her anytime soon or do I have to wait for another year?” said the soon to be boss in an exasperated tone.

Meanwhile, it was Leah who answered her sister’s phone and decided to annoy the caller. As soon as she sensed the annoyance in this male's voice, she put the phone on speaker and the three sisters were now all listening in to their conversation. “Wooh! Slow down tiger, what’s the rush? You sound annoyed, did I annoy you or are you naturally grumpy?” asked Leah Scott chuckling. The sisters chuckled too.

Evette decided it’s time she took the phone from her little sister who was clearly enjoying drawing out the man’s last nerve. “Leah, please hand over my phone” said Evette as she approached. “ You sure know how to spoil the fun sister, I was enjoying my conversation with Mr business acquaintance. Here is your phone, Pfft” huffed Leah.

Evette took the phone removed it from speaker and went to her bedroom to answer it. “Hello, Evette speaking, how can I help you?” she said as she sat on her bed. “Ms Scott, this is Baron, would you come by the office anytime from now, I would like to discuss something with you” the boss said, this time his voice sounded respectful and calm.

“As long as you pay me for that time. Time is money Mr. I can’t afford to keep coming to your office wasting my time and money on the other hand just for you to behave like a tenth century male chauvinist like the last time I was there, I lose money while doing chit chats. Some of us girls have to work hard to earn our money, we don’t rely on any rich blesser to shower us with money” she trailed off. “Noted Ms Scott, will you come by?” asked Theophilus. “Yes in an hour” replied Evette.

Evette arrived at the office in almost an hour. She went to the boss’s office and knocked lightly on the door. “Come in” a deep voice beckoned. He lifted his head from a pile of files he was going through. “You are here” he said sounding suprised. “Yes, I said I would?” said Evette wondering why he sounds like he didn’t think she would come.

“Never mind. Please take a seat Ms Scott” said the boss. “As much as I’m very proud of my surname sir, I would feel more comfortable if you would call me Evette, or better still Eve” retorted Evette as she pulled the chair to sit. “Thanks for the offer Ms Scott but I would rather stick to Ms Scott” responded the boss. Evette rolled her eyes and muttered in a low voice “ Fine, you are impossible”. He lifted his head and just stared at her shaking his head.

“Anyways back to business. Are you still up for the offer as the Executive Manager of the Designs department?” the boss asked. “Well I’ll take an upper one if it’s available please? I wouldn’t mind the CEO position too if you are offering it” said Evette smirking at him. He just looked at her with a blank stare, furrowing his brows as if saying 'what the heck woman?’

“Bha ha ha ha!” laughed Evette. “You should have seen your face! Lighten up Mr boss, it’s a joke. I surely will spare your position for now Mr boss, for now!” she continued teasing him. “But just so I warn you, be wary of me. If you don’t work harder I just might crawl my way up to the top and snatch it” she demonstrated by snatching a pen in his hand. He just stared at her with a frown and shook his head wondering what kind of trouble he is getting himself into with this one.

“I’ll take that as a yes and that you are taking the position Ms Scott?” he asked again needing the assurance. “I’ve long accepted the position Mr Baron. It was you who had a problem with me. Now the question should be, have you accepted a woman into your executive team? Do you accept me Mr Baron?” asked Evette with a stern face her eyes locked into his.