Beckett
hen I reach the executive floor, Valerie is closing shop. She informs me Arianne is on the second
floor, still caught up in a meeting with the design team. She also mentioned something about
Arianne’s surprising new look. I’m not sure what she means, but there’s no point in digging further
since I’ll be seeing her beautiful face soon.
Thirty more minutes to go. I don’t have time to drop my ass in my seat when my phone rings.
“Easton,” I say, picking up. “Beckett, I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get back to you earlier. It’s been
one of those days.”
“I get it. I have a habit of collecting those as well,” I say. We laugh. “Are you still at the office?”
“No. My fiancée would have my balls. I’m back at the penthouse. Since time is of the essence, I
wanted to make sure to get back to you. Is this a good time?”
“It is.” “I hope you were able to sort out the situation you were dealing with yesterday?”
“Rhys is in Vietnam trying to sort things out as we speak.” “That doesn’t sound too good,” Easton
says. “We’re dealing with a plant-wide strike.” “Ouch.” “Rhys has a game plan.” “Never a dull day
when you’re at the top of the mountain.”
“You can say that again.” “Before I get to the reason for my call, I assume you’re still happy with
Arianne?”
More than words can say. “She’s amazing.” “I knew it would be a perfect fit.” In more ways than
one. “She’s going to do wonders for you, Beckett.” She already has. “Wait until she gets down and
dirty”—been there, done that—“and starts dissecting your numbers, highlighting staggering
cost-saving improvements. That’s when it gets exciting.”
It was pretty exciting last night. “I have no doubt,” I say, biting off a smile. “She’ll have you
salivating and your juices flowing in no time over the possibilities.”
We’ve crossed that bridge. “I’m looking forward to it.” “Anyway, to the reason I’m calling.” It’s
best to move on. “You’ve heard of the Sennheiser HE 1?” “That’s a top-of-the-line luxury gadget
that’s inaccessible to most people. Only the filthy rich can entertain the idea of dropping close to
ninety thousand dollars on headphones. Our cash cow headphones cost five hundred dollars. Our
top-of-the-line product tips the scale at twenty-five hundred dollars, and only the elite can afford
them.”
“Even with my colossal wealth, ninety thousand dollars is outrageous, however, that doesn’t stop
Sennheiser from manufacturing them and selling three hundred of them a year.”
“Surely you aren’t suggesting we follow in their footst eps?” “Not at all,” Easton says. “Why bring
it up?” “What if you could spend five minutes with one of the designers or sound engineers
responsible for the design?”
“I’d give my right arm for the opportunity, but it’s unlikely to ever happen. We’re competitors to
their mid-range lines. Why would they want to talk to me?”
“In the right setting, everything is possible.” “Easton, that sounded German to me.”
“So apropos,” he says. I’m confused. “One of my investors owns the company that creates the
marble console for the Sennheiser HE 1, that’s why he’s in the know. What I’m about to tell you is
hush-hush. Only a handful of people in the world are in the know.”
“In the know about what?” “Are you sitting down?” “I am.” “Sennheiser will unveil the most
expensive headphones on the market. They’re more expensive than the Focal Utopia by Tournaire.”
“You’re kidding me?” “I’m not.” “That’s borderline insane, but I still don’t see how that relates to
our company.”
“There’s a two-day affair in Germany next week, including an opening gala. It’s by invitation only.
My client can’t make it due to a conflict in schedule. He gave me the tickets as appreciation for the
way his portfolio has ballooned. I’m holding them right now.”
This event is an invitation to infiltrate the competition. “You want us to go together?”
“It would be pointless for me to go when Arianne would make for a much better travel companion,”
Easton says. “I’m dead certain the two of you will get a lot out of it.”
I’m sure we will. “That’s incredible. We’re definitely going.” “I’ll get my executive assistant to
courier the tickets overnight,” Easton says.
“Sounds great.” “I have to go, but I wanted to make sure to share the good news.” “Thanks again,
Easton.” “Anytime, Beckett.” I hang up. My head is swimming with ideas, and I’m basking in the
glory of how much of a game changer this could be for our company. An unexpected overseas trip
with Arianne is also a definite plus.
Speaking of Miss Holy Chic... I pull open the last drawer of my desk, curiosity revving my engine.
Nothing.
Huh? I rummage through my drawer, but I can’t find what I’m looking for. I search again. I sit back
against my seat as realization sets in. Someone disobeyed me.