ChapterOne
1460 Words
“Chyna”
Elvis screamed out the name of his secretary and she knew she was in another form of trouble.
“Yes, yes sir” she said as she ran into his office, fear plastered on her face and the files she was compiling still in her hand.
Her hands were shaking and she couldn’t look him in the face.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the meeting with Anorr group?”
He asked her simply
“I’m sorry” she said, staring at her shoes and fiddling with her fingers
“Go on, why didn’t you tell me?” he asked
She knew he was furious and of all times her brain chose not to work, this topped the chart.
She just couldn’t come up with an excuse that seemed beliveable.
“I’m so sorry sir, I forgot. I’ll call to reschedule another meeting immediately” she said
“Really? You forgot, huh?
I pay you to forget important things, yeah?” he asked her
“I’ll reschedule immediately, sir” she said, now stuttering
“There’ll be no need for that, they are not interested in the collaboration anymore”
“You may leave now”
Her eyes widened at the realization of what he just said.
They had worked so hard to get Anorr group to partner with them on this project, she could not believe her procrastination and forgetfulness made the company lose this deal
“I can’t explain how sorry I am sir, it was an omission” she tried to explain
“Chyna” he said
“Yes sir” she answered right back
“Leave my office”
She hurried out of the office without saying a word.
He was lost in thought for about ten minutes from when she left his office and she kept staring at his office door as if expecting what came next
“Chyna” she heard him call her name again
She hurried back into the office
“Yes sir”
“Pack up your things and leave, you’re fired”
“Sir, sir, please, don’t do this to me, I’m sorry, I’ll do better, this would never….” she started as tears rolled down her cheeks
“Do you need help packing your stuff?” He said as he stood up and grabbed his suit jacket to leave.
“I’m sure I won’t meet you here when I’m back from lunch break”
She broke down in tears right in his office while he walked past her, grabbing his car keys on the way.
She dragged herself to the reception desk to pack up her stuff
“So much for three months of dedication” she mumbled to herself as she packed, sniffing and wiping her tears.
The drive to lunch was silent, it was unlike him but he decided to drive himself today, his driver did not even bother to ask any questions when he saw the mood he was in as he came down the stairs from his office. He entered the car and zoomed off, with no idea of where he was headed.
Elvis was so deep in thought as he drove, this collaboration with Anorr Group was the big push Grant Group needed to top the charts this season.
He couldn’t believe he let a common secretary ruin the next big thing for him.
“Why didn’t I ask her about it more frequently?“ he asked himself, hissing between his teeth
“So bold of me to assume she was that competent” he said to himself as he clenched his fist even tighter on the steering and increased his speed.
He drove a long straight way and before he turned back and drove to his favorite restaurant.
When he pulled up in the parking lot, he picked up his phone to make a call.
“Mr. Handerson Greene” Elvis said the moment the person on the other line picked up
“Mr. Elvis Grant” the caller responded
They both let out a chuckle
“You down for lunch at The Place?” Elvis asked
“I’ll be there in five” he said as he hung up the phone.
Elvis and Handerson had been best friends for a while, they first attended middle school together and had too much in common to not be stuck together to each other.
Handerson was the first son and rightful heir of Greene Oil and Gas while Elvis was the only son and heir of Grant Group, he had already been told by his grandfather to run the company on a two-year probation.
Elvis walks into The Place, he is immediately taken to the elite club upstairs and handed hot towels by the waiters in charge.
“A mojito for starters while I wait for Mr. Greene” he told the waiter who was almost at his table to take his order.
He picked up his phone to check the charts and as expected, Anorr Group was still number one.
He was furious all over again and slammed the phone on the table. Everyone stared at him while he tried to calm himself down. Handerson is walked in by another waiter in the process, staring at him just like everyone else. He walks over to him and they sit in silence for a bit while he tries to calm his nerves.
“What’s going on?” Handerson says as he breaks the silence
“Nothing, I’m fine, let’s just order lunch” He responded
Handerson stared at him as if he could smack him like a little child
“You have a minute to start talking, lunch is on me” Handerson said
Elvis took a long deep breath, he knew he was going to tell his friend eventually but how do you say my secretary put my heirship at risk and not sound like the nonchalant one
“Chyna messed up the meeting with Anorr, they called it off”
Handerson was wide-eyed at this point
“Who’s Chyna again?” He asked
Elvis looked at him and shook his head “My secretary…or former now”
“O….kay, why is your secretary in charge of such a serious matter? Handerson asked
Elvis knew anyone who heard this would conclude that it was his fault for not following up with Chyna
He let out a sigh and stared down at the table, with one hand covering his eyes
“I actually cannot believe I thought she was that capable, she’s had a couple of important meetings under control in the past and she never let this happen, how could her first flaw be with Anorr, the Anorr” He let out in one breath
“Mr Grant would be so furious” Elvis added
“Why don’t you just call him grandpa?” Handerson said with a chuckle to lighten up the mood
“Definitely not in a situation like this” Elvis responded
“Well well” Handerson started as he tried to gather his thoughts
“Is it final, they don’t want to talk over coffee or something?” He asked
“Nothing, the call to cancel was to my personal email, I tried putting a call through to their official line, no response, and when I called Sabastian Anorr’s personal line, he said they were no longer interested and that maybe in the future, another opportunity might come up” Elvis said like he had rehearsed the lines
The waiter came around to their table to take their orders
“Our regular” Handerson said and she left in a breeze
“It’s not the best news but we can make the best out of it, by the time another opportunity comes up, the tables would have turned and Grant Group would have topped the charts, this time, Anorr would be at your mercy” Handerson said feeling proud of his comfort words
Elvis let out a chuckle
“Shouldn’t you have said Greene Oil and Gas would top the charts?” Elvis asked
“That’s my father and his favourite son’s problem to deal with” Handerson responded
They both let out a laugh and continued the discussion about other things.
Lunch came and they ate while Handerson steered the conversation the whole time
While they walked to their cars, they talked some more
“Find a nice way to break the news to the old man without giving him a heart attack” Handerson said while smiling mischievously as he walked to his car
“Great idea Mr Greene” Elvis responded, shaking his head, also making his way to his car
They both drove off and Elvis had to get back to work
- Writer
