Rhysand's POV
The wedding preparations were in place, and my skin crawled whenever I was called to participate in one thing or another regarding it.
That was only one of the things that made my skin crawl. Aaron announced his wedding, and the whole company and its employees couldn't keep quiet when they heard that our parents were getting married.
I found it hard to keep my head up whenever I heard the whispers. Just what has that old man gotten me into? How could he choose to get married to her mother among all the influential widows in the city who would add value to the company?
He picked someone who I hadn't heard of or known except for her hard-headed daughter who had constantly been a pain in the ass.
I was a man of perfection, always wanting more and nothing less, and so far, Bridgette had managed to keep up to my standards—even higher—but her guts were revolting.
She was almost... untouchable, and it made me enraged that she prided herself as such.
"Mr. Rhys—Rhysand." My new secretary called, her voice almost a whisper. I glanced at her, and she recoiled like a frightened chicken.
"Have you suddenly lost your speech? What is it?" I demanded.
"The... um... it's time for the board meeting." She informed me. Bile churned within me.
The urge to fire her lingered, but I knew that she wasn't the one I most desired to relieve of her job.
However, her performance was below par and it was unacceptable, but I didn't have the time to go back and forth with a new employee if I fired this one. Considering the wedding and my plans, it would be too much for me to handle.
I stood from my seat, took the documents that would be needed at the meeting with me, and walked out of the office. The secretary's head remained bowed. Timid.
The board members were already seated by the time I got to the meeting hall, and I gritted my teeth. It was unlike me to arrive late for a meeting.
I lost track of time, and that secretary of mine forgot to inform me on time as well. That must be why she was acting like a frightened chicken when she told me about the meeting. I changed my mind about letting her stay until I'd accomplished what I wanted to do. She had to leave before she made me look incompetent before the board.
"It is unusual for me to be late during meetings. My new secretary needs some pushing..." I started, clearing my throat before I spoke.
"These are the statements for March." I continued, putting up the soft copy of the documents on the screen with the help of the projector.
"We did spend a lot on staff. Aside from that, the business did really well." I continued, and a board member raised his hand. I nodded to encourage him to speak.
"About the outrageous amount spent on staff, what can be done concerning it?" He asked, his face stern.
"Thank you for that question, Mr. Martin. This is a valid question, and I want us to think this through. Among the staff we have employed throughout these past years, don't you think there are some errors we've made?" I asked, taking a calculated glance at the confused board members who looked at me with inquisitive expressions.
"I'll explain further." I continued.
"The amount we budgeted for staff was surpassed because we overpaid a staff member." They all exchanged glances with each other as though what I said was alien to them.
"Bridgette Hayes, one of the staff who was recently promoted to the position of manager, was overpaid. She made us blow past the payment budget. If you ask me, I'd say we should correct that." I finished and glanced at their faces one more time, to be sure that they were following.
They looked unsure, as though they didn't understand the language I spoke or what I meant.
Until finally, one of them spoke up.
"I don't think that's what blew the budget, Mr. Rhys..."
"It's Rhysand." I interrupted. Why don't they get it every single time?!
"Mr. Rhysand. From the company's statement, we can see here that the number of staff that have been employed and fired is more than five in a month. And you pay them the acceptance fee, or should I call it the pre-salary fee? But they end up leaving work in less than a week." He stated, a worried expression on his face.
A frown crossed my face as the others bobbed their heads in agreement.
"Do you all think that I got this company to where it is now by having incompetent employees behind me? Why do you think that we are the second biggest company in the city? It's because we are known for perfection. And that... is what I expect from my employees, all of them. Anything less will result in a termination letter. I might be too pissed to even write a letter." I replied bluntly, and the men didn't seem happy about it.
But there was nothing they could do. I'd worked so hard to deliver exceptionally, and that was what I was going to work with. Nothing less.
"Was this the reason why you all asked to see the statement?" I asked with a frown.
They didn't speak, but their expression said it all.
"Well, now you know. And if you insist that we have to work with a budget, we can deduct Bridgette's salary or, better still, fire her." I suggested, but the men were uncomfortable with my words.
"Do you have something to say?" I asked when I noticed that they moved their mouths.
"Well, we can't do any of that." Martin started again.
"She has proven to be capable, and her promotion wasn't unfounded. She helped secure an important contract and was given that position because she has proven to be capable of handling it, and she has been doing a good job so far. I'm sure you can say the same." He looked at me as if waiting for an answer.
I ran my hand over my nose and sniffed sharply.
"We are all giving suggestions, aren't we?" I forced a dry laugh that didn't last long.
She was competent, but she was getting on my nerves, and now my days might just be filled with bad luck seeing her face both at home and at work.
The only time I got a break from seeing her was after the day's work, but now, I wasn't sure that would be possible anymore. And I tried to make the board members see reason, but they were just blinded by her hard work.
Just perfect!