She didn't realize how much his proximity affected her, until she felt a pang of disappointment when he straightened himself. She obediently placed her fingers in his, as if she couldn't bear to keep him waiting. He pulled her up and close to his side. He casually draped his arm around her back, careful not to stir unwanted interest around the premises.
As they walked past Mike's desk. Mary waved at him, while Mike barely managed a nod. John was irritated, he scowled at Mike, then gently pushed Mary forward. He called for the elevator. Mary stepped in when it arrived, eager to be out of his sight.
"Not so fast Miss", he said, as he held her arm, then push a button to stop the elevator door from closing. "Now, be quick with your deliberation. I hate to be kept waiting", he said with some seriousness.
He released her arm, pressed the button again. He stood tall, dark and dangerously handsome as he gazed at her, until she was out of sight.
Smith has not been able to hide his excitement through out the day. His mind kept replaying the meeting he had with Mary. It was almost difficult for him to concentrate during the meeting he had afterward with his board of directors. He was totally absent-minded while review of the previous minute was ongoing. Mike, his secretary, took his seat at the left end of the table after reading the minute, taking a moment to observe that all members at the table had gotten their meeting materials.
The meeting had five board members, the Chairman, in person of John Smith and his secretary, Mike. The board reviewed the past performance of the organization, engaged in strategic deliberations and approve plans of action to provide ongoing support to the organization through its various stages of growth. Since it's the last quarter of the year, the board also reviewed key performance indicators such as annual sales, market share segmentation, revenues and expenditures for the year, customer satisfaction and ongoing research and development, marketing and expansion projects.
Thereafter, Mr. Kenneth Paul, the managing director of ALF, submitted a list of prospective investors to the Chairman, while a copy was made available to each member as well. Few members also came up with new strategies that could guide the organization into the future. When the discussion was getting heated amongst some members at the meeting, regarding the list of prospective investors, Smith called them to order with a raise of his index finger. When there was decorum in the room, he began addressing the issue at hand.
"I sincerely commend all our individual and collective efforts put to table these past months. Having said that, we have three international investors that should be on our top list and I would like to assign Dr. Kambili and Mr. George here to oversee them," he said, directing his gaze at the two mentioned.
"I want a feedback on the outcome of your meeting with them before the week runs out. Also, Ken can oversee the rest of the investors. Set up a meeting with them and I'll be expecting a brief on that by Friday".
He turned his attention to Mike.
"Mike! Is there any other important agenda on the list yet to be discussed?" He asked
Mike quickly scanned through his copy of the meeting material, he noted that all key highlights had been mentioned.
"No, sir. There's none sir", he replied.
"Good. Why don't we adjourn this meeting then. I believe we all have other duties to get back to".
While majority seemed pleased with the Chairman's decision, they couldn't help but noticed his unusual urgency to swiftly bring the meeting to an end. The meeting was adjourned. Smith stood up, leaving Mike to bring his folder after him.
Mike opened the door to his boss office to allow him entry into the room. Smith went in, walked towards the window. He always enjoy the view. It has a soothing way of calming his nerves. He gazed at the beautiful scenery for a while, his eyes filled with longing. He rested his head on a window pane as his mind wandered off. He jerked in an instant when he felt his phone vibrating in his pants. He stood upright, pulled it out to check his caller. He sighed wearily when he saw that it was his mother. He slid the phone back to his pocket as he took a seat on his sofa.
I need to be in a right frame of mind before I can talk to her. He thought.
He poured himself some brandy, took a sip. He stretched out his long legs. His mind went back to the meeting he had with Mary earlier that morning. For some reason, a smile crept across his face. There's a part of him that gets excited at the thought of her. He couldn't believe he's feeling all giddy for a school girl.
She's eighteen! A voice within him argued. He raised up his glass to the air, as if to make a toast, then emptied the content in his mouth.
"Good luck to that". He murmured
He checked his wrist watch. There's only ten of it around the world. He couldn't deny how much he enjoys being wealthy. There's certain gratification that comes with it. He saw that it was few minutes past four. As if on cue, Mike knocked briefly on his door before making his entry.
"Sir, there's a lady outside, requesting to see you. She introduced herself as Bella".
Smith wasn't sure who Bella was, and he's not aware of any appointment scheduled for this time.
"Does she have an appointment"?
"Not exactly, but she presented the usual sir".
"Usual?"
"Uhm", Mike scratched the side of his face, not sure how to describe his boss' fling or his casual friends without sounding offensive to him.
"It's the card you issue to your friends sir. Female friends", he hastily added.