Partnering with the Ruthless CEO

Therapeutic call

Chapter six

About two hours had passed and Pamela still hadn't gotten a reply from Mr Garrison. She'd tried to take her mind off him for a while by dealing with other matters of the company. She was going through a file that needed her attention when a notification came in on her laptop. She knew that it was Mr Garrison's message. Without thinking at all, she checked her inbox and she could swear that her heart skipped the moment she read the message. Her mind became clouded with fear. To be sure that it was real, and that she wasn't just imagining things, she read the message again, which read;

"I'm afraid that Dellag Corporation is no longer interested in considering Fallon Corporation, as such, the scheduled meeting is terminated. Thank you for your time."

There had to be a mistake somewhere. Pamela checked her previous messages with Mr Garrison to find out if she said anything inappropriate, but she found nothing. What could have possibly gone wrong? She was so sure that she almost had it. Was he doing this on purpose? Pamela couldn't take it any longer, she picked up his business card and dialled his number. She wasn't sure if it was his personal number or the company's, either way, she needed to get through to him.

A rather too friendly female voice greeted a furious Pamela politely, stating her name and asking how she could help her. Pamela however wasn't having any of it because she didn't allow her to finish before snapping at her, demanding that she wants a conversation with Mr Garrison. She however refused to entertain any of Pamela's demands.

"Do you know who I am, little missy? I bet that you don't. For your information, this is Pamela Fallon. I think that much will do, as long as you don't have just air in your head." Pamela said harshly.

"Your identity is of no importance to us, ma'am. We do not take confidentiality with levity. I hope you understand, ma'am," she said calmly and Pamela almost went nuts, clearly irritated by her words.

"I demand Mr Garrison's attention now. We have some unfinished business to attend to," Pamela's voice was firmer and even more demanding.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. There's nothing that can be done. You can try your luck by fixing an appointment with him. Good day, ma'am. Do have a pleasant day." Pamela could almost not believe her ears. She hung up the call on her? How dare she? She was just as impertinent as her boss. Pamela was seething in annoyance.

This couldn't be the end. There was no way that she'd let this happen. She paced about in her office wondering how she would deal with this. A moment later, she sat on her rocking chair again and went back to his message.

"Mr Garrison, if this is still about what happened between us, then you are making a mistake by judging Fallon based on our little misunderstanding. That had nothing to do with Fallon. Besides, I would hate to think that you let personal matters affect business-related issues."

Pamela waited for his reply to her message but she got nothing. He couldn't be ghosting on her now. Was he really serious about his decision?

Just then, Pamela's phone dinged and she took her call. It was her father. She suddenly forgot how to breathe for a moment or two. Her throat suddenly felt parched, her heart throbbed in her chest. She gulped saliva down her parched throat. Her breath caught in her throat, she feared that he would ask her how it was coming along with Mr Garrison. Pamela composed herself before taking the call, despite the fact that her palm was feeling sweaty. She waited for her father to speak before talking. She wanted to know if he was calling as the CEO or as her dad. She wanted the latter.

"Hello, dad," Pamela said, hearing the endearment in his voice, her voice was somewhat stiff.

"What are your plans for lunch this afternoon?" Her father asked, his voice was deep, yet calm.

"I have loads of work here, dad. I'm afraid that you would have to have lunch by yourself. I need to finish all of these first." Pamela said, glancing at her desk.

"You're beginning to sound like me, Pam. You know I used to do that a lot. Maybe up till now." She could hear his chuckle over the phone.

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" She asked, her lips curving in a little smile.

"Maybe. But you don't want your mum finding out that you're planning on skipping meals because of work." His voice was hushed, a little above a whisper.

Pamela grinned in response. She knew how dramatic her mother could be. She'd either find a space for herself in the company, particularly in Pamela's office, just to watch her eat during every lunch hour, or ensure that at least two bodyguards stay with her in her office to remind her to eat. Maybe she'd go extra mile by giving them orders to feed her if she refuses to budge. The thought of it alone made her chuckle, and her father joined in, knowing what must be going through her mind.

"You shouldn't skip meals because of work, Pam. I understand that you are doing your best to prove to everyone that you are capable of this, but don't work at the expense of your health."

"You're beginning to sound like mom, dad," Pamela puffed her cheeks and rolled her eyes.

"Am I now?" He asked, chuckling and Pamela nodded in response, as though he could see her.

"I'll get your lunch delivered to you. Just let me know what you'd like to have."

When the call ended, Pamela was glad about it. Somehow, the call made tension dissipate from her body. It was the daddy's effect. It had always been like that. Her father's call was usually therapeutic. It always had been.