How to Catch Butterflies (25 page)

“Why thank you. It’s Mr. Nichol’s if my memory services me correctly.”

It was the gentleman who had been in the reception when the David thing happened. He was the gentleman who the loud chap had leaned into to make his unfunny comment.

She herself had interviewed him once he had completed his form; he was a nice chap very likeable and would have fit into any of her regulars with his personality and sense of humor.

She walked with him to the seating area, where she had only sat yesterday with Jackson Harvey.

They both sat down.

“I supposed you’re wondering why I’m here when you’ve only just interviewed me for one of your clients not more than an hour or so ago.” He said.

Mr. Nichol’s was now reaching into his breast pocket taking out a silver card holder, which he opened and handed Rebecca his card.

“I can only apologize for the cloak and dagger approach, but secrecy is paramount, you may or may not have heard about us.”

Rebecca listened intently thinking to herself
this is a bit ‘James Bondish’
,
did he think he was M or something?
He continued

“We are ‘Natural Logistics’ as the public know us, ‘Black Card’ is our ultimate service, and it’s shrouded in secrecy. This is because operatives are brought into companies for specific reasons, for example one of our many range of services are Human Resources Consultants, no doubt, you’ve heard of us in that captivity? But that would be under the guise of ‘Natural Logistics’”

Rebecca nodded her head looking at the shiny matt black business card she was holding
thinking she was actually holding one of these illustrious fabled shinny matt black cards, this was like the dream job of all dream jobs, the money, the travel, the world was her oyster,

“The only problem with us, is our level of secrecy” he looked over his glasses at her.

“Due to the type of business we do. We often send in operatives into companies for a range of reasons. From reviewing grades from 1 to grade 7 these include senior management to senior or top executives“.

Rebecca nodded her head acknowledging what he was saying. Mr. Nichol’s continued.

“Or, they could be there for deep driving. As in auditing staff or to reduce workforces, the list is endless”

He raised his eyebrows as spoke in a lower, quieter tone.

“But confidentiality is an absolute must! You never know who, knows who” as he tapped his nose with his finger.

“Yes it can be a very small world she replied with a knowing smile.

As they talked he complemented her on her interviewing tactics and other things,

“You are a clever girl Rebecca. You had me telling you things I wasn’t prepared to say. Impressive I must say” as he nodded his head.

“And, that’s exactly what we want. Every assignment is different; we have been watching your career for a number of years. We like the fact you have length of service. We wouldn’t have approached you unless we knew you would be serious about leaving your current position. You come across very unflappable”.

Mr. Nichol’s made no mention to the indecent he had witnessed which she was very grateful for.

“Your exceptionally charming, it really works for you, as I said you have way more information, than what I intended to give to you. And you can be impressed with that, as apparently
‘I’m a tough nut to crack”.

She looked at him,
was this Mr. Nichol’s attempt at humor?
She found herself stopping herself grinning at him.
It wasn’t
even that funny she told herself
. Or maybe it was because this conversation was that of dreams?

“We want you to head up one of our operations you’ll have your own team, it involves lots of overseas travel. You’ll have an expense account; we PAY for the best people”.

Now she knew she was grinning, as she tried to control the degree of grin.

“We know you have quite a number of offers including Mr. Harvey and his Partners offer. I know they offer very attractive salaries and perks. But I think you can do more than mere head hunting”.

Rebecca nodded her head again. Mr. Nichol’s reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a white card, the size of a photograph.

“And this is what we are offering you, and this is your expense account”.

He leaned forward and placed a handwritten note in front of her. Rebecca felt her eyes widen with excitement which she also tried to control as she knew he was watching her every move.

It was an enormous amount; she could feel herself smile slightly even though she thought she would burst with the exhilaration she felt.

She acknowledged him with a simply nod, while she composed herself and continued to listen intently to Mr. Nichol’s. An hour later they had concluded their business. They said their goodbyes with a handshake. Mr. Nichol’s asked if she would come to their offices tomorrow, which she agreed.

Rebecca walked out of the hotel like she was walking on air; she couldn’t believe she had landed her ultimate dream job.

