two-hours." Melaine tells Renee.
Melaine, and senior designers were usually the only ones
whom got to meet with high-profile cl ients,
particularly the long-standing ones. Renee quickly agrees, assuming this is
another session in her "Melaine Boot-Camp". She nods
agreeably...until she hears Melaine say, "...and I will need you to
present a design concept during the second-half of m eeting."
Renee freezes. She wonders whether she'd heard Melaine
correctly. "Um, you would like me to present during your high-profile
client meeting?" Renee asks for clarification.
"That's right." Melaine says, and a colorful graphic design appears on the large flatscreen,
camouflaged as wall art in her office. Melaine explains the design, conducts
several run-throughs with Renee, then two hours later the women enter the
larger conference room prepared for the meeting.
Renee's stomach burns with anxiety as each person enters the room. She stands,
smiles, extends her right hand and confidently shakes hands with the clients,
while nodding politely at the relevant BYWINSTON colleagues streaming in.
Renee's han ds begin to twitch.
"Uh-Oh" Renee whispers. She grows increasingly
uncomfortable. She is the most recent recruit at the company, and at a meeting
that only more senior staff are allowed to attend. "They hate me!"
She whispers to herself again. However, sh e
straightens her posture, and continues with re-checking the presentation on the
computer, and testing the large screens on the walls to ensure that everything
is perfect. I can't let Melaine down! Renee thinks and behaves as though no
one else is in the room.
Eventually Melaine walks into the room. She is escorted by
Caspian Lampros and his miniature entourage. Caspian Lampros is a
multi-millionaire who has used BYWINSTON to assist with launching all of his
business ventures, including his yacht buildin g
company, exclusive clothing stores, an ethnic restaurant, and several more.
Caspian's yacht building business is extending overseas, and he's returned to
the branding, and marketing agency that has assisted with making him very
wealthy.
Not long after C olin Winston
himself, and his Vice President, Travis Bedlan enter the room.
"Caspian! It is always a pleasure to see you!"
Colin says, strutting across the room toward his illustrious client.
"Thank you for coming back to refill my wallet." The affluent m en embrace and laugh loudly at Mr. Winston's supposedly
comical comment. Renee works not to smile, and keeps busy. Seems Mr. Colin Winston has a sense of
humor after all. She thinks. Renee also can't help but sneak another peek
of the presently affable Col in's grin. His green eyes
shimmer under the fluorescent lights, and Renee's stomach nervously flips.
"Melaine, let's give Caspian another good show."
Colin commands. In typical fashion, Melaine overlooks
Colin's brash demeanor, and carries on with the task at hand with poise, and
elegance. She graciously asks everyone to settle into their seats. Meanwhile,
Marina and an individual from Caspian's team gather water, and other requested
refreshment s for Mr. Lampros, and Mr. Winston as they
recline into their designated seats.
"Caspian Lampros, and guests, thank you for choosing
BYWINSTON. Shall we turn your attention to the screen?" Melaine says, and
nods knowingly to Renee to initiate the visual p resentation.
While Melaine skillfully unfolds her fresh ideas for
Caspian's business, Colin's attention is diverted to Renee. Since he noticed
Melaine signal her to start the presentation, his eyes are glued on Renee who
stands tall in three inch black pu mps, a black high
waisted pencil skirt, and a three-quartered sleeve, bright red Poplin Blouse.
Her thick and well defined coiled curls flows past her shoulders. Who is that girl? Colin ponders with a noticeably
confused look on his face. Renee is oblivio us to
Colin's stares. She is acutely attentive to Melaine's every word, and moves the
visual presentation along like clock