Chapter 14
1830 Words
PING!
The email notification shattered the peaceful quiet of Friday morning. Clarissa, sipping her coffee while reviewing yesterday's reports, felt an immediate knot of dread form in her stomach.
Sender: David William
Subject: Urgent: Board Presentation – Monday Deadline
Clarissa stared at the screen, confusion creeping across her face. Board presentation?
Ms. Clarissa,
Based on the international market research you completed, I need you to present a comprehensive marketing strategy to the board of directors. The presentation is scheduled for Monday at 2:00 PM in the 15th-floor boardroom.
Duration: 30-minute presentation + 15-minute Q&A
Audience: 8 directors + 3 potential investors
Expectations: Implementable marketing strategy with minimum 25% ROI projection
Preparation time: 3 days
Don't disappoint.
David William
CEO
Clarissa read the email three times, hoping her eyes were playing tricks on her. They weren't.
Three days for all of this was absolutely insane.
She began calculating the enormity of what lay before her. Market research, competitor analysis, revenue projections, implementation strategy, budget allocation—all of it packaged into a flawless presentation for people who could decide the company's future in mere seconds. The stakes couldn't be higher.
"Clar, what's wrong now?" Maya approached, concern evident in her voice.
Clarissa turned her laptop screen toward her friend. "Look at this."
Maya read the email with growing disbelief.
"A board presentation?" Maya's voice rose. "In three days?"
"This is completely crazy!" Maya shook her head. "Even Dina, who's been in marketing forever, has never done something like this."
Clarissa fell silent. She knew exactly what this was—another one of David's games. He was throwing her into the lion's den and waiting for her to be torn apart, all while everyone watched.
"But I don't have a choice," Clarissa said, resignation heavy in her voice. "If I refuse, I'm fired. If I accept and fail, I'm also fired. Either way, I'm finished."
"Or," Maya placed a gentle hand on Clarissa's shoulder, "you could succeed and prove you can handle this project."
"Maya, this is the board of directors. They won't politely chuckle if I stumble. They'll tear my presentation apart if there's even one inaccurate data point."
"Then don't give them that opportunity," Maya said firmly. "You've proven yourself before. You have the ability, Clar."
Clarissa wanted to believe Maya's words, but the pressure she felt wasn't just professional—this was psychological warfare orchestrated by David. He didn't just want to watch her fail professionally; he wanted to see her emotionally destroyed in front of everyone.
"I... I need to start researching now," Clarissa said, opening her browser. "Three days isn't nearly enough."
"Do you need help? I could—"
"No," Clarissa cut her off decisively. "Thank you, Maya, but this is a challenge I have to face alone."
Maya nodded, understanding. She sensed there was something deeper between Clarissa and David, something others couldn't interfere with.
"Okay. But if you need anything at all, just let me know, alright?"
"Alright," Clarissa managed a thin smile, genuine gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you, May."
After Maya left, Clarissa began crafting an intensive work plan. She had to conduct deep research into digital market trends, analyze competitors, create financial projections, and develop an implementation strategy that was both realistic and impressive.
By 10 AM, she was already drowning in a sea of data and charts. Every number, every trend, every insight was analyzed with obsessive precision, as if her life depended on that accuracy. She knew that one small mistake could become a fatal boomerang, a weak point waiting to be exploited.
At noon, colleagues invited her to lunch, but Clarissa declined. She ordered a sandwich and ate while continuing to type, her appetite completely gone, her stomach churning with constant anxiety.
"Digital market expansion," she muttered while jotting down key points. "Target demographic 18-35. Social media marketing. Influencer partnerships. Content marketing strategy."
Each point she wrote felt like a building block that had to be assembled perfectly. There was no room for error, no gap for failure.
By 3 PM, Clarissa's eyes burned from staring at the screen too long, dry and stinging. But she didn't stop. She kept digging through data, creating graphs, and constructing a logical, persuasive presentation flow.
At 6 PM, the office began emptying. Other employees had gone home, but Clarissa remained at her desk. She opened the dinner she'd ordered through an app, ate a few bites, then returned to work, her energy completely drained.
At 9 PM, the building was nearly deserted. Only Clarissa and a few security guards remained. Most office lights had been turned off, leaving only her desk area illuminated, creating a circle of light in the darkness.
"Competitive pricing strategy," she typed while rubbing her tired eyes. "ROI projections for the first six months. Break-even point by month eight."
Every calculation had to be perfect. Every assumption needed solid foundation. She couldn't give the board members any reason to doubt her competence.
At 11 PM, Clarissa felt a migraine beginning its assault, her head throbbing painfully. But she forced herself to continue working. Coffee no longer helped—she needed pure determination to survive, a fire burning from within.
At 1 AM, she finally decided to go home. Not because her work was finished, but because her body refused to compromise any longer. She needed a brief rest to think clearly tomorrow, to face the challenge ahead.
In the taxi, Clarissa stared at her reflection in the window. Swollen eyes, pale face, an aura of extreme exhaustion. But behind that exhaustion, a fire still burned—an ember of resistance.
