"Welcome everyone, I hope you all are aware of why we called this board meeting," said Drelduin with authority.
Everyone sitting around the oval table inside the conference room beamed with happiness. Everyone looked at Drelduin with a big smile on their face except Baraion. The board of directors was going to turn upside down. The power dynamic was about to be shifted. Everyone was eager to know who would win, vampires or humans.
"So let's start our meeting, all present in the meeting please state your name and department for the record. Miss Edhelriel Culdranth will take the minutes of the meetings. I am Alpha Drelduin Finrandir, Chief Executive Officer, VRIK Conglomerate."
Baraion rolled his eyes. "Does he always have to rub it in that a lycan is superior to a vampire in this stupid era? So what he is an Alpha, I can take him up anytime in a fight."
"I can smell your jealousy," thought Drelduin while looking at Baraion. He knew Baraion was one of the vampires that had powers. He was the owner of telekinesis and telepathy while his brother had the power of flight. Due to evolution and mixed breeding, Vampires and Lycans were losing their power and becoming more like human beings. It was true that Lycans could shift into wolves and Vampires needed blood to survive but times were changing. Medical science and technology was changing everything.
As soon Baraion heard what Drelduin thought he lowered his eyes and avoided looking at him. He knew that thought was meant for him.
"Edhelriel Culdranth, Executive Assistant to Drelduin Finrandir, present here to take the minute of the meeting."
"Simkha Baraor, Administrative Manager of the Department of Communication." A Beta wolf who was head of the Baraor clan.
"Baraion Dracul, Administrative Manager of the Department of Construction."
"Drayke Toross, Administrative Manager of the Department of Textiles." A female vampire without any power.
"Kalia Kur, Administrative Manager of the Department of Automobiles." A male human being.
"Airaj Samiul, Administrative Manager of the Department of Information Technology." Another human being.
"Ikeshia Culdranath, Administrative Manager of the Department of Human Resources." A female Beta who took care of the Culdranath clan.
"Sarkath Vihaan, Administrative Manager of the Department of Medical Management." Another Beta who was the head of the Vihaan clan.
"Huran Peri, Administrative Manager of the Department of Finance." A human being, female.
"Halbor Alden, Administrative Manager of the Department of Education." A male vampire who could control the water and turn it into ice. A useless power in modern times.
"Galhad Raurak, Administrative Manager of the Department of Media." A male human being.
"Gaylia, Administrative Manager of the Department of Operations." Another powerless vampire.
One by one everyone stated their name and department.
"The first topic is the retirement of our two Administrative Managers, Airaj Samiul and Galhad Taurak. Let's congratulate them for the excellent work they did and hope for their happy retirement," said Drelduin and started clapping. Everyone else joined in the ovation.
"Hear ye, hear ye," shouted the conference room in unison.
"We will have a party tomorrow for their retirement and we will announce the new Administrative Managers which we are going to select right now, which is our second topic of discussion," continued Drelduin.
"Yeah," shouted Kalia. He was too excited.
"Calm down, Mr. Kalia," said Edhelriel.
"Sorry, everyone," said Kalia Kur.
"Back to our agenda. First, we go to the media department, Mr. Tauruk who are you nominating in your place?" asked Drelduin.
"You all know my choice, Talindra, we need someone from the Tauruk clan to represent the 20% share we have with us," said Galhad.
"Do we really need to vote?" asked Edhelriel. Everyone knew Talindra would win. There was no need for voting.
"Yes," interjected Baraion in a rude voice.
"Fine, then let's vote. Those who are in favour, please raise your hand," said Drelduin and raised his hand. Many hands followed him. Slowly everyone raised their hands in favour except Baraion. He looked around and rolled his eyes. Why was she everyone's favourite? And why was everyone afraid of her? She was a mere fragile human being. He knew her well. She was a scaredy-cat, prone to panic attacks yet people were afraid of her. Others suffered panic attacks because of her anger. He never understood why.
"So, it's final. Talindra will take over the media department," said Galhad.
"How? The Administrative Manager needs to be in Dainava, not Boucherlow Island," taunted Baraion.
"She will be here, Mr. Dracul," replied Galhad.
"I highly doubt that," smirked Baraion.
