Enthrall

The Deal Evie I was anxious, sweaty, and nervous, which was completely out of character for me. Today was incredibly important. I was waiting for a video call that would change everything for good. My siblings and I needed this. We really did. Being a YouTuber and TikToker paid the bills, but there was only so much it could do for us. The notification sound from my laptop made my heart skip. George Evans was calling five minutes early. I quickly checked my reflection in the black screen, smoothed my hair, and answered. "Good evening, Miss Jones. At least, I hope it's evening in your part of the world." He seemed kind, though I had never met him in person, only through a few corresponding emails and one brief phone call where his posh English accent had made me feel like I was talking to royalty. "Good evening to you too, and yes, it's evening here as well, just maybe three hours ahead." He smiled kindly at me, and I felt some of my nerves settle. "Wonderful. Before we begin, I must say, your brand has impressed me immensely. The way you've built Enthrall from nothing into a global phenomenon is remarkable for someone so young." I had started Enthrall when I was twenty-one as a way to earn extra money to help my siblings. I wanted to buy them books for school, their uniforms, the things they needed. It was supposed to be part-time, but over the years, it became something much more. My little baby (yes, I called it that, deal with it) blossomed into something incredible. It absolutely exploded and had the most amazing glow-up you could imagine. What started in my tiny bedroom in Lusaka, with me sewing samples late into the night while my siblings slept, had become a brand with over fifteen million followers across all social media platforms. Just last month, we made over three million pounds in sales. "Thank you, Mr. Evans. It's been quite the journey." "Please, call me George. Now, let's get straight into it, shall we? I sent you a copy of the contract and asked you to have your lawyer look at it. Tell me, was it to your liking?" Right. The question of the hour. "As a matter of fact, I did have my lawyer review it, sir... George. Compared to other offers I've received so far, yours is the best." My answer seemed to please him, though he looked doubtful. "Really, Miss Jones? If I'm not mistaken, which I rarely am, you received offers from huge, high-end companies like Nike, and you were offered up to two billion. I offered you a quarter of that. How is mine the better deal?" I had been expecting this question. The truth was, those bigger offers had kept me awake for weeks. Two billion pounds would set us up for life. But every time I imagined signing those papers, something in my chest tightened. "Well, George, that's quite simple. Nike offered to buy it and take it off my hands completely. I would have no say whatsoever in how Enthrall would be handled after the sale, and I didn't want that. Sure, the money was substantial and would have kept my family and me very comfortable, but I want to build a legacy. I poured my heart and soul into Enthrall, and I'd like to see it through. You offered me five hundred million pounds for thirty percent of Enthrall's shares, and on top of that, you offered to help me launch and expand it. It was the best offer." "And what about your siblings? Surely they'd prefer the security of two billion?" The question caught me off guard. He'd done his research. "My siblings trust my judgment. We've been through a lot together, and they know I wouldn't make a decision that wasn't best for our family." He smiled after I finished talking, but I could see him evaluating me, trying to read between the lines. "I looked at the contract, and I only have a few changes to make. My seventy percent of shares, I'd like to split forty percent equally between my brother and sister. I might have started Enthrall, but it wouldn't be what it is today without them. None of our shares may be bought or taken from us, but can only be given to our children if we choose to have any in the future. That way, it stays in our family." George nodded approvingly. "Family loyalty. I respect that. In that case, I'd like to give fifteen percent of my shares to my sons. They're not really my sons, but I raised them like I would have raised my own children, had I been blessed with any. They'll be given five percent each, and their shares cannot be sold or bought unless passed down to their own children as well." "That sounds perfect." "Well, Miss Jones, you have yourself a deal. Now, another issue I'd like to address before we continue is the fact that no one knows who owns Enthrall. That mystery has certainly added to the brand's allure. How do we handle the reveal?" I had been thinking about this for months. "Since I closed it down for four months in preparation for its relaunch, a lot of buzz and excitement has been building up. I was thinking of doing a major reveal a week before launch for the press. The attention would be incredible." "Brilliant. The fashion world loves a good mystery solved. Since everything has been settled, I guess I'll see you in Manchester for the official signing of documents, preparation of the new Enthrall headquarters, and hiring of employees. See you next week, Miss Jones." "See you next week, George." After I cut the call, the silence in the apartment felt deafening. Then reality hit me like a freight train. I had just agreed to sell thirty percent of my company for five hundred million pounds. I was about to become one of the richest twenty-five-year-olds in the world. "AHHHHHHHH!" I screamed and started doing the most ridiculous victory dance around my living room, complete with terrible hip movements and fist pumps that would make t****k cringe. The front door opened just as I was attempting some sort of spinning move. "Did someone die, or did you finally agree to sell some shares?" Edward's voice carried his signature dry humor as he dropped his gym bag by the door. "WE'RE RICH!" I shouted, grabbing him and spinning him around. "Like, properly rich, Ed!" Elizabeth appeared from her room, drawn by the commotion. She stood in the doorway, watching us with that careful expression she got when she was processing information. "The call went well, then?" she asked in her matter-of-fact way. "It went perfectly. We're moving to Manchester, Lizzie. You'll be near the university, and I'll be building an empire." A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Good. I've already researched the area. The University of Manchester has an excellent economics program, and the city has a lower crime rate than London." "Of course you have," I laughed, pulling both of them into a group hug. Lizzie tolerated it for exactly three seconds before stepping back. "When do we leave?" Edward asked. "Next week. George is setting everything up." "George?" Edward raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Evans. My new business partner." I couldn't stop grinning. "God, that sounds so official." As we stood there in our tiny Lusaka apartment, surrounded by the mismatched furniture we'd collected over the years, I felt the weight of what was coming. Everything was about to change. The life we'd built here, the routine we'd created after Mom died, the safety of the familiar all of it was about to be turned upside down. But for the first time in years, I felt like we were moving toward something instead of just surviving.