"Mother, I simply thought that given the unusual circumstances—"
"Business is compromise, Vivienne. Every negotiation involves give and take. If you cede ground on every demand, you will be eaten alive in the boardroom. If you refuse to cede any ground at all, you will never close a deal."
Camille picked up her pen again. Resumed signing documents.
"The question is not whether his terms are acceptable. The question is what you are willing to accept. What leverage do you have? What does he need that only you can provide? How can you structure the agreement to maximize your position while appearing to meet his requirements?"
She glanced at the camera one final time.
"Don't bother me with frivolous matters. Make a decision. I expect results, not questions."
"Yes, Mother. I understand."
"Do you?"
The question hung in the air.
"Tokyo is calling. I trust you will handle this appropriately."
The screen went black.
Vivienne stared at her own reflection in the dark tablet.
She just...
The tablet felt heavy in her hands. She set it down on her desk. Placed her palms flat on the glass surface. Closed her eyes.
For thirty seconds, she allowed herself to feel it. The disappointment. The hurt. The desperate, pathetic yearning for a single word of praise from a woman who had never given one.
Then she opened her eyes.
What would Mother do?
The answer came instantly, as it always did.
She would never accept the first offer.
She would never cede control.
She would find a way to turn his conditions into her advantage.
Vivienne pulled up a blank document on her tablet. Her fingers moved across the keyboard, each keystroke deliberate.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (REVISED)
Candidate: Isaiah Angelo
Position: Personal Assistant to the Valentine Household
She paused. Considered.
He needs transportation. The train commute is his weakness. It costs him time and money.
A solution formed.
Transportation:Mr. Angelo will be assigned use of a Valentine estate vehicle for the duration of his employment. Specifically, the 2023 Lexus ES currently registered to Sabrina Valentine but unused. This vehicle is to be used exclusively for work-related transportation and commuting purposes. Insurance and maintenance costs will be covered by the Valentine estate.
If Isaiah had a car provided by them, he was dependent on their generosity. The vehicle could be revoked at any time. It created a relationship of obligation rather than compensation.
Next. The residency requirement.
His proposal of one overnight per week was laughable. A personal assistant who was only present one-seventh of the time was not a personal assistant. He was a consultant. An outsider.
But demanding full weekends would make her look inflexible.
Find the middle ground. Make it appear like a compromise while maintaining control.
Residency Requirement:Mr. Angelo will be required to reside at the Valentine estate for two full weekends per month (Friday evening through Sunday evening). Specific dates will be determined by the Valentine sisters with a minimum of one week's advance notice. This schedule may be adjusted based on household needs with mutual agreement.
Two weekends per month. Eight nights instead of four. Not quite what they originally wanted, but significantly more than his counter-offer.
And the phrase "may be adjusted based on household needs" gave them flexibility to demand additional time if necessary.
Now. The real leverage.
Vivienne pulled up Cassidy's academic records. The numbers glared at her from the screen.
GPA: 2.4
Class Rank: 156 out of 198
Academic Status: Academic Probation (again)
This is why we need an assistant in the first place. This is the actual job.
She began typing again.
Academic Performance Clause:A primary responsibility of this position is academic support for Cassidy Valentine. Mr. Angelo's continued employment is contingent upon demonstrable improvement in Ms. Valentine's academic performance. Specifically: if Ms. Valentine's GPA does not increase by a minimum of 0.5 points by the end of the current semester, this contract will be subject to immediate review and potential termination at the discretion of the Valentine family.
There. A measurable metric. A clear consequence.
If Isaiah failed to improve Cassidy's grades, he was out. If he succeeded, they got what they actually needed.
Either way, the pressure was on him.
Finally. The trial period.
The original proposal had been one month. She would keep that. But she would add specificity.
Trial Period:The initial month evaluation period will commence upon Mr. Angelo's acceptance of these terms. During this period, Mr. Angelo's performance will be assessed against key metrics including but not limited to: punctuality, task completion rate, discretion, and compatibility with household members. Evaluation authority rests with Vivienne Valentine, who will serve as Mr. Angelo's primary supervisor for administrative purposes.
Evaluation authority rests with Vivienne Valentine.
She read the line twice. Something warm spread through her chest.
This is how you establish control.
This is how you become CEO.
Vivienne reviewed the complete document. Every clause. Every condition. Every carefully worded phrase designed to appear reasonable while maximizing the Valentine family's position.
The terms were ruthless.
They left Isaiah very little room to maneuver.
They were, in essence, a compromise where both parties would be somewhat unhappy.
Just like Mother taught me.
She saved the document and opened her email client. Miranda's address auto-populated.
Subject: Assistant Position - Revised Terms
Miranda,
Please present the attached employment agreement to Mr. Angelo at your earliest convenience. These terms represent the final offer from the Valentine family. They are not subject to further negotiation.
Inform him that acceptance must be received within 48 hours, after which the offer will be withdrawn and we will proceed with alternative candidates.
Regards,
Vivienne Valentine
Her finger hovered over the send button.
For a moment, just a moment, she thought about Isaiah's tired eyes. About his sister. About the granola bar wrapper she had noticed crumpled in his jacket pocket during the interview.
He's working himself to death.
He takes a train for two hours each way.
He's eighteen years old and raising a child.
Maybe I should...
Vivienne pressed send.
The email disappeared into the digital ether.
Vivienne pulled up her schedule. Tomorrow: virtual student council meeting at 7 AM, debate team practice at 4 PM, fitting for the fall collection at 6 PM, dinner at 8 PM.
She had work to do.