Mike found himself sitting in a boardroom, surrounded by his colleagues and board members. They were in the midst of a heated board meeting, discussing the latest sales figures and marketing strategies. Mike's mind was fully engaged, and he was presenting his ideas with confidence and conviction.
"As I was saying," Mike began, "our latest campaign has shown promising results. I think we should allocate more resources to social media advertising..."
The room fell silent, awaiting his next words, as Mike's colleagues leaned in, eager to hear his thoughts.
Just as Mike was about to elaborate on his marketing strategy, a young man walked in, dressed in a sleek black suit. Mike's eyes lit up, and he smiled, gesturing toward the newcomer. "If I may interrupt for a moment, ladies and gentlemen, please let's welcome Mr. Glamour from Sie Tech Company."
The room turned to face the newcomer, and Mike stood up, extending a hand to guide Mr. Glamour to the seat beside him.
"Mr. Glamour, I'd like to brief you on the last minute of our meeting," Mike said, handing him a folder containing the meeting's minutes. As Mr. Glamour scanned the documents, Mike turned to the board members. "Forgive me please, This is Mr. Glamour, the CEO of Sie Tech. He's brought significant value to our company, and I'm pleased to say that he's invested heavily in promoting our growth."
The board members nodded in approval, intrigued by the newcomer. Mike continued, "Mr. Glamour's expertise will be invaluable to our company. I'm confident that his input will help us make informed decisions. With that said, I propose that we move forward with the plan I've outlined. Let's put it to a vote."
The room fell silent as the board members cast their votes. After a moment, Mike smiled, satisfied. "It looks like we have a unanimous decision, with 80% of the board voting in favor. Welcome to the team, Mr. Glamour. We're excited to have you on board." The room erupted in applause as Mr. Glamour smiled, shaking hands with Mike.
One of the board members who had voted against the proposal stood up, his face reddening with indignation. "You don't get to bring in anyone and convince us with lies, Mike," he said, his voice dripping with venom. "Your father and I made this company what it is today, and I haven't seen anything that you've done to—"
Mike cut him short, his voice firm but controlled. "My father left this company under my watch, and as the CEO of this company, I'm accountable for its growth. My father sacrificed a lot for the growth of this company, and I'm proud to follow in his footsteps. The board could have appointed you CEO if you were competent enough to lead this company forward. Oh, the last time I checked, you only have four percent of shares in this company; And you know I could possibly buy it from you because I know you need the money."
The room fell silent, the tension between Mike and the board member palpable. The other board members exchanged uneasy glances, some looking uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was heading. Mr. Glamour, seated beside Mike, watched the exchange with interest, his expression neutral.
Mike apologized and addressed the board, his voice confident and calm, Anabel slipped into the room, her eyes scanning the space before landing on Mike. She made her way to his side, whispered a brief update in his ear, and discreetly handed him a folder containing additional documents.
"Thank you, Anabel," Mike said softly, his eyes flicking to the documents before returning to the board.
"As I was saying, our projections indicate a significant increase in revenue over the next quarter. I'd like to propose that we allocate additional resources to—"
The dissenting board member snorted, his face still red with anger. "You think a few fancy documents from your mistress and some pie-in-the-sky projections are going to convince us to follow your lead?" he sneered.
Mike's expression remained calm, but his eyes narrowed slightly. "The documents Anabel provided contain detailed financials and market analysis, which support my proposal. I'd be happy to walk you through them if you're interested. And point of correction, she's not my mistress; I hope you correct that".
Mr. Glamour's sudden outburst caught everyone's attention. "Enough, gentlemen!" he exclaimed, his hand slamming onto the desk. "I think Mr. Mike is fighting for the best and benefit of everyone here, so what's the problem?"
The room fell silent, with all eyes on Mr. Glamour. Mike turned to him, a look of surprise on his face. "Mr. Glamour, I apologize. "
Mr. Glamour waved his hand, his expression stern. "No need to apologize, Mike. What's needed is for everyone to calm down and focus on the task at hand."
Mike nodded, then turned to the board. "I think it's time for a short break. Let's take ten minutes to regroup and refocus. Shall we reconvene at 3 PM sharp?"
