Runaway

Big Announcement

Two minutes! That's all I have to spare as I come flying into the parking deck at work on two wheels like I'm the Adam West batman. I know the lord was on my side this morning. Otherwise, I would have definitely gotten a ticket for the way I drove this morning. I sprung from my car and sprint for the elevator. Being that I am an employee, I can just scan my badge at the elevator and go straight to my office floor. As I step off the elevator and make eye contact with Jenni, our floor receptionist, she shouts "Where have you been?! You're needed in the conference room with the quarterly finance reports!". My heart drops, it seems my luck just run out this morning. Just as I start to panic, Jenni holds up a stack of papers and I realize the angel has already printed the reports off in handout format. "Jenni, I owe you big girlfriend". I said I a grab them and head back towards the elevator.

Luckily, I already had my tablet on me with the report and since I created the report I was already familiar with it. The handouts were for the old hands who preferred to follow the presentation with a sheet of paper in front of them. So, back onto the elevator, I go and up to the executive floor. Usually, these meetings are held via Skype, but due to the big man being here today, we were putting on the dog and pony show in the executive boardroom. I finally make it up to the executive floor and I'd given myself all the pre-presentation pep talk the elevator ride gave me time for. I stepped off and turned to my right and walked down the hall to the boardroom.

As I entered, I quickly scanned the room to see who all was present. Right at that moment, Mr. Jacob's, senior VP of finance, looks up and says "ah, Elizabeth. You're right on time. Can you please present the quarterly finance report?". With a bright smile, I replied "Of course Mr. Jacob's" and began handing out the reports. As I make my way around the room, I notice two new faces. Sitting at the head of the table is the man who is clearly our CEO, Mr. Alston. He is an older, yet very attractive man. With salt and pepper gray hair, strong jaw, steel gray eyes, slightly tanned skin that suggests he spends his time outdoors, and slight crow's feet around the eyes. All this gives him a very mature yet attractive appearance. You can tell from his well-tailored suit he still has the physique of a younger man, and even sitting down he is still one of the tallest men in the room. Next to him is his younger Doppelganger . Except he has clear blue eyes, dark brown hair with a slight natural wave to it, and a well-groomed beard. Both men emanate a power that is becoming of their status. As I began, the younger Mr. Alston looks at me as if he plans to eat me alive if I say anything displeasing, while the elder Mr. Alston had a reassuring smile on his face. No pressure, right? (note the sarcasm).

Luckily, I managed to get through my presentation rather quickly without any hiccups. Fortunately, since we continue to experience steady growth within the company our earnings have been on par with forecasted expectations, leading to very few questions during the presentation. After I complete my presentation, I take my seat and wait for the next individual to begin. Today's meeting will be long because all department heads are presenting about the current status of the company and since we didn't Skype I can't mute my audio and tune out.

Finally, two hours later, we began to wrap up. By all accounts, the meeting was successful and the company continues to show stability. Before we exit the room, Mr. Alston clears his throat and we all turn our attention to him. He stands from his seat and makes his way around to the front of the room. Clearly, we are finally going to hear the announcement everyone has been talking about for the last month. "As you all know, my time here at Alston Architecture has been long, and together we have built one of the largest firms in the southeastern United States and have even expanded into the global market. When I started this company just over 30 years ago, I was a young man with a young family. Today I am an old man who is ready to finally enjoy the fruits of my labor. I will be stepping down from my role as CEO and my son, many of you already know, Kaylex, will be taking my place. I will continue with the company but in a reduced capacity. I will travel to meet with some of our global partners and sit in on meetings when scheduling conflicts prevent my son from being present. But ultimately, I am turning the reigns over to Kaylex. I hope you all continue to experience success under my son's leadership and look forward to the future of this company".

Once he completes his speech, we all applaud him and many in the room get up to shake his hand and welcome the younger Mr. Alston into his new role. Being the socially awkward butterfly that I am, I had to force myself to do the same. Not that I was displeased with the news, I just don't know these men and feel weird congratulating them. Not to mention, the aura of power that comes off of them is very intimidating. To my surprise, when I spoke to the senior Mr. Alston, he was very warm.

"Ms. Brooks, it's a pleasure to finally put a face to the name on the reports I've been seeing. I hope you have found your new role here to your liking." he greets me.

"Mr. Alston, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here thus far. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be part of such a respectable company," I replied.

"Good. I look forward to your continued success. Have you met my son yet?"

"No sir"

"Well, let's make the introduction" he smiles and holds his arm out in a gesture for me to lead the way.

"Keylex, I want you to meet Ms. Brooks. She is one of the new up-and-coming stars in the finance department."

Kaylex turns his gaze to me and he seems angry, like he doesn't have time to be bothered with this. I couldn't help but feel hurt by this. Maybe it's my pride, but it just seems awfully rude to treat people with such apparent disdain. I may be of lower rank than him, but still, after the warm greeting from his father, I certainly didn't expect such a cold demeanor.

He looks me up and down as if he is judging my appearance, nothing new there, and sneers at me. "Ms. Brooks" he simply states and nods in a curt greeting before walking away.

I politely thank Mr. Alston for his time and introduction and excuse myself to return back to work. The entire elevator ride down to my floor I can't help but think of the way Kaylex looked at me. I know I look like a tamed version of Dolly Parton and I'm not everyone's cup of tea, and that has never bothered me before. But today it did...