Chapter 2
1014 Words
Tovi couldn't forget the embarrassing scene that Cole did in front of the employees. She values her reputation at work more than anything else! Now, because of Cole's scandalous speech, she felt embarrassed and felt like the people around her were talking behind her back.
"Don't worry about it, Tovi. It's not that bad," Tiana said positively. She is a woman around her age, has a slender body, tall, has dark skin complexion, and has afro hair. Her fashion taste is so unique that when she's in the crowd, everyone who knows her can easily spot her.
"My girlfriend's right. As your Team Leader, I didn't think your reputation was affected. Especially that you've been here for three years," Amy said. Her mouth curved into a smile, showing off her perfectly white teeth and a dimple on her right cheek.
"Thanks guys," Tovi said as she moved her fork on her plate. They were all currently in the cafeteria, eating their lunch on their one hour lunch break.
"It's just that . . . I've been working so hard to pass for the Team Leader's application. Part of it was being a good employee that was always following the company's rules."
"And here you are. No absences. No lates. You are a perfect girl in this building," Amy said.
"You've been working too hard, girl! Loosen up a little!" Tiana said with a Cajun accent, flashing her big set of white teeth.
Tovi smiled shyly then it suddenly faded. "I don't have time for these kinds of things. I have a daughter to raise."
"Oh yeah! That reminds me. Did Tori love the plush toy that I gave to her?" Amy asked with a beaming smile.
"Yeah. She definitely loves it," Tovi said then Amy squealed. "Thanks, TL."
"Why did you give her a plush toy? She's eight. She's not a baby anymore," Tiana scolded her girl.
"Haven't you heard Tovi that she loved it? Plus, I read it online that autistic people love plush toys. They find comfort because of their texture."
"Not all of them, I guess," Tiana said as she drank her coffee.
"Yeah I know but . . . most of them actually," Amy said.
"And you are right. Tori has been bringing that toy along with her starting the day that you gave it to her," Tovi said.
Hey, by the way. Do you find Cole hot?" Tiana asked, she lowered the volume of her voice and gave Tovi an annoying stare.
Tovi's smile faded. "What?"
"I mean you're single and I bet he's single too," Tiana said, grinning from ear to ear.
"Don't make some assumptions!" Amy slapped her gently. "He's probably engaged to some billionaire's daughter!"
"What a cliché," Tiana commented with a chuckle.
"Hey! It happens in real life!"
"Okay." Tovi broke their little argument. "Even if Cole is single, he's not my type."
"Oh! Choosy momma here. What's your type? His father?" Amy asked then the three of them burst into laughter.
"No matter how desperate my life will be, I will never settle for a man just for money," Tovi said with her hands raised up.
"Oh, you prefer working hard instead. We knew that," Tiana said then she stirred her coffee with a tiny spoon.
"And according to our workmates' gossip, he's only eighteen," Tiana said with her nose scrunching.
Amy gawped at her. "Say what?"
"I knew it. He's a bit immature to be the boss of this company," Tovi said while shaking her head.
"I mean, at that age, wasn't he supposed to be studying?" Amy asked with her eyebrows furrowed.
"What for? He's a billionaire's son. There's no need for him to go to school anymore. He can just walk into his father's company and act like a boss here while he's probably drinking beer or smoking weed," Tovi said in a bitter tone.
In Cole's new office room, he was guided by Ramon, his main butler who is also his driver, his caretaker, his assistant and is a mexican forty-year old guy. Cole sat on his black large chair as he let out a cigarette then lit it. Ramon just stared at him, waiting for him to start reading the guidelines and rules of the company, which his father was expecting him to do.
"Sir, your father—"
"I know Ramon. I'll do it of course," Cole said, stopping Ramon. Ramon remained silent and watched Cole puff out smoke from his mouth. Then their quiet moment ruined when someone knocked on his door.
"I'll get it, Sir," Ramon said then he went to the door and opened it. Two women wearing casual clothes stood by the door.
"We're the Operations Managers of this site. We were supposed to have a meeting at three," one woman said. Ramon glanced at his watch then looked back at the two women. "I'll call him. Give me a moment." Then he closed the door.
Ramon arrived at the room filled with an R&B music from Cole's cellphone. He put his feet on the desk and it moved along with the music’s rhythm. He was humming while bobbing his head along with the beat. His moment was ruined when he saw Ramon staring at him deadpanned.
"What?" Cole asked.
"You have a meeting with the other OMs in an hour!" Ramon had no choice but to shout, since the music was a bit loud.
"What?" Cole shouted, still not doing something with the noise.
Ramon ran out of patience and walked to Cole's cell phone and turned the music off. "Sir, please! You have to comply with your father's wishes or you're going to lose all your assets!"
Cole blew raspberries. "Oh please! As if he's going to banish his own son! Where Am I going to live? On the streets?"
"That is going to happen, Sir. If you don't take this seriously, things will going to be difficult for—"
Cole didn't finish his sentence then stood up abruptly. "Yeah yeah, fine." He brought the files on the table and went out of the room. Ramon just shut his eyes because of his master's unbearable attitude.
"Hello, Ladies!" Cole greeted the two women at the door and they were both swept by Cole's charms. Ramon just put his wrinkled hand on his wide forehead and shook his head.
- Writer
