Chapter SEVEN
Tylan wanted to sit on the board, he already has 15% shares and he wanted to make a difference. He was astute like his father and when he set his mind on something, nothing could stop him.
His first chance to sit in on a meeting was when he was 17. M-Studios was presenting a proposal to contract for an entire line of clothing for a young photographer who had just won the state Lottery in the US and had $280 million dollars at his disposal. The contract was worth 3.5 million and it would span over 2 years. He had over a thousand designs and he wanted them all produced.
“Good morning ladies and gentleman, as you know we are presenting this morning to Brad Delacey. You have copies of all his designs and we will begin in about fifteen minutes. Mr. Delacey is there anything you want to tell the board before we begin?”
“Hurry up I don’t have all day.”
“Sir, I would appreciate it if you do not speak to Mrs. Marcello like that, she has been accommodating you for two weeks now.”
“What? How dare you? If this is how you allow people who are paying you to do a job to be treated, well then my money is too good for you.” Brad pushed back his chair and stood up to leave.
“I wonder Mr. Delacey, how do you expect to make money with other people’s designs and get away with it?”
“These designs are MINE!”
“Try again, I have been going over these designs for a week and I couldn’t figure it out. Now I know. I suggest you say nothing else and leave before I call the authorities.”
The rest of the board was in shock but Anella just sat in her chair and watched her son work. She knew he would never accuse Delacey if he didn’t have proof. Much to their dismay, Delacey puffed up his chest and walked out the door.
The rest of the board started to argue and one or two of them glared at Tylan asking how he could be so preposterous. Then they turned on Anella who said nothing but continued to look at her son in awe.
“Be quiet all of you.”
All this time Fernando was as quiet as a mouse. He wanted to see how his wife and son would handle this situation and he was not disappointed.
“Remember a few years back we hired a photographer from the US to do a shoot when we went on vacation? Well the contact he signed was valid only in Paris, that was our mistake. He took the photographs and had someone re-draw them. Those are our designs, it took me a while because he changed a few things but those are ours.
Anella smiled and punched a button on the telephone next to her.
“Kaisia send Brad in here please.”
“Why is he still here mama, he is bad news!”
“Be quiet.”
Brad came into the room smiling.
“Thank you Brad.”
“Anella my sweet, I am so glad I could be of service, we will talk soon and yes I totally agree with you. My plane leaves in the morning, we should have dinner tonight to celebrate.” He blew a kiss at her, nodded to everyone else and left.
Fernando burst out into laughter.
“Mama?”
“I know who Brad is and the designs are definitely ours, I drew them myself. I just wondered how long it would take you to figure it out and you did just in time.”
“You were testing me?”
“Very much so, how can I expect you to take over from me if you are incapable of recognising your own designs. Now, meeting is over, I am going home to be with my family and thanks everyone for going along with this.”
The other members said their your welcomes and exited the room.
“Do you have any idea how much I love the both of you? I am so proud to have you in my life. Tylan my boy I can see great things in your future. Come, your mother has promised to pay for dinner.”
“Brad is taking us to dinner, he really did win the state lottery and he really does want to contract us to produce his designs but not for 3.5, 10 and 5 years not 2. He is giving us the full go ahead and he has requested that Tylan be the model for all his designs since the line is for males only and he is not much older than him.”
“Mama that is wonderful, thank you for trusting me.” He hugged his mother tightly.
They went home to get changed and meet Brad for dinner. Anabella was always ther quiet one but when she saw Brad, her father remembered why he kept a gun in the house, car and office.
They met with Brad for dinner and discussed what their plans were for the line and within six months they were up and running.
The line was an immediate hit. They held shows all across the country and sales crept up into the millions within months. The thing is that Tylan was the perfect male model. His manerisms, his walk, the way he addressed public conferences.
Annabella wanted to get into the family business so she started Finesse Couture with her father and she and Tylan worked well together.
Every aspect of their lives had fallen into place, the children were happy in their chosen careers and their parents lead by good example. There were few mishaps here and there but nothing major.
This situation would not last.