My CEO

Chapter 3 - PRESENTATION

"Miss, he's our new CEO"

The world suddenly stood still. Christy wished for the ground to open up and swallow her because she felt she had made a big fool of herself. Betty and Kamara rushed into the office and took her away.

"I didn't know he was the CEO" Christy uttered and broke down in tears. She thought she would be fired.

The CEO came out later, glanced at Christy briefly and left with The Manager.

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Some weeks later, The CEO summoned Christy and her colleagues to his office.

"You all know that we have a new product, right?"The CEO asked, twirling a pen between his thumb and forefinger.

"Yes Sir"

"Good. I need you to research and find out new strategies. I'm counting on you guys. Miss Christy, you'll be in charge of the presentation" The CEO instructed.

"Sir, I'm the one in charge of presentations. Besides, I'm not sure Christy would be able to handle presentations on her own. She just joined us recently" Betty said, trying to defend Christy. She knew how strenuous preparing for the presentation could be.

"I'm done with you guys. Prepare for the presentation, Miss Christy" The CEO said and returned to the documents he was perusing before they entered.

"I'm really done for" Christy lamented as she sat down resignedly on her chair.

"We'll help you in any way we can, okay?" Betty reassured.

"Thanks guys" Christy said, feeling relieved.

Just then, her phone rang.

"Hi! Sis" A cool voice said.

"Val? Why are you calling?" Christy asked worriedly.

"Are you not happy to hear from us?" Another voice chipped in, clearly Valentino's.

"Tino, Of course I'm happy to hear your voices. Just be careful" Christy chided. She didn't want them to get into trouble with the school authorities.

"Bye Chris. We'll call you later" They said and ended the call.

Almost immediately, there was a knock on the door and a fellow worker stepped into the office.

"Miss Christy, someone is here to see you" She said and left to bring the person in. Immediately, Valentino and Valentine stalked into the office.

"OMG! Val, Tino what are you..." Christy was short of words. She walked briskly and embraced them.

"Did you miss us?" Those mischievous guys asked, with wide grins on their faces.

"A lot. My bad. Meet my colleagues" Christy said, gesturing towards her colleagues. Kamara and Betty were so awed by their striking semblance to each other. Divine and David, the workaholics, looked up from their desktops for the first time that day after meeting with The CEO. "Meet Betty, Kamara, David and Divine" Christy introduced, gesturing to each person as she called their names. "Guys, meet my siblings, Valentino and Valentine"

Betty was the first to break the silence.

"Nice meeting you, Dearies"

"The pleasure is all ours" Valentine replied, all smiles.

"Christy, you never told us they were twins. Their resemblance is so striking" Kamara pointed out.

"Uh! Sorry, it skipped my mind" Christy apologized.

"Sis, we have lots of gist for you" Valentino said and without minding the attention they got from Christy's colleagues, they went into full-time storytelling. By then, Christy had already ordered refreshments for them from a nearby store and they were already sitted at the lounge area of the office.

"Sis, there's a little problem" Valentine announced, out of the blue.

"Problem?" Christy asked, glancing furtively at Valentino, who had leaned back into his chair with his eyes shut and his hands folded across his chest.

"You see..." Valentine began. "We dodged morning service and got caught. Our punishment is to wash the toilets. I can't imagine myself washing those toilets"

"This is not the first time you've been asked to wash them" Christy retorted.

"But, we never did them and I won't start now. Never!" Valentino blurted out, visibly angry.

"Really? Then wait till Dad hears of this" Christy threatened.

"That's the problem. We want you to find a way to explain things to Dad incase the school authorities report us to him" Valentine reasoned.

"I won't because this time around it concerns God" Christy retorted.

"Chris, stop. You're making me feel bad" Valentino said, feeling remorseful.

"Tino, I'm disappointed in you. I mean, Val is the trouble maker between you two, how..."

Valentino cut in "Sis, I can't let Valentine have all the fun in the school's orchard while I sit tight listening to that boring homily"

"So, what do I tell him?" Christy asked.

"Who?"

"Dad, of course" Christy said

"Well, just tell him that we had to attend to pressing matters. I had stomach upset and Tino volunteered to go with me" Valentine replied quickly, feeling impressed with the lie.

"It's okay. Once you're through with your drinks, go back to school. I have work to do" Christy said, standing up and heading to her desk.

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Finally, it was the day of the presentation. Christy walked up the stage in a deep blue gown that clearly defined her curves with her shoes and bag to match. Taking deep breaths, she grabbed the microphone and scanned the people seated before her. Personified dignitaries and Managers of different branches of the Company, graced the occasion. With the sweetest smile on her face, she started her speech and received a round of applause at the end.

"You did well" Betty and Kamara complimented and hugged Christy.

Immediately, The CEO walked in and they stood with bated breaths to hear his judgement.

"You didn't meet my expectations" The CEO said and left and his words stung Christy like a bee.

She stood dumbfounded with her heart feeling like a huge hand is wrenching it.

"Is that all he has to say? He's so cruel" Christy said, speaking to no one in particular with fat tears, running down her cheeks.