THE GRUMPY PERFECTIONIST
1214 Words
Everything in that moment was sacred. They could hear each person’s breaths especially those who had presented their life changing ideas for Green Leaf Groups. The biggest company in Maplewood and in the country at large.
“So we have reviewed all your ideas for expansion. Note that no external factor was considered on the basis of handing out this result. Just putting your hard work and ideas feasibility to work.”
Subtle applauses followed in the boardroom although everyone’s ears were itching for the main thing and that’s who would emerge as the new manager.
“After due consideration…the new manager is…Liora Adamson!”
Instead of a huge applause, a deafening silence followed. All eyes fixed on her. Liora wasn’t sure she heard her name correctly.
“Sir?”
“Congratulations, Miss Adamson. You are the new manager of Green Leaf Groups in Maplewood. With a new executive car and an increment of eighty percent in salary. You are to resume immediately with all benefits attached.” Mr. Green leaf, the CEO announced. This time the entire board room was forced to clap. Isabella, Mark, Calvin and other competitors didn’t clap, just stared with puffed faces and daring red eyes.
A little nervous but she mounted up the podium to receive the award. Liora tried not to stare at the crowd especially knowing what to expect from their faces. They all had more experience than her. She was the youngest and had just joined Green Leaf Groups less than a year ago.
Yet they were all forced to come congratulate her especially seeing that the CEO himself was present. Paparazzi took pictures and her entire world was bubbling.
“Congratulations, girl.” Mr. Green leaf patted her shoulder, he always saw her as a daughter hence why he always pushed her to be the best. Still, their closeness never affected his decisions to promote her. Her hardworking and skills did.
“Don’t let me down.”
“I promise, I won’t, sir.”
Taking more pictures with him before he left. She was led to her new office by the company protocols. On the fifth floor of the company head quarters. A life she could only dream of, just some months ago, she was a college fresh graduate with no hope. Now she had a job paying in six figures and an executive car and house.
“Ma’am, my name is Lovelyn. I am your executive assistant and secretary.” She bowed slightly. From her face, Liora could tell that she was way older.
“What would you like me to do for you, Miss Liora?”
Liora’s eyes still feeding off the large office space with transparent glass and golden furnitures. Sweet smell of sophistication, she loved it. Yet she couldn’t forget her roots.
“I’ll just need you to send me all the audit files for this previous month.”
“Ok ma’am.” Lovelyn bowed gently, turning to leave.
“One more thing!” Liora halted her, “it’s Liora not ‘maam’.”
“Ok ma’am” her hands clasping her lips, “I mean, ok, Liora.” Walking out, Genevieve was walking in with a sheepish smile. Liora’s only friend and housemate since she joined the company.
“Girrrrrlll!” She screamed in excitement. Two things that Liora loved her for was, her sizzling gossip and more than anything, it’s her sanguine character of always sharing in her joy.
Liora blushing, “I also can’t believe it!”
Genevieve hopping like a duck, “I can’t believe we have such a beautiful office. Now I can walk around with shoulders high. My best friend is the manager!!!”
“Heeey!” Liora pushing her from falling one of the golden antiques on the table. “Take it easy! And what do you mean ‘we’?”
“Two of us, of course! Whatever is yours is mine!”
Liora giggling, “I agree but this office isn’t mine so please…let’s be careful.”
“Whatever!” Genevieve smiling. Turning to see an automatic glittering fridge by her side. “I think there should be some drinks here.” Opening it, three full bottle of champagnes were in with glass cups.
“We shouldn’t be drinking in the office.”
“Really? So why did they put these here?” Waving caution to the wind.
She poured little in their glasses, “here’s to more wins and progress!” Glasses clicked on the air.
“How did you even know about it so fast?”
Clapping her hands, “girl, the entire building is burning with the news. You should have seen the face of that proud hen, Isabella. She nearly tripped on the floor in rage.”
Liora giggled for a while before letting realization hit. “I also…don’t think I deserve it.”
Eyeing her best friend, “are you kidding? Girl, I watched you keep late nights just to get that presentation ready. You deserve all that you got and I’m proud of you.” This time she wasn’t joking.
Liora’s face made a pout, “thank you for believing in me, Gen.”
“Yeah but you know…as much as this is nice, it puts you under another hell hole, right?”
“How?” Her brows furrowed.
“You’ll be working directly under the company’s star executive.”
“Star executive? I thought that didn’t exist anymore. Plus I’ve hardly heard of him.”
Genevieve leaned forward with a hushed voice. “That’s because you haven’t been working under him directly. Nothing concerns him and the lower levels. He works directly with the company manager.”
Liora swallowed hard, her joy slowly weaning. Genevieve continued, “rumor has it, that he’s brilliance and excellence is unmatched but he’s a total douchebag.” Looking over shoulders, “some blame him as the reason all the managers quit their jobs despite the benefits.
Liora scoffed, “now you’re exaggerating, Genevieve.”
“I’m not!” Her eyes widening, “ask everyone, even the security guards tremble at the mention of…Jason Reeds.”
A lump immediately rose in Liora’s throat. She knew Jason Reeds. The name used to put fear in the heart of workers to get them to work efficiently without fail. She heard it so much in her lower levels that she thought it was a myth.
Taking Genevieve’s hands, “do you mean…the Jason Reeds?”
“Yes, the grumpy perfectionist, Jason Reeds.”
>>>
Isabella drove into the manor recklessly, nearly hitting the security guards if not for his ability to run off just in time. She marched into the apartment not even searching for the host as she pulled out a large bottle of whiskey from the shelf. Without a glass, she poured a large gulp into her mouth.
“How dare he?!” Slamming the bottle against the glass table. Breathing roughly, “giving my dream to that good for nothing kid!”
Taking another generous gulp, so immersed in her drinking that she didn’t notice her host beside her.
“Who got my pumpkin this angry?” A soft smile curving his lips.
Her eyes locking with his for a moment, a tingling swept her entire being. “Jason…”
- Writer
