«You're such a workaholic, Sarah! You better be here for the ceremony as you promised or else...»
(...)
Workaholic she said... I better be there on time.
As soon as I stepped foot inside the Anderson Toys Company building, I was immediately greeted by Jonathan, who was already waiting by the automatic door; his face was stern, yet peaceful. He handed me over a cup of freshly brewed coffee along with the meeting papers that he had so cautiously separated for me. "Here are the papers you'll be needing for the meeting, Mrs. Anderson. The important topics are underlined in yellow. Please, review them before you enter." He guided me through each page as I flipped them. "Also you have some notes if you feel tongue-tied," And, he pointed to the sticky notes."I know this is your first time leading a business meeting alone."
"Y-Yeah... " I stammered a bit nervous about the whole ordeal. Was I really ready for this step? Through the past year, I've always been accompanied by the Vice-chairman, following him everywhere like a perfect shadow, abiding orders like a real intern. Not that I'm not grateful, because I am. He has been teaching me everything I need to know to fully fulfill my role in the company, making sure in the future I'll do a good job. All that I knew about the company and what being a CEO meant, was due to him. I sighed; it came as a signal, not of my resolving but of the level of my tension has reached. I just hoped not to mess things up. We need to close that deal as It would be good for the company. "There's a lot of pressure, you know?"
"I get that but, don't you worry, ma'am. You'll do great. I'm sure of that. You've proved to be quite the CEO so far." He gently patted me on the shoulder, trying to, as much as possible, boost my confidence up. "Your grandfather would be proud."
I smiled, feeling a little reassured by his kind words. I wasn't definitely ready but, after hearing that, I felt more confident. Let's do this!
"I also took the liberty and asked Charlotte to prepare the west wing meeting room for you. Marie took the day off." He briefly explained."We have set out for you several bottles of water, a coffee machine, and plastic cups for the short, mini-break. The computer and the overhead projector are ready as well for the visual presentation." He added.
"Thank you very much Jonathan for your help." I thanked him for his hard work. This was our office manager to you, with everything under control and his grasp. I knew it was a great idea to keep him in that role. Even under my grandfather's watch, he did a splendid job. "By the way, where did you settle them?"
"In the waiting room, on the top floor." He replied.
"Right!" I gulped down, staring up the huge main steps. That was it. Wish me luck, I guess.
He bowed slightly with his head 'nd body with the help of his left hand and stretched out his arm, showing me the way to the elevator. "Right this way, Mrs. Anderson"
"Oh-- lead the way then."
(...)
The elevator we took, led directly to the meeting office, a huge room occupying the corner of the building with floor-to-ceiling windows. A great view, I must say. Up from there, it was like looking down at the world. You could see everything, whenever direction your curious eyes landed; the various trees lined-up to each other, the several playgrounds meant for children of all ages, the consecutive condominiums, the tall, rival business buildings, the straight and curved streets connecting the city and, to top that, the many busy people going on about the day on the streets. Up from there, it was like standing on a giants' back exploring the world with awe. I smirked, up there I was the king, or rather, the queen of the world, untouchable.
"--Ma'am?"
"Y-Yes?" I asked startled.
He frowned his forehead and raised his eyebrow; his aged-wrinkles made themselves presented with the movement, giving him an even sterner look. Jonathan was staring at me with that same look that my father gives me when I'm out of it and not listening to him.
"Ahah-- S-Sorry, I just spaced out." I laughed embarrassed while scratching awkwardly the back of my neck. Way to go, Sarah. Let the power come straight to your head on the first start. "You were saying?"
"It's okay. A lot to take in, I assume. Well, as I was saying, you'll be meeting with the Trinity Corp.'s CEO, his Vice Chairman and several others associates, as the company attorney, the financial and social counselor, and his secretary--"
As it was my first time ever, I didn't know what to expect from it so, I placed the pastel envelop, which was given to me on my arrival, on top of the frail glass table, and removed from within its content. Hopefully reading those notes, would fill me in on the current situation and on the purpose of that meeting. The pages contained the profile information concerning our so-called guest; the very thing I asked Marie to compile information about the CEO and tho, she was able to do it successfully, she did fail in postponing this meeting. Maybe I should just dismiss her? I hate to be the one letting people go but, I need people around me who are competent and do their job properly. That's how a company can only provide.
«Name: James
Surname: Russel
Age: 25 Place of Birth: unknown Status: Single
Company: Trinity Corp. Position: CEO, self-made Billionaire.
