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1803 Words
“Let’s go show these knockheads what it means to be head the biggest company in London” I uttered, pushing open the door which housed the conference hall.
Upon my barge-in, I was met with Seven unwelcoming faces.
All lodged in what I could only deduce as stupefaction, perhaps they detested my guts for storming into the room in such manner, all the while being fifteen minutes late.
“Miss Coleen” Madame Susanne eyed me at once, unable to mask the look of disgust on her face. “How lovely of you to walk in on us at this hour”
Curse the b***h!
“Of course!” I was kind enough to return that fake smile she put up with. “The pleasure’s always mine”
She stifled a frown at my statement, turning over to Jean Argent, the president of the EFL board “Can we get this going now or what?”
“Of course” Jean says, pulling about the large file before him.
He looked up at me, that gaze of his demanding my undivided attention. “Miss Coleen…You just missed Mr. Fairbairn’s pitch”
And at the mention of that name, I tell you, I felt the lock in my jaw, the burn in my chest turning into what could only amount to rage.
Jean took a gulp of water, going on “All through the time we awaited your arrival, I must commend Mr. Fairbairn for having us entertained”
“Oh it's nothing” I heard the only voice which was sure to be the illest I’d heard all morning, asides that of Lily foretelling the news of mother’s death.
“It's always a pleasure” The voice was sure to carry on, and while the room were so odd to the point that no one cared to offer my company and I any seat, I couldn't stop the words hanging in my throat.
“Well, I don’t suppose this is a circus” I emitted a scoff. “But if entertainment is what you seek, entertainment you shall receive”
I examined the faces around me—Most of them lodged in sheer confusion, but amidst the sea of faces, I could only summon my focus to one.
There he was, sat on the opposite end of the large table, that gaze of his doing so well to denigrate me, mock me.
Wes Fairbairn, sat in all glory.
His eyes skimmed me so well, perhaps wondering whatever mess I had carried along with myself.
I came to notice the company he had with him who for the past minute had chose it best snuggling into his hold
She was different from the last one that was part of his circle—Blonde, tan, and much more quiet than the number of lady escorts he pulled with him.
He gets summoned to a meeting, and he walks in here with the lassie who was nothing but his bed warmer? The disrespect.
But who was I to talk? The EFL executive board chose to ignore it, so why should I speak on it?
But I knew the girl in me. It was scenarios like this that caused me losing my wits.
“Pardon me If I come impudent but I’d like to know why this place has decided to be infested with rats?”
“Excuses me?” The number of those faces appeared distressed. Oh how much I savored the looks on their faces.
“What are you talking about, Miss Coleen?” Sussanne Green spoke.
“I just would love to know since when the EFL started welcoming low-lifes into their space”
And at my utterance, I watched the figure on the other end of the table emit a scoff, while pulling the blondie even nearer to him.
“Does this have anything to do with Mr. Fairbairn” Sussanne Enquired.
Of course it does!
“Shouldn’t this be strictly professional?”
“Emma, are you here to speak on my business or yours”
“It’s Miss Coleen!” I was quick to correct. “And Of course my business is all I'm bothered about”
“Then get on with it, Will you?” Snapped an already infuriated Sussanne.
“Good morning, everyone”
“It's 12 noon” Wes was kind enough to pitch-in.
The bastard!
“Good morning to those who have had a splendid morning” I carried on. “I’m Emma Coleen, executive Manager of Wagner group—A company that aims to give the best hospitality and care with a goal of making our clients feel home far from home” I heard Wes snort after my words, but I knew better than to spare him a second of mine, I carried on.
”With a team well-driven, we’re fit to provide our clients with an exceptional stay, a warm reception and amicability”
“The Wagner group has been solid for the last thirty years, and I'm not one to toot my own horn, but I can proudly say that in those thirty years, I was fortunate to carry along and head five successful annums”
Wes leaned back into his seat, one hand stroking his chin, as if deciding what to make of me.
