402 Brianna at Reynolds Media 1

Monday

8:41 AM

Brianna came with Quentin to Reynolds Media in order to join the board meeting and she took the morning off from Harper Investments for this occasion.

Brianna has no intention to meddle in the working or Reynolds Media, but she wants to make an appearance and to announce for everyone to hear that Quentin will have the absolute right to act in her name as a shareholder. Like that, Quentin's vote will be worth 64%, which means that he alone will enough to make decisions for the Reynolds Media while others are more like advisors and they will need to play nice if they want Quentin to acknowledge their opinion. Ah, that is a good position to be.

Quentin feels like he is walking on clouds. He has full control of his company, he found the drive to be his best in order to support his wife, and he is married to his fiery Goddess! Life does not get better than this!

For the next weekend, they decided to go to San Francisco. Quentin already booked the most luxurious restaurant for dinner, and that is where he and Brianna will announce that they got married.

The previous weekend was a rollercoaster. It started promising, plunged toward a disaster (more than once), and Saturday ended on a high note. Sunday was blissful with Quentin and Brianna making love and cuddling the whole day while talking about their future and how much they mean to each other. Both Quentin and Brianna were reluctant to return to Seattle, but at the same time, they were excited that their life as a married couple begins.

Back to the present…

The board meeting starts at 10 AM.

Quentin called Brianna to come earlier so that he can show her around.

They are in the department for talents, where models come.

The lobby is like a bit lounge with comfy sofas arranged in several sitting areas, there is a bar that serves non-alcoholic cold and hot beverages, and this lobby provides access to several other areas and it connects to the hallway which leads to the photo studios.

"Models start their training at 9 AM, and if we show up after that, they will be distracted by our presence.", Quentin explained while leading Brianna into a side-room that has a one-way mirror which is facing a big gym-like space where models do all kinds of exercises and practice dance moves to improve their posture and stay in shape. "From here, we can watch them act as they usually would."

The room has a conference table that can accommodate ten people and comfy chairs around it, and if not for a one-way mirror, it would look like any other conference room.

Quentin and Brianna settled in the chairs, and Quentin pulled some documents to explain his strategy while they wait.

"Are you sure about training models?", Brianna asked.

"It's experimental.", Quentin responded. "I want to give it a try for six months and see how it goes. I am thinking about it since my parents emphasized the importance of collaborating with Vanessa. I understand that having consistent faces who appear familiar to the customers is important, however, why would I deal with Vanessa or anyone else if I can have my own people? Their models are snobby because they don't work for us and the more famous they are, the bigger headache is to deal with them because for every next contract they are increasing their demands."

Quentin gestured toward the one-way mirror through which they can see the empty room next door. "These models will be nurtured here with long-term contracts, regardless of the projects they are involved with. If it works out, we can expand on singers and actors. Anything is possible."

Brianna liked the vigor in Quentin's voice as he talked about his plans for the company. It was obvious that he takes pride in his work and his achievements are speaking for themselves.

"Should I be worried that you will be surrounded by so many beauties?"

Quentin leaned closer and kissed her on the lips. "There is only one beauty here, and I am lucky enough to have her as my wife. All others are either not important or employees."

"You are a sweet talker."

Quentin smiled smugly. "I am telling the truth. The sweetness is not intentional."

Brianna giggled. They are married for less than 48 hours, and so far, she loves every minute of it.

There was a commotion from the room next door, and they saw that several young women entered.

"Here they come.", Quentin said. "You will see, they are all hard working. Look, they are on time. I didn't hire them personally, but I went through their files. For most of them, these are their first steps in the modeling world."

"Why didn't you hire experienced ones?", Brianna asked.

