Filed to story: That Campus Prince Is a Girl
Eric continued, “Here’s what I’m thinking. I want to get your collection produced and on the shelves as soon as possible. We can set up a separate brand, and you get to name it.
“But it’ll be under Noir ?clat, and we’ll split the profits fifty-fifty. How does that sound?”
Cameron replied, “Let’s call it ‘The Starry. I’m good with a fifty-fifty split.”
After all, Cameron was just a nobody, while Noir ?clat was a major international company.
Cameron thought she probably only got the generous fifty-fifty split because of Brad’s connections.
Even though Eric didn’t say a word about it, Cameron understood.
Eric nodded. “Alright, just send your bank account number to Leanne. The 300-thousand-dollar bonus and any future earnings will be wired to you directly by our finance department.”
“Okay, thank you, Eric,” Cameron replied.
Bradley lounged back on the sofa. “So, are we done with business?”
Eric nodded, picked up his coffee from the table, and took a sip. “Yeah, almost.”
Bradley said, “Eric, I have a small suggestion.”
Eric set down his coffee cup and said, “Go ahead.”
Bradley said, “I think you should change the split to seventy-thirty. You take thirty, Cameron gets seventy.”
Cameron widened her eyes upon hearing that.
Eric stared at Bradley, dumbfounded.
Bradley continued, “Come on, you’re a designer yourself-you know creativity is priceless. You’re taking Cameron’s designs, mass-producing them, and you still want half the profits? Isn’t that a little too much?”
Eric didn’t expect Bradley to say that.
Cameron shook her head. “Brad, I think fifty-fifty is already great. After all, I’m using Eric’s company name. People care more about the brand than anything else now.”
Bradley insisted, “With your talent, you don’t need anyone’s backing. You could start your own brand.”
Cameron didn’t know how to reply.
After a long pause, Eric finally said, “Brad, are you really my brother?”
Eric thought, ‘Whose side are you on, anyway? I only gave him a fifty-fifty split because of you, you know? Anyone else would only get a twenty-eighty split.’
Bradley smiled, “Of course I am.”
Eric snorted, “I doubt that.”
Bradley grinned. “Want to get a DNA test?”
Eric thought, ‘Nice, my dear brother.’
Bradley shrugged. “I stand by what’s right.”
Eric joked, “You’d make a great lawyer. If I ever get sued, I’m definitely hiring you.”
Bradley shot back, “Just make sure you pay me extra.”
Eric was a bit speechless.
Bradley asked, “So, what do you think of my suggestion? You get thirty, and Cameron gets seventy.”
Eric replied, “Great suggestion. Next time, keep it to yourself.”
Bradley smiled, “Come on, just say yes or no. Can’t you give your brother some face?”
Cameron hurriedly said, “Brad, no please. I think a fifty-fifty split is already generous, a and that’s only because of you. Don’t make things hard for Eric.
Bradley said, “Cameron, Eric is loaded. He’s got more money than you can imagine. Losing a bit won’t matter to him. But you? If you don’t make money, you can’t make it.”
Cameron thought to herself, ‘No matter how rich Eric is, he earns every penny Cameron felt that a seventy-thirty split is basically daylight robbery.’ himself. That reason for me to take advantage of him. Honestly,
After a long silence, Eric finally said, “Alright, for your sake, seventy-thirty. Cameron gets seventy, and I get thirty.”
Cameron looked at Eric in shock. “Eric, are you serious?”
Eric nodded. “Yeah, I do like your works. I’m taking Brad’s advice.”
Bradley grinned. “Thanks, dude. Good things happen to good people. Trust me, you’ll be happy for the rest of your life.”
Eric raised an eyebrow. “Since when did you start praying for people?”
Bradley laughed. “Just now.”
Eric was a bit speechless.
Cameron still felt bad and said, “Eric, let’s just split it fifty-fifty.”
Bradley said, “Cameron, you only see what Eric did. Don’t you notice everything I’ve done for you?”
Bradley thought, ‘Did I argue for nothing just now?’
Cameron was at a loss for words.
Eric chuckled. “Brad, I finally get why Eddie said that to me.”
Bradley looked curious. “What did he say?”
Eric just grinned. “Secret.”
Bradley thought, ‘Whatever, keep your secrets. Not like I really want to know anyway.’
Eric teased, “You still don’t trust me?”
Bradley said, “Eric, have Leanne get the contract ready. I can help Cameron look it cover.”
Bradley replied, “It’s not about trust. Gotta follow the process, right?”
Eric caught a whiff of something delicious from the kitchen and said, “I’m starving. Let’s eat first and talk later.”
“Alright.” Bradley agreed.
Cameron stood up. “I’ll go check how things are coming along in the kitchen.”
Eric called Leanne. “Come back. It’s time for lunch.”
Leanne was back in no time.
After she arrived, Eric said, “After lunch, head back to the office and get the contract ready. Change the profit split-make it seventy and thirty.
Leanne nodded. “Okay, Eric.”
Bradley chimed in, “Cameron gets seventy, and you guys get thirty.”
Leanne laughed. “Come on, Brad, you’re joking, right?”
Bradley replied, “Ask your boss if I’m joking.”
Eric shot Bradley a look, then turned to Leanne. “He’s serious. We get thirty, and gets seventy.”
Leanne was completely floored. She screamed inwardly, ‘Oh my goodness! Did I hear it right? We get thirty, and Cameron gets seventy? You’ve got to be kidding me.
‘When has our company ever signed a contract this outrageous? Even the biggest-name designers only get a fifty-fifty split. Wasn’t Eric originally planning to give Cameron a forty-sixty deal?
‘How did it suddenly turn to seventy-thirty? But Eric looks completely serious. He’s not joking around.’
Leanne could only nod. “Okay, Eric.”
Cameron happened to come out just then with a plate of pastries. “Eric, it’ll probably be another five minutes. Why don’t you have some pastries while you wait?”
Eric said, “No worries. I can wait a few minutes.”
He wasn’t really into sweets anyway.
Cameron immediately noticed that Leanne didn’t look quite right. She asked, “Ms. Starling, are you okay?”
Leanne shook her head. “Thank you, Mr. Wallace. I’m alright.”
Cameron nodded.
