Chapter 17
<Shielyn>
From that day, we had been busy and returned to how we used to be. I'm here in the company, looking at my desktop and lazily doing my task. How's he doing now? We rarely see each other; when he gets home, I am already asleep, and he gets off to work when I wake.
"Hey, Selene," I looked at Jake when he called me. He's the department's top manager and kind to us.
"Have you done the reporting?"
Jake asked me to do the reporting for the proposal to present to the board. Yeah, work is challenging when it comes to this; I hate reporting, it's not my forte, and I don't have confidence. I don't know how I can get the best performance when I'm just a simple employee who wants a simple life.
"I'm still doing it. I don't have any idea.”
I keep on biting my nails; my brain is lacking ideas.
Jake leaned on, looked at the screen, and read what I'd written.
"This will reject our boss. You need to think of new reasons why he should invest in us. We need to think on this deeply and apply critical thinking, and I heard the major investor who is part of the board member is coming."
I don't have any idea. Jake chose me to be his partner on this matter.
"This is not part of my job," I complained excellently.
"Silly, we need it there. The sales are decreasing, and we need to suggest how to improve our products. You're part of the Marketing department,"
Jake winked at me and seemed to want to upgrade his position. Well, who wouldn't? Except me.
A few more days and the day has come. I'm nervous, and I'm still not used to using it. We enter a whole room, and my hands get sweaty when we enter the room. A well-known and successful businessman is here, all wearing corporate attire. My eyes landed on Ken, and he's here? I bit my lower lip, and I wanted to back out. Why didn't I ask what the company that our boss has been targeting to invest in us is? He's playing with the pen as he chills while sitting on the chair.
He looked at his wristwatch, "you're 30 seconds late. Is this how professional your employee, Mr. Vacardi?"
He's a boss. I swallowed hard; he's not my husband. The way he uttered his every word is like there's power.
"How can you pursue me to invest in your company if your employees are not professionals? You know I don't like being late," he's mean.
It's just 30 seconds. Why does Ken need to be like this?
I just want to get out of here and run. I don't like Ken’s aura. So, are the gossip about him true? He's a strict and embarrassing employee.
"Excuse, Mr. Saltzman, it's just 30 seconds; why make it a big deal? If we start right now, we use our time wisely and not waste it on pointing at us," Jake answered, and Ken fixed his suit, and he's playing on the ballpen.
"As per, I remember I'm not talking to you. You know that it's your proposal today. Why did you make us wait? Isn't that right, Mr.?"
Why does he need to make it a big deal?
"Stop about it, and let's start," the old man interrupted, and he said it in a warning tone. He is stopping Ken.
I played with my fingers to distract myself.
Jake looked at me.
"I can't make it," I said without a voice.
Jake held my hand and pinched it.
Ken put his ballpen back.
"In business, time is important; we're all businessmen here. You know how important 30 seconds is; it's either you earn or lose money. Now, I changed my mind and invested in an uncompetitive company" he stands up and calls his secretary.
"Mr. Saltzman, give us a chance," our boss beg and stop him.
"Your company is decreasing sales, and the performance is low. It doesn't make sense if I invest. I'm just wasting money and time.”
Is our company near bankruptcy? That can’t be. I am comfortable here because I don't want to work with another company. The boss is nice.
"Why don't you sit in and have a try first? Let's hear from you first, Mr. Saltzman; we have been friends."
Our boss can't pursue him as well, as the other investor is backing up because Ken followed them well.
"Please, let's hear our proposal, and after that, you can decide if you take it or regret it," I interrupted, and he smirked.
We look at each other's eyes and.
"Okay," back on his seat.
There's a wonder in the eyes of people here as he agreed with me that easily.
As we started discussing, I got distracted by how he looked at me. I couldn't focus on my topic. He was just looking at me intently, and he didn't remove his look. I got a mental block.
"T-This. Uhmm," I don't want to say. I stayed silent and thought of my following speech.
"well… I… " I’m dead.
“Competition is rising in the market, as part of the market team. The heads are trying not to change the product quality because customers have been finding the old tastes, aromas, and feelings. And based on the survey they did last month, the result came to bring back the old," I firmly said.
The older man looked at the paper and asked.
"What do you think is the easy solution to this problem? Yeah, you mention all the factors, but what is your main recommendation?" He asked. I bit my lower lip. I wanted to get out of it, plus I got distracted because Ken didn't leave his sight on me.
"And can you pursue us to invest in your soon-to-be bankrupt Mr. Vacardi?" Ken asked as if that was nothing. He is mimicking this company. I’d never known that he was arrogant about this matter.
Jake join in.
"Excuse me, but based on what I've said, our survey says that customers like the old formula, and we can get back customers' loyalty if you guys invest in us; it helps to enhance our product,” he stops.
“MiBlanca used to be well known worldwide, and if you put your trust in us, we can be a business partner and lots of benefits you can get on us," Jake stated.
"Mr. Satzman and Mr. Lacardi, I'm setting my appointment with Lamidad Corporation, and Lamidad has been partners. We need you to help our company sales,” our boss said.
Ken keeps on playing with the ballpen.
"And you, Ms? Aren't you going to say something?" he smirked.
They all looked at me, and I looked away.
Jake held my hands, and I saw Ken; look at it. His aura became dark, and his jaw moved.
"Uh- uh…" I don't know what to say, I have ideas, but I feel pressured in this place; they look like they are shouting that they are respectable and influential.
"Aren't you listening to her report, Bacardi?" Ken asked the man who questioned me. He’s saving me.
"Yeah, I get it. I'm sorry," the man said as if he was intimidated by Ken. he is arrogant, the way Ken speaks, and he is aura. If this is not my husband, I already killed him in my mind.
"I'll think about this," Ken put the ballpen down.
"I'm sorry, but I won't go. This investment is too risky," Lacardi said, the old man in a gray suit.
"I thought they were your top employees; why can't they pursue me? And how about their products? They want to make products out of the world" Vacardi.
Ken glared at the old man, "that's how business works, old man! We are looking at a problem and making a solution, and that's how we earn. Don't be stupid, as if you're not a business industry for decades!" Ken insulted me, and I wanted to laugh. How can he insult a respectable business person like him?
"Yeah, I agree with Mr. Saltzman '' Lacardi.
"That's their idea why we have Miblanca on top sales," he agreed,
"They are my assets, and I treasure my employees. I treated them based on their skills.,” our boss said.
Lacardi felt embarrassed that not one-sided on me. I bow my head, and I played with my fingers,
"Suit you right!” Jake smirked, and I nudged him.
"He might hear you," I warned him.
"He's too old to hear me?" He playfully said.
"Yeah, I want your employee, '' Ken said while looking at me, and he's playing the ballpen again while leaning on the swivel chair like a boss. He's too relaxed. And I am nervous as hell.
"Yeah, Jake is my top manager," Vacardi.
"No, the other one. I want that woman in my company," Ken said without breaking our eye contact.
“I give her to you in return; you’ll invest in my company,” My boss said.
Ken smirked.
Am I a toy?
"Ok, deal,"
Ken, I want to punch him right now; what's on his mind? I told her I didn't want to work in the family business; I wanted to be simple and lowkey.
Ken signed and agreed to get it; I hate my boss! He is willing to sacrifice his employee dignity for his company; how dare he! What kind of boss is he? They are just businessmen without a heart! They’re only thinking about their company and how to make money without minding their surroundings and what it may affect humans!
If I become a CEO, I'll break the stereotype and think for the betterment of everyone; everyone will get benefits! Of course, I can't do that; I still need the help of my husband and a lot of hard work.
