Forbidden Alliance

Part 11 - Great Team

Josephine

Monday morning

A new week of work. All the weekend I stayed home and I watched movies and I relaxed. I walk in the office, but before to go to meet Riley, Amanda stops me.

"Josephine, a delivery guy left these flowers for you." She hands me a bouquet of pink peonies.

"There is a sender?"

"No, it's just a note. I didn't read it."

"Thank you, Amanda." I smile and I walk in my and Riley's office.

"Uh, someone has a secret admirer?" She smirks. "I have a vase, you can put them here." She points to the vase.

"Thanks." I see a note between the flower. I take it out and I let the flower on the desk, starting to read the note.

You like to tease me, blondie? Okay. We're playing this game, then. I'll give you a break, but you should expect to see me soon, blondie. And I'm not going to let you go so easily. And don't run away from me because I will find you everywhere.

"Jo? Are you good?"

"Huh? Yeah." I take the flowers and the note and I throw them in the bin.

"Why did you throw them?"

"I don't need flowers." I say quickly. "Let's get to work."

"Hey, are you okay?" I nod as I open my laptop. "I think today we're going to finish the design of the coffee shop."

"Okay, I'm letting it go this time." She sighs and we start to work.

A few hours later, we're finally done with our projects. My first project working with Riley. It was really nice to work with her and I'm really excited to see what's our next project.

"As we're done with this project, I'll schedule a meeting with the client to show him this project and to ask if he wants to any changes."

"Okay, I'm alright with this."

"Perfect. While I will do this, you can pick our next project." She hands me a file. "There are three projects. Pick the one you like the most."

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah. You did a really good job with this coffee shop, so you can chose the next projects."

"Thank you, Riley."

"You are a really good interior designer, Jo."

"Thanks." I smile.

Riley leaves the office and I look on the file. I look on every project: a penthouse, an art gallery and a restaurant. From these three projects, the art gallery is the most interesting. The owner wants something minimal and I'm sure we will make from a simple room, something our client wants. Riley is back.

"I decided."

"Tell me."

"The art gallery. It's simple, but interesting. Let's schedule a meeting with the owner."

"You can do it. In that file, you have the contact of the client. Schedule a meeting with him or her."

"Really? Do you want me to do it?"

"Of course! Look, Josephine, I'm not your boss. We're on the same level, so you can do everything I do. Just look on the planner, so there won't be two meeting in the same time."

"Okay, thank you for trusting me! What did you talk with the client?"

"Friday morning at 10am. We're going to meet him and we'll show him our work."

"Perfect! I'm going to call this client."

"Alright."

I take my phone and the file and I walk out of the office. I enter the phone number in my phone call her. Denise James.

Phone call

"Hello. I'm Josephine Langford from ArchiTech Masters. I'm calling your about your project with the art gallery."

"Oh, hello. It's nice to hear from you. I was really worried that you won't call." She laughs.

"When you would be available this week to meet and discuss more about your art gallery?"

"I can come tomorrow to meet with you if that's okay."

"Just a second to check the planner."

"Sure." I walk back in our office and I take out the agenda and I check if we have something to do tomorrow. And it's pretty busy tomorrow.

"Mrs. James, it will be okay to come here on Wednesday at 11am? Tomorrow we're pretty busy."

"Yeah, that's good for me."

"Good, then I will see you on Wednesday."

"Alright. Thank you, Josephine."

"No problem. Have a good day!"

"You too!"

I end the call and I note the meeting in our agenda.

"So?"

"We're going to meet with this client on Wednesday."

"You are going to meet with her. I'm going to let you work alone on this project."

"What?" I smile.

"You heard me well. You did most of the work for the previous project and you can work on your own on this."

"Okay. Thank you for trusting me."

The day went quickly and around 4pm, I finally went home. Jake dropped me at my place and he left. I cooked some pastas, I ate, then I started to clean the apartment.

Wednesday morning, I prepare for the meeting with Mrs. James. Riley is not here because she's not feeling well and I'm on my own. But I got this. I look again on the file of the gallery's art when Amanda comes in my office.

"Mrs. James is here. Should I let her inside?"

"Yes please." She leaves and she comes back with Mrs. James.

Jo: "Hello, I'm Josephine."

Denise: "Hi. I'm Denise. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Jo: "Amanda, can you bring us two coffees?"

Amanda: "Of course! How you like your coffee, Mrs. James?"

Denise: "One tablespoon of sugar and a little bit o milk. Thank you."

Amanda: "I will be right back." She leaves and a few moments later, she's back with out coffees.

"So, I took a look on your wishes about the art gallery and I really want to get involved in this projects, but I want to know more about what do you want."

"So, as it's specified in the file, I want something modern. I like nude colors and modern things. And I really hope you are going to make my dream art gallery."

"Where's the space?"

"It's near this building. Do you want to see it? Maybe we can go and see it. If you don't have anything planned, of course!"

"Yes, of course!"

"Then, let's go."

"Alright."

We get up and we leave. I announce Amanda that I will be away for a while, then we walk to the building where the space is. Denise opens the door and we get inside. The space looks worst than I thought and I let a gasp.

"I know it's horrible. But I wish you will be able to do something from this."

"It will take a while to make the place look better, but we're going to do it."

"Perfect!" She clasps her hand. "I want it to be parted in four. A part dedicated for the contemporary art, classic art, minimalist art and abstract art. I want everything to be modern."

"Sounds really nice. I will make a plan for this and I will come with some ides at the beginning of the next week, is that okay for you?"

"It's perfect, Josephine! We're going to make a great team!"