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Chapter 5 - The turnout

At BET

Joan has a meeting with her team members and discussed her new project. "I came up with a new way of designing ads for effective marketing, and sent a copy to y'all", she said. "Thanks, Joan", Andre said. "I'm your boss and recruited y'all. We've worked on so many of projects together. I should share the developments with you", Joan answered. "Have you compiled the files?", Joan asked turning to Anna. "Yes, I've sent it to Team B already", Anna replied. "Good", Joan said. "Now, the work at hand is Sweet Crafts project. It's a new company that moulds gifts for couples like matching mugs, fancy dolls and any moulded thing you can think of. We need to come up with an effective ad strategy that'd boost their sales", Joan added. "Wow! that's a nice one. I fancy dolls!", Betty exclaimed. "Everyone should come up with ideas", Joan said. "Rest assured, we'll definitely come up with something", Betty answered. "You can get back to your work then", Joan said and dismissed them.

It was lunch time, the employees went out while Joan worked on her computer. She heard someone knock not long after, it was Fred. "Why are you here", she asked. "I'm here to check on you. I didn't see you around the company's canteen, so I figured out you'd be working in your office", Fred replied. "Oh! I still have some work left, I can't go for lunch now", Joan answered. "Would you like me to order some takeout for you then?", he asked. "Don't bother Fred, I'm fine", she replied. "As expected, you're a workaholic. But you need to take care of your body first, then you take care of your work", Fred said. "Or do you need me to go with you", he added. "Mr president, it's your first day at work. Going to the company's canteen with me, aren't you scared of being talked about?", Joan asked. "It's nothing as long as it's with you", he answered. "I'm working now", Joan said. "How's your office, do you like it", she asked. "Well, it's up to my standard actually", he answered. Of course, the president's office would be great. You should utilize it well", Joan said. "Yeah, I will", Fred replied. "Mitchell would like to meet you today, I already set up a reservation at a restaurant. We would go together by 06:00pm", he added. "Alright, got it", Joan replied. "You can get going now, I wanna concentrate on my work", she added. Fred went near to her, kissed her forehead and went back to his office.

The employees at the company talked about Fred and Joan. "Did you hear, the chairman's son, Fred, has a thing for Joan", an employee said. "Wow! Joan must be a great lady to have gotten his attention. Fred just entered the company today, I heard he returned from abroad a few days ago", another employee said. "I don't think he's a good person, it's his first day at work and he's all over a lady", Kate said. "Why do you say that, are you offended he didn't get close to Anita?", an employee asked. Betty was on her way to her office when Kate dragged her. "Come here, what's between Fred and your boss", she asked. "I don't have time to talk with you here. I see why you team is always behind us. You only know how to gossip", Betty said and left. "She's such a good follower of Joan. It's just the first day, and she's acting so proud already", Kate said and returned to her office angrily.

It was quarter to six already, Joan left with Fred for the restaurant. Mitchell joined them not long after. "Mitchell, this is Joan", Fred said. "Hello! I'm Joan, I'm a team leader of 8 members, and specializes in making ads and winning clients over", Joan said extending an handshake to Mitchell. "Wow! It's nice meeting you. You should be team A, I've seen you in the company's event once and heard about your capabilities", Mitchell answered. "You flatter me Mitchell", Joan said and smiled a little. "Did you two forget I was here?", Fred asked them. "Brother, I thought you said the date was for I and Joan. You're the extra one here", Mitchell answered. "Joan, it's our first meeting, I thought of what to give you. Thank you for saving my brother, I sincerely express my gratitude. I'm not giving you this painting to repay you, but to show you how much I like you", Mitchell said and handed a painting to Joan. "Thank you Mitchell", Joan said and opened it. "Wow! It's so beautiful. I love it. I heard this paining is your newest work and there is only ten available. You gave me one, thank you!", Joan added and smiled. "I'm glad you like it", Mitchell answered. "This painting depicts something", Joan said. "I didn't know you'd notice that", Mitchell replied. "The view of the blossomed flowers in the garden, the clear spring, with a lady sitting on a bench, her hat covered her face. She's sitting happily while enjoying the scenery. This is peace of mind", Joan answered. "Wow! I didn't know you could interpret this", Fred said. "Anyone could interpret this", Joan replied. "I wish you and my brother happiness. Fred just returned to work, and you're thriving at work successfully. I hope you two would be together happily and without worries, regardless of what happens in the future", Mitchell said. "Why do you sound so serious. The company is doing well presently and I'll try my best to push it more forward. Thank you for your wishes though", Fred replied. "Thank you, Mitchell. You just returned from abroad. I'm sorry I didn't prepare a gift for you. How about treating you to a meal during weekend?", Joan asked. "Alright, I'd like it", Mitchell replied. The three of them went on talking happily. "It's getting late, I'd like to leave now. It was nice meeting you Mitchell. Thanks for the gift too ", Joan said. "Alright, let me drop you at home then", Fred said. "No. What about Mitchell?", Joan asked. "It's fine. I can go home by myself, I brought my car", Mitchell said. "Alright Mitchell, take good care of yourself", Joan replied. "I'll see you at home Mitchell", Fred said and left with Joan, while Mitchell went home.

At the Chairman's home

Mitchell got home and went to her Mrs Benard's room. She was on a call, Mitchell was about to enter when she paused for a while and overheard the conversation. Mrs Benard was talking to Cobbs on the phone, Vivian was with her. "Have you finished what I asked you to do. Remember, you're not allowed to make mistakes. My daughter just returned from abroad, I need to pave the way for her, so she can enter the company soon", She said and hanged up. "Do you think my daughter will blame me for this", Mrs Benard asked her maid, Vivian. "No, she won't. She'll definitely realize your good intentions one day", Vivian answered. "I know Mitchell, she doesn't want to take over the company, the only thing she loves is painting", Mrs Benard said. "She likes her brother very much too. We have to hide this from her", she added. "Alright, madam ", Vivian said. Mitchell thought about the issue in her mind. "What exactly is my mum planning. Is she going to harm Fred and take over the company. I need to find a way to stop her from doing this." Mitchell entered the room not long after. "You're back", Mrs Benard said. "Mum, I met with Joan today. I really like her. Fred was there too", Mitchell said. "Good. I know Joan won't disappoint me. She has won your heart already", Mrs Benard said. "Yes. I gave her my latest painting too. She promised to treat me to a meal on weekend. I see my brother truly likes her", Mitchell replied. "Your brother isn't reliable. But he truly likes Joan, even you can see that", Mrs Benard said. "Joan is a capable woman, she's beautiful and doing well at work. She's also young", Mitchell answered. "Enough. I'll hire you a tutor, you'll be entering the company in some time to assist your brother", Mrs Benard said. "Mum, I have no interest in the company. I can't do that", Mitchell replied. Mrs Benard dismissed her maid and held Mitchell's hands. "My daughter, I didn't send you abroad for nothing. I've always agreed to your request and even let you be an artist. I need you to agree with me on this. You need to support your brother in the company, your dad and I is getting old", she said. "It's alright mum. You should rest early", Mitchell said and left.

Joan was resting on her bed when the policeman, Jay called her. "Hello! I'm sorry for calling you late at night. There's a new development on the case, you can come by tomorrow if you're chanced", Jay said. "Alright, I'll be there, thanks", Joan said. "Have you informed Fred?", she asked. "Yes, he'll be around tomorrow as well", Jay replied. "Alright, thank you", Joan said and hanged up.