Read Online Engage (Billionaire Series) by Evelyn Harper - Free Book Online Page A

Philip rested his hands on his knees, “but as I am sure
you’re aware, this is only supposed to be a short trip for finalizing the costs
of construction. My assistant and I will not be staying long. Of course, should
there be any problems, I would return.”
     
    “Problems, Mr.
Haas?” Mr. Saitou’s tone remained friendly, but he had taken the cue from
Philip and was now all business.
     
    Jennifer was
impressed. With a brisk, but personable, manner, Philip laid out his
expectations. They were clear, but gave Mr. Saitou enough leeway to accomplish
what was needed. So often, she’d seen managers try to be too specific trying to
micromanage their employees and the situation never ended well. As the
conversation turned to problems with a current contractor, Philip surprised her
again by asking for Mr. Saitou’s opinion rather than just telling him what to
do. Apparently Philip’s penchant for giving orders was something just
restricted to the bedroom. She admired a man who was willing to listen to
others’ opinions and ideas. Mr. Saitou was taken aback as well, but offered his
solution, tentative as it was. With a skill that Jennifer had never seen
before, Philip asked pointed questions, guiding Mr. Saitou to refine his idea
into the best possible solution for the situation. By the time they reached the
office building, both men were satisfied with their talk.
     
    “Phil – Mr. Haas,”
Jennifer realized mid-word that she should address Philip formally when in a
professional setting. He didn’t acknowledge the slip as they exited the limo.
“Where did you learn how to do that? How to get him exactly where you wanted
him?”
     
    “I didn’t get him
where I wanted him, Miss Brooks,” Philip’s tone was sharp. “What I do isn’t
about getting people where I want them. We came to a mutually beneficial
understanding. When you hire good people, you know that they will have good
ideas that you may not have thought of. It’s important to hear these ideas with
an open mind. Mr. Saitou’s ideas were in a direction I agreed with and we
worked towards a solution that we both were happy with.” He increased his pace,
leaving her several steps behind.
     
    Jennifer could feel
her face coloring as she nodded dumbly. He was right. Managing wasn’t about
getting people to do what you want, but to come to a good middle ground that
works well.
     
    But what about me?
Jennifer though to herself. Was this job a mutually beneficial outcome?

Amanda & Mathis

Chapter
5
     
    I was
15 years old the summer I met Mathis. It was the first time that I had gone to
stay at Uncle Andy’s mansion for a whole summer, and I was anticipating it
gleefully. It was well away from the city, an enormous ranch surrounded by
acres and acres of land, thick with woods and perfect for a young girl to
explore and run wild after being cooped up too long in the city.
     
    I was
practically bouncing up and down in my seat as the trees gave way to a view of
the stone mansion, its elegant exterior promising a change of scene and a
summer full of exploration and freedom. Excitement was building up inside me as
we pulled up the long gravel driveway in front of the house. It had been over a
year since I had been here, and I was dying to get out of the car and greet my
favorite uncle.
     
    As soon
as the car had rolled to a stop in front of the spiraling stone steps leading
to the heavy oak front door I was racing across the gravel towards the house.
It didn’t take me long to navigate the long, stone-flagged corridor and find
the door of my uncle’s office. I purposely slowed my pace as I approached the
door, my face flushed from my boisterous activity. I tried to calm down my
heavy breathing, tiptoeing to the door and opening it quietly, hoping to
surprise my uncle.
     
    Instead,
it was I who was surprised as I saw a young man sitting at my uncle’s desk, his
back to me, concentrating hard on whatever was on the computer screen in front
of him. I came