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The directors of the boards were gathered in the meeting roof, it was soundproof so we couldn't hear what they were saying.
"I'm so curious about what's going on," I said, I was concerned about what Cecile had said a while ago.
"If you're so curious, go take a peek and stop bothering me!" Cherry said as she plugged in earphones in her ear.
After contemplating whether or not she should follow Cherry's advice, she rolled her eyes and crept to the glass door of the meeting room. She opened it slowly and as soon as she did, the voices of panic went straight to her ears.
"As a business, our success is heavily reliant on maintaining a steady and consistent level of production. This allows us to meet customer demands. However, any decrease in our production capacity can significantly disrupt these crucial aspects of our business operations," A board director said, panicking.
"This could lead to dissatisfied customers, cancellations, or loss of future business opportunities. As a result, our revenue stream would decline, putting immense pressure on our financial health!" Another board director said, complaining to Father.
"Ultimately, if our production decline persists and our financial situation deteriorates, we could face the risk of bankruptcy!" Cecile finally contributed.
'Oh, so that's how the decrease in the smartphone product could affect the company,' I said inwardly, finally understanding the director's panic.
I took a deep breath and knocked on the door, I didn't wait for their permission and I went in before they could dismiss me without even explaining my reason for interrupting.
"I'm in the middle of a meeting my angel, I will get back to you in a while," Father said, sitting up and trying to dismiss me.
"I...I have a solution to your problem... if you let me speak," I said, fiddling with my fingers.
"How would a teen girl have more ideas than respected directors?"
"Am sorry little girl, but this matter isn't child's play," The directors said.
"Let's hear what she has to say," Father said, giving me a chance to say whatever idea I had. I walked in front of the conference table, which had over twenty directors sitting there.
I was nervous and scared down to my wits at the glares I received from the directors. But one thing was for sure, I would not see my Father's company in jeopardy and do nothing.
"Good morning everyone, Thank you for joining this meeting, in my opinion, the reason why the charts for the smartphone products are extremely low, is because people are tired of that product," I said.
"What do you mean?" Cecile asked.
"At my school, I noticed the students were now using a different type of smartphone from Dad's rival company, LuxCorp. For the past four years, the customers have been using the WTlock smartphone without an upgrade..."
"So that means the demoralizing of our smartphones is because the customers want something new!" Cecile said, finally getting my point.
"Exactly," I said with a snap, I felt more relieved now, knowing someone understood what I was trying to say.
"What do you suggest we do, Miss Rogers?" I heard one of the directors say and I wanted to laugh, a few moments ago they were degrading but now they're asking for my suggestion.
"First, it'll be best if we enhance product features. We should focus on adding new and innovative features that'll address the preferences of the customers." I said, pacing back and forth while the directors jot down in their journals.
"And we should expand the distribution channels, like exploring new marketplaces or even establishing our flagship stores in key locations," I said again.
"Oh, we should Offer competitive pricing. Price is a significant factor influencing consumer purchasing decisions. Conducting a thorough analysis of our competitors' pricing strategies and determining a competitive yet profitable pricing structure for our smartphone is crucial. By offering competitive pricing, we can entice customers who are seeking value for their money," I said, and they all applauded while praising my intellect. At that moment I felt like the most intelligent person in the world. Even Father looked extremely proud.
"All those ideas could boost our charts right off the board. How are you so intelligent, even we couldn't think of all that," Cecile said with a smile.
"That's my baby girl, my angel," Dad said, his worries seemed to have vanished and he was himself again. I couldn't help but grin at the acclaim.
"Thank you," I simply said.
"Why don't you consider working here, I would put you straight in the strategy department," A director who had a bald head said.
"I'm sorry sir, but I am still studying," I said.
"What do you mean, with your intelligence, you could..."
"That's enough, her ideas were exceptionally helpful but as she said, She's still a student," Father said and then he winked at me. At that moment I felt so contemptuous.
"Your daughter is a genius!" Cecile said in admiration.
"Did you get everything she said down?" He asked the directors and they nodded.
"Good, you're all dismissed," He said again and with a satisfied look on their faces they made their way to the glass door.
Cecile, Dad, and I came out of the meeting room, Cherry who had earphones in her ears ran to us as soon as she saw us coming out of the meeting room.
"How'd it go?" She asked.
Father waited for the last of the directors to get out and as soon as he shut the door behind him. Father kneeled to equal himself with Cherry's height.
"You should have seen your sister, she was awesome, her ideas were top notch and even I was shocked at the capabilities of my daughter," Father said, grinning from ear to ear, the worried look he had on his face. Seeing my Dad that happy, also made me happy.
We had fun at Father's office, he was pulling an all-nighter at the office so he sent us back home with the limo. When we arrived, I was so exhausted to the extent that my neck was stiff. Cherry went to the kitchen while I went straight to my room upstairs, I hung my turtle-neck sweater and went to the porch. I looked at the beautiful view of the sunset and as if realizing something, I ran out of my room, taking my turtle-neck sweater along.
I dashed out of the mansion, jogging to the opposite street, and when I arrived at my destination, there he was. Liam was sitting in a milkshake store, it was his 7:00 p.m. schedule.
Every weekend Liam comes to the milkshake store to clear his head. He looked dejected. I had the urge to hug him but I couldn't, seeing him that way, tugged at my heart. I kept staring at him, I had forgotten to hide like I always did whenever I came to stalk him at this joint.
Liam glanced at me and it felt like time had frozen, I couldn't avert my gaze, his eyes looked like wormholes, sucking me in without warning.
Liam's POV
I glanced out the window and I saw Ranella standing there, staring directly at me. I wasn't surprised to see her because she had been doing this for a while now, but only this time she forgot to hide herself like she always did.
Every weekend when I come here to clear my head, she appears out of nowhere, spying on me. It was like she was trying to win an award for the best stealthy stalker. I knew she had a crush on me so she was doing this because of her affection for me, I have to admit, she's got dedication.
Whenever she came here, she'd either hide or act as if she was purchasing something from the opposite store, stealing glances at me.
But right now, she was looking directly into my eyes and it was like a scene from a cheesy romance movie. You know, like the kind where the protagonist catches the attention of their mysterious admirer and sparks start flying. Except in this case, the only sparks flying were the ones in my brain trying to figure out why she looked that way. I was no telepath but I could see she felt the same way I did, depressed. I could see it in her eyes.
It felt as if time had stopped and the only person I could see was her. She was staring at me and so was I.
I looked at her leg and her ankle was bandaged, I needed to apologize to her for the accident and also for scolding her when it was my fault, I was just unleashing my anger on her, the anger I felt for Ralph. I also needed to thank her for the heads-up during teacher Wayne's class, I would have been severely injured if it wasn't for her.
I got up taking my jacket from the store's furniture, I hurriedly ran out of the store and when I scrutinized where she was a moment ago she was nowhere to be found.
I cursed inwardly as I ran my fingers through my hair, for some reason, I felt frustrated that I was too late and didn't get to meet her.