The Billionaire’s Thirty Day Arrangement

Nora, where is the campaign proposal?” The question landed like a stone on her shoulder. In the middle of a meeting in the conference room. Investors from all over the world, managing heads from top firms and organizations all sitting in the room, all eyes on Nora. Her fingers froze over her laptop. The whole room went silent. While some whispered to themselves “Are you sure they are capable of this job”. Nora was startled because she knows what was at stake, this is a multi million dollar deal which her company has chased for months. If this contract is lost because of her mismanagement, she risks losing her job. Whilst Nora was still searching for the documents. The conference room doors opened once again. Everyone suddenly rose to their feet. A tall man in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit walked into the room with two assistants behind him. His presence alone seemed to command silence. “Mr. Dominic Forde is here.” The whisper spread across the room almost immediately. Nora looked up for the first time. So… this is Dominic Forde. She had heard his name countless times. The heir to the Forde family empire. Brilliant. Ruthless in business. Impossible to impress. He acknowledged the room with a brief nod before taking his seat at the center of the executives’ table. “Please,” he said calmly. “Let’s continue.” The pressure in the room doubled. Nora’s palms suddenly became damp. This wasn’t just another presentation anymore. This was the man whose approval would determine the future of the biggest contract the company had ever pursued. Then… “Nora, where is the campaign proposal?” The question landed like a stone on her shoulder. A thousand and one thought ran through her head that moment, she couldn’t think straight. She could have sworn she had it all put together. After moments of silence, her colleague, Vanessa Hart, gently stood up from her seat and smiled confidently at the executives seated around the table. “I have it right here.” Nora flinched! Her presentation! The presentation! The one she spent over four months building, late nights, the pressure from her boss, and everything in between. Vanessa gracefully walked up to the front of the board room, pulled in her flash drive, then her laptop to the projector. A familiar slide appeared on the screen, Nora immediately recognized it was hers. She could not believe her eyes, this cannot be happening again. The title, every word, strategy idea was all Nora’s. Vanessa started to speak so confidently, and with the way she carried every word, one would think the work was entirely hers. Myself in collaboration with my team have worked tirelessly to achieve this. The executives nodded in affirmation. Most of them, if not all, had smiles across their faces. “This is absolutely brilliant, I love it”. Said Mr Dominic Forde with a warm tone and a smile that showed satisfaction. Nora sat there, mopping at everyone in the room. She should say something, she knew she should but it felt as though the cat cut her tongue. The work belonged to her, the campaign belonged to her. But this company thrives on favoritism and dirty politics. No one would believe Nora, especially not at the expense of the “Almighty” Vanessa. She dared not speak. So she remained silent instead. By the end of the meeting, the campaign was approved. All the praise and accolades went to Vanessa while she smiled from ear to ear. The board room gradually emptied. Everyone from different angles of the room exchanged handshakes. Laughter erupted from the room. “Congratulations Miss Vanessa”. Said everyone who came across her. “Excellent strategy,” Mr Dominic said. Vanessa smiled proudly and confidently. “Thank you, Mr. Forde.” His eyes drifted across the room for only a brief second and landed on Nora. Unlike everyone else celebrating, she looked… defeated. He stared at her for a while and said nothing. Moments later he walked out of the room with the rest of the delegates. Nora remained seated for a moment, still trying to process the whole situation and gather the courage she lost. Just as Vanessa was about to leave the room, she placed her hand on the door handle. “Vanessa”. Nora called out to her. She immediately turned around, a faint smile appeared on her face. “Nora.. Great work today”. That presentation was really a slap. Nora took a deep breath. “Uhm, this is exactly what I wanted to speak about”. Nora said. About what..? Asked Vannessa. “The …. The presentation was mine”. Well, I know that! Vanessa said so confidently. On hearing this, Nora heightened her tone. “Then why did you steal it?” she demanded. “Why did you take my ideas and present them as your own?” Hey easy… Vanessa interrupted her and raised one hand slightly Shouting would not change what has already been done. Besides, you should be grateful. Grateful? Yes! Absolutely! You should be grateful I saved your silly ass out there. Imagine if I didn’t have the presentation ready.” She tilted her head. “You would have embarrassed yourself in front of every executive in that room.” Nora stared in disbelief. Oh baby, you would have lost what is left of your integrity and that includes your job. Nora had a tear run down her cheeks. “You stole my pitch from me, and rather than an apology, you stand here acting like you did me a favor?”. I promise, you will regret this”. Nora said with a harsh tone. Vanessa placed a hand dramatically over her chest. Ooh my gosh! I think I’m scared! What exactly are you going to do? Report to the boss? What will you say? “‘Vanessa stole my idea.’” Do you know how ridiculous you would sound? Vanessa stepped closer. Who do you think they will believe? Huh? This question hit Nora on her chest. “The department head who just saved this company from their biggest humiliation ever or the naive little employee who can’t even speak up for herself in a meeting”. Nora stood still and numb. Vannessa widened her eyes. No response? I thought so. Vanessa stormed out of the room and shot the door aggressively. Nora stayed in the empty conference room long after Vanessa had left. Confused, perplexed and stunned by what just happened. After a few moments, she finally gathered the confidence to leave the room. She tucked her laptop underneath her arm, then walked to her office. Every step to the office felt heavier than the first. By the time she got to her office, she sat down. Opened her laptop then closed it again. She finally lay her head on the desk. Her head felt like something was hitting it. Minutes later, her phone rang. Once, then again. She hesitated initially, but since the phone kept on ringing she decided to pick up the call. It was from Greg. Hey babe.. Dinner tonight. I booked your favorite place. She stayed silent for a while, Don’t be late. I’ve got something important to tell you. She should say No.. she was already having a bad day and all she needed was to rest and forget that today existed. But she immediately remembered the consequences of her refusal. Greg isn’t one to take No for an answer! He wants something? He gets it. He did not like disappointment and he had a way of making things worse when it didn’t go his way. Nora took a deep breath. Then, muffled out the words “okay, I will be there”. For Greg, it’s always about him. His image, reputation and legacy. Everything else came second. He isn’t exactly what Nora would want for herself but he is the reason she is all she is today. He could be controlling, dismissive, and sometimes so self-absorbed that conversations felt less like discussions and more like lectures. Yet, walking away from a relationship of over four years didn't seem like an option. After the call, she knew she needed to cheer up. She can’t afford to keep thinking about Vanessa. She immediately grabbed her little make up kit from her bag. A little powder, lip gloss and concealer. Just enough to not look like what she has been through today. Immediately she was done, she stepped outside the building and headed to the location. A message came from Greg: Do not keep me waiting. Nora felt that maybe this night will make up for the bad day. Unknown to her, there was more to come. Nora finally got to the hotel, Greg had already sent someone to pick her up at the reception. Miss Hayes?” the young woman asked politely. Nora nodded. “Right this way.” The lady led Nora to a private room, and left her at the door of the room. Nora slowly reached for the handle. Then pushed the door open. Bright light flashed on her face. She could barely see anything. Then, standing in the center of the room was Greg. Flowers, candles, music and people. He looked unusually nervous. “What’s going on?” she asked. Before she could ask another question, he reached into his jacket pocket. Brought out a ring and knelt down. “Nora Hayes… will you marry me”?.