CHAPTER THREE - Presentation
1106 Words
HEATHER’S POV
“Well, look who FINALLY decided to show up,” Ted said, dragging even more attention toward me.
“I’m sorry I’m ten minutes late. I had a rough morning, and then there was an accident outside—some guy hit my car—and… a lot has happened this morning, Ted. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
“Good. Now go get everything ready. The meeting will start in thirty.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Hey, I told you, Heather—call me Ted,” he said while trying to play with a strand of my hair.
I made a mental note to shave my head after that.
I saw my work bestie, Alice, walking up to me, and it was like she’d been sent from heaven to save me from this perverted old hag.
“Hey, Heather. I’ll help you in the meeting room. Let’s go now so we can be done quickly.”
“Yes, let’s go now. I’ll see you later, sir,” I said, sprinting to my desk to get everything I needed for my presentation—and to get as far away from that man as possible.
“When you’re done, Heather, see me in my office.”
“Yes, sir.”
⸻
“Thank you so much for saving me from that perv, Alice.”
“It’s fine, Heather. Being young, beautiful, and incredibly talented in this industry not only makes you a threat to young men—it makes you prey to the old ones.”
I smiled, agreeing with what Alice said, because after working in the same company for almost twelve years, I think she knows exactly what she’s talking about. The past two years I’ve been in this place have just been me trying to prove that I’m good enough for the average-minded man in this department who just so happen to run the company. Alice has been here for me since day one, and I would have probably quit—or committed murder—without her.
“Well, I’m just grateful I have you here to help and have my back,” I said, giving her a side hug.
“Well, hopefully not for long. If you do good today, you might leave me in this shithole and move on to a bigger company with a decently fat paycheck. Then you’ll forget all about little old Alice,” she said, chuckling—and I couldn’t help but chuckle too.
Alice might be ten years older than me, but at thirty-three, she’s still as young and as beautiful as ever.
“Well, hopefully the investors aren’t inconsiderate dickheads like the man I met this morning.”
“Oh? Tell me more.”
“I was trying to find a good parking spot, and I stopped my car because I didn’t see any need to drive into the garage since today’s only a half day for me. Plus, this isn’t even the first time I’ve parked my car there. Then all of a sudden—BOOM—a car hits the back of mine. I come out to check if it’s something major or not, and these two huge guys step out. The driver starts apologizing, and while he’s doing that, the other guy blames me for the accident and shows no sign of remorse whatsoever. What a piece of shit.”
“Well, hopefully that’s the last you’ll ever see of that guy.”
“Yeah, hopefully. Well, anyway, we’re done here. Now to go see what that dumbass Ted wants.” I roll my eyes to the back of my head, and Alice chuckles.
⸻
DERICK’S POV
“Good morning, sir. It’s really nice to finally meet the head of Benjamin Enterprises, and hopefully you’ll see that this company is worth every penny of your investment,” the short old guy—who I’m guessing is Ted—said, holding out his hand for me to shake.
“Okay, let’s get to business, Ted,” I said, ignoring his hand and taking a seat.
“Why’d you want a personal meeting before the presentation?”
“Well, um, Mr. Benjamin, I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be the one presenting the business proposal to you. Instead, it will be one of our younger employees—who also happens to be a woman.”
“What’s wrong with her being young and a woman?” Kamal asked, obviously just as confused as I was.
“Well, you know, these days women think they’re worth more than kitchen and bedroom duties and fight to claim higher spots than we men, you know,” he said, laughing like his sexist comment was funny.
“So I just wanted to give you a fair warning, just in case her presentation isn’t good enough. I could always call in a young, bright man to finish it up for her.”
“I’m sure the young lady who was chosen for this presentation by your superiors is very much capable of doing her job—maybe even more than you. Unless you would’ve been given the job, don’t you think so, Ted?” I said, getting quite annoyed with this man.
“Well, um… yes, yes, sir.”
“Good.”
“Anyway, um, Ted, when does the meeting start?” Kamal asked, trying to change the subject.
“Well, it will start—” Ted was interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
“Hello, sir. I just came by to let you know we’re all set for the meeting,” a lady who looked and sounded quite familiar said as she entered the room.
“Okay, good. Mr. Derick, Mr. Kamal, this is Heather—the one who will be presenting. Heather, these are the investors from Benjamin Enterprises.”
“Good day, sir,” she said, before looking directly at my face. Then a look of terror and recognition took over her once-calm expression.
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HEATHER’S POV
Of ALL the people in the world, why did it have to be the mean guy I called mannerless earlier this morning—the same guy who now happened to be the investor I was hoping would change my life?
Gosh, I really hate Mondays.
“Good day, Heather,” the other guy, Kamal, said with what looked like a smirk on his face. Wow. I guess everyone enjoys my suffering these days, huh?
“Good day, Heather,” the rude guy from earlier said, also seeming quite amused.
“Oh, f**k,” I whispered under my breath.
- Writer
