Chapter 9

Harry’s POV

After parking his car in the parking lot, he immediately got off and walk to Yassmin’s seat to open the car’s door.

She smiled at him before coming down. “Thank you, Mr. Lee. "

They are both walking to the conference room again because Harry still has a meeting that he needs to attend. He doesn’t want them to wait any longer.

As soon as they entered, everything was ready and they were just waiting for them to arrive.

Everyone stoop up to see Harry.

“Good afternoon, ladies and Gentlemen. Please, take a seat,” he said.

When everyone sat down in their chair, Harry sat in the chair at the far end that was reserved for him.

Yassmin handled her materials to present the report of the company’s performance this month.

It was only her second day at work when Harry gave her this assignment. He just want to test her skills and find out if she’s good at everything. Since, he only wants the best employees in his company. Best employees with a good heart.

"Good afternoon, everyone. I am Yassmin Kurdy Smith and I am your presenter for this afternoon. I will show you the reports of the HLC’s performance for this month. As you all see, we are still the number one most trusted clothing line company in the country in fashion styles. According to the survey that we distributed to the people online, we got the highest votes for the most-loved fashion clothes maker. People said that they love and adore the uniqueness of the designs that our collections showcase."

"We beat our record last month and got higher votes than "la casa de la moda" which is our great competitor, "Yassmin said.

"So, you mean it’s because of the designs of our collections why we are still the leader of this industry?" Mr. Cojuangco asked.

"Yes, the designs of our collections made the people trust us with their outfits. The designs are the main reason we are still number one. As you all know, the son of the CEO of the La casa de la moda is much famous than Mr. Lee himself. Of course, that is because he’s an actor and the dominant model of their company. But if that’s the case, why are we still number one? Why does everyone keep on buying our clothes? And the reason for that is, unlike the other company, we are releasing new designs every month. People are trusting us not because our CEO is famous or whatever but because we always meet their desire for clothes. We always give them what they want. Our designs made us known by the people and that’s stolen their heart, "

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"What if, we ran out of ideas because of releasing too many designs? Does it mean that it will be our downfall?" Mrs. Ortiz shrewishly said.

"Of course not. We assure you that our employees are making their best to come up with the greatest ideas in every collection that they made. I also believe that they won’t run out of ideas because we have the most hard-working and creative employees in our hands. We just need to continue believing in their capabilities, especially in their talents."

"But, what if the other company defeated us? What if they got the highest votes next time?" asked one of the board members.

"I am proud to say that they can’t beat us. We will hold a Runaway Fashion show in May and we are preparing special designs made only for that show. I think that will make the people love us even more. However, practically, if others beat us, then let that be our lesson to keep on doing what we love and inspired to be the best. A little lost won’t bring us down that easily. Right, Mr. Lee?"

"Yes, Yassmin is right. It doesn’t matter if we became the number one every time because what most important to me is the loyalty that you all gave to me and my company. If we lost, that’s okay. There’s always another chance and if we make it to the top today, then how hard would it be to reach that again tomorrow?" Harry persuasively exclaimed.

They all applauded, except Mrs. Ortiz. She doesn’t seem like Yassmin.

"She’s your new secretary, right, Mr. Lee?" She asked him.

"