It's Monday and finally The day of the presentation, I'm supposed to give a detailed analysis on how the company can spend less while manufacturing our lab diamonds and yet not lose their value.
But I'm not going to do that, not only will I not be able to do it without getting fired but also because I have something much more exciting planned. A detailed report from our Companies Secretary, a proposal to reinvest in other precious stones, I already have a hundred and fifty potential buyers on the waitlist all I need is the "Yes" from the board to start.
I'm head HR, and I'm not going to let myself get walked all over. Not even by Killian.
His father my employer will be there, so I have to make a good impression.
My plan is to get the majority of the board to go in on the proposal with me. It's the first time I've ever been brave enough to challenge Killian as my boss. But this is the right time, I'm finally in charge and I want him to know it. I know that he wants to control everything about the company and I know how much he loves his little control freak power trip, but the company isn't just his, he can't control everything.
He needs to realise that and he needs to listen to what I have to say.
I head downstairs tucking in my African ankara styled shirt into my knee and length skirt and reach for my lunch cooler, Apple are best eaten cold and Apples are the only things I eat on my lunch break, I fill up my cooler with ice and throw in about four apples in my cooler, zip my lunch bag, lock my doors and head out to my car.
I pull up to the office, park and head towards the office. The lobby is decorated in a white, silver and gold theme,and our signature diamond chandelier hangs from the roof, I greet the security and the receptionist, a young man who smiles brightly at me and waves at me.
"Good morning Miss Time"
"Morning Seth" I say and continue towards the elevator, the elevator opens and I enter the elevator and hit the button for the twentieth
"Oh and boss says you should meet him at the executive meeting room." He informs me, I wave and nod and the elevator doors close.
Killian must have moved the location for the meeting.
I head up, walk into the twenty-third floor, I'm greeted by a sea of cubicles, a long line of glass doors, the meeting room is the biggest one in the office and is usually located at the far end of the floor, I walk towards the end, and open the door and am surprised to see not only the entire board,
Killian and the senior managers, but also the rest of the staff, from the janitors to the accountants and even the cafeteria lady.
What's going on here? Why is everyone here, this isn't supposed to be happening until the next quarter.
The door shuts behind me and I hear a click, the sound of the lock sliding in place, and then the room falls silent.
"You're Late" Killian says, the tone of his voice is so sharp that it makes the hairs at the back of my neck stand on edge, the tension in the room is so thick you can almost see it.
"I'm here now" I say through my teeth shut "What's going on?, What are you all gathered here"
"This is a quick intervention, the board will be watching from the conference on the twentieth floor, respected employees will be watching from here"he says pointing to the screens on the wall
"and I will be watching" his tone carrying a hint of dirtiness-"from my office as you speak to the investors"
"What?, What investors?, I'm making my presentation with the board, Why am I speaking to our customers, Why me?"
"I spoke to the board about you counter plan for other special stones, although "The lores" is known for it's colourless diamonds, other gems aren't such a bad idea"
"You told them my idea?" I asked genuinely shocked Killian is the master of the word NO
is this because of last night? Is he trying to punish me for making him spend the whole day with me or something?
"I did" he affirmed "and they liked it, so we've decided to implement your idea, you've made me proud."
"What? That's a great, I-"
"On one condition"
"Condition?" I ask "What is it? Anything" I say excitedly.
"You'll be taking the position of CEO and Chairman of the board effective immediately, and you'd be implementing the new system, if you prove you can handle the pressure, you get to choose where you'd go to start the system"
"What?, I'll get transferred, I don't want to leave"
"Then I'll do the presentation, and take credit for your work, does that sound better Marissa?"
"No!, Killian don't do this, is it because of what happened between us yesterday, why can't we just be together like normal people, or forget about it, why do you keep pushing me away?"
"We can't be together, not now, not ever, Marissa"
"Why, what is so wrong with us, please talk to me, I thought I could take this, but I can't, not this time, tell me why, you owe me that, you owe me an explanation after what we've been through together." People are starting to exit the room as the over here our conversation is a bit personal
"It's not what you think, Marissa."
"Then what is it, Killian, I'm not asking you to love me, I don't want your heart, just tell me why for some reason, you find everyway possible to stay away from me, do I disgust you, do I embarrass you?."
"Marissa, just forget it, okay, just forget you ever met me, it's for your own good, just leave, leave and don't come back."
"Leave, are you crazy, I can't leave, please don't make me do that, don't make me go on, don't leave me like this, why can't we at least try to make it work, we can find a way through whatever the fuck is eating you"
"You're not listening, we can't be together, not anymore, it was just stupid teenage love, that's all there was."
"I can't accept that, not even from you, fine, I'll leave" I says with tears in my eyes as I storm out the building.
