Captured by: Love Or Hatred?

The Broad Meeting.

Chapter 14: The Broad Meeting

Jennifer's POV:

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After been seated I observe everyone's reaction towards me. Some reactions were good and some were pretty bad. Jeez..!! I panic a bit but it all went away gradually as one of the members started the meeting and everyone's attention went there. And to which I sign in relief.

Well, this is a pre-board meeting where all the board members and senior authorities have gathered to analyze the company's strategy, pros, and cons for the upcoming international collaboration.

There was a lot of discussion for the agreement terms and its paperwork.

What would be our company's tactics to overcome other companies and all other things?

I was listening to them carefully while taking some notes only for James. So that when he will come back he will not miss out on any important points discussed in this meeting. Regardless, whether he will come or not but still, prevention is better than cure.

The board meeting was all going well until one question popped up.

Who will be the presenter for this collaboration conference ???

As the future CEO, it will be best for James to show up his talent and skills at this conference. And shut those mouths who thoughts he is not capable to be our next Chief Executive. Because of his laziness and unpunctured nature.

Sporadically, I do demur him. I know he is my friend. But in my twenty-five year's life, I have never met a person who is as slothful and reckless as him. He can easily persuade people in his fraud schemes. That's why he should be entitled to be the most prudish person. Sometimes words are short and less to describe him. But he is always the opposite of GOOD. Though....he has a nice intellect but that's useless until he shows it up to people. However, this will be the best opportunity for him to grab and show it to all.

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" James is our future CEO. "

" No, that's not possible. "

" We need someone more responsible who can conduct it suitably. "

" But whom?? "

" At least we all have to give him a chance...!!! "

" Yes, of course. "

" But if not him then who else?? "

Instead of a board meeting, it was now more like a debate. An argument over an argument. Whether James will be the presenter or not. And if not James than who else. Who will replace the CEO's son?? With time, the sound of their arguments kept on increasing.

I feel like I am sitting in a fish market. Cause under those branded and expensive suits they are nonetheless than those fish vendors in the fish market who shouts while making noise to sell their fishes. Except here, they are trying to sell their ideas and perspective.

All of a sudden, from all these noises a roar came. And that roar was from none other than Mr. David. Wooh!!! At the age of sixty-two, he still has that aura and audacity. I'm impressed..!!

' He can't just walk on his own legs and that doesn't make him dumb, Dumbo ' My subconscious mind reminded while mocking me.

' Ohh!!! You are right ' I replied after realizing my absurdity.

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Everyone becomes silent.

As grabbing the opportunity Mr. David puts his opinion in front of the board members, " I ponder that, what if Ms. Jennifer be our presenter ?? "

' .......WHAT???? '

That was my first reaction to my own self.

BOSS, SERIOUSLY???

Wait..... Am I mistaken or whattttt ???

Why are you quipping at me ???

Everyone stares at me as I am outlandish. Yeah!! Of course, they do have the reason. But I was dumbfounded. I don't know what to say. Or how to react after such a great revelation???

Hence breaking the silence Mr. David asks others about his opinion, " So what do you all say. Do you all agree??? "

Instead of others, I give my point of view to him while stuttering, " Sir, I don't...kno...know what to say but.. but I can't t..take this res..responsibility..it's quite huge for.. ..for me and--. "

As one of the board members, Mr. Mathew cut me off saying, " Yes, I had seen her previous works and projects, and judging from that I do feel that she can do this. "

After that another member joins him saying, " Of course, how can we forget that because of her hard work and dedication only we got the J. L's project approved. "

I replied in a low voice, " But this collaboration means a lot to us. What if --- " But now some others voice cut me in between.

' Well thank you so much for all your praises I really appreciate that. But you guys are not even letting me speak!!! At least let me complete my sentence. ' I complain to my own self.

However, left with no choice I turned my head to look at the source of that voice. " But she is too immature and inexperienced to do this. What if she can't present our company properly ?? "

Mr. Anderson speaks with authority and zeal.

' Well, maybe you are correct. ' Once again my curious mind echoed in me.