The board members began to murmur among themselves, some standing up to stretch or grab a drink. The tension in the room had dissipated slightly, thanks to Mr. Glamour's intervention.
As they stepped out of the boardroom, Mike turned to Mr. Glamour and said, "I appreciate your support in there. But I think I know why the man is being so stubborn and coming on me like that."
Mr. Glamour raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Why's that?"
Mike's expression turned sympathetic. "His son is battling stage 4 cancer. I've heard it's been a tough road for the family and I haven't visited. I think that's why he's been so short-tempered lately."
Mr. Glamour's expression softened. "I'm sorry to hear that but we all have one problem or the other. That changes things."
Mike nodded. "Yes, we do. Let's try to be understanding and give him some leeway. We don't know what everyone is going through behind closed doors."
Mr. Glamour chuckled wryly. "And I'm experiencing this on my first day as a partner. I was expecting a warm welcome, not a boardroom battle."
Mike smiled sympathetically. "Well, you're certainly getting a taste of our company culture. But I think it's a good sign that we're passionate about what we do, even if we don't always see eye-to-eye."
Mr. Glamour nodded thoughtfully. "Passion is good. But maybe we can work on channeling it more constructively. I'd love to discuss some ideas with you later, if you're open to it."
Mike nodded, intrigued. "I'd love to hear them. Let's grab coffee after the break and discuss."
This exchange shows Mr. Glamour's adaptability and willingness to navigate the company's dynamics. It also sets up a potential collaboration between Mike and Mr. Glamour.
As Mike entered his office, Anabel stood up from the couch, trying to compose herself.
She wanted to express her feelings of the other day and how hurt she felt. Mike noticed the tension in her demeanor and asked, "Are you sure Mr. Glamour will buy the idea?"
Anabel's expression caught him off guard. "Buy what idea?" she asked, her voice laced with confusion.
Mike's eyes narrowed slightly. "Is everything okay, Anabel? You seem a bit... distracted."
Anabel forced a smile. "Yes, everything's fine. I was just... thinking about the project and the contract."
Mike's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he nodded. "Okay. I wanted to discuss Mr. Glamour's potential interest in buying back my mother's shares. You've done your research on him, right?"
Anabel's eyes locked onto his. "Yes, I have. And I believe he's a good buyer. We can definitely negotiate a fair price."
Mike nodded, his mind already racing with the possibilities. "Good. Let's move forward with the plan, then."
While they discussed the details, Anabel's tension seemed to dissipate, replaced by her usual professionalism. But Mike couldn't shake off the feeling that something was still bothering her.
Anabel discussed her analysis, her voice was professional and confident. But when Mike suddenly shifted gears and apologized for the other day, her expression changed.
"I'm sorry for the other day," Mike said, his voice sincere. "I really am. I didn't mean to leave you like that without even giving you a call."
Anabel looked up at him, her eyes searching for answers. Her initial instinct was to express herself, to tell him how she felt. But something held her back. She looked down, her eyes welling up with emotions.
Then, she composed herself and met Mike's gaze. "It's all good," she said softly. "I understand what you've been going through this season. It's fine."
Mike's eyes focused on hers, and for a moment, it seemed like he wanted to say more. But instead, he nodded and continued discussing the business at hand. The tension between them was palpable, and it seemed like there was more to their conversation.
Rachel walked into Mike's office without knocking, a habit she seemed to have developed over time. When she saw Anabel, a faint smile crossed her face. "Hi, Anabel," she said, her tone light.
Anabel looked up from the papers she was reviewing, her expression cool. "I hope you were taught how to knock before entering someone's space, let alone your boss's office," she said, her voice firm but polite.
Rachel's smile faltered, and her eyes flashed with annoyance. "Who are you to tell me what to do?" she asked, her tone rising.
Anabel's gaze didn't waver. "I'm someone who knows the proper protocol, apparently more so than you."
Rachel smirked and said.."Whatever; Well Mr. Mike, your mother is at the garage waiting for you." As Rachel departed, her eyes flashing a dismissive glance at Anabel.
Mike's eyes widened in surprise, his mind racing with questions about his mother's unexpected visit. "What the hell is she doing here?" he wondered, having specifically asked her not to come to the company today.