"I know that would have some benefits, however, experience comes with attitude and I'm not in business of indulging divas.", Quentin responded. "These girls have pure minds, thinking about becoming famous with their faces on magazines and billboards, and that is what Reynolds Media is offering them. I believe that spending some time training them in a good environment will pay off long term because they will be happy and focus on work and not on unreasonable demands. Even if they decide later to join some other company, when they see how bad is out there, they will return to Reynolds Media. The competition among models is fierce and it brings out the worst in people. All of them feel pressured to make a name for themselves early because by the time they cross mid-twenties they are considered to be old. Here we want to give an equal opportunity to each of them without playing favorites. Perks will be given to the ones who work hard and show results. Backstabbing and scheming are discouraged, and such behavior will be punished. I hope that these girls learn from the teachers I hired, and from each other, with the main lesson being that if they can't play nice, I will let them go no matter how popular they are."

Brianna approved Quentin's strategy. It is extra work at the beginning, but he is enabling a nurturing culture that will create loyal employees and that is priceless.

Brianna confirmed that it's 8:54, so there are six minutes until the class starts.

She observed that the girls went to the wall where lockers are and kept their jackets and sweaters, leaving them in leggings or sweatpants and light tops that are not obstructing their movements.

There is a one-way audio connection between the rooms, that can be turned off, which is currently on, so they could hear the girls chattering and giggling in a good mood.

A few more girls arrived, they exchanged greetings, and it looked harmonious.

"How long will we watch them?", Brianna asked.

"I was thinking maybe ten minutes after their class starts. If you are bored, we can leave sooner, but there is no point in watching longer. I wanted you to see that this is serious business. After that, we can go to my office."

Brianna found his choice of words interesting. "Serious business?"

Quentin nodded. "In the morning, the girls have physical training, and in the afternoon they learn about camera angles, designers, fashion trends, and anything else that can help them shine on the catwalk and on the magazine cover. They are getting weekly evaluations, and whoever qualifies will participate in the fashion shows or shootings organized by Reynolds Media, and the top five will get additional bonuses like clothes or spa treatments. I was also thinking of providing a mini-vacation to the ones that are showing consistent results."

"You are treating them well."

Quentin was happy to see that Brianna approves, and he wanted to explain that this is not because he likes models. This is purely a business-wise decision. "The current trends are not favorable for printed magazines. That is why we are switching to digital, but the competition is fierce, and it is dangerous to put all our eggs in one basket. I believe that these models will become assets Reynolds Media will rely on in the future. We already have plenty of jobs for them within Reynolds Media, and as a bonus, we have established relationships with designers. How I see it, these models are a small investment that will pay off big time."

Quentin looked at Brianna expectantly waiting for her response, but other than a smile she didn't reveal much. "What do you think?"

"There is nothing sexier than an intelligent man who talks about his work with passion."

Quentin chuckled. "You should see me when I talk about the profits."

"Hmm… Maybe you can talk to me about last quarter over dinner? I love when you speak numbers."

Quentin leaned closer and pecked her lips. "It will be my pleasure, Mrs. Reynolds."

"Oh, the pleasure will be all mine, Mr. Reynolds…", Brianna whispered and kissed him back.

Quentin put his hand at the back of Brianna's head and deepened the kiss.

He loves when they exchange sweet nothings and flirt, and he hopes that nothing will spoil the current mood because he is back to floating as the magical flavors of his fiery Goddess are filling him to the brim.

"What is this? Do you think you came to a sorority party? Do you think you are at the top already? You are nothing but a bunch of slackers!", a loud female voice was heard, pulling Quentin and Brianna out of their lovey-dovey bubble.

Quentin frowned in displeasure of this unwelcome interruption and his eyebrows lifted in surprise when he saw through the one-way mirror Kendra facing the girls, and her angry expression was a giveaway that she was the one who shouted.

Brianna exhaled in frustration. "Is this the kind and nurturing environment you envisioned?"

Quentin gritted his teeth in anger while glaring at Kendra through a one-way mirror.

Who does she think she is? And why is she here? How much more trouble will she cause? 

Quentin hoped that Brianna will not blow up again because it took him an extra effort to pacify Brianna on Saturday. 

Quentin's plan was to fire Kendra after the board meeting and to be done with her and all the drama, but now... it seems that Kendra is making waves that are directed toward the bliss Quentin calls marriage. What a headache!

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