The fashion department's advertising shoot had been chaotic, but miraculously, everything had fallen into place just in time. Jeslyne exhaled in relief as she reviewed the final shots that evening, glad that the last-minute scramble for a replacement model hadn't derailed the entire project. Although things had been far from perfect, they had managed to pull it off.
The satisfaction was short-lived, however. Just as she was wrapping up, her assistant approached her with an urgent expression.
"Mam, tomorrow there's a mandatory meeting scheduled at noon. All department heads are required to attend," her assistant said, lowering her voice. "And… the CEO will be there."
Jeslyne felt a jolt of panic shoot through her. She'd heard plenty about the CEO, Rolland Williams. He was known not only for his ruthless business acumen but also for his low tolerance for mistakes. Whispers around the office painted him as someone who valued discipline and perfection above all else, quick to fire anyone he deemed unfit.
As she lay in bed that night, Jeslyne's mind raced. She hadn't interacted directly with him before—though, if she were honest with herself, she had come close. Her accidental encounter in the elevator had left her shaken, her nerves raw. Tomorrow, though, there would be no hiding. This was a formal meeting, and she would be representing her department.
The next morning arrived, and as noon approached, Jeslyne's anxiety grew. She stepped into the boardroom alongside her colleagues, her stomach churning. The executives settled around the long conference table, discussing their roles, each trying to shift the blame for yesterday's chaos to anyone but themselves. The underlying tension filled the air as they all waited, uncertain about what kind of scrutiny the CEO might subject them to.
The meeting began on time, but to everyone's surprise, Rolland was not there. Relief spread around the room as a senior executive took the lead instead, diving straight into the agenda, dissecting the previous day's events in the most professional way possible.
However, the respite was short-lived. Just as the clock struck 1 PM, the door at the far end of the room opened, and the air shifted instantly. Every executive in the room, including Jeslyne, stood up in unison as Rolland walked in. The quiet conversations ceased, and an intense silence settled over the boardroom.
Jeslyne's heart pounded as she turned to face the entrance, only to meet his piercing gaze. The world seemed to stop as they locked eyes for a moment—his intense stare contrasting with her startled one. In that instant, Jeslyne's throat went dry. The memory of his presence in the elevator came rushing back, and she barely managed to look away as he made his way to his seat at the head of the table.
Rolland, cool and composed, acknowledged the room's greeting with a brief nod before taking his seat. As he sat down, his eyes scanned the group, his expression unreadable yet somehow disconcerting. His gaze lingered on each face before finally landing back on Jeslyne. Her heart skipped a beat as she felt his eyes on her, and she quickly lowered her gaze to the documents in front of her, pretending to study them intently.
The fragrance of jasmine faintly reached him as he adjusted in his chair. He picked up on it immediately, the scent from the elevator unmistakable even if it was now mingled with other fragrances in the room. She was here. Rolland's mind involuntarily drifted back to their brief encounter, and a flicker of curiosity crossed his face as he scanned the room, only to find his gaze settling back on Jeslyne.
He had noticed her hesitation when their eyes met; it had been subtle, but he didn't miss it. Intrigued, he kept his focus sharp as he listened to the executives explain the issues, pointing out missteps and improvements. As the meeting progressed, Rolland's intensity didn't waver, and everyone could feel the weight of his scrutiny.
"Alright," Rolland said, his voice calm but carrying a commanding edge that silenced the last executive in mid-sentence. "I understand there were several… complications during the shoot. I want each department head to account for their part in it. No shifting responsibility to your subordinates." His gaze swept around the table, landing on each department head one by one.
Jeslyne swallowed hard. She knew it was only a matter of time before he'd call on her, and she mentally braced herself. Sure enough, as her colleague finished speaking, Rolland's gaze turned toward her, his dark eyes expectant.
"Miss…?" he began, waiting for her to introduce herself.
She stood, clutching the edge of the table. "Timer, sir. I'm the fashion department manager."
"Miss Timer," he repeated slowly, his tone neutral. "Would you mind explaining why the advertisement shoot yesterday lacked an experienced model and why your department failed to coordinate with the ad team on such a critical day?"
Jeslyne's cheeks warmed, and her mind raced to choose her words carefully. "There was an unforeseen injury with our scheduled model, sir," she began, meeting his gaze with as much composure as she could muster. "When we realized she was unfit to continue, we had to act quickly. Given the limited availability of suitable replacements, my team worked to find the best alternative. Although it wasn't ideal, we managed to complete the shoot on schedule."
Rolland listened intently, his gaze unwavering as she explained the situation. A few other executives seemed ready to add their thoughts, but he raised a hand to silence them, signaling for her to continue.
"We understand that the circumstances weren't optimal," she added, her voice steady but cautious. "And we take full responsibility for any delays caused. Moving forward, my team is prepared to create a protocol for emergencies like this, ensuring it doesn't happen again."
A few other department heads shifted uncomfortably, realizing the weight of Jeslyne's admission. Most of them had been hoping to deflect responsibility onto others, but here she was, taking accountability. Rolland's gaze softened, just slightly, as he observed her. There was something refreshing about her candor—a stark contrast to the evasions he was used to.
"Thank you, Miss Timer," he replied, his tone almost appreciative. He let his gaze linger on her a moment longer before turning his attention to the rest of the group. "If all department heads took accountability the way Miss Timer has just demonstrated, we wouldn't need these meetings in the first place."
A few heads lowered, the weight of his words pressing down on the room. Rolland continued with a brief summary of what he expected from each department in the coming weeks, outlining stricter measures for communication between teams. As he spoke, his assistant, James, noted everyone's reactions carefully, paying close attention to how the department heads received their directives.
The meeting continued with updates and evaluations from each manager, and although it was tense, it was evident that Rolland's authority and keen attention had refocused everyone. By the time the session neared its end, every executive at the table looked exhausted but determined, ready to tackle the challenges ahead with renewed vigor.
When the meeting finally concluded, everyone stood, preparing to leave. As the executives shuffled toward the door, Jeslyne quickly gathered her papers, hoping to slip out unnoticed. But just as she reached for the handle, a voice called her name.
"Miss Timer"
She froze, turning slowly to see Rolland watching her with a contemplative look.
"Thank you for taking accountability today," he said, his tone softer now, yet still carrying an unmistakable weight.
Jeslyne nodded, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Thank you, sir."
With a subtle nod, he released her from his gaze, returning his attention to his assistant. Jeslyne walked out, her heart still racing as she left the boardroom. Although the meeting hadn't gone the way she'd anticipated, she felt a strange satisfaction. She had faced Rolland Williams, and while she couldn't quite place the expression he'd worn as he thanked her, she knew that, somehow, she'd left a mark.
As she stepped back into the hall, she caught the faintest scent of jasmine lingering in the air—a quiet reminder of the moment their paths had crossed once again.