Chapter One
I stepped out of my shower and stumbled over to my cluttered closet. I pulled a pair of black slacks and a gray blouse from the hangers. I tossed the awaiting wardrobe onto the bed before I pulled my underwear and bra from the top drawer.
I had smile on my face as I continued to dress, a smile that even Lucifer could not tarnish. Today felt like the beginning of a new life for me. Today, I will meet with the head bosses of the company to discuss my future and my title. If everything goes well, today I will go from my old title as an assistant to the head manager in communication and financing of Global Megatone Co.
I have been living in the shadows for so long that I felt as though my talents would go to waste. I was more than the 'assistant', my degree in business administration and minor in financing proved that. I wanted more. I craved for more and I believe the CEO's saw that in me, which is why today was such a big day for me.
I slipped on my attire and exited my modern one-bedroom apartment...
Exiting the elevator on to the twenty seventh floor, I walked down the long corridor toward my small office. My head low and my head in the game, I made sure that no distraction would take my focus. I had business to take care of and no one, I mean no will take that away from me.
“Are you ready?” My co-worker, and also a good friend of mine, Lulu approached my desk with a glowing smile on her face.
“As ready as I will ever be.” I had a smile that read confidence however deep down, my stomach was churning and my head was twirling.
“Good. Do you have your speech?” I pulled my note cards from my brief case. Handing them to her, I was questioning everything. Is my speech appropriate? Will they find it up to standards? What will they say?
I was cautious now. The CEO's were the real deal. If they did not approve of something or found anything disagreeable, they will bring it to your attention, and not in the nicest way.
“This is great.” Lulu seemed a little more confident in my work then I was. “You know you have some competition so you need this be perfect.”
“I know.” She was right. Competition was clear. I was up against the current co-supervisor of the financial department. Just as I, she was ready to battle it out for this position. Unlike me, she had resources in her corner; references. She had people who have worked for the company for many years to back her up. Me? All I had was Lulu and the evening janitor.
“You will be great.” She nudged me.
Her words seemed to boost my confidence just a little. Well, that was before I caught eyes of the CEO's who stepped on to the floor. They strutted down the narrow halls, their eyes only on one another as they engaged in a personal conversation, oblivious of the many eyes that watched them. They carried power and they knew it. I slouched deeper into my chair just before they passed me by and entered the conference hall, shutting the rest of the floor out.
“I hope so.” My voice cracked under the heavy pressure....
I stood before the many burning eyes that waited. Like a zebra waiting before the hungry eyes of the lion pride, I could only imagine my forthcoming fate. I took in a lungful before I reached for the remote control to present my power point. The monitor lit up, but it did not intrigue the onlookers just yet.
Breathe. I had to remind myself that I wanted this. I needed this.
I looked into the many eyes before I clicked to the next available slide. I'm a winner. I had to reassure myself before I could assure them. I was more than just the office assistant who filed the work; I was the key to this company's success...
Where did this confidence appear from? Who gave it to me? My heads help up high, my voice booming, and my eyes digging deep into them, I wrapped up my presentation that I have worked so hard on.
I turned off the monitor. I exhaled the breath I seemed to have been holding my entire speech. I looked at them as I awaited the response that would determine my placement within this company. Instead, all I got was a room full of staring eyes. Eyes that made me wish that I never entered this room.
“That is all?” Her voice was like a needle to my skin. It was as if they needed more, as if what I had just said was worth nothing.
“Yes.”
“Okay.” They turned away and began to engage in a conversation as if I did not exist. It was as if I was just another piece of furniture in the conference room. My jaw hit the floor. What the hell? Finally, they turned to look at me once again. Their faces were plain, median, and careless; it was if I never even spoke. “You can go dear.”
I felt the sting in my throat as I scrambled out of the meeting room. I felt as though I blew it. Did I not give better description? Better references? More detail about my talent? I knew I should have incorporated what I plan to do; the changes I plan to make to improve the company in better detail.
I sat at my desk, wondering, thinking. I screwed up. Emilia will get the position and there was no doubt in that...