11
The Business Meeting
Every fortnight we have a team meeting. We discuss anything from the organisational structure and if everyone is clear with their new job roles, to our performance and productivity as a team, to whether the online management system is performing as expected. Which, more than often than not, it isn't. We usually spend half the time arguing with the IT guys about it, but they insist the problem is in the handling, and not the programming. So yesterday we agreed on some new protocols that would allow us administration staff to log requests for assistance when the system goes down. But that wasn't all we achieved.
We managed to consume two plates of donuts and 3 rounds of coffee, all the while Kaiden kept bickering with Chesca about her plan to re-engage the mature age market. She is certain her new marketing strategy will work, while Kaiden just sits there rolling his eyes and mouthing who-knows-what behind his napkin. Charles, our level-headed finance officer, kindly informed us for the twenty-seventh time that we do not have the funds in our budget to cover the new promotional tools. I agreed, until Chesca delivered her perfectly rehearsed speech about how we can save here and there, and redirect the funds to her very important department. 'What's a company if people don't know about it?' she cleverly asked, and no one could argue with that, especially when donuts stuffed their mouths shut. I think that was all part of her plan.
There was, however, one good outcome of the meeting. We're getting a new boss. He spent ten minutes introducing himself, and he's personable enough in my opinion. Perhaps this Mr Elbert, who hails from the Wall Street stock exchange, will actually look out for us little guys and take the time to remember our names.
The meeting concluded, and I honestly have no further clue about how to deal with my tiresome clients. Customer service was meant to be the exciting and rewarding department of our retirement super fund company. But who wants to deal with people who rave on and on about their waterfront home, the latest cruise they've just been on, and how they've already planned their next three holidays in advance? All the while I sit here in my tiny office with 27 years of work left on my timecard. I guess it gives me something to look forward to.
But after yesterday's meeting, I think I'm going to need another of Chesca's donuts.
Chesca clenched and unclenched her fists, her eyes seething. She burnt holes in the back of Asa's head while he stood talking to one of his command.
Soon they were all seated at the large dining table, eating lunch. She pushed the salad around on her plate, a knot twisting in her stomach. The decision was all up to her, Asa had made that much clear. The only reason she could figure for his stupid deal was that he and Kaiden must go further back than she realised, and he was looking out for his friend, wanting him to be happy with a mate.
The fact it was her who would be tied down to that jerk was lost on Asa. Maybe it was to spite her. Maybe it would be to finally break her, she'd refuse his condition, and just hand over the whole pack and territory to Asa. Yes, that must be it—he wanted her pack, too!
Grrr, why was every male so power hungry? The glass in her hand cracked slightly under the pressure she'd applied, and the table all looked at her.
"I'm sorry," she said hastily before getting up, throwing her napkin beside her plate. "I need some space."
Kaiden got up to follow, but her deadliest glare made him sit back down.
___
The forest needles crunched under her heavy footsteps as she wound her way between the trees. She didn't know where she was going, but it didn't matter. She could only think clearly when surrounded by fresh air and the calming sense of nature. Her father would always find her out in the woods late the night before stressful exams, and he joked that she was part wood nymph on top of her keen wolf instincts. She never got lost, but could expertly track paths and animals, always finding her way back home.
So when she heard footsteps behind her now, her whole body tensed, knowing exactly who it was. The scent of freshly cut grass seeped in the air around her, making her heart twist and flip despite her best discipline.
"I told you not to follow me."
"You just glared at me, how was I supposed to know what that meant?"
"Seeing as I'm your mate, I figured you could read my mind by now."
"Only once we're mated, sweetheart," Kaiden walked closer with a smug look on his face, and reached out his hand. She swatted it away and turned around, walking deeper into the forest.
"Asa wants to know your decision. He said the offer won't stand forever."
"Tell him to go stuff his face in a pile of poetic junk. There's no way I'm gonna get stuck with you as my soulmate."
"If it's only land you want, then....we could..." Kaiden began slowly, and Chesca turned to watch his face, wanting to see just where he was going with this. She could see his lips twitch upwards, words on the tip of his tongue as his mind continued formulating them. "We could just go through with the ceremony like Asa wants, but, you know....it doesn't have to.." he nervously rubbed the back of his neck and shifted his feet.
"Doesn't have to what?" she crossed her arms and stared at him hard, the leafy shadows dancing rhythmically across his face, the dappled sun rays tinting his brown hair with golden specks.
"Mean anything?" he spread his hands and his voice went up at the end like he was asking for her agreement.
She narrowed her eyes. Did he really mean that, or was he manipulating her, getting her to agree to the acceptance ceremony just so he'd be one step closer to owning her pack? "I don't believe you," she stated coldly.
"Oh Chesca, come on," he dropped his arms. "Your pack needs the land, yes?" he waited until she nodded. "And Asa has agreed to move the border, so why can't you just do this? For your pack? We can maybe work out whatever is between us later," he put his hands on his hips, regarding her intently.
