CHAPTER TWO
1148 Words
MAYA
“The man I saved three weeks ago is my boss. Does he know I was the one that helped him?” So many thoughts ran across my mind from the minute I saw his face.
He looked startled when he saw me, he probably knows. “Let me wait for him to speak,” I said.
“Uhm, what’s your name young lady?” Mr. Miguel asked.
“My name is Maya Ortega sir,” I replied, trying not to make it obvious that something was wrong.
He stood up from his desk and walked over to Jessica and I, then stared into my eyes which I saw as intimidating. “Nice meeting you Maya, you’re welcome TMC,” he said as he stretched his hand forward for a handshake.
I thought he was about to confront me, maybe accuse me of coming to his office for money because I saved his life but from the way things looked, he wasn’t aware of what happened that night.
“Alright Maya, I’m sure Jessica will show you your table. It is directly in front of my office. I look foward to working with you,” he said smiling then walked back to sit on his chair.
Jessica looked at me as she wanted to say something to me, “Okay Maya, come with me,” she said with a smile as she started to walk out of the office.
I followed her behind and as I got to the door of Mr. Miguel’s office, I looked back at him one last time. As I looked back our eyes met and I quickly turned my face to the front.
Jessica showed me the table Miguel talked about and it was directly in front of his office. “Here are your schedules,” she said as she handed me a black hard cover book.
“Toodles,” she said as she smiled one last time and walked away.
My head was a mess at the moment, it was such a chaotic first day. Since Miguel didn’t say anything about the accident I guessed he didn’t know anything about it so I decided to let it go.
I stared into my computer and my schedule trying to go about my work of the day then I saw Jessica walk hastily to Miguel’s office.
“Uhm Jessica,” I called out because I had a question I wanted to ask her.
“Now’s not the time Maya,” she said dismissively as she knocked on Miguel’s office and entered.
Their voices sounded like they were arguing and Miguel was shouting at her.
As I stood up to eavesdrop, Jessica stormed out of the office and walked up to me. “There’s a meeting by 3 pm, so be ready,” she said as she walked away without waiting for me to say anything or ask any questions.
I went for lunch break and all I could think about was what the meeting was about.
When it was 3 pm, Jessica and other staff of the company, about eight to ten of them, walked towards Miguel’s office and I joined them.
As the door swung open, and we all entered, Mr. Miguel’s normally composed conduct that I met this morning was now replaced by a fiery gaze that stared into each staff member.
His voice, that was as smooth as silk, now echoed with a sharp edge as he demanded their ideas, the volume rising with every word. The air grew tense, as if the very walls held their breath in response to his attitude.
Nervous glances were exchanged, and fingers anxiously toyed with notepads, all while Mr. Miguel’s fierce presence wavered like a thundercloud, waiting for the lightning bolt to strike.
“I gave you all a whole week to come up with something and this is what you give me? Silence??” Mr. Miguel said as he stood tall in front of all of us.
I tapped one of the staff on the shoulder to ask a question, “Sorry please do you know the purpose of this meeting?”
He looked at me in a friendly manner and responded, “Mr Miguel is looking for an idea that will bring more customers because our competition has been having more sales,” he said then looked back at Mr Miguel to concentrate.
I’ve always had this idea to pitch to the fashion world but couldn't do it since I had no one to invest in it. “This is your time to speak up Maya. Do it!” my inner voice screamed out loud in my mind trying to convince me to speak.
After lots of deliberation, I raised my hand to signify that I had something to say.
“Yes Maya, do you have any ideas to share with us?” Mr Miguel said as he pointed at me which made others look at me.
“Uhm sir, I was thinking we could also venture into making the average women’s clothes and also clothes for the plus size. For years, this company has been making clothes for skinny women and also rich women. Entering the market with this new idea is going to take the fashion world by storm.”
After I spoke the room fell silent and the feeling of regret and embarrassment crept in. “You should have kept quiet Maya,” I said to myself as I stood in the middle of the staff looking stupid.
Suddenly, the awkward silence in the room, was broken by a clap from Mr. Miguel and in no time, the rest of the staff began to clap for my idea.
“Brilliant idea Miss Maya, I hope the rest of you can learn a thing or two from her. Meeting is dismissed, we’ll talk more on Miss Maya’s idea soon,” he said as he walked back to his seat.
The rest of us turned away to walk out of his office and just as I was about to leave, Mr Miguel called me to wait behind.
“Maya, can I have a minute?” he asked me as he walked towards me. He started to pace around his office like he didn’t know how to present his words.
He finally stood in place in front of me. “I wanted to ask you if you have plans for tonight?”
Why is he asking me, his employee, if I was free tonight?
“No sir, after work I plan on going home,” I replied to him.
Our gaze met each other’s as I waited for him to say what he called me here for.
“Well, I wanted to ask you on a date, tonight, that’s if you’re down,”
I stood there like a statue shocked by what he had just asked me.
“A date?”
- Writer