He could go to hell for all I cared!
That stare of his was intent on me, and for a moment there I found myself fumbling about with my words.
In those few seconds whence the room fell silent, I spared a moment gazing at the fellow proper.
He rocked a clean shave with a stubble that seemed quite due for a trim, yet the nutter appeared to bear it just fine.
Oh how could a person just manage to annoy me in every which way.
All too dappered in his grey suit, a white handkerchief neatly tucked into his breast pocket. Not to lie, the i***t was merely impressionable upon first look.
“Is that all?” The voice of Susanne was the first to summon my attention.
I looked around the room, taking in those gazes lodged in my direction. Even my own team were now staring at me like I had just spelt out the most absurd thing.
The quietufe couldn't be any more damning, yet, in the second it came to settle, the figure of Wes arose, eyes scaring about the room, with that irking grin inching on the corners of his lips.
“Well, well…” He began, reaching to fasten the buttons of his jacket. “Do allow me to save this, shall I?”
“Oh, dear! Of course!” The eyes of Susanne lit up at once, with the Lassie going all out to send a smile his way.
If she wasn't in her mid sixties I would assume she was throwing herself all over Wes, but it was no surprise to me such reaction she gave.
“If I may speak…” Wes began by clearing his throat, and flicking the ends of his collar.
“… I believe what Miss Coleen here failed to mention is Safety”
The freak!
“For tell me how hospitable you could get it you aim to endanger the lives of your clients”
“I never said I was placing their lives in danger!” I blurt.
“You never said you weren't!” He retorts.
“… but you see Emma—
“It's Miss Coleen!” I snap at him, but of course the prat was one to carry on. “The Security, the overall well-being of your client, should be the first thing to be spoken of in all talks of this business”
“The EFL boasts of a line of esteemed and well-sought after players, a bunch of great names in the game of football, and you think to make as much a mistake as leaving them unguarded.
“Perhaps, they failed to teach you this in college”
I caught the shadow of a grin which loomed across his face—one which jeered at me.
Shoulders well high, posture unshaken, he began.
“The alverton group carries security as its utmost footstool—and do pardon me, but I am surely to toot my own horn, saying that this has been my sole responsibility, ever since placed in my control by my father”
“The Alverton hotels is not just a business to me, it's my own heritage, to be well cared for, to be tended to. I would give my blood, sweat and tears to see that the four corners of this conglomerate keeps to its vision and renders the best customer service it could afford”
The applause that grew in the entire hall the moment he concluded his speech would have had my ears bleeding if they were to go on any minute longer.
Susanne looked like she had just won a Nobel prize, Jean Argent grinned cheek to cheek as if he was beholding his youngest son graduate college, and to the rest of the personalities in the room, they had gone all the way out, giving out handshakes to Wes Fairbairn, and there I knew the deal was sealed in that instant, I didn't need a soothsayer to utter otherwise, but Susanne to come rubbing it in as she came my way, squaring me in the eyes.
“I'm sorry Emma, but even you know who beat fits this contract” She sighed. “For Mr. Fairbairn is in fact right, we can NOT endanger the lives of our players”
And with that she was already tossing my company’s file back into my hands.
“Perhaps, when you've given a thought to the safety and good care of your guests, then we shall have business to discuss with you”
That struck the nail on the head.
I felt an outcast.
In a sea of vibrant souls, I was the odd one—Well, my team and I, so to say. Cause they all appeared even more gloom than the air which englobed me.
My victory was their victory, my loss was their loss, and I could feel it now in this minute when the celebrations began between the EFL board and the Alverton group, Wes in head of it all.
The Bimbo who kept telling his company still remained there all while, batting those fake lashes which seemed a ton heavy for her eyelids to hold.
And all the while the cheers broke out around me, I turned on my heels, walking out of the room, feeling an utter deject of my own self.
In less than an hour, I had come to lose two things most dear to me—My contract, and my mother!
- Writer
