Armand Inc: Conference room
The sleek, glass-paneled conference room seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction, and I took a deep breath as I prepared for the meeting. My reflection shimmered off the polished table, mingling with the faint traces of nerves that fluttered in my stomach. Today was so important that it felt as though the weight of the world was resting on my shoulders. As I waited, my gaze wandered to the large mahogany door, through which Sean Edins, the President of the Automobile Industry in Utah would soon enter.
Thinking about his name made my heart race and I gulped down the glass of water before me and heard the light chuckle that came from Kaveesha as the rest of the members of the department joined in as well as the developers.
The door swung open with a soft click, and I straightened in my seat. Armand walked in his presence commanding immediate respect. Behind him, Sean Edins entered the conference room, his presence almost magnetic. He was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, every detail of his appearance exuding confidence and authority. The way he moved, with a purposeful grace, seemed to radiate an unspoken promise of brilliance, and felt the Kaveesha hand that sneaked to mine under the table and welcomed the comfort as I was out of breath. We all stood up in waiting as Armand spoke up.
"Sean Edins" Armand began, his voice smooth and authoritative, "thank you for joining us today."
Sean Edins' nodded in response and spoke up "Thank you for having me." His gaze settled on me, and I felt a jolt of admiration mixed with nervousness. His eyes, a deep shade of blue, seemed to hold a thousand stories. "You must be Jessel Ting."
"Yes "I responded as Sean exchanged pleasantries across the room and then we took our seats around the conference table. My hands were clasped tightly in my lap, but I forced myself to focus, reminding myself that this was an opportunity to present my ideas and make a positive impression.
Armand began the meeting, outlining the agenda with his usual efficiency. As he spoke, I found myself glancing at Sean Edins, who listened attentively, his expression a mix of concentration and curiosity. It was hard not to be captivated by him, not just by his stature in the industry, but by the subtle way he engaged with everyone in the room.
When it was my turn to speak, I took a deep breath and presented my proposal with as much confidence as I could muster. I watched his reaction closely, noting the way his eyes focused intently on my presentation. His attention was both exhilarating and intimidating, a reminder of the high stakes of this meeting. Throughout the discussion, Sean interjected with insightful questions or comments, each one showcasing his deep knowledge and experience. As the meeting ended, I felt a mixture of relief and elation. Armand offered his thanks and nodded at Sean Edins, signaling the end of our session.
"Chairman Armand, I thought my team was competent but you have a set of geniuses in your team. A collaboration between us would be the best thing. You have a talented team, especially Miss Jessel Ting. She has a sharp mind and a lot of potential. I look forward to a successful collaboration."
I could hardly believe what I was hearing, and I managed to stammer out a grateful reply. "Thank you, Mr. Edin's. That means a lot coming from you."
"Sean, I will assign Jessel Ting to work with you. She will be assisted by my lead developer Caleb Irion and head of AI Evans Maurice. "Armand instructed.
"That is in order. How about we do a review in four weeks? I will also have Jessel meet the members of my team who will be in liaison with her" Sean Edins nodded.
Armand stood up and Sean followed suit as they walked to each other and shook hands Armand leaned close to Sean and said "Let us meet up tonight for drinks. I will alert the club to book a table for us."
"It will be my pleasure." Sean nodded and they left the conference room, Sean being shown the way out by Grace while Armand went to his office.
"Come on" Kaveesha pulled me up" Now is your time to shine."
I nodded at her, rushed after Armand, and caught up with him on the ground floor just as he stepped out of the elevator, he stared at me for a minute and then asked, "You wanted to see me?"
"Can we have a chat?" I fidgeted and then walked over to the private office lounge on the ground floor. I heard him huff and then the sound of his footsteps made me smile as he followed me.
Once in the office, I stood there, rooted to the spot, my heart pounding in my chest like a caged animal desperate to escape. The elegant office, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and sleek modern decor, suddenly felt like a vast space. I could barely focus on the view of the cityscape beyond; my attention was entirely consumed by the man who stood across from me.
"What do you want to discuss?" He demanded.
"I want to discuss about us '" I pointed at him and then at me.
"Little girl, I thought I made myself clear in the bar. You are Armand's sister and off limits and my decision regarding this matter is final."
His words cut through me like a blade, sharp and unyielding. I struggled to keep my composure, forcing myself to meet his gaze even as my throat tightened. "You are attracted to me" I began, but he interrupted me with a raised hand, his expression unchanging.
"This isn't about personal feelings," he said, his tone devoid of warmth. "It's about maintaining professional boundaries. My focus is on what's best for the collaboration."
I felt a pang of frustration mixed with a deep, aching disappointment. The reality of the situation hit me harder than I expected. "Is it only about business?" I asked, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to remain steady. "Or is this about me being the chairman's sister?"
Sean Edin's eyes narrowed slightly, though his demeanor remained impassive. "Will that be all? I have other meetings to attend too."
His words stung more than I cared to admit. The acknowledgment of my familial ties was the only thing that mattered, a barrier I couldn't overcome. I swallowed hard, trying to keep the tears at bay. "I was right, you are a coward, thank you for your time."
As I walked toward the door, I felt an overwhelming sense of defeat. The brief glimmer of hope I had harbored was now extinguished, replaced by a cold, harsh reality. The rejection wasn't about losing a chance with Sean Edins but being judged by something beyond my control, something as fundamental as my family ties. The pain was profound, but I knew I had to move forward, even if it meant leaving behind a part of myself that had dared to hope for more.