With a sense of urgency, Mike stood up, his chair scraping softly against the floor. "Anabel, make sure everything is perfect," he instructed, his voice low and even. Anabel's gaze met his, a fleeting moment of understanding passing between them before Mike turned to leave.
As the door closed behind him, Anabel exhaled slowly, the breath she'd been holding escaping in a soft sigh. She couldn't help but wonder how she'd managed to maintain her composure in the face of Rachel's provocation. The mask of professionalism she'd worn seemed to slip, revealing a hint of vulnerability beneath.
Mike made his way down to the garage, he spotted his mother's car. He knocked on the window, and his mother smiled, opening the door for him to enter. "Mum, what..." he began, but she cut him off.
"Hey, son, I know you're upset, but this is my company, and I'll do whatever it takes to get it back on track," she said firmly. Mike rubbed his forehead, trying to ward off the impending drama.
"Okay, Mum, why are you here?" he asked, his patience wearing thin. His mother launched into an explanation, "I spoke with Anabel, and..."
But Mike didn't let her finish. "You did what?" he interrupted, his voice rising. His mother held up a calming hand. "Hear me out, son. I'm not trying to undermine you. Anabel's plan is solid, and with Mr. Glamour's investment, we can triple our returns. Since he's a money enthusiast, I'll regain my shares and undo the damage from that disastrous meeting."
Mike's eyes widened as he struggled to respond. His mother offered reassurance, "I know you're worried, but you don't have to be. It's just a matter of time."
As Mike prepared to leave for the office, citing work obligations, he mentioned, "Anabel works for me, not you." His mother smiled knowingly as he exited the car. He left the car, and she drove away, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.
He stepped into the elevator, and the doors closed. As he walked towards the walkway, one of the interns approached him, her eyes shining with determination. "Excuse me, sir... can I have a little of your time?" she asked, slightly out of breath.
Mike wasn't in the mood for conversation, but he didn't want to discourage her. "You can meet with my assistant," he suggested, trying to sound approachable. "Tell her I sent you." The intern's face fell, but she nodded, a hint of a smile still on her lips. "Thank you, sir," she said, her voice tinged with disappointment.
Mike continued to his office. Meanwhile, Anabel looked up from the documents she was reviewing at her office. Her phone rang, loud in the quiet office. She answered, her voice warm. "Hey girl."
Her roommate's voice chattered on the other end, asking if Anabel had confessed her feelings to Mike. Anabel's expression turned polite but uninterested. "Come on, girl, this isn't the right time," she said firmly. "Everyone's working overtime to save this company Lolo. Let's talk when I'm back."
Lolo understood, and they exchanged affectionate words before hanging up. Anabel smiled softly, feeling a moment of gratitude for the distraction. As she refocused on her work, the office bustled around her, employees racing against the clock to meet deadlines.
Meanwhile, Mike was absorbed in his work, the documents spread out before him. Rachel knocked on the doorframe, breaking the silence. "I'm heading out, Mike," she said, her voice crisp.
Mike looked up, his eyes squinting slightly. "Thanks, Rachel. Have a good night." He asked about Anabel, and Rachel replied that she thought Anabel had already left, without checking.
Rachel's face lit up with a hint of expectation, hoping Mike would ask her something more personal, like about her day or if she needed a ride home. But instead, he simply asked about Anabel and bid her goodnight. "See you tomorrow," she said with a forced smile, shutting the door behind him.
Mike made a few calls, his frustration growing with each passing minute. Despite the workload, he decided it was time to head home. As he left, a nagging thought suggested Anabel might still be in her office. Without knowing why, he found himself walking towards her door. He knocked, but hearing no response, he pushed the door open.
Anabel sat intensely focused on her laptop, oblivious to his presence. "Hey," Mike said, but she didn't flinch. Only after he cleared his throat did she sense him and look up, her expression professional. "Hello, Mr. Mike."
The formal title struck him; the familiarity they once shared seemed to have vanished. As he tried to speak, his phone rang repeatedly, disrupting the atmosphere. Anabel insisted he answer it. He did, but the voice in the background turned him to stone his fiancee. He hung up abruptly.