Page 2 of I Want You

Harper is certain that work is her whole world. Human relationships… relationships are a mess with no guarantees.

“I know,” Harper replies.

Solange squeezes her arms and gives her a loud kiss on the cheek.

“That’s my girl. Go get ’em.”

Harper takes a deep breath, fills her lungs, and rests her hand on the doorknob before pushing the door open.

The boardroom occupies the most coveted corner of the forty-second floor. Through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, the Manhattan skyline unfolds majestically beneath a perfect autumn sky. But Harper has no time to admire the city’s architecture. Her attention is instantly drawn to the oval walnut table where the board members are already seated and, presiding at the head of the table, Eleanor Sterling herself.

Eleanor is wearing a pristine ivory tailored suit. Not a single wrinkle dares to mar her silhouette. She wears no ostentatious jewelry. Her silver hair is pulled back into a tight ponytail that doesn’t let a single stray strand escape, and she is coldness personified.

“Harper,” the legendary director greets her. “Good morning.”

“Good morning, everyone,” Harper replies.

The executives present greet her with a nod and the occasional “great work this month, Harper,” which acts like a direct shot of adrenaline. Everything is going well. This is her moment. And damn it, she knows it.

Harper sits down in the leather chair facing the head of the table. Right in front of her is a black folder. Eleanor interlaces her fingers on the table and, without a moment’s delay, speaks.

“I suppose you know why we’ve called you in first thing this morning.”

Harper lets the corners of her lips turn up in a confident smile.

“I have a slight suspicion.”

A couple of board members in the back rows let out a chuckle. Eleanor, however, doesn’t bat an eye. Not a single muscle in her face moves. A twinge of unease flits through Harper’s stomach, though she quashes it immediately. “Don’t even think that anything could go wrong.” The CFO takes the floor and begins to reel off a string of figures that Harper could recite from memory with her eyes closed: digital edition sales have risen fourteen percent, social media engagement has doubled, and the September special issue has shattered the revenue records of the past three years.

The risky audiovisual campaign that Harper defended tooth and nail against half the old guard at that table turned out to be a resounding success.

“In short…” Eleanor concludes, closing the folder on the table, “your work over the past few months has been impeccable, Harper. You’ve demonstrated brilliant business acumen, leadership, and a complete understanding of what Velvet & Silk needs to stay relevant.”

Harper nods, feeling her heart skip a beat. Her inner child is already jumping for joy.

“Thank you so much, Eleanor. I’ve poured all my time into this.”

A second later, Harper braces herself to hear the magic words—her promotion and the congratulations that follow. However, Eleanor leans forward slightly and fixes her cold gaze on her.

“And that’s why we’re going to need a lot more from you from now on.”

Harper blinks. The script playing in her head has just been shattered into pieces.

“More?”

“Yes. Despite the great work we’re doing, international circulation has been losing ground for six consecutive quarters,” Eleanor explains as she interlaces her fingers on the table. “The Paris edition is barely hanging on, the Milan edition is stagnating, and the London office has just lost two of its major cosmetics advertisers. If we don’t stop the bleeding immediately, the board of directors will start considering drastic restructuring.”

Harper feels stiffness take hold of her back. Her shoulders tense instantly beneath the fabric of her blazer.

“I’ve submitted three detailed contingency plans for the international division over the past eight months,” Harper emphasizes.

“And they’re excellent.”

“Then I don’t understand what the problem is.”

Eleanor rests her elbows on the table and props her chin on her hands.

“The board has decided to immediately strengthen the Art and Strategy Department.”