Accomplishments: At the age of 23 completed his first degree.
He's the founder of the so-known application that allows potential abroad clients to acquire material goods produced by any kind of company that contracts its services, 'For'all'. And due to the rapid widespread use of his innovative, tho very useful app, it was the first company ever to develop its very own network to achieve exports, Trinity Worldwide.
Academic qualifications: Degree in Marketing Management; Degree in Business Administration; and a Master's degree in Finances.
Field experience: in many small companies and various departments - Accounting and Auditing, Marketing and Social Communication, Computing and Administration -, for only short periods of time.
Trinity's current associations: Bluetronics Corp.; Crystal Records; Dream Co.; Honeyhead; Saw Co.; Smart Sports; among other companies.
Trinity's Rank: Top 5 of the most successful multinational companies.
Other notes: Social-wise, he's viewed by some people as a prodigy kid who was able to rise up an due to his high IQ and personal efforts, yet by others viewed as this young man who struck it rich because he got lucky.
Also, there are some rumors spread revolving around this young business man love life. It is speculated that he's with Iridessa Summers, a famous and, highly requested Model from Glamour agency who lately has gained a lot of male fans with her repeated, constantly appearances half-naked in the magazine Divine Review and Victoria Secret's lingerie fashion shows but, more reserved on her social media, as Instagram and Facebook. However, the tabloids state that there isn't a serious commitment between those two and that, being only a conjugal visit. With money and luxury involved, it's difficult for love to fit in. It is also said that, maintaining a relationship with a CEO in ascension, has brought very good advertisement to the model agency and for the model herself.
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Well, that was very elucidative, I guess... I thought to myself as I allowed my eyes to continue rummage through the folder. There was so much on my supposed, future business partner to review. I should have had more time to go through this thoroughly.
"--Is there anything else you wish to know about him, Mrs. Anderson?"
"E-Eh? Er-r..." Was anything else I wished to know? That thought trundled through my brain like a high-speed train but, I couldn't think of anything else. Nothing. Everything was happening so fast. I couldn't think straight about how nervous I was."N-No. I'm good." I said.
"Very well, then." Jonathan cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses upper on his nose bridge."If you excuse me for a few minutes, I'm gonna let the secretary know that she can send our guests up."
I nodded in agreement.
(...)
I stood straight-up and close enough by the door, anxiously waiting for them to come through it. I drew in a breath of the late-fall air, resolved that I must close this deal rather sooner than late; I had other plans on my agenda, attending a wedding for example. As soon as it flew open, I took a step closer and stretched out my hand for anyone bold enough to grab it. "Good morning, gentleman. Please excuse us for the delay and thank you for coming in today." I warmly greeted them.
His associates were the first ones to greet me and introduce themselves, however, the one who spoke more openly was a brown-haired, bearded man, dressed fancily in a blue-navy slim suit with a dotted red tie. "Good morning Mrs. Anderson. I'm Oscar Wild, Vice Chairman of Trinity's Corp. It's finally nice to meet the youngest CEO in the business field. Hope that both parties can benefit from what ends up being decided today."
"Likewise," I replied professionally.
A sudden movement at the door caught my eye. A handsome, 6'0 tall man with ray-ban glasses stood before me; he had short black hair and whiskey colored-eyes, was wearing a gray blazer with red accents, a fitted white dress shirt, black slacks, and buckle shoes. I assumed him to be Trinity's CEO, James Russel. I've never seen the guy before but, why do I feel like that I know him, tho?
"Hello, Mrs. Anderson" He had a firm handshake, but was pleasant enough.
I nodded and returned the smile.
He glanced down at the folder I had under my armpits, almost instantly acknowledging what that was. "I'm James Russel, CEO of Trinity Corp, but I assume you already know that."
My eyes followed his, ending on that very same folder; so, I hid it behind my back, trying to conceal the fact that I tried to have the upper hand. "S-Sir--! I... I--!" I stammered in my words embarrassed.
He chuckled amused."Don't trouble yourself about it, miss. I did my own research as well." As he scanned my face for a reaction, the silence hung in the air like the suspended moment before a falling glass shatters on the ground.
I swallowed hard and cleared my throat. "T-Then, I guess we're even."
"I guess so." He agreed almost silently.
"W-Well, shall we begin our meeting?" I asked, dying to change the subject.
"Of course" He answered accordingly. "Please, after you." And, respectfully, gestured me to the seats arranged by the business table.
To be continued.