One Night With The Boss

CHAPTER 5

"Of course I'm nervous ..." Kate spread her arms with a pleading gesture.

"In your position, my boots will tremble and I will use every trick in the book to save myself, even down to high heels, a plain smile and shiny hair." Elgort's voice was as loud as his gaze, unsympathetic.

"I don't understand what you mean."

Did the man realize how uncomfortable he was with his shoes and heels? Does the man know that he's trying to impress her?

"I'm saying that your business is in serious trouble, Miss Rutherford, and I'm the only one who can save it, so I'm not blaming you for using every trick you have to try to turn things around. But I must warn you that it will not make a difference. I won't be extending my investment."

His lack of callous feelings was like a ferocious punch in the stomach.

"How can you say that? How can you be so uncaring?" Kate forgot not to get emotional. "It's not just about me. If Cafe Bz goes bankrupt then many people will lose their jobs."

"And you're so worried about the welfare of others, are you?"

There was something in Elgort Downey's tone of voice that increased Kate's uncomfortable feelings. Why did he feel like there were two conversations going on here? One above the surface and one below.

"Yes, actually. I think being a leader is a big responsibility. You can't just hire and fire people. I was very careful not to recruit more staff until we were sure that the business could pay them."

Elgort Downey raised an eyebrow. "Very commendable, I'm sure. So what's wrong, Miss Rutherford? If you are very careful, then why are you here? Why doesn't your small business make money when we talk?"

"Our operating costs were higher than we expected" Kate said honestly, frowning slightly as she caught a snivel in the man's eyes. "Among other things, the repair of ten coffee shops cost more than we had planned. But we've discussed it and I've got a lot of ideas for the future."

Elgort Downey watched the girl for a moment and the atmosphere thickened between them. "You are very determined," he said gently. "How desperate are you?"

Kate looked at Elgort Downey, her mouth dry. What do you mean to say that?

"I care, Mr. Downey, if that's what you mean." Refusing to be undaunted, Kate took a deep breath and smiled tremblingly. "I still have five more minutes to persuade you." Kate grabbed her bag and took out the papers she carefully stored inside.

Elgort Downey is a man who has no emotions so he has to pull other parts of himself. Elgort Downey is a numbers guy so he'll give him numbers.

"You won't continue with your investment because, so far, you haven't seen a profit. The cafe went well. Speculating to keep growing."

"Oh yeah?"

Kate flushed and forced herself to continue and was not put off by her bored tone or the dangerous glint in Elgort Downey's eyes. "We're breakeven now and we'll be making money soon."

"Couldn't you?" Something in the way Elgort looked at her caused Kate's uncomfortable feelings to skyrocket.

"Once we start making money, you'll also start making money ..." Kate's voice disappeared as she looked at the man's mouth before her grimly.

What does it take to make the man smile?

"I'll be completely honest here. It took longer than I thought and the numbers were not what they should be. The cafes are so busy that I don't understand why we haven't made a profit."

"Can you not?"

Slightly encouraged by the man's subtle tone, Kate decides to be completely open. "I probably made some mistakes in the beginning. Our operating costs are too high. Much higher than I planned. I pay more for things than I should. Now that we're growing, it's easier to negotiate a good deal. Give me a little longer. You won't regret it."

"I've already regretted it. I don't like the way you do business, Miss Rutherford."

Surprised, Kate looked at Elgort Downey. "You mean, because the business is slow? All right, I accept that, but give me a little longer. I've got a lot of ideas I'd like to talk to you about. I know that I can make Cafe Bz profitable."

"But at whose expense, Miss Rutherford?" Her gently spoken question made Kate frown.

Elgort Downey is a billionaire. Surely the fact that he has not given him a financial return on his investment cannot be a big deal?

"I realize that you have given us a large sum of money, but we will pay it back with interest as the business grows. I'd greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss the numbers with you and show you our plan. I'm really hoping that once I give you a complete picture of where we're going to take Cafe Bz, you'll agree to expand your investment."

"Because you'll see that it's worth it to you." He lifted his bag up on the table. "If you withdraw your investment then the company will go bankrupt, as simple as that. And if the company goes bankrupt...,"

"You're losing your lifestyle" Elgort cut

Kate frowned slightly, thinking about the fourteen hours a day she spent on this business. Is that what he meant?

"I'm really lucky to have a business that I love" she said with a smile and then pulled it away as she looked at the chill on Elgort Downey's face.

The man extended his hand. "Show me the account."

Kate's heart is lifted. There is hope, however. Why would he want to see an account if he did not consider extending the loan? He hurriedly opened the map, hating the fact that his hands were trembling slightly. He was at the target and the man tried to catch him. It was like going back to school again. Back to the horrible torture chamber where everyone was just waiting for him to fail.

You're a fool, Kate Rutherford. Concentrate, stupid girl.

Taking a deep breath, Kate reminded herself that she is not in school now and that she has come a long way since those dreadful days. And he will not fail.

Reaching into the map, he took out a neat stack of papers that had been carefully arranged by his father and handed them to Elgort Downey.

The man flipped through the pages with his finger. "It's still five minutes, Miss Rutherford. Keep talking."

Does he need time to concentrate?

Envy with ease her eyes scanned the figures, seeing everything in an instant. Kate looks away and tries to forget that Elgort Downey is there as she outlines her plans for the future.

He told me about the new site he found, about his plans to expand each cafe.

Revealing his dream.

And did not receive any reaction from Elgort Downey. He picked up the pen, made some notes, flipped through the pages and finally raised his gaze. "I admire you, Miss Rutherford."

From the ashes of disappointment Kate felt a warm radiance of hope. "really?"

'Yes. I have always admired brave people." Elgort Downey fumbled at the paper in front of him and Kate could see the power in his hands. "In such circumstances, I would expect you to hide in the opposite hemisphere."

Kate pressed both her knees together. "Hidden?"

"I'm not a very nice person when I'm angry."

Kate had a different feeling that she was missing something. "Then I won't bother you," he said weakly, a friendly smile fading across his face under the cold gaze of Elgort Downey. "The account should show you that the business has great potential."

"These accounts show me that you're very busy."

"Very."

"But it doesn't make a profit."

Kate pulled her face. "Yet."

"Interesting, don't you think that you're busy but you're not actually making a profit?"

Kate looked at. "I think that's the nature of business. Sometimes it takes longer than you think to get started. If you look at the numbers, you'll see that we'll profit soon."

"I know the numbers very well, Miss Rutherford." Elgort Downey dropped the account on the table. "And I only have one question."

"One question?" Kate straightened her body, feeling a wave of relief. He braced himself for hundreds of questions that all scoured the company's accounts in detail. And he's afraid of it. "Please ask your question." Kate gave a bright smile and Elgort watched her for a moment, his eyes glued to Kate's face.

"Tell me, Miss Rutherford, how do you sleep at night?"