Boss Lady

The Big plan

"I think it's high time that we move into making other items of clothing than lingerie. We have been through a great financial term and our investors are way too happy.", my team suggested.

"I think, it's worth looking into.", Bree said.

" No. We won't extend into any more products. That will divert our focus from our original goal- lingerie and swimwear."

"But what about diverse products? Wouldn't people want more from us?", Georgiana said, her red nails digging into a leather file.

I thought about it for a moment.

" Rule número uno of business. Don't sell everything or you end up selling nothing. Do you know why Victoria's Secret underwent a downfall? Because it tried to sell everything lingerie, perfumes, beauty products, accessories that weren't required. Not focusing on the customer's needs and through bad reputation of their CEO, the company stocks fell. We cannot make that mistake."

"Fair point.", Georgiana nodded.

" What do we do to stay ahead then?", she said unwilling to give up the debate. I loved how bloodthirsty my team was. They challenged me.

"When we entered the market, there were nearly two hundred players in the lingerie business. We took them all over in 10 years and now we have a monopoly in the market through sheer single-minded focus on quality. We can do it again. "

"So, we don't make a new product but make a new category of lingerie itself.", Jules asserted.

" Exactly. I have a plan to introduce smart wearables on the runway this Christmas gala in Monaco. We are collaborating with a fashion tech company to start investing in their business. I think it's worth a shot."

But that is not what my team heard.

"Mónaco?"

"Holy. Shit!",

" Hell yes!"

"Woo-hoo!"

Cheers rose up around the conference as I suppressed a smile and pretended to glare.

"Focus!", I ordered.

"Oh, come on boss!", Bree said grumpily. " You can't drop a bomb like that and not expect us to be calm."

"You can do your victory dance when the meeting is over. We still have to go over finances. Accounting will be here in two minutes.", I reminded them.

" You are being very mean, sister and it's nearly Christmas!", Jules pouted clearly much more interested to discuss the upcoming party than six figure digits.

"I am not mean. I am going to throw you all a fabulous fiesta grande on Christmas on a yacht in Monaco. I am a tres good boss. Now focus, or no party for you you kiddies."

They sarcastically groaned 'Yes, boss' together and thankfully the meeting proceeded without further interruptions.
                           ___________

Can you come to meet me?

The cryptic text from Ethan came just when I was about to go through the invitation list for the gala. It was rare that I left the office before 9 but the text gave me pause.

I picked up my blazer and walked out of the door knowing that missing work for even an hour would come back to bite me in the ass and I would have to do it later that night anyway.

When I reached the hospital, I couldn't find Ethan anywhere. None of the staff knew where he was gone. His phone kept ringing. I started to grow worried. Going up and down the floors, I scoured the floors and the NICU for him. One of the nurses informed me that he was right out of surgery.