"Leave that to me. She will be here, I promise," assured Drelduin, staring down at Baraion. Baraion's heart started beating faster at the thought of Talindra coming back to Dainava. Very stealthily he placed his hand over his heart and tried to ease his heart. He never understood why she had a hold on his heart. She was a mere human and he was a powerful vampire.
"Next, let's move to the IT department," said Drelduin. The name of the IT department eased Baraion's heart. The play he was playing for last year was about to come to its fruition. He knew Airaj was going to suggest his name and he would win in the battle between vampire and human, the battle between Taurak and Dracul. His 20% share was about to be 22% today. He will be the administrative manager of two departments. Not only his share but also his salary will increase. His power will increase. He will have the upper hand. Finally, he will win against Talindra and throw this victory in her face. She broke his heart, left him alone and now he will show her that she made a mistake. He was ready.
"Mr. Airaj Samiul, who would you like to nominate?" asked Drelduin.
"I would like to nominate…" Everyone's heart started beating fast. All board of directors stopped breathing in anticipation of hearing the name. He had a daughter but she was a doctor so nepotism was out. Everyone was eager to know who he was going to nominate. But Baraion's heart sank as soon as he heard his thought. "…Talindra Taurak," said Airaj.
The conference room went silent. Baraion stared at him with bloodshot eyes. He gave him 30 million Koruna to nominate his name. Little did he know that everyone sitting in that room bribed him to take the name of someone they knew. But he nominated Talindra.
"She already is the AM of the Media Department," said Gaylia with urgency. She wanted a vampire to win the battle and not a human being. Lycans on top was bad enough.
"There is no rule that she cannot be AM of two departments," said Galhad.
"The problem is no one else can nominate any other name," said Baraion.
"Enough! Those who are in favour raise your hand," said Drelduin. This time he was not so eager to raise his hand. The first person to raise his hand was Galhad followed by Airaj. Slowly and steadily, Drayke, Simkha, Kalia, Huran, Sarkath and Ikeshia raised their hand. Every vampire looked at Drayke because she was supporting a human being. Edhelriel stared at Drelduin as his hand was still lowered.
"What?" he mouthed. Edhelriel said nothing just raised an eyebrow. Hesitatingly, he raised his hands too. Baraion, Gaylia and Halbor never raised their hands. Baraion was furious with Airaj. In fact, he was furious with every lycan and every human.
"So, it is final, Talindra is the AM of both IT and Media. Let's give her a round of applause," announced Drelduin. Everyone clapped for her but not Baraion. "The meeting is adjourned. I hope to see you all tomorrow at the party, especially you, Baraion."
"I don't attend parties," said Baraion, indifferently.
"Why? What are you afraid of?" teased Drelduin.
"I am afraid of nothing, I have a date."
"Bring your date, show her off," suggested Drelduin.
"I will try," he said and stood from his seat. He exited the conference room first.
"See you all at the party," said Drelduin and exited the conference room, Edhelriel followed him.
As soon as the meeting was over, Baraion stormed Airaj's Cabin. He moved in his face and grabbed his collar.
"What the hell was that? You promised me, I paid you," shouted Baraion.
"Calm down, it's just pure business," said Airaj coolly.
"What do you mean?" Baraion was surprised. He let go of his collar.
"He means he made a fool out of us," Gaylia barged in.
"What?" asked Baraion.
"He took money from all of us," explained Gaylia.
"I never said I would nominate your name. I said I will try," said Airaj with a smirk. He fooled them all.
"What did you say to Talindra?" asked Gaylia.
"She was the only intelligent one, not to fall for my 'try' nonsense. She made me promise that I would nominate her name and then she would transfer the money. She didn't pay me upfront like you guys. Moreover, she said something about humans sticking together," clarified Airaj.
"She promised, she promised," shouted Baraion and started laughing like a maniac. "Ha-ha, ha-ha, ha-ha. You idiot, she made a fool out of you. She is never going to pay."
"What?" said Airaj confused.
"You betrayed us, she will betray you, that's what she does. She always breaks her promise," explained Baraion.
"But the moment her father informed her, she paid me in full," illuminated Airaj.
"What?" It was Baraion's turn to be surprised.
"I don't know what happened between you two but you need to get over it. And get out of my office, both of you. I need peace on my last day in this office," shouted Airaj.
They both came out, defeated, but their anger was still there.