Returning Red

#1[i]: Austin Cooper.

in another dimension, we just met

Present

Isabella

"Nora, run my schedule." I shuffle the files as I pick out the black one and head to my cabin. 

"You have a board meeting in the next 10 minutes in the conference room on the eighteenth floor where the collaboration with Vogue is being discussed, and before lunch Hazel wants you to check the Spring Shoots and approve the Spring collection, Sage wants to have a pitch meeting about the interview with Zendaya and Ryder Harvey wants to fill you in on the social media expansion of PINK." Nora reads out from her tabloid as I timetable it in my head. 

"We also have Edgar West, I need the global publication at any cost." I try to see where I can fit that in. 

"Yes, Bella, but Mr. West has a flight scheduled for Texas in about two hours, and Ryder was busy with the social media--" Nora followed me with her Ipad in her hands. 

"Social media is not our first priority right now. I cannot help it if Ryder does not understand that, I need you to put me up with Edgar West." I commented. 

Nora feared me, I knew it. Most of them did. "But Mr. West has a flight--"

I stopped in my tracks. "Then tell him to reschedule it, Nora. I just need one hour with him." 

"But Bella--" 

"Nora. Let me give you one specific reason why I want this to happen at any cost. Edgar West owns Steinem. If Steinem takes up the PINK magazine then we would have publishing houses one in the US of course, the Safford, and one in the UK. Two top publishing houses in the world printing PINK is a huge raise in the market." I exhale when I see the frightened look on her face. "I want global expansion and it can happen only through Edgar West, so, fix me, ASAP." 

"Uh--Yes ma'am." She nodded and hurried her way to her desk. 

I stopped in front of the door that read: ISABELLA COSMO, EDITOR IN CHIEF in bold letters. One moment to realize how far I've come with this company. I exhaled the breath I held and walked in through the door. 

"Oh, good afternoon, Bella," Dad grinned at me from ear to ear as he sat on my chair like it was his own. I took a moment to register that.

I sighed shaking my head, "Dad, what are you doing here?" 

He grinned more, "Watching my daughter run Safford." 

"And having the fourth cup of hot water sitting on your desk." I heard mum's voice as she came out with a tray having a kettle and two empty mugs. "Would you like a cup yourself, honey?" 

"Uh, no thanks. I'm good." I nodded. "You should be in the conference room. We have a Board meeting." 

"Right, about that, you're leading right?" He questioned me. 

"Yes, but as in-house attorney, I need you both up there," I muttered without giving it a break. "If the collaboration with Vogue is approved, Edgar West will agree to publish PINK." 

"--in the UK." My dad was doubtful. "Bella, PINK is the top magazine in NYC as of today and I know you're speaking as PINK's editor in chief but as a Safford Board Member, is it really important for global publishing now?" 

I turned around to gawk at him. This is the fifth time I'm explaining how badly I want this to happen. 

"Yes, it is," I said with a straight face. 

He took a deep breath, "Okay then, we have a call with legal, so you head this meeting and we'll be there as soon as our call with legal is done." 

"Why does legal need you both now?" I walked back to the shelf.