Page 20 of Accidental Getaway

After showering and putting on fresh underwear, I make my way to the conference room for my first real meeting with Niko.

We’re supposed to video call Amber, which I hope means that I won’t have to do much of the talking.

Still, my heart is pounding when I walk through the doors to the conference room.

If I thought I was nervous to have client meetings before, it’s ten times worse now that I’ve been through so much in the last couple of days.

What if after all of the effort Niko has put in to welcome me to the Omorfiá I disappoint him? What if I look like a complete fool?

“You’re looking refreshed,” Niko comments, after I take a seat across from him at the table. “Ana mentioned the two of you enjoyed the spa together this morning. Two days in a row?” Niko winks at me and my face flushes. Does he know I’m lying about going yesterday?

“I—Well …” I stammer, not knowing how to work my way out of this one.

“Don’t worry. I am glad you’re enjoying it. I should make more time to visit myself.”

He stretches his neck, as if to prove he needs the self-care.

It makes me wonder if Ana was right and he does spend all of his time at his desk.

So why the change the last few days? Why the parasailing and the surprise adventure tomorrow?

I don’t want to think about it, because any conceivable answer to those questions includes trying to make sure I can hang with the lifestyle the hotel is promoting, which means even more pressure to perform and impress.

“Shall we?” Niko asks, gesturing to his laptop, which is connected to a screen on the wall where we’ll both be able to see and talk to Amber. I nod and get out my notepad, falling into old habits as her assistant, I guess.

“Hello!” Amber leans forward toward her webcam when the call connects.

We get a great view of her nose. Usually, this little habit of hers just makes me smile, but I’m feeling self-conscious on her behalf now that I’m seeing it with a client at my side.

“Good morning. Wait, no, I guess good afternoon!”

She laughs and Niko gives me a sly glance, like we’re sharing an inside joke, but I don’t know what it is.

“It’s great to see you, Amber,” Niko says. “I trust you are feeling well and this meeting is still convenient?”

Huh, that’s a nice way to ask if she’s up for this without making a pregnant woman feel like we expect less of her. I have never quite figured out how to do that, especially the last few weeks, when she has been exhausted and cranky.

“I am. Thank you for asking. But I’ll let Jenni take the lead since she’s the one with boots on the ground. I’m just here for any questions she can’t answer.”

What? That would have been good to know beforehand. I turn to face the webcam to talk directly to Amber. “Are you sure? I’m totally fine if you want to go over everything.”

Please, do not make me do this. I’m not ready. Especially not with Amber looming over my shoulder on video, like a teacher proctoring an exam.

“Of course not. Take it away. ”

I’m feeling lightheaded as I reach for my presentation folder with shaky fingers.

This feels even worse than I expected. Now that I actually know Niko and how great he is, I want even more to impress him.

It feels more personal now than it ever did with clients in Chicago.

I wanted their approval, sure, but it was more about how that would reflect on me in the eyes of the managers and directors at the firm.

But Niko has gotten to know me; he’s given me a glimpse of who he is as a person, and his approval means much more, now, than simply getting Amber to promote me.

I open to the first page of Amber’s prepared materials.

“If you’d like to take a look here, we can go over the main pillars of our marketing plan,” I tell Niko, before passing him a copy of the plan overview. I know he already looked at it in the email Amber sent, but it never hurts to present high-quality materials in person.

“For a resort of this size and in this market, we recommend focusing on print advertising, signage and billboard advertising, and direct mail campaigns through luxury partnerships.”

The words come out formulaic, but I’m trying my best to sound confident and stick to the script.

Niko looks over the columns on the page. “What would be involved with the print advertising?”

I take a deep breath before answering, trying to stay calm and keep my voice at a normal octave.

“We would place ads in luxury travel magazines like Travel + Leisure, and lifestyle publications targeting higher-income individuals. We would also pursue editorial features in regional tourism guides where we could give travelers a more in-depth look at the Omorfiá Hotel.”

We continue on with the rest of the pillars, going through each line item.

To his credit, Niko seems very invested and open to our suggestions—relying on Amber’s experience to guide the plan, rather than what makes the most sense to him.

That’s usually the biggest hurdle when first working with clients.

They all have grand pictures in their heads of how the campaign should look, whether it’s the best strategy or not.

“I had never really thought about airport signage and billboard advertising. What sort of budget does that require?” Niko asks.

“Typically, we plan for about 5 percent of the overall budget to go toward outdoor signage. But it really depends on the final budget and which aspects of the marketing plan we choose to execute when.” I bite my lip and swallow as my words linger.

In my experience, every client I’ve ever dealt with wants to nickel-and-dime the budget, and it becomes a constant pull of proving our worth and explaining the costs of things we can’t change.