"You think I'll just give up like that, David?" she whispered.
Day Two – Saturday
Clarissa woke at 5 AM. Exhaustion still clung to her, but the urgency to complete her presentation was far stronger. She had no choice but to fight from home. After a quick shower and hasty breakfast, she brought her laptop and all her notes to the simple dining table.
Her mother emerged from her bedroom, surprised to see Clarissa already immersed in work so early.
"Clarissa? You're already awake?" Her mother approached, gently stroking Clarissa's hastily tied hair.
"Yes, Mom. I have a big project that needs to be finished urgently," Clarissa answered without looking away from the screen. Her hands kept typing, as if chasing time that kept running.
Her mother sighed, worry clearly visible on her face. "You look so tired, dear. Don't push yourself too hard. Health is important."
"I know, Mom," Clarissa smiled thinly. "But this is very important. I have to prove that I can do it."
"I know you can," her mother said gently, then brought a cup of warm tea and placed it beside Clarissa's laptop. "But if you get sick, who will do the work?"
Clarissa looked at her mother. "I'll be fine, Mom. I promise."
Throughout that Saturday, Clarissa didn't move from the dining table. The modest room became her temporary headquarters. She continued her research, now focusing on competitive analysis and market positioning.
Every piece of information, every graph, she read repeatedly, trying to find gaps, advantages, or new strategies.
Her mother occasionally came by with snacks, or simply sat nearby, quietly reading the newspaper. Her mother's presence was a calming force amid the pressure.
At 3 PM, anxiety began its attack, its grip tightening. Clarissa's hands started trembling as she typed, and her breathing became shorter. She tried breathing exercises, but they didn't help much.
"Calm down, Clar," she whispered to herself. "You can do this. You have to."
At 5 PM, she began practicing her presentation. She stood in front of the mirror, reading the script she'd written while working on gestures and eye contact.
"Good afternoon, board members. Today I will present our digital market expansion strategy for Q3-Q4 2025..."
Her mother, who had been folding clothes on the bed, looked over, her eyes fixed on Clarissa. A thin smile formed on her lips.
"You look like a real professional," she whispered, proud.
"I have to be, Mom," Clarissa replied.
At 7 PM, Clarissa was still in her room, practicing for the umpteenth time, relentlessly. Her voice was already hoarse, but she didn't stop. She had to memorize every point, every number, every smooth transition.
"Based on our market analysis, we've identified three key opportunities..."
Suddenly, Clarissa's head felt light. Her vision began to blur, and her breathing became very short, gasping. She grabbed the wall to maintain balance, but her body began shaking uncontrollably.
The panic attack she'd been holding back since yesterday finally struck. Her heart raced wildly, cold sweat drenched her entire body, and she felt like she might faint, the world spinning.
"Clarissa! Oh my God, what's wrong?" Her mother screamed in panic, immediately rushing over and embracing her.
"I... I can't... breathe..." Clarissa said with difficulty, gripping her mother's arm tightly.
Her mother immediately laid Clarissa on the bed and helped her regulate her breathing.
"Breathe with me, Al. In... out... in... out..." Her mother did breathing exercises while holding Clarissa's trembling hand.
Gradually, the attack began to subside. Clarissa's breathing returned to normal, but her body still shook and her eyes were teary.
"I'm sorry," Clarissa whispered.
"Don't apologize," her mother said firmly, stroking Clarissa's hair. "This isn't your fault. You've been working so hard."
"But... the presentation..."
"Forget the presentation for now," her mother interrupted, decisive. "What matters is that you're okay."
Clarissa looked at her mother with eyes full of desperation. "Mom, I have to succeed. I can't fail."
Her mother fell silent, hugging Clarissa tightly. "I know this is hard. But I'll always be here for you. You've already proven so much, Clarissa. Rise up. For yourself."
Clarissa nodded and returned her mother's embrace. She still felt shaken, but her determination grew stronger again.
Day Three – Sunday
Clarissa woke with swollen eyes, but her head felt clearer. Her mother had already prepared a simple breakfast on the dining table.
"How do you feel today?" her mother asked.
"Better, Mom," Clarissa forced a smile. "Thank you for being there."
After breakfast, Clarissa returned to her laptop. She had finished the presentation and now focused on preparing for the Q&A session. She created a list of all possible questions the board members might ask, complete with comprehensive answers.
"Questions about budget allocation... questions about risk management... questions about competitor response..."
She had to anticipate every scenario. She couldn't give hesitant or unprepared answers. There was no room for error. Her mother occasionally glanced from the kitchen, smiling slightly every time she saw Clarissa so focused.
At 11 PM, she finally decided to stop. Tomorrow was the day, and she needed enough sleep to perform optimally, to gather her energy again.
"Tomorrow is the day of reckoning," she whispered to herself. "I'll show them that I deserve to be here."
She closed her eyes and imagined herself standing before the board members with confidence.
"I will win," she said with conviction.
- Writer
