Just as I thought my day was going great, I hit my right foot on the corner of my kitchen's door.
I am on my way to office with an aching toe and I can't help but think that the rest of my day won't be any good. I like to reach office by nine thirty a.m.
The rest of the employees start flooding in by ten and so by arriving early I try to reduce their burden. Leah keeps me updated about my reputation of a cold and ruthless boss who doesn't bat an eye while firing the employees over the slightest issue.
Well they are not wrong though. I do not show any mercy to fools who can't do their job properly.
I find Leah organizing some documents on my desk. Thanks to her 'cold and ruthless' boss, Leah has to clock in to the office half an hour early too. But she's paid an extra hefty incentive for the thirty minutes and I remember her joking about coming in more early if I paid the same extra pay for it too.
Leah once again briefs me through my entire day's schedule. I have a meeting with my board of directors in half an hour's time and although I'm used to dealing with them, it never gets easy.
I go through the documents Leah has kept for me on my desk and then head towards the conference room with my secretary.
The board of directors all rise up as I enter the room. The meeting starts and we discuss all about Montague Enterprises' financial performance, out latest developments, strategic investments to be made, the ongoing market trends and so on.
The meeting goes on for about an hour and I leave to attend another one waiting for the CEO's arrival.
I have a video conference call set up with the executive team of Vittoria to discuss the upcoming fashion collection launch. I join the call and am greeted by Vittoria Compano Montague and the rest of the members.
Vittoria is a luxury clothing brand under the Montague Enterprises which my mother started when I turned eight. My mum quit modelling after she conceived me at the age of 25. She started her modelling career at the age of 18 and although her career as a model was rather short lived, she made a remarkable name for herself in the industry. Mum says she was always interested in starting a clothing brand of her own. And when dad impregnated her on his 27th birthday, she decided to get a degree in fashion designing which ultimately led to the creation of 'Vittoria', one of the top luxury clothing brands in Europe.
Why 'Vittoria' though? Dad says when everyone was having a discussion regarding what to name the new subsidiary of Montague Enterprises, mum proudly said " Let's name it after me. I am a brand in myself and naming my clothing line anything else would be a shame"
Well mum wasn't wrong though. 'Vittoria' was a huge hit right away even without throwing pounds over pounds for its advertisement.
'Vittoria' means a lot to mum, and so, she retains the position as the board of directors even now after retiring as it's CEO almost six years ago. She said she doesn't want to bother working anymore back then, but attends every board meeting even without fail.
By the time the call ends, it's already time for lunch. I consider heading out to enjoy my lunch with peace but the huge stack of documents waiting for my approval does not give me any respite.
I order Asparagus risotto and ginger ale for lunch and savor it as I go through a file regarding a potential merger that could introduce us to the tech industry.
Montague Enterprises was started by my grandfather Antonio Montague as a real estate company back in Italy. After years of work, he expanded his business to London and decided to settled here. My father Fransesco Montague joined the business when he was eighteen and further expanded the business all over Europe by the time he was twenty four. He proved himself to be capable and so nonno made him the CEO of the company at 25 and over the years, diversified it into construction and started a chain of high end Italian cuisine restaurant too.
Later when mum came, she created Vittoria and over the years, I have diversified the business into the financial sector.
One thing about me is that I really enjoy my work. I grew up hearing everyone arounde talk about business and naturally grew dreaming of becoming the CEO of Montague Enterprises. I am passionate about running the company which my nonna and dad built with their entire life. I always knew I was meant for this and so I studied Business Management in The London School of Economics and Political Science and then got an MBA in finance from Harvard Business School.
Diversifying our business into finance and tech sector had been my plan since I turned 22 and now that we are already into finance, stepping into the tech industry is the obvious step.
As I review the proposal for a potential merger with Wilson Global, one of the leading players in tech industry right now, I can't help but feel a little excited and burdened.
Excited because if this merger is to go through, Montague Enterprises will finally step successfully into the tech world and burdened because this is a very high stake deal and the weight of its decision lies solely on my shoulders.
I take my time reading every point of the proposal again and again. Wilson Global has made a break through in the tech industry with its innovative tech solutions and is currently in need of a sizeable investment for further developments.
Merging our finance with their technical prowess is a win win situation for both. This deal not only promises our market expansion but is also likely to quite fruitful to us.
"Complete your food before it's no longer edible Aveline". Leah gives me a stern look and shakes her head.
This isn't the first or second time I ignored food after few initial bites because I got engrossed in work. " This is why I always try to clear your lunch schedule Aveline. You always neglect food when it comes to work. Now please keep the file aside and finish your food. You have to attend a non-profit fundraising event in an hour."
Why is it that I have to personally attend stupid fundraising events after donating a million pound? Well it's for the pictures that will be published on the front page of every newspaper and leading online news site singing the praise of Montague Enterprises philanthropy.
I am not very fond of hypocrisy and although I'm not against donating for a cause, getting photographed for it is surely something I'm not fond of.
I mindlessly eat my now cold risotto and warm ginger ale and frown upon the fake smiles I will have to paste on my face later...