I'm leaving for good, I want Killian out of my life, I don't care about what comes next, maybe I've made myself so cheap in his eye that he can pick me up and throw me away anytime he likes
"Marissa, where are you going?" He spun me around halting my angry strides, he looks worried, it's probably because the company would lose investors if I don't show up at the stupid meeting.
"I Quit, Killian"
"What?"
"I Quit. I'm tired of all this" I pushed his hands off my shoulders and continue walking. I didn't have any specific destination in mind but the fact that he's still following me makes me want to get on a plane and go as far away as possible.
"You're over reacting." I stopped in my tracks and faced him again, my eyes narrowed.
"Over reacting? You're a fucking bastard," I jabbed a finger on his chest,
"Marissa, we talked about this." His voice was calm. It makes me furious how he could keep his cool when my emotions were already running high.
"I'm over this shit" I raised my arms in the air before dropping them by my side, "I don't want you, I don't need you, I'm completely over your shit"
"You need a Job Marissa " his voice was still calm but there was an edge to it that was warning me not to cross the line, too late.
"Marissa stop. You need this job, or you wanna go back to being a little club whore?"
He had me there, that was why I was working for him, to pay him back for bailing me out, but I still had enough of my stubbornness to be angry at him.
"You know what, screw you and screw this job! You want to talk about whores, how many women did you have after we broke up" I had him there.
"That's what I thought. Now, fuck off!"
He held my hand tightly and dragged me back to the company building into the elevator, his finger hovering on the 22 floor button, the top floor and his personal floor. The ride was silent but his grip was still tight.
"What do you want me to do?" He asked finally as we arrived, his grip still firm and tight.
"I don't want to go." I say plainly
"Fine, just get through the presentation, you don't have to leave " he said, finally releasing my arm. I rubbed the sore spot, his grip had been strong, almost too strong. I nodded in acceptance
As he walks away leaving me at the elevator
So much for forgetting Killian, it seemed i wasn't letting him go any time soon.
I hopped back in the elevator and hit my floor button I some time in my office to calm myself down. I could still feel the heat from where his hands had gripped my arms, the slight tingling from his touch.
He was right, he saved my life by getting me out of that club and here I'm paid more than the average HR, I do need this Job
"Marissa get you head in the game" I scolded myself as I stared at the wall clock
The meeting is to begin in six minutes. I'm now supposed to deal with the investors directly rather than the initial plan to pitch the idea to the board. I need to rephrase my presentation quickly
"Diamond demand across the board has weakened after the pandemic, as consumers splash out again on travel and experiences, while economic headwinds eat into luxury spending" I began
"As with any sort of investment, it is quite important to diversify our portfolio to minimize the risk and maximize the return. This clearly means investing in a variety of different gemstones to make a sensible and glorious portfolio. This will help to reduce your risk and increase our chances of making a profit" I concluded and the investors seemed, well.... Invested in the idea
"So how much are you proposing we invest in each stone?" one of the more elderly investors asked. I smiled, knowing that my time in the gem industry had made me privy to that sort of knowledge.
"Well, as of now I have found the most cost effective way to have this investment is to put $25,000 into each of these five boxes" I replied and the investors seemed shocked at the amount of money I was suggesting they put in.
"You expect us to put 25,000 into each box?! How could a box possibly be worth that much?! They couldn't even be worth 5,000!" an older gentleman with a white beard and mustache yelled, his face growing redder with every word.
"This is still a civil discussion, and the choice to invest is still very much yours, but I think you should let me explain the investment a little more." I calmly responded and the man took a deep breath, clearly attempting to calm himself down.
"Now, the reason we are putting 25,000 dollars into each box is simple. If we invested less than 25,000, then it would not be wise because if any box failed to provide a good yield, then it would be very costly. We are all aware of the risks involved, and that is why I want you all to keep in mind that these gems could fail"
"However" I continued "if even one of the gems does provide a yield, then you will have your money back plus the profits that have been earned from the gem. You must remember, however, that these gems will need a significant amount of investment and care and you cannot just leave them and expect a profit, as this is not always a guaranteed thing"
I never get why these guys complain so much, they do have the money
"Now, if you would like to invest, then I would recommend putting in liquid capital. As for the amount you should invest, that is up to you and what you can afford, and it would not be unreasonable to say that the average investor should put in $100,000"
"So, are there any questions?" I asked, looking around at the crowd of investors. A few hands raised and I pointed to the woman in the yellow suit who had raised her hand.
"You say you'll take $100,000 but you also say that the average investor should give you $25,000. Why are the amounts so different?" she asked and I smiled, happy to answer the question.
"It is simply the best way to maximize the amount of investment you can get, and you will be able to maximize the amount of investment. It will also be beneficial to have more than one person who knows how to mine the gemstone, and if you have multiple investors, then that means that there will be a larger pool of people to learn from, which means that we will have a wider knowledge base of the gem. If we have a wide knowledge base, then we will be able to do more with the gem and will be able to find ways to better utilize it"
" Also, it is a good idea to have a diverse group of people because it will allow us to find more applications for the gem, which will allow us to maximize the profits and the value of the gem. Finally, it will allow us to have an easier time spreading the information about the gem and about the company, which will make it easier for us to market the gem, which will lead to greater profits and a better return on investment." I explained and the investors nodded.
I looked at the room of investors displayed on my screen. They were all thinking. I hoped that I had done enough to convince them, but only time would tell.
"I am but a louder a echo for 'The Lores™', if there's any further conclusions on the investment, my superiors would take full responsibility" I stood up and left the room, not wanting to bother them while they were still discussing the investment
"Your honour she's a boss bitch"Ella one of my colleagues high fived me as I stepped into my office, there were a few others in my office who also took turns to congratulate me
"So everyone was really watching huh?" I said jokingly. They laughed and returned to their seats, they all looked happy and hopeful, if things went well, everyone would get a raise in two months.
"How much do you think we are looking at here?" Ella asked
"It's hard to tell, the gems are not cheap, but the returns are very good. It will depend on how much people are willing to invest, hopefully, it's enough to cover the initial investments"
"I'll be right back " I say as I remember the drama Killian and I had before the presentation, I walk to the elevator but it dinged open and the board of directors stepped out, each applauding and complementing my presentation, then I was met with a familiar set of eyes.
"Mr Lores" I greeted.
Killians father, the person who hired me personally
"Miss.Marissa Times, well done"
"Thank you Sir"
"Could I see you in my office?"
"Sure"
"Alone" he added and glanced at his colleagues. I nodded and followed him into the elevator. We stepped inside and he pressed the button to the top floor.
"I must say I was pleasantly surprised by your presentation. I didn't know you were a businesswoman as well"
"It's more of a hobby than anything else"
"You are certainly full of surprises, but not that much since I knew you were perfect for the job"
"What do you mean Sir?"
"My Son went above and beyond to prove to me that Miss. Marissa Times can head The Lores™ NY branch,after today I believe he was right. You have the makings of a leader and I'm glad he found you"
"He did?"
"Let me personally welcome you to your new workspace" he said as we reached the top floor.
He held the elevator door open for me and gestured for me to go in first, the place was huge, the view was amazing, there was a huge mahogany desk in the middle of the room and two chairs opposite the desk, one was a normal chair and the other had a cushion with the initials "KL" on it.
"This is your new office"
"Oh No sir, this is too big for me, I'm sure there is a more qualified person who will benefit more from this"
"As the New CEO of The Lores™ NY, I am certain that you are the most qualified"
"But... CEO, no... that's not...I mean"
"Don't worry, the transition is going to be smooth, Killian has been preparing for this for the last five years"
"I don't want to sound rude sir but, where is Killian going to work?"
"Killian is moving to Africa, today, didn't he fill you in?
"I..."
"I'm sorry if he was in a rush, he seems to be a nervous groom"
"Groom?"
"Yes, he's getting married in Egypt next week, his mother is hosting the whole thing in the palace and we are all required to attend. Don't worry I have already sent someone to clear your schedule so you can be there. The rest of the team will take care of your old office and I expect a detailed report by next month. I've sent a car to your home, the flight leaves tonight"
"I...uh"
"I will have the company jet ready in 2 hours, that should give you time to pack"
"Sir..."
"Congratulations Miss.Marissa Times, the job is yours. Don't let me down"
"Yes sir"
I watched he walked out of the office as I slammed my body on one of the chairs and thought to myself
So that's why Killian acted so weird, we couldn't be together because he was engaged to someone else how long has he been engaged?, now I'm supposed to sit at this wedding and smile as I watched the man I love get married to some other woman
I got into the elevator and I was confused, the CEO job was a lot to handle, especially now.
"Did you hear?" Ella said snapping me out of my train of thoughts when I got to my old office
"Hear what?" I asked in monotone as I reached from my handbag
"The news about the new CEO" she squeels in excitement and gives me a tight hug "Mr Killian already told us about a month ago and assigned me as your Personal Assistant, that is if you consent "
"Yes of course Ella, I'd be happy to have you assist me "
"Yay" she clapped "So, what's your first order of business should we just flex the power and fire some really really naughty people" she grinned evily
"Mr. Lores just told me, I have to leave in 2 hours for Egypt"
"Oh, I didn't know you had plans to go on a holiday"
"It's not a holiday, It's Mr Killian's Wedding, the wedding is going to be at a Palace. Apparently the bride's family are royals or something"
"Well, at least you get to attend the wedding of the century, at least you got invited " she remarked with a hint of sadness in her tone
I'd give anything to toss the invitation to the trash, Why'd I want to see Killian be the guy of someone else dreams.