Rejected

The board meeting was set. Alana sat on her usual chair. Close to Ricardo while Dennis was standing beside Ricardo. There weren't countless men, but just a few. She guessed the five men were the most important. Alana wondered why they were all male and no female came.

“So gentlemen…what do you think…all opinions are welcome,” Ricardo said after handing them some files, so they could see what Alana had come up with. The entire time, Alana's hands were coated in a cold sweat. The men fixed their eyes on the files, flipping each page as Alana got even more agitated. Secretly glancing at Ricardo. The man was busy on his phone waiting for me to finish

“This is ridiculous,” one of the men said, slamming the files shut. Alana was startled upon hearing a stern voice

“Mr. Romero, I'm sure you know the reputation of the company… your company,” another one chimed in as he slammed the file shut and fixed his eyes on Ricardo. By now, Alana's inner lip was chewed to nothing.

“We have a reputation to uphold. I mean, this is a ridiculous idea… our clients expect the best from us and this isn't it,” all the men said their opinion. Alan felt ashamed, she shouldn't have said anything. Hearing what the board had to say, she knew her idea was ridiculous,

“Is that so?” Ricardo asked after a while. The men nodded in unison

“Mr. Romero, pardon me, but we have multiple businessmen counting on us… our investors know what's best for us and you…and the entire Romero family…”

“Unfortunately, having something like this will not only tarnish our reputation as the bed but make our rivals laugh at us,” the men continued saying their opinion. Alana didn't want to hear more. She should have listened to Ricardo when he said her idea was ridiculous

“You are the boss…the most capable man, I'm afraid this idea of having something so simple is ridiculous…we hereby reject it,” the man who seemed to be the leader of the gang said with a few taps of his fingers in the table

“I agree,”

“I agree too”

“Please, I'm sure our team can come up with the best…” just like that the board shunned her idea.

“Thanks, gentlemen for your time…please you are excused,” Ricardo said to the men, and they nodded and rose to their feet. Alana didn't even look up as the men left the table and walked out of the room.

“Please excuse me,” Alana muttered in a low tone and picked up her things and prepared to leave

“Dennis…what do you think about the idea?” Ricardo asked his assistant, making Alana stop in her tracks. Dennis was a little hesitant as he glanced at his boss and then at Alana. What did he have to say

“Well, sir… I think it's great…madam's idea isn't bad…the board didn't just think about how profitable it is,” Dennis said with hesitation at first but smiled knowing he was telling the truth. Those like the board members would think so shallow of the idea, but he understood the boss's wife's plans

“Really?” Ricardo asked with arched brows and Dennis nodded

“Yes sir…madam's idea is great,” Dennis said and Alana smiled faintly. He didn't have to say something good to make her feel better, but she appreciated his honest

“Please excuse us,” Ricardo said to Dennis, gesturing to him to leave. Without hesitation, Dennis was already out of the conference room. The door closed and Alan shifted her gaze to Ricardo

“You were right sir… my idea is ridiculous…,” Alana admitted it, it was better to say she lost than to think she knew it all. After all, she was just a new employee

“It seems you like forcing things,” Ricardo said and pushed the chair he was sitting in backwards and rose to his feet. Alana frowned and watched as he rolled up his sleeves to his elbows. He tugged at his necktie and loosened it a bit. Just his actions made her avert her eyes

“How so?” She asked, feeling awkward. Why did he say she liked forcing things

“I'll give you a task…” Ricardo started and half sat on the table, picked up one of the files and glanced at Alana “how about I put you in charge of the new project… It will be my first test for you, to determine if you are fit to work in my company,” Ricardo added and opened the file. Alana was getting his point, but the project was such a big deal. Being in charge was not only a burden to some but a great responsibility

“Sir…no, I only came up with the idea, not…”

“ She stuttered while waving her hands in the air in denial. Ricardo frowned and slammed the file back on the table

“You'll get access to everything including where our work is carried out, see the various diamonds and other precious gems used for our merchandise… you'll meet the best jewelers our company has,” Ricardo remarked with authority, Alana was confused. He said her idea was ridiculous,

“Ms Mendoza you have three months to impress me…” the man said and slowly got off the table and came close to her. Feeling awkward. Alana took a step backwards and sucked in her breath

“I didn't mean to…well…” it was such a big responsibility, she wasn't ready

“What? Do you want to prove to those men your idea isn't great…besides this operation will be top secret, you can get access to my office and whatever you need will be provided,” Ricardo added as he walked away from her and was about to leave the conference room but stopped and glanced back

“If you fail, there will be consequences," just like that the man said and stormed out of the room leaving Alana dumbstruck? Did he mean he approved of her idea? Without knowing, her lips had quivered upwards into a smile. At least she wasn't going to sit idle.

While Alana was celebrating her victory and getting ready for her new work. Ricardo reached his office. Dennis was present but didn't dare interrupt his boss

Of course, Ricardo was ashamed of those board members. He didn't know they were so shallow. For businessmen, he expected them to see an opportunity, unfortunately, they didn't see a unique idea.

For months he wanted something good and something fresh. His so-called wife presented him with exactly what he wanted. For now, he was going to wait and see what else she had. Without knowing Ricardo was smiling to himself,

Dennis's mouth hung open in shock seeing his boss smiling to himself. Did he even realize he was grinning like a cat.