Page 28 of Her Hidden Smile

“That would be a good story to tell,” Chuck admitted.

“So, you agree to this plan?” Millie pushed.

“Let’s make it a five-year plan.”

“It needs to be seven. You read the proposal. Most of your money will be working in third world countries, which are the same demographics most of your subsidiaries are expanding into. Those countries need seven years to get up and running. This tie-in will allow these communities to see how invested your subsidiaries are in giving back to them.”

I could hear his sigh even from where I was sitting.

“Do I have your agreement?”

“You do,” he sighed again. “You’re right, this makes sense on every level, and our PR department will love it. I’ll have our social responsibility director email you and set up a call. We’ll have something set up by the end of next week.”

Millie jumped out of her chair, then almost collapsed as her left leg gave out. She dropped her phone and gripped her desk. I was off my stool in a nano-second and had my arm around her waist and picked up the phone and put it on the desk.

Good, she was still connected.

“Are you okay?” Chuck asked.

“The phone slipped off my desk,” Millie answered. I saw she crossed her fingers again. “I want to thank you for your time, Chuck.”

“It’s been interesting. Are you sure I can’t get a peek at that database?” He cajoled.

“I’m sorry, you know about those pesky NDAs.” She laughed.

Chuck didn’t hear the pain in her laugh.

“Call me back if you run into any problems. Here’s my cell phone number.”

Millie leaned over with me still holding her around her waist and grabbed a sticky note and pen. She wrote down his number.

“Thanks, Chuck. I really appreciate this.”

“You’re welcome, Millie. I’ll copy you on my emails to my marketing team, my legal department, and my social responsibility director.”

“I look forward to seeing it. Again, thank you for your time.”

Chuck chuckled again. “I have a couple of openings for sales managers. Is that something you might be interested in?”

This time Millie chuckled. “I’m going to have to pass. But I’ll keep you in mind in case I ever considering a career change. Good-bye.”

“Good-bye, Millie.”

As soon as she ended the call she gasped in pain.

Chapter Six

Even the jubilation I felt over getting the Luxton donation couldn’t offset the pain and embarrassment I was feeling over having my leg collapse. I slammed my eyes shut, willing the tears back.

“What do you need?” Renzo asked, his voice filled with concern.

I opened my eyes. “I already got it. Didn’t you hear? I have Luxton on board to donate for the next seven years.” My grin turned into a grimace as shards of pain shot up from my knee to my thigh all the way up to my hip.

I needed a prescription pain tablet, maybe my heating pad, but preferably a hot bath where I could massage my damaged flesh and hopefully stop the nerve pain.

Renzo moved my office chair in such a way that my butt could plop down, but the idea of bending made me whimper. Renzo heard me.

“Fuck it,” he growled.