Mr. Mathew asserted firmly replying to that person, " Mr. Anderson, age and experience is not the matter here. And if you think that Ms. Jones is immature then right now she won't be sitting in this meeting along with us. "

Mr. Mathew was determined to make me the presenter. And so far I was thinking that he is cocky. I thanks him from the bottom of my heart.

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" Ahem! "

Once again it was Mr. David who takes everyone's attention and asked, " Ahem! In that case, we should vote. Between James and Jennifer. Is that okay for everyone?? "

Few people look at each other's faces in awe as if there were asked to donate one of their kidneys.

"Okay."

" Yes, we should vote. "

" Of course. " Mr. Mathew.

" Why not? Let's vote. "

" If that's what everyone wants then okay. " Mr. Anderson.

" Yes, we'll vote. "

I was flabbergasted to see that everyone agreed to that. I don't know why I'm feeling uneasy about that. I can feel butterflies dancing in my stomach. It shouldn't be happening this way.

Out of twenty individual presents in the meeting room, there were total eleven people who have the right to vote including Mr. David.

However, those authoritative people voted. Mr. David voted for me instead of his own son. Yeah!!! of course..... because he was the one who proposed this idea. There are seven votes for me and four votes for James.

Wh...What ???

How's that possible?

Why did the majority of the board members voted for me instead of James?? I was still in a concussion. As my mouth was half open due to that. Even I lost my conscience.

After a while, Mr. David dropped another bomb on everyone. Including me, but obvious.

He says, " As everyone knows how important this foreign collaboration means to us. And as voted, Ms. Jones is our presenter for the upcoming conference. And I am also glad to announce to you all that if we get succeeded in this collaboration, Ms. Jones will be promoted to be the managing director's post. "

Bombshell...

Back to back.

NOOO... ..NOOO.....

I'm sure this time you are really fooling me!!!!

For the second time on this day, I got dumbstruck.

He simply glances at me and continues, " I and some of the board members have been thinking about this for quite long. Ms. Jones, we all know how hardworking you are and how much you can extend yourself to achieve your goal, once when you set it. According to that, you deserve it. I feel really proud when other companies chairperson praises you. And tell me that how lucky I am to have you and also how good you are at your work at this young age. " He praised. He praised me in front of all.

Ohh!!! God. That's something really huge to digest.

As I open my mouth to give my ask something on this declaration but Mr. David once again stops me before I could register a word and he continued his part as if already know my question, " And of course this is not only my decision but from the Board of Directors. So there is not any single part of me involved in making YOU the future managing director. " He exaggerates on 'you' while looking at me.

Right now, I am on cloud nine. I was too astonished after his little speech for me. This is a great opportunity for me to prove myself and to seize this significant chance. But on the other hand, I can't betray James.

" But this post belongs to James. I don't want to replace him by any means. " I put my perspective while opposing to this declaration.

" You are no snatching anyone's post. And remember it's not only Mr. David or my decision. It's a direct order from the board of directors. So take it as a challenge and prove that their decision is completely correct. " Mr. Matthew explain to me very cautiously as if he is talking to his own kid.

However, after listening to him, I think for a while. During that period something bizzarous feeling arose inside me as if telling me to accept it. Thus, without any further ado, I accept this chance and its challenges. I said in affirm tones, " Okay. If you people have such faith in me, then I am ready to be the presenter. I assure you all... that I won't let anyone down. "

They nodded in appreciation as I lastly thanks them showing my gratification.

There were few more discussions about the agreement, benefit and drawback, and all other stuff which I note cautiously. But this time it was for me.

' Traitor..!!! ' My conscience speaks up. But I ignore it for NOW.

Soon the meeting ended, so slowly everyone was leaving. I walk towards the door side where Mr. David is waiting for me. Everyone was coming in my direction to congratulate me. And they all congrats me with a handshake.

Oh, God !! I feel like a celeb. It's so hard and uncomfortable when you got everyone's attention. Especially when you are not an attention seeker.

I don't know what will I do at the time of the conference when everyone's attention will be on me.

God knows...!!

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