As though Elaine noticed the writing all over her face, she continued. “Lizette, this is not only an important charity event, it’s our best shot at networking with people who can provide the kind of financial support we need. I would not ask you to do this if I didn’t know you would represent us well.” In a softer voice, she went on. “We’ve known each other for several years now. I know you can do this. Do what comes naturally. Talk about what you believe in. Talk about the business and all that we do. Tell them about some of our successes. I know you are passionate about what we do here, so it’ll be easy. You’ll see.” With a sincere smile she said, “You may even enjoy yourself so much you’ll wish you could do it all the time.”
Doubt it, Lizette thought. Yet there was no way to get out of tonight after the speech she’d just received. She knew Elaine was not asking this of her as a friend; she was asking as the CEO. When the CEO asks for a favor, especially one of this magnitude, you don’t really have the option to decline. “Thank you. I will do my best,” she said with a forced smile.
“I need to get to bed. Thank you for filling in for me tonight.” Ms. Manning’s eyes traveled over Lizette’s very conservative business attire as she said, “Better get going, Lizette. You have a lot to do before seven thirty.”
Don’t remind me, she thought as she rose and left the office. She felt bad Elaine was ill, but for once she wished there were problems with the month-end report. At least she knew she could fix that. An event like tonight’s was something she wasn’t comfortable with, something she had been able to avoid since her college days—until now.
Ruth Cardello, Always Mine (The Barrington Billionaires, Book 1)
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