Everyone was busy working on a thing or the other and the whole place was quite noisy. But everywhere suddenly became silent as soon as her arrival was announced.
They all suspended their activities immediately she walked in with her secretary. Even though they had worked tirelessly and had been busy all day, They all still looked nervous in her presence.
She would always find at least a flaw in anything they had worked or had been working and sweating on any time she comes around. Not intentional though, But she had always been a keen observer and that scared most of the staffs in her company.
The director of the designing department quickly walked up to Jasmine, She had sweats all over her face and was trying so hard to hide her anxiety as she rubbed her palms against her thighs.
"I see you have been working quite a lot," Jasmine started as she made her way further into the enormous workplace, Her secretary and the director trailed behind her.
As she walked past the staffs they all held their breaths as they can't afford to draw her attention to any one of them.
They had been working on the project for a new and unique dress design for two weeks now. Her company had never failed to wow customers and models on every new clothing style they dropped. It all gets sold in a day or less.
"Are you done?" Jasmine asked the director as they approached the sample they have been working on. "Almost Ms Lawrence," The director cleared her throat before answering.
"Almost?" Jasmine said as she stared at the already styled white chiffon dress in front of her. "We had already notify our regulars of a new design coming up. It is supposed to be ready three days before the reveal yet it isn't ready two days prior?" Jasmine turned to face the director with a cold look in her eyes.
"Um-mmh W-We-" The director stuttered helplessly. "Cat got your tongue?" Jasmine asked coldly as she took a step closer towards the director never for once breaking eye contact.
"Why are you so slow hmm? This is unlike you Michelle, You of all people should know I do not like when things are delayed." Jasmine said as she took a strand of Michelle's hair and tucked it behind her ear.
Michelle shook like a leaf, If it weren't for her position she would have definitely break down crying. some of the staffs had experience a situation like that where they had to burst into tears when the intimidation was too much. Some later had fevers.
They all knew Working for her was a nightmare but they still do because she doesn't attack you if you are innocent.
"It's Five minutes before twelve p.m ma'am, You have a meeting scheduled by twelve." Her secretary whispered in her ears. "You have to finish up and submit all reports to me by the end of today, Is that clear?!" She commanded in her usual tone.
"Yes ma'am, I assure you." The director stammered behind Jasmine as she walked away with her secretary.
Jasmine was about the exit when she noticed some weird movements from two of the staff members by her right.
She halted immediately.
The tense atmosphere that has slowly began to die down because she was leaving suddenly doubled up again.
"Must she always notice something!" Were the designers thought when they saw her halt.
Even her secretary was confused and wondered why she stopped in her tracks. Jasmine slowly took a glance at the two female designers by her right.
Judging by the way they had both begun to fidget it seems like they already knew what they did.
"What was so funny?" Jasmine demanded in a calm and cold tone. They both tried so hard to feign innocence but failed terribly. It might have been possible to do so to someone else but not in the presence of Jasmine Lawrence.
"Don't even try to lie to me," she warned them in a cold tone.
The rest of the designers were worried for the both of them, Their chances of getting away with what they did would be very slim.
They both realized they had no other alternative and started apologizing immediately.
"I am highly disappointed in you Michelle, I had high expectations from you and your co-workers."
Michelle tried to apologize on their behalves but Jasmine isn't having any of it.
"Relieve them of their duties, I want to see their resignation letters by the end of the day alongside the dress." Jasmine told the director and walked out of the department with her secretary behind her.
"Time?" She asked as they both head to boardroom for the meeting with her board directors.
"Five minutes past twelve ma'am," Her secretary smartly said after she checked the electronic pad on her palm.
"We are early, Should we go grab a drink before we go?" Jasmine smirked knowing fully well she had people waiting for her and how important the meeting is.
Neha just gave a short smile, Her boss knew just how to make people get upset without still giving a cent.
"I'll get it for you ma'am, You don't need to stress yourself." Neha said and rushed of before Jasmine could say anything, She knew how determined Jasmine could be on anything she decides.
Jasmine gave a small chuckle and went off to the boardroom.
The directors were already on seat by the time she came in. They all stood up to greet her when they saw her come in and she gave them her signature hand wave and smile.
"Forgive my tardiness this morning, Had to deal with some mess," Jasmine told them as she settled down at the head of the large table. They all nodded and said nothing else as they began the meeting.
Jasmine listened attentively to all Opinions, Marketing reports, Monthly budgets and profits reports, Newly created Advertisement style of the company's products reports. And all sorts of things related to her company for good two hours.
It was tiring but she had to do it as it was one of the burdens she has to carry being the CEO and founder of Anné industry.
She has advisors and directors who are good enough to councel her to make decisions that her company would greatly benefit from.
Jasmine felt drained by the time the meeting ended. All Colour had drained from her face and it made her look paler than normal.
"I am so hungry Neha!" Jasmine exclaimed when she got to her private car park. "You have an appointment booked at lush Spas and Sparkles thirty minutes from now ma'am," Neha reminded her.
Jasmine never misses any appointments she booked at any spa but she is extremely hungry at the moment and can't afford to not eat because of a treatment at a spa she could always get anytime.
"That can wait. I am craving seafood," She hasn't had one since her trip to to Malibu for the promotions of her collections at the runway fashion show in Los Angeles.
"Should I cancel or shift it then?" Neha asked adjusting her concave glasses. "Shift it," She said and Neha nodded. They both got in her car and she drove off.
No matter how high Jasmine's ego was or how proud she might be, She never had a driver. She drove every car by herself even to important events. Other celebrities epecially females tend to show off their fame and importance through their chauffeurs.
Some articles said she couldn't afford a chauffeur, Some said she was stingy while others said it was all part of her numerous ways to garner attention.
But truth is she has had a traumatic experience with a driver at the age of sixteen when he got drunk and almost got both her and one of her brothers into a deadly accident. The trauma never left her till now.
She arrived at a Korean seafood restaurant, Put on her dark shades and gracefully made her way into the restaurant with her secretary behind her.
"Welcome to our restaurant ma'am, Excitement is an understatement for what we feel about having you here Ms Lawrence." The owner of the restaurant greeted Jasmine.
He had rushed out from where he was cooking when he had been told an important figure was in his restaurant. Celebrities do come to his restaurant but non was as big as Jasmine Lawrence.
"It's nothing, Just wanted to check this place out. I have heard a lot about your restaurant from many sources Mr Kim," Jasmine said to chef. "I wanted to try one of your seafood menu to see if it's as marvelous as they say." She added.
"Ooh they are absolutely right, We'll serve you the best of all. You'll want to keep on visiting when you get a taste of my delicacies." Chef Kim exclaimed happily, He was so very happy having her here.
But Jasmine only saw a happy chef exaggerating about how good his food is. Nothing moves Jasmine anymore, No matter how good.
"Nah, I don't think so, I only eat seafood once a year Mr Kim." Jasmine told the chef. He laughed off the embarrassment he felt at the moment when he saw everyone laughing at her comment.
She was led to the VIP lounge where celebrities do normally go.
"You can seat down Neha." Jasmine told her unyielding secretary to sit down. "No ma'am, I am okay standing like this." Neha replied.
"I know you are tired Neha, You are not a rock. But I won't ask you again after this, Just know you are gonna stand for the rest of the day." And immediately Jasmine said that Neha took a seat opposite her.
Jasmine chuckled at her little act.
The seafood was brought in not quite long after and they both digged in.
It turns out chef Kim wasn't exaggerating at all, His seafood was truly delicious!