RISE OF EROS

After all the courtesans finished their parades with all designs slightly modified and different colors, Candice wasted no time in beginning the negotiation.

Andrew had already noticed Candice's enthusiasm, so he didn't want to start negotiations immediately, much less in this place, so he proposed to Candice to move into the office to which she agreed.

Once in the office, Carolina joined the conversation. After making themselves comfortable in the office, Andrew opened the conversation, "Did you like the presentation, Mrs. Candice?"

With a smile on her face, she replied, "I must admit that it surprised me. I did not expect such an event, but it was a pleasant surprise." Candice answered, and Andrew smiled at her impression of the parade and continued the conversation.

"As you could see, although the differences are small, the value is in the details, so my intention is to sell you the 32 designs that I showed you." Candice remained silent for a few seconds as if thinking about something.

After her contemplation time, she said, "Indeed the differences are not obvious, but they are not negligible either", then she paused and continued, "Why sell me the designs and not make them yourself? I think it's more lucrative to sell me the products."

"It's very simple, first of all, I don't have the workforce to carry out this venture, not to mention that it's not my line of business. The second reason is that there is nothing complex about those designs, they are not difficult to replicate", was what Andrew replied with a relaxed voice.

Candice nodded her head, implying that Andrew's statement was correct. Certainly if you didn't have the designs, just by looking at them you wouldn't be able to replicate them, but by the time they hit the market it would be a different situation.

However, the important thing was who launched them on the market. If Andrew did, having no industry contacts or experience, he would be easily pushed out by the competition once they were copied.

However, Candice was different. She had power and influence, so even if the competition copied the designs, she could establish a brand and stand out from imitations, avoiding being displaced.

All businesses were the same. Sometimes it's not the newest idea that wins, but whoever implements it, and for this type of product, Candice had the best hand to play.

"Then let's negotiate. How much do you want?" Candice asked immediately. She is a decisive businesswoman, she doesn't like to beat around the bush, and when she was interested in something she just got down to business.

"Mrs. Candice, I will give you a sample of the 32 designs for you to study, as well as a list of materials for the manufacture," said Andrew now more serious, he could not take this negotiation lightly.

"I understand about the designs, but not about the list, what do you mean?" Candice commented, intrigued. "I imagine that you have noticed that none of the products shown are of high quality. They are really low-cost products, but that is not to say that these designs can only be made with those materials," Andrew replied.

He paused briefly and continued to say, "I'll offer you two sets of materials that are best suited for making these designs…", Andrew hadn't finished speaking when Candice interrupted him, "You mean, I could make the same designs in a high-end line and another for low-end".

"Mrs. Candice understands the business very well. That's right, that way you'll have a bigger-ranking clientele and make more money," Andrew commented following Candice's lead.

"That's really good, but I think I can do that on my own, I don't see that information as adding value," Candice said, trying to find a loophole to lower the price, but Andrew had already thought of that and responded.

"Certainly, you can do it, but you will lose time and money on research. I can save you those resources by giving you the best options and you would only have to start producing."

Candice again remained silent, thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of the proposal, and letting out a resigned sigh, she asked, "How much?"

"Since Mrs. Candice likes direct negotiation, I'll just say the price. I want 500 small gold coins." The price announced by Andrew surprised not only Candice but Carolina who was sitting next to Andrew.

Until this moment, she didn't know how much money Andrew would ask for the designs, but upon hearing the large sum of money he asked for, she had to admit that it was too much.

Candice thought the same thing. Certainly, she would earn a lot more money than that when she started selling these products, but even so, it seemed like a steep price to pay.

On the other hand, Andrew didn't think it was a lot of money. Although he did not know the market of the textile sector of this world, he was confident that these designs could triple that amount in a short time.

Despite thinking that, Andrew knew that Candice would not accept that price, so he threw the last olive branch before Candice could refuse, "If you accept my conditions, I can offer you exclusivity for the following designs."

Andrew's proposal intrigued Candice and she couldn't help but ask, "Exclusivity? As?". Andrew relaxed when he noticed that he had caught Candice's attention with his proposal and continued to say.

"It's simple, I will offer you 3 collections of new designs every six months" and, pausing, he explained, because he felt that he had not been clear, "In other words, every six months I will create 32 new designs where you will be the only buyer three times further".

"What about the price?" Candice asked seriously. She was an astute woman and knew what it was like to have a collection of new dresses for 2 years and she wanted to know more.

"It will depend on the design. I don't have anything figured out yet, so I can't give details, but I can promise that they will be up to the level of those shown today", Andrew replied when the iron was still hot.

Again Candice was silent and after a few seconds she asked again, "Would it be 2 dresses and 2 pieces of underwear again?" to which Andrew replied shortly, "That would be the idea".

Candice remained silent again evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of this deal, while Carolina held her breath waiting for the outcome.

Carolina was a capable and intelligent manager, but she had very little negotiation experience, so she always attended these meetings to learn. She could never launch a proposal like the one her husband had made, but she had the big picture clear.

She knew that there were usually no setbacks in these deals, that is, the next set would be more expensive and the one that followed would increase in value again, therefore, if Candice accepted, it would not be strange that the next set would cost 1,000 small gold coins and the next one was even bigger.

If Carolina, who didn't have much experience, knew that, Candice obviously knew it too. The only difference was that Candice also knew that by then the brand would already be well known and those new designs could sell for more, so she wouldn't lose money.

The only way that this business would not make money for her, would be if the next designs were worse than the ones she had seen today and even then she had the option of not buying them, so there was no risk for her.

Looking up, Candice gave Andrew a serious look and said, "I will accept your terms on two premises." Andrew hadn't expected Candice to counteroffer, but he didn't panic and gestured for her to continue.

"First, the exclusivity of the 3 collections that you mentioned to me is about the purchase, so if I'm not convinced by the designs, I can choose not to buy, but I would still have exclusivity for the following ones."

Andrew narrowed his eyes looking at Candice upon hearing her proposal and wanting to know if he understood correctly, he asked, "That is, if the next collection is not to your liking, you won't buy it and you will still have 3 exclusive collections, am I correct?".

"That's correct," Candice replied nonchalantly. Andrew remained silent, evaluating the proposal. It was certainly problematic, but fair at the same time, that way Candice would win since she would prevent Andrew from making mediocre designs.

However, that didn't affect Andrew, because his designs came from the system and there were enough to draw a different one every day of the year without repeating whenever he had points, so he accepted saying, "Okay, I accept. What would be the second condition?

Candice smiled and said, "The second condition is that I am very interested in your way of presenting the dresses, is there a way that you can teach me to apply it to an audience and promote it?"

Andrew was surprised by the second condition. He had planned the fashion show because it seemed the best way to expose his designs, but he never thought of popularizing the practice of these events.

However, Candice being a capable businesswoman, she immediately saw the potential of holding a fashion show as a method of promotion. Andrew had to admit that the woman whom he was doing business with was more than just a pretty face.

He obviously knew that Candice was very capable, not everyone reaches what Candice has right now from scratch without great ability, but Andrew was still shocked.

However, soon he regained his composure and replied, "It's not that it can't be done, but it would be a separate negotiation." Candice smiled at Andrew's implications and said, "No problem, I have time."