A g*****a

A NORMAL DAY

ANDREE:

After that tiring day at the party and dreaming about scenes and sorts of video clips, at last, I was able to get back home safe and in one piece.

I needed to prepare for the office for the next day; like any normal person, I needed to go to work.

Everyone knew that I was working as the executive personal secretary for the Chairman and CEO of Ring Gem group of companies.

As the executive personal secretary, I was also entitled to a secretary of my own, and several deputy secretaries simply said most of the tasks and errands that were simple enough for which the CEO would assign me, I passed it on to my secretary, of course with limits.

For everyone, I am just an assistant. The CEO had a different view and took me for what I could do which no one could. I would step up and dominate the arena once needed.

Part of my job was to follow the Chairman and CEO wherever he goes only for special events. Things that I would not delegate to my secretary were those like the board meetings, meeting with important clients, investors, potential partners. I need to be there for any important dealings or closing deals for the company and major decisions such as financial matters.

Next day......

[Phone ringing] I answered my phone and heard CEO Lino yelling at me to hurry up, so I could make it to the board meeting on time.

I was already in a hurry; the meeting was to be held on the 23rd floor of the building. I was unable to use the Chairman’s personal elevator since I was not with him. So, I took the regular elevator.

The elevator stopped, upon knowing that I was already on the 23rd floor, I hurriedly alighted the elevator car. Although I was in my casual suit, I did not mind running like chasing a pickpocket guy.

At last, I reached the door of the boardroom and was able to get in. I was late for 3 to 5 minutes and because of that, I could feel the Mr Lino’s daggering stare.

I usually feed the Chairman the information he needs prior to the meeting, especially when in a meeting with these people. What I mean "these people" they are the kind of people who could discuss business or legal matters and argue with you for the entire day, they were like the senators of Rome during the reign of Marcus Aurelius.

Typical members of the board, some of them are thinking for the greater good of the company, and others were there for their own personal motives, so we need to be careful about every step we take. My job during these meetings was to be present and to make sure to assist the Chairman and CEO with what was going on inside that room from the perspective of someone not a member of the board, someone who can read one’s motives through action and the way of speaking.

What I really do was, after I analyze their intent, especially during discussions, I would let the president know about my input. Let us just say, "not your average inputs". I do not tell the president what to say and what to do. He is on his own, based on the data I give him, to do his decision-making. As the public knows him, including me, he is the most competent person to handle these kinds of people, it was just that he wanted to be extra careful, and I was the perfect person to go to. He uses my data and would analyze and consider my inputs and thoughts and compare them with his and, from there, what's next is all up to him. Nobody knows what my real function was.

The board was already on the last agenda, which was the investment opportunity. The member of the board who made the said topic to be inserted into the agenda stood up, went towards the door, and called someone to enter the boardroom.

As I looked at him, what I saw was a serious man with no emotion at all. What I saw, if expressed in words:

“Let’s get over with it.” I can see no emotion, not even shady intent at all.

I was all along confident that this presentation would not be much of a concern. The door was opened for 5 to 6 minutes, making everyone in the room get intrigued until a lady went inside and introduced herself.

Everyone in the room was silenced when the representative of the 2nd top company had just finished her introduction. The Caran was the name of the top 2 company, Ring Gem was just 4th in the ranking if we consider Net Worth as the basis, but when it comes to public appeal, Ring Gem ranks first.

The representative of The Caran announced that their company would like to propose partnering with Ring Gem for a project, but she did not mention further details. All she was asking was for a time and date where both CEOs could have a talk with regard to the partnership.

The CEO of Ring Gem supports all kinds of charity, which is also one of the reasons why most politicians and people who need public approval were trying to rub elbows with him.

I was trying to read the representative of The Caran, but I was not able to pick up any negative thoughts nor positive ones. This is bad for me.

I messaged the president about it and what my thoughts are. I saw CEO Lino glance at his phone and then placed it back in his coat's inner pocket. After that, he said in the answer to The Caran representative was,

“We will notify you in due course.”

That was his response both ways, to my message, since he said it out loud and to the lady representative from The Caran. He also sees fit as the best response for everyone in the room.

I read the president’s actions throughout until the end of the meeting. He was as if something was bothering him, it was like he feared something.

Right after the meeting had concluded, the president signaled that we should leave the room and head back to his office. Merely depending on the president’s actions, I knew he would require a brief discussion in his office.

At the CEO's office…

As the CEO entered the office, he proceeded to his desk, then sat down and reclined his chair. He raised his hands to signal his guards to leave the office as soon as I arrived. I was just removing my suit jacket when the president spoke to me in his serious voice, saying,

“[annoyed] What happened? He spoke while pointing in the direction of the boardroom.

I was startled. I just looked at him and I did not respond. I had no reaction at all, he was used to me doing that. I looked at my watch before I decided to have a seat.

I just hit the couch when he started his litany. I just cozily sat down while listening to him.

Based on what he was saying, he was caught off guard by the representative of The Caran. His point was, at a glance, he was just thinking that the investment opportunities that were stated on the agenda of the meeting were the usual proposal. He was now wondering why The Caran would like to partner up with Ring Gem.

I just held my chin between the bent forefinger and the thumb of my right arm and stared at the wall in front of me for the entire time. I was well aware that I was just sitting, unbothered by him and he could see it. The president just continued his litany and kept voicing out what was on his mind while I was in that state. He knew that I was listening to him and just connecting the dots.

After he said all his thoughts, he stood up and went to the small area of his office and made a drink for the two of us.

He placed a cup of hot tea on the table just a meter away from me and sat down on the couch beside me. I took the cup and inhaled the aroma of the tea and had a sip, then, I said,

“You might have gone thirsty after all that talking,” I said, raising my cup of tea.

He placed his cup on the table and told me,

“[sigh heavily] The last time The Caran partnered with another company, it took it down. I need you to think about this. Tell me when you are ready.” He spoke.

“You were in this position because of who you are,” I answered back in a monotone voice while staring at the cup of tea I was holding.

“Do not force me to do it,” he said in a serious tone.

“Then don’t do it. It is not even part of the options you can take. I am not forcing you to do anything." I said "It was my fault, my task starts when the meeting started, but all I can say is no one would suspect anything unusual about that certain agenda. I will pay extra attention next time," I added.

"I did not suspect anything unusual either. (sighed) President Lino responded

"Anyway, I just want to remind you why you are the CEO of this company,” I said.

I continued to be in my normal, emotionless way of talking until

I decided to leave. I stood up, I went to get my suit jacket and left his office. I did not look back; I went straight out of the office and walked away.

That was how we discussed delicate matters concerning the company. That kind of discussion was just ordinary for us.

I took the elevator and heard of the rumors about The Caran, I could not help but smirk because of how the gossip spread so fast.

As I stepped out of the elevator car, I happened to come across one of the board of directors. He looked at me and I responded with nothing, it was like I was staring at a blank space. I was able to pick up what was on his mind, I knew that look on his face as well.