A very Corporate Affair 2(64)

Lots of love



Elle xxx



Within thirty seconds, a reply pinged into my inbox.



From: Ivan Porenski

Date: 24 June 2013

To: Elle Reynolds

Subject: Re Re Sorry



Elle,



I promise I worry more about you. I will have a full team with me, and there are no known or direct threats. I will make sure I'm back by Friday morning at the latest to accompany you to the funeral.

I have to go, I have lots of meetings to get through today. Will tell you all about it tonight. Will see you at seven.



Love

Ivan xx



I read his email, a bit concerned that he had assumed I'd want him at mum's funeral. In one way, I quite wanted the support, but in another, I didn't want to expose him to some of the less savoury people who inhabited my past. I decided to speak to him later about the subject, and went back to the rather tedious matter of the factory purchase.

My workload was so heavy, that I didn't even stop for lunch. Laura brought in a bagel and a latte, which I scoffed at my desk while working. With an afternoon off booked on Wednesday, and the day off on Friday, I was scrabbling to fit everything in. In some ways, Ivan being away would be helpful, as it meant I'd be able to work late without having to explain or justify myself.

I had an afternoon of interruptions, people wanting information or direction on the work we were doing for the clients that I looked after. I finally managed to get away at half six, practically running home, to fling myself in the shower and get changed ready to be picked up.#p#分页标题#e#

Ivan enveloped me in a hug as soon as I arrived at his apartment, kissing me deeply. I ran my fingers through his soft, rather messy, dark hair, pulling him to me, and prolonging our kiss. Eventually, I pulled away, needing to come up for air. Ivan looked serious.

"Baby, I'm sorry about yesterday."

"You already said that in your email. Really, don't worry. Nice to see that Bella's back to normal." She wagged her tail, clearly pleased to see me. We went through to the kitchen where I perched on a stool at the island, as Ivan poured two glasses of wine. "So how was your day?" I asked, as I made a fuss of the two dogs.

"Busy, but productive. I met with your boss today to clear up some matters," he said rather cryptically.

"Lewis?" I frowned. I had seen him around quite a bit that day, and he hadn't mentioned meeting Ivan.

"No, Ms Pearson. I had some of my personal stuff to take care of, and I wanted to ask about putting you on the board as a non exec director."

"Oh? What did she say to that?" I had meant to check my employment contract, but as Ivan hadn't mentioned it again, I hadn't bothered.

"She thought it was a great idea, especially if it means you deliver Conde Nast as a client. It will mean attending one board meeting per month."

"Ok. As long as she's in agreement, then that's fine."

"Good, because I'm also making you a non exec at Retinski too. That one is probably a little more involved, but it's a great opportunity for you. It also made your boss a little more relaxed that the use of Pearson Hardwick would be a long term relationship."

"I see. That makes me an employee of yours though."

"Not really, in fact, it almost makes me an employee of yours as I'm managing director."

"Hmm. How do you think the other directors will feel about this?"

"Fine. Ranenkiov thinks you're great, and is happy to endorse you to the rest of the board, and we don't have a lawyer present at the moment, so it's a great opportunity to bring you in. Duchovy, retired in April, and he not only sat on the board, but also headed up the in house legal team. There was no natural successor until you, so it all fits. With Conde Nast, they don't get a say in it. You will be my representative. If they have any sense, they'll welcome you with open arms."

"Will you have to pay my company for this?"

"No. I made an agreement with Ms Pearson to pay you direct. From her perspective it brings in a new client, plus it's extremely prestigious for your company."

"How much will I be paid? And how much work will be required of me?" I didn't have too many spare hours in a day to commit to another job.

"Conde Nast one day per month, plus a few odd days here and there. You'll get 90 thousand a year for that one. Retinski will be nearer two days per month, plus a few odd days as well. You will be paid 250 thousand per year for it."

I thought about it for a nanosecond. "Ok, where do I sign?" Ivan grinned and pulled out two, thankfully short, contracts. I read through them while he dished up salmon and new potatoes. By the time we had finished dinner, I'd read through both contracts, but spotted an issue I needed to clear up.