They wanted her to start as soon as possible which was the only problem, she had to find a new place, and she couldn’t stay at Lucy’s forever. Plus she wanted her own space, she was moving on with her life, and it was all happening now.

As she walked back to her office, she knew she had a lot to think about. Rebecca also had to call Jackson Harvey back.

She looked at her phone, she seen that she had two missed calls from him. Jackson had called while; she was in her meeting with Mr. Nichols. Yes is going to be a very busy day indeed.

Rebecca walked up the stairs to her building, and made her way up to her office, by now she was beaming. She couldn’t help it, this job offer was amazing. As soon as she was at her desk, she reached for the phone to call Lucy. It literally answered on the first ring. “It’s me I’m back,” she declared.

Lucy was excited babbling that “she had called earlier, but she was out, so she knew something was going on. She had left a message or two” she laughed at her own joke knowing she called over ten times.

As if on cue, there was a knock at Rebecca’s door. It was Judy arriving in with a message saying Lucy had called ten times and the tenth was to call her as soon as she is back in the office. Rebecca laughed.

“Yep just got them”,

“SOoo spill, did you see him for lunch, oh genie Mac Rebecca he’s gorgeous?”

Rebecca was choking on the water she had just swallowed, in between the choking she was laughing.

“Luce you have such a one track mind girl, I didn’t meet Jackson, I met Mr. Nichol’s”
remembering the word ‘confidentiality’
“from a company called ‘Natural Logistics’’. They want me to head a team of Human Resource Consultants”, she gushed.

“There is lots of travel, expense account, huge pay packet, it’s an unbelievable opportunity, I can’t believe this has happened.” Rebecca exclaimed brimming from ear to ear, Lucy was speechless momentarily.

“Oh Wow kudos to you hun, I’m delighted for you, omg how are they taking it there?”

“Haven’t told them yet, not looking forward to that, and before you ask NO I haven’t spoken to Mr. Harvey either that’s also a ‘To Do’ on my endless list”.

She laughed
,
oscillating her chair from side to side. “I will be speaking to him soon”.

No sooner had she said it Judy knocked at her door,

“I have a Harvey on line one for you”

Judy looked at Rebecca who lifted her hand in a ‘wait gesture’ before turning back into her call

“Well speak of the devil and he shall appear, he’s on the line, I have to go”

Rebecca put the phone receiver down, she could her Lucy shouting

“Call me as soon as you finished” Lucy shouted as she replaced the receiver down

She smiled and looked at Judy

“Thank you Judy, can put Mr. Harvey through please”

Judy closed the door returning to her desk, and Rebecca’s phone sprang to attention with the shrill ring of her call. She let it ring a few times before answering

“Rebecca Keane, Well hello Jackson” she purred,

His voice was well spoken. He had a little gruff on his tones, she thought it was quiet sexy, hence the years of talking to him and he was definitely very easy on the eye.

*

“Well Rebecca, I was wondering if you’ve made a decision on the job front”

He was trying not to sound too eager. He was hoping she had chosen his company, he knew they were the best offer on the table. He had made sure of it, he wanted to secure her working there, Jackson knew what she had always said about mixing business with pleasure, but that was part of the chase, part of the hunt,

“Actually Jackson I have, I thought long and hard about all the offers, since last seeing you, I too have had other offers”.

She still swung in her chair as she spoke. Knowing he was hanging on her every word.

“There
is
one in particular, which I’m very interested in.”

“Go on.” Jackson was intrigued as she toyed with him.

“Well I’ve been offered a fantastic opportunity with ‘Natural Logistics’ and it looks like I’m going to accept their position”.

Rebecca was excited telling him. Although disappointed, he didn’t let it show

“Hmmmm, Natural Logistics’ hay that’s great, well at least that takes care of one thing”, Jackson declared

“What’s that?” Rebecca asked curious

“Well” it was his turn to pause. “Did you not say that you don’t mix business with pleasure?” he teased

“Well you’ve just made it easier for me to take you to dinner? “

Rebecca laughed

“Now you’re a bit cheeky to presume that I would have dinner with you” He laughed back taking no notice of what she had just said.