Lyza's Story: Book One of The Lane Trilogy. Vicki Inc. Andree

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СКАЧАТЬ Paris was fun, but now it’s time to get back to work. I’ve reviewed my notes since five o’clock this morning. This time I can honestly say I’m ready for the briefing. I hate Leesa’s Monday morning meetings. Father made a point of telling us he was taking over this one; I can only guess what he is up to. Just look at her, she loves these meetings. Oh, what am I thinking? She loves everything.

      The meeting began sharply at seven o’clock with coffee and pastries available. Fifteen commercial real estate agents filled the room, mostly men. Leesa and Lyza sat at the end of the long conference table, furthest from their father. Lyza studied her father to see if he was in a good mood. A serious-looking man with more black than gray hair, Lawrence Lane’s five foot ten stocky frame commanded attention when he stood to open the meeting.

      “Good morning, everyone. I hope you’re not too disappointed to see me standing here instead of Leesa. I usurped her usual Monday morning meeting so I could have a personal word with you and to make some announcements.”

      Having grabbed everyone’s attention, Lawrence sat down. Opening a thick file folder, he pulled out a small stack of about twenty sheets. “As you know, L. L. Lane Unlimited is an unusual business. It’s a family-owned conglomerate involved in many aspects of the business world, and real estate comprises only a piece of the pie. I will grant it’s been one of the most fun and rewarding pieces, and Lyza and Leesa both seem to love real estate. However, my goal continues in seeing all aspects of the business succeed. I’ll be getting more involved in those other aspects. So I’ll start by talking globally and narrow it to our office.”

      Several agents leaned forward and began taking notes.

      “Recent changes in international banking laws have created interesting opportunities. Just as the Rothschild family took advantage of opportunities that presented themselves in the past, we intend to take advantage of the current situation. Therefore, I will continue focusing on international banking and financial markets, only now more than ever. Lyza, Leesa, and Bill can work out the details and inform you as to upcoming changes in policy that will affect your quotas and bonuses.”

      One of the agents raised his hand. “Mr. Lane, does that mean you are leaving the real estate side of L. L. Lane Unlimited?”

      Lyza knew her father wouldn’t.

      Lawrence pointed at the chart on the wall. “You know better than that. I’ll always be part of the real estate side. Now let’s take a look at a rundown of the current commercial listings. Several billion dollars in revenue are hanging out there just waiting for you guys to bring it in. The financial side needs cash to invest.”

      One of the agents pointed at the chart. “But, sir, sometimes deals like these take years to bring to fruition. No disrespect, sir, but this looks like an unrealistic goal.”

      Lyza cringed and looked over at Leesa. Father never took criticism well.

      Before Lawrence could respond, another agent interjected, “Achieving unrealistic goals is what made L. L. Lane Unlimited the conglomerate it is today.”

      Lawrence nodded toward the chart on the wall. “Now let’s talk about how we can get these numbers up. It’s all about the bottom line, and every one of you knows it. Leesa closed a local deal that bumped up the number on the bottom line this quarter. Lyza closed a terrific deal in Germany, making us a seventy-five million dollar profit. Let’s give her a hand.”

      He started clapping his hands, and slowly, obediently, all the agents in the room followed. Leesa’s face flushed as she joined the applause.

      Lyza beamed. Hey, when Bill handed out the leads, Leesa turned that one down. It’s not my fault Leesa didn’t get it. I grabbed it as soon as I saw she rejected it.

      “If my daughters can work deals like this, I expect you guys can do as well. I want you to show me. Prove it to me. Now, get out there and show me some action.”

      Lyza agreed. Right, Father, I’d like to see any one of these guys sell as well as I do.

      Lawrence left the room.

      Lyza headed over to Bill just as he made it to the door. “You got anything you think I might be interested in? Get me something like that last one. Seriously, I’m interested in getting started on something ASAP.”

      Leesa looked up. “Well, I’m sure you would.” She stood up. “By the way, Bill, I work here, too.” She turned on her heel and nearly sprinted toward her office.

      Lyza left Bill standing alone in the conference room and trailed Leesa down the hall. “Leesa, wait a minute.”

      Leesa stopped abruptly, put her hands on her hips, and turned around. “Sure, what do you need?”

      “What do I need?” Lyza repeated. “Leesa, I can’t help what Father says. You know that as well as I do. Anyway, you had the same option I had on the Nuremberg property. You didn’t want it. Remember?”

      Leesa folded her arms. “So?”

      Lyza walked toward her. “So why are you angry at me for a deal you turned down that I picked up and made work? No one in this world has any control over what comes out of Father’s mouth. You know I can’t stand it when you’re mad.”

      A grin played at the corners of Leesa’s mouth, and her shoulders relaxed. “How can I be mad when you put it like that? It hurt. You know I did my job, too, Lyza.” Leesa swallowed hard. “Why does he always manage to make me feel like I’m not as good at anything as you are? I thought he was retiring.”

      “He will, eventually.” Lyza put her arm around Leesa. “Until then, we have to put up with him.”

      Bill walked toward them with a sheaf of papers in his hand. “Look, it’s not much, but here are a few leads. There’s nothing like Nuremberg right now; perhaps next week. I’ll keep both of you posted.” Lord help me. It’s bad enough trying to balance Lawrence and the twins. Now I guess I’m going to learn to juggle.

      Glad to get the Monday morning meeting over, Lyza tried to adjust her attitude about being back at work and helped Leesa divide the sheaf of paper Bill had handed them. Lyza and Leesa walked down the hall together, then split at the elevator to enter their separate offices.

      ***

      As Leesa stepped into her office, she flipped through the listings to see whether anything looked like something she could sell quickly. The abandoned mining operation in Utah didn’t impress her. Five thousand acres in Wyoming might as well have been in Antarctica, as far as she was concerned. A five-story apartment building in lower downtown Chicago—no way would she work that one. Nothing looked good to her. Then she remembered what Lyza said, the part about her turning down the Nuremberg deal. That hadn’t looked good to Leesa, either, but Lyza had done so well with it. Maybe I should hold on to these for a while. I need to think about all of them. I don’t have to do better than Lyza. I’d like to do as well. If I could just find something I could be passionate about.

      ***

      In her office just across the hall, Lyza slapped the sheaf of papers down on her desk. What a bunch of garbage this is! I refuse to even look at these until I’ve had another cup of coffee. She padded down the hall to the break room and ran into Bill.

      He poured his cup of coffee and moved out of her way. “What did you think of those leads I gave you?”

      Lyza СКАЧАТЬ