Jennifer's Surrender Read Online Free Page A

question.
You’re a woman. You’re my target audience. Does the notion of surrender appeal
to you ?” The way he asked it felt so
intimate, so personal, yet we were in a conference room of a dozen or so
people. I knew I was bright red again, or still.
    And all I
could ask was, meekly, “Sir?”
      “Your concept of surrender, that women
who visit my hotels will buy into that notion. Why?” His tone was somehow
insistent but calm. His voice didn’t rise, but I got the distinct impression
that he didn’t like having to repeat himself, especially when it seemed he
already knew the answer.
    Somehow I
regained my composure, “Well, like I said, they’ll only submit, uh, surrender,
if they know that they’re going to be taken care of. Many women today have it
all, but that can be exhausting. I think many women fantasize about giving in,
letting go, but they can’t if there’s no one who will catch them. No one would
buy into the notion of surrendering at motel because there’s no one there to
take care of them. But the idea of arriving at your hotel, and having a
personal valet or concierge essentially say, you don’t have to think, you don’t
have to plan, we will take care of everything, and you’ll love it. Well, I
think that’s very attractive proposition. Even aspirational.” I saw some of the
women’s heads around the room nodding, and I was thankful for the distraction
and I used it, “I see some of you agree.”
    And I focused
on a plain, slightly heavy woman. Her roots were overdue for a highlight and
she looked tired. It didn’t take more than me making eye contact with her for
her to see that as an invitation, “I can totally relate!” she said
enthusiastically.
      “Do tell, Judy.” Stephen said, in a
clipped manner. Perhaps it was my imagination, but I don’t think he wanted
anyone else in the room to speak.
      “Well, I mean, I’m the one who takes care
of the kids, you know, gets them ready in the morning, gets them off to school,
then I come here to work, and then it’s my responsibility to have dinner ready
when my husband comes home, and have a clean house and then on the weekends, it
doesn’t stop between soccer games and ballet classes, it’s exhausting. I think
all of my friends would be up for a night or weekend of surrender. Sign me up
now!” everyone in the room chuckled, but Stephen simply nodded.
    I’m not sure
what made me say the next thing, but, it came from somewhere, “But you need to
deliver on your end of the bargain.” Perhaps my voice only sounded breathier
and sexier to me. I don’t know. And I don’t know where that bravado came from.
Where ever it was, it was quickly dashed as Stephen asked flatly,
    “Do you have
any doubt that I will, Jennifer?”
    It was almost
as if he had rapped my knuckles with a ruler. I looked down and shook my head
and mumbled quietly, “No, Sir.” Apparently too quietly.
      “Speak up, Jennifer.” He commanded.
    I looked up
and straight into his eyes and repeated, “No, Sir.”
    Thankfully,
Bill regained control of the rest of the meeting, showing Stephen the rest of
the campaign. I sat quietly, with my hands in my lap for the rest of the
meeting, trying to look anywhere but at him. Every time I did glance over, I
felt a wave of disappointment as his focus was on the screen and the work. I
felt like I had somehow upset him, though logically, I wasn’t sure how I could
have. Later of course, I’d understand just how right on target my instincts were.

CHAPTER 7

 
    The day after
the presentation, my office phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number so I
answered, “This is Jen.”
      “Hello, Jennifer, this is Stephen
London.”
    I was
immediately tongue tied, “Uh, hi, Stephen, uh, Mr. London.”
      “Stephen is fine for now.” He replied.
      “Oh, ok, Stephen. Um, how can I help
you?” As those words left my mouth, I thought, oh my God, I sound like I work
at McDonalds. I just had no idea why this big,