It can get extremely uncomfortable and I never know what to say.

I look over at Amber for assurance that I said the right thing.

“We can definitely talk more about specific costs and your budget down the line,” Amber chimes in, putting my rising tension at ease, for now at least. “I assure you the signage and billboards will be placed strategically in airports throughout the States with affordable and easy flights to Greece, where they will have the most impact.”

Niko nods and writes something on a notepad. I do the same, scribbling a note, to cover the fact that I feel even more uncomfortable than when we started.

“Let’s move on toward the direct mail campaigns. There are so many avenues we can explore there,” Amber continues.

I take her hint and move on to explaining to Niko how direct mail campaigns work by sending brochures to luxury travel agencies, wedding planners, and other event organizers.

“We can also partner with luxury brands to cross-promote through mailing lists and use special package offerings,” I tell Niko.

“What sort of brands? ”

I take a deep breath. “Watches, wine, fashion, luggage—pretty much any brand where we have a significant crossover of our target audiences.”

My nerves are quickly dissipating as I feel the need to bite my tongue.

None of this fits the Omorfiá, as I’ve come to see it.

I want to show them all the ways we could reach the perfect travelers through digital marketing and targeted SEO campaigns.

I want to tell them that lifestyle magazine readers are not going to appreciate the thought and care Niko has put into his hotel.

It’s not my place to say anything, though.

I’m just a middle man. I’m here to represent Amber and to do what the client is asking of us.

That’s what I will do, because it keeps me safe.

If Niko and Amber want traditional marketing, who am I to tell them differently?

That has only ever gotten me in trouble in the past.

Once we’ve covered everything in Amber’s plan, Niko thanks her for joining us.

“You’re in great hands with Jenni, but please, let me know if you have any more questions,” Amber tells him, before ending the video call.

I stand and gather my things. “Okay, so I will work on drawing up the specifics we talked about. I’ll take a few shots around the resort and create some mock-ups we can use at the board meeting. It will take me a day or two, but maybe we can meet again to go over them in a few days?”

Niko nods. “Sure, sounds good. Can I ask you something?”

My heart skips a beat. What would he possibly need to ask me? And why now, after we’ve hung up with Amber. “Of course, about what?”

“It seems like you wanted to say something a few times but held yourself back. Is there something we haven’t covered? Do you think we should be doing something differently?”

My chest feels tight. How could he possibly have noticed that? I said all of the right things. I went word-for-word through Amber’s plan.

“No, not at all. Amber is brilliant, and I think if the board is as traditional as you say, this will all go over perfectly.”

I fidget with the papers in my hand as he looks at me, afraid he’s going to keep prying. Instead, he pushes in his chair and walks with me to the hall.

“In that case, I think we’re done for the day. Thank you for your work on this. I look forward to seeing the mock-ups.”

“Absolutely.” I smile, not knowing what else I’m supposed to do here. Do we leave together? Do I turn and walk down the hall on my own?

“But don’t plan on working too much tomorrow,” Niko says, grinning. “We have our surprise. Meet me in the lobby. You’ll need a bathing suit. And probably a hat.”

Our surprise. I almost forgot. I’m supposed to spend the day with Niko on another adventure.

I hate all of this back and forth. I’m terrible at balancing all of this.

I can’t take a whole day off working after we finally have plan and something for me to do.

What would Amber think? I have no doubt she’ll be calling me tomorrow afternoon expecting a progress update.

At the same time, how do I tell Niko no when I’ve already said yes, and he’s already made plans?

“Great. I’m looking forward to it!”

“Perfect. I’ll see you at nine.”

I stick out my arm for a handshake—the way I would after any other business meeting—just as Niko steps toward me and places a hand on my back, like he’s going to escort me down the hallway. I end up stabbing him in the side with my manicured nails. A very solid side. Blood rushes to my cheeks.

“I—I’m so sorry,” I blurt out. “I’m just going to walk away now before my clumsiness causes any more bodily harm.”

Niko laughs, but I’m on the verge of losing it. Can’t I just be normal for a single interaction with this man ?

“No, I’m sorry. Totally my fault. But those are some sharp nails you’ve got.” He rubs his side in mock pain, and I wish I could crawl right out of my skin. “Let’s go. I’ll walk you back to your room on my way downstairs.”

Jenni: I had a meeting with Niko and Amber today. I wanted to pull my hair out. They both refuse to see what makes the hotel so special and insist on treating it like any other hotel and spa on the island.

Piper: Really? That’s so weird that Amber would think like that. How are you going to convince them otherwise?

Jenni: I don’t know. Is it even my place to convince them? Amber is my boss and Niko is the client. That hasn’t gone well for me in the past.

Piper: I think you should give them a chance to hear you out.