First Public Event
1668 Words
The city looked different from the top floor of Pearl Corp. It was one of the tallest buildings in the city, second to Onyx's Corp.
The two old men who started the companies had made sure no one else beats their height in the country which now that Vivian thought about it as she walked towards the boardroom, was quite petty.
“Am I late?” She asked, her eyes settling on Cassandra.
“No ma'am.”
Cassandra is standing outside the conference room with a tablet tucked beneath her arm.
She handed Vivian her cup of coffee as she got closer to the conference room.
“What is my schedule looking like?” she asked as she took a sip of her coffee.
This was her first day back at work after her wedding, the least Cassandra could do to help her and ensure it wasn't so hectic.
“The meeting happened in five minutes. Your schedule is clear for the rest of the day. Mr Drew will be stopping by with a few of your friends.”
Vivian smiled. “Perfect.”
They entered the conference room together and conversations inside died immediately.
Six department heads sat around the table. A presentation glowed across the screen as she walked towards her seat.
“Good morning everyone.” She said as she settled in her seat.
“Congratulations on your wedding, Ms Onyx.” One of the department heads said with a small smile.
“Sure. Sure. Let's get started shall we?” She said dismissively.
The marketing director swallowed as he walked towards the projector. He started his presentation, nervous eyes flicking towards Vivian every now and then.
She listened quietly, rarely interrupting him which made it far more terrifying when she did. Five minutes later she pointed at a graph.
"Explain that dip."
The man froze. "Which one?"
"The one you hoped I wouldn't notice."
Silence wrapped the entire room. That was the thing with Vivian, she notices everything!
Where Louis would have gone through the meeting casually, she was listening and paying attention to every detail. No one wants to be caught slacking under Vivian.
Those eyes seem to stare into everyone's soul for some reason and it often makes people feel she already knows the truth, she simply wants to hear it from their mouths.
Cassandra hid a smile as the director cleared his throat.
"There was an issue with supplier delays…"
"Wrong."
The room went still as Vivian leaned forward.
"The supplier issue happened three weeks later. This dip happened before that."
Nobody spoke, nervous eyes glancing at anywhere but her face.
"I asked for an explanation." She said simply.
The man shifted uncomfortably before his shoulders slumped
"We lost the contract."
Vivian remained quiet for a moment, not a frown in place. She wasn't mad.
Yet.
"What happened?"
"Onyx Technologies." The man started hesitantly, “...terminated the contract last week.”
The answer immediately caught everyone's attention. Vivian's expression remained unchanged.
That was Oscar's company. Or technically… Their company now. The merger paperwork was still being finalized.
Their marriage may have been arranged but the merger wasn't. Both companies stood to gain billions.
Which was exactly why nobody cared whether the bride and groom actually liked each other.
Vivian sat back in her chair. "Can we recover it?"
The discussion immediately shifted toward solutions. That was what her employees appreciated most. She never wasted time assigning blame.
“Yes ma'am.”
She nodded. “I'll make a stop at their headquarters to discuss this further. That will be all for now.”
The meeting ended and everyone left looking exhausted except Vivian.
Cassandra followed her into her office. It was a huge space with white and blush accents. She hated the muted and soulless colours in Louis’ office and had asked for her own space.
Vivian's heels clicked on the polished tiles as she walked towards her desk which sat right next to a wall of glass that overlooked the city.
“You have something to say, don't you?” Vivian said as she settled behind her desk, barely soaring her assistant a glance.
She's worked with Cassandra well enough to know when the young woman had reservations.
" I am starting to believe you enjoy scaring people, Ms." Cassandr offered quietly as she settled Vivian's second cup of coffee on the table.
Vivian chuckled. “Youre being dramatic.”
Cassnadra smiled. “But I understand what needs to be dealt with with seriousness should be handled accordingly.”
Vivian smiled,“You're learning. I'm proud.”
Behind her desk sat a shelf that covered a significant section of her office; Awards, certificates, Partnership plaques covered the wall.
Cassandra had insisted she included the wall. The way any business partner of hers can see the magnitude of what they are working with.
The eyes are windows to the soul she had said.
Vivian's phone buzzed just as she was about to take a sip of her coffee.
It was her friends group chat amd Drew was blowing it up for some reason.
DREW: Are we pretending you're happily married or should I bring wine?
MAYA: Bring two bottles.
JORDAN: Three.
Vivian smiled despite herself. She glanced at Cassandra.
“They will be here in an hour. Place orders for meals.”
Cassandra nodded. “Yes ma'am.”
She walked right out the office. She knew Vivian needed the company of her friends desperately in a time like this and she had planned for that ahead.
Barely thirty minutes later, her office door burst open and her eyes landed on her chaotic friends.
"Speak of the devil." She muttered.
Drew walked in carrying flowers. Jordan followed behind him with two wine bottles and four wine glasses.
Then Maya walked in with a box of tissues for some reason.
"Happy married life!"
The bouquet landed directly on her desk. Vivian stared at it and then at them.
"Did you rob a garden?"
"Possibly." Drew shrugged.
"That wasn't a no." She said in suspicion.
Drew sat across from her dramatically. Maya immediately stole her coffee, taking a long ass sip before sending her a smile.
“I needed that. Still hung over from last night.”
“Yeah, after riding Mr tall, dark and handsome all night!" Drew teased as Jordan laid the wine and the glasses on Vivian's table.
“New necklace?” Jordon asked, glancing at Vivian's neck.
Finally! Someone who noticed she looked slightly different.
“Yeah.”
He nodded. “It's pretty.” He said simply, barely able to meet her gaze.
Vivian chuckled. They've been friends for so long and Jordan still couldn't give her or any one a compliment without staring down.
“Gorgeous!” Maya smiled, “I'm taking it.”
Jordan chuckled, “Don't let her.”
Vivian shook her head slowly; Animals. Every single one of them.
“We were talking about Mr tall, dark and handsome..” Vivian said, redirecting the subject.
As much as she would love to hang out with her friends as usual, she'd been too busy pretending to be on a honeymoon after marrying Oscar.
“Maya had her very first one night stand last night with a hottie.” Drew started, teasing Maya.
Jordan exhaled as he opened the wine bitter, ready to pour his friends a glass.
“Here we go.” He muttered, shaking his head.
“Forget about me!” Maya said, eyes fixed on Vivian. “We're here for you. So."
Vivian groaned. "No."
"You knew exactly what was coming."
"No."
"How's married life?"
Three pairs of eyes focused on her.
Vivian grabbed a pen. "Next question."
The room exploded into laughter.
"Oh my God."
"It really is that bad."
"Damn." Jordan muttered.
Vivian pointed at them. "Not one word."
Drew gasped dramatically. "He doesn't deserve you."
"He absolutely doesn't."
Jordan nodded. "I met him once."
"You met him for thirty seconds." Maya snapped.
"That's enough."
Vivian couldn't help smiling. Her friends were ridiculous, comfortingly ridiculous.
"So," Maya said, changing the subject. "What about the honeymoon?"
That got Vivian's attention.
"Honeymoon?"
"Don't tell me you forgot."
Vivian blinked, honeymoon? That hasn't occurred to her at all.
Jordon hands everyone a glass of wine and Vivian takes her time taking a sip out of it.
She glanced at the glass, stunned. “That tastes good.”
Jordan chuckled, “Of course it does. It came out of my vineyard.”
“Honeymoon!” Maya said again.sje wasn't going to let this go.
"I haven't forgotten."
"You absolutely forgot."
"...Maybe."
The room laughed again.
Her phone vibrated, forcing her to glance at the screen.
Vivian frowned as the number was an unknown number.
Mandatory attendance required.
Executive Celebration Gala.
Hosted by Onyx Technologies.
Celebrating the marriage of Oscar and Vivian Onyx.
Attendance confirmed.
Dress code: Black Tie.
Date: Tonight.
Vivian stared at the screen, brows furrowed, was this from Oscar?
She read it again before clicking on the profile picture to see Oscar's face plastered on it.
Cassnadr walked in with food, distracting the trip almost instantly. As her friends went for the food, Vivian motions Cassandra to come over.
Her assistant hurried towards her. She handed the phone to Cassandra.
The assistant read it and almost winced.
“Did you know about this?”
“No. I wasn't notified.” Cassnadr offered quietly.
Drew immediately snatched the phone out of Cassandra's hands while Maya and Jordan peeped over his shoulder to read the message.
"Oh, that's evil." Drew groaned.
Vivian hates public events. She hates being in the limelight all thanks to Oscar Onyx humiliating her back in college.
Jordan glanced at Vivian, his gaze softening into pity.
"Tonight?"
"Tonight."
Vivian leaned back in her chair.
Of course. Of course there was another event. Because apparently one wedding wasn't enough public humiliation.
She rubbed her temple. "What now?"
Cassandra looked sympathetic. "You'll have to attend."
Vivian groaned, Oscar Onyx must love irritating her at this point.
- Writer
