Chapter 1 - Buyout
Sarah Bently paced the length of her elegantly clean office. Her long shapely legs drifted into a slim executive suit that was a bright gray against her contrastingly long red hair. As she paced the eleventh floor suite, she spoke to herself under her breath. Her nervousness showed.
"They're here." A voice from the door startled her.
At the opening was her young assistant Alex. The twenty-two year old grad had only worked at the firm for four months, but she had proven herself as an asset. The daughter of a New York congresswoman, she got the opportunity to be here because of Sarah's friendship with her mother. And now she might loose it with everyone else at Urban Style Group.
"Swell....how do I look?"
Alex looked her over quickly saying "Like a Barbie as usual. Now put on that combat face."
Sarah stilled herself as she came to the door.
"Think we're fucked?" Alex whispered.
"Were not fucked....just bent over a bit."
They both stood like statues as a tall trim man in his thirties strode down the office isle towards them. He was ungodly handsome with cropped peppered hair and a manicured goatee to match. Controlling the room with his very stride only made Sarah quiver.
He smiled slightly and held out his hand. Wonderful to see you again Sarah."
"Likewise Tom." She said forcefully.
His hand seemed to heat hers in such a way she felt it in her feet. She felt the same thing when they first met in Paris after a runway show. She was taken back by his ability to have everyone focus on him. Sarah found that incredibly appealing. But that was then. That was before he showed his teeth.
The whole evening he was smoothly praising her work in the field. Upton event went so far as to give a toast to honor her innovative photo spreads. All the while, the bastard was already sinking his hands in her company. Whatever the cost, she wasn't going to take this lying down.
After short pleasantries, all were seated at the glass conference table overlooking New York. Tom Upton leaned back into what he must have felt was his new chair. He swiveled a bit, raising his eyebrows towards Sarah as if to say "gotchya."
"I trust you have read the offer I sent you. I have no problem keeping you on as a consulting asset, but.......not much more." He said evenly.
Sarah brushed over the comment saying, "I did look at it Mr. Upton, but I don't your cash parachute, thanks."
Sarah opened a folder and turned it.
"This is a list of the dedicated talent that helped make this company. Keep them or you sink yourself."
He stared at her with smoldering brown eyes. If it wasn't for the pressure she was under, she would almost think he was turning her on instead of infuriating her. She could feel the dull throb in her crotch enough to shift in the chair.
"I took into account the photography studio downstairs, and the fact that most of the models work out of here," he paused to smile again, "but I still have to see what can be done. As for now, my executive assistant, and virtual lioness, Mrs. Cloud will be running this floor.
Entering the room was a woman who could have been a model herself. Tall with long blond hair pulled neatly back into a bun, and perky D breasts straining at her silk blouse. Sarah had met plenty of women like this one in the corporate world. Cold as ice with an all business attitude. It always seemed to Sarah that it was a facade for the sexual gawking they received at a younger age.
