Beneath His Class

ChapterThree

Lucas had already left before C.O.B. (close of business), so he wouldn’t get to answer Madam Q that very day. An hour before the closing time, Madam Q sent for Lucas, who had already left. Olivia came to tell her that Lucas had left already.

Olivia helped Madam Q pack her bag and laptop with some files that contained confidential documents. After which they head straight to the parking unit where Madam Q's car was parked and all set, waiting for her. *****

Two days later, Madam Q arrived at the office early in the morning. Olivia assisted her with her bags and laptop to her office.

Ask Lucas to see me now, in my office. She said to Olivia.

Okay! (Olivia sensed the tension in her voice while she hurried to Lucas’ office.)

When Olivia got to Lucas’ office. She met Lucas shaking and looking confused as if he had committed a crime.

Sir! What's wrong?” She asked in a soft tone.

Lucas quickly opened up in telling her that,

Madam Q asked me to prepare a good pitch that could help her seal a contract she has been chasing for a month now, and she gave me a deadline of 3 days. Which is today, and I'm yet to come up with anything.

Smiled warmly. “Try and calm your nerves down.

Why did you just smile?” thought Olivia was trying to make a gesture to him as payback.

I can help you with that, Sir!

And how will you do that? He asked back with his eyebrows raised; Lucas’s face was filled with disbelief.

Tell Madam Q that the pitch will be ready and presented at her table. First thing tomorrow morning.

Lucas was still in doubt; he thought of giving her “the benefit of the doubt”. So, he made Olivia swear a pinky promise. This gave his muscles a quick relaxation. Lucas hurried alongside Olivia to Madam Q's office.

When they got to Madam Q's office, Lucas pleaded with Madam Q that he would present the pitch first thing tomorrow morning.

First thing tomorrow morning! Otherwise, I will not be held responsible for my own actions. You may leave my office and make yourself productive. With a fake smile, she added!

Lucas left quietly while Olivia stayed behind to help Madam Q out with some file work. ***

Olivia met with Lucas during C.O.B. For some files, she will need them while drafting the pitch.

The next morning, Olivia had dropped the pitch on Madam Q's table before she arrived. Some minutes later Madam Q drove in and headed straight to her office and saw the pitch on her table as promised by Lucas. She quickly grabbed it and reviewed it immediately after going through it.

Her whole face lights up, her eyes sparkle, her cheeks lift, and the grin stretches from ear to ear as a big smile gently approaches.

“Wow, fantastic job!

Lucas! Lucas!! She calls.

Lucas quickly ran into Madam Q's office.

“This is a compelling idea; I'm thrilled! “Great job!” Lucas! With a handshake.

Lucas was so happy that Olivia kept to her word. Moreover, she delivered. He quickly went to meet Olivia afterwards and thanked her for coming up with such a fantastic pitch; in addition, he promised her a little raise in her salary. Olivia was so happy.

She quickly sent out the pitch for review. Oblivious to Madam Q, Olivia was the one who wrote the pitch.

A week later. Madam Q was sent an email that “they are fascinated by her pitch, and she has been awarded the contract. She should go through her inbox, read the contract terms and conditions, sign it, and send back her own copy.

Madam Q called all her staff together and celebrated a successful deal. “Cheers! As they cling to glasses…!!

One day, while Lucas was with Madam Q in her office. He was reading her itinerary and telling her the time of her next meeting.

Lucas mentioned one of the appointments she has by 2pm that day, to present the documents they asked her to review.

Madam Q quickly realised that she hadn't gone through the document yet. She interjects, Lucas.

Lucas! Please, go through those documents for me immediately. Since you're very good at pitch.

Alright! I will attend to it later, when I'm done with the itinerary.

Suspend the itinerary, and review the document right now and here!

Lucas's eyes widened in surprise, and for a split second, he froze, his face a mask of guilt and panic.

Madam Q (paused) while she calls back his attention.

Lucas! Lucas!! She calls.

He stuttered, “Y-yes, m-mam!

Are you okay?

Yes, ma'am!

Madam Q asked Lucas to sit down!

Lucas sat down quickly.

I might not be the best “boss”. However, I see all you do for me and your efforts you put into working for this company. Cus that's what you're paid for though!! (Smiles). In addition, I appreciate you, and thank you, Lucas!

Moreover, I read emotions, and I'm not insensitive; it's clearly written on your face that you're not fine, plus you don't call me “ma’am”, Lucas! Please tell me what the problem is. And no lies! She added.

I am so sorry, Madam Q. I lied. Sorry for taking credit for someone’s beautiful work. I am not the one who wrote the pitch for the contract!

“I'm shocked you’d lie to me” Lucas! Who did? She asks him. I said, Who did?

She asks him for the second time, in a calm tone. as she stood up and walked close to Lucas.

“Olivia!” He quickly replied.

Lucas was already frightened and shaking.

Olivia? She asks.

“Yes! Olivia, she wrote the pitch.”

Madam Q sent for Olivia immediately! When Olivia arrived at Madam Q's office, she noticed the tension and got scared.

Madam Q asked Olivia if she was the person who wrote the pitch and asked her not to lie to her.

“Yes! Madam Q, I wrote the pitch, and I'm so sorry. She replied,

Yourself or someone else?

“Myself, Madam Q!”

You may leave my office.

I’m so sorry, Madam Q! He said before leaving her office.

Madam Q asks Olivia to stay behind to help her review the document instead. *****

Later that same day, while she was in her room, she was just recalling the incident that had happened early that day at her office.

If Olivia could come up with such a great pitch that got me a contract I have been chasing for a month, then she's got potential I can't ignore.” Even the document she reviewed earlier today at the office was great too; she's smart and capable of running a company without going bankrupt. I think she's the perfect match for Liam. She added! While she wallows in thought.

The next morning at the office, Madam Q was asking Lucas about Olivia.

Lucas, please tell me about Olivia. Is Olivia trustworthy, reliable, and someone you can rely on?

From my observation of working with her for some months now, Olivia is someone who does her job diligently; she's smart, caring, intelligent, and respectful. That's all I can say about her for now, Madam Q.

Alright, Lucas! I was just concerned about my safety. Since she worked for me as well.

Lucas quickly reminds Madam Q of the board meeting in a few minutes. Madam Q then proceeded to the meeting venue for the board meeting.

Some weeks on, Madam Q became fond of Olivia. She trusts her with some confidential documents, enjoys her company, and entrusts her with her meal. These made Olivia more comfortable and loosened her up a bit around Madam Q.

Madam Q had gotten to see the features in her that Lucas had mentioned earlier. Lucas, on the other hand, was happy that he got to have some time for himself, since Olivia had been so helpful. Madam Q has asked Olivia a lot of logical questions, and Olivia has answered them correctly; she has gotten to see how smart and intelligent Olivia is. Madam Q had concluded that Olivia is the perfect match for her son Liam.

One day, Madam Q asked Olivia to join her and Lucas on a ride so that she could have a private discussion with her. Olivia agrees and joins them. They arrive at an open field, quiet and deserted. It was just the three of them; Madam Q then asked Olivia to walk with her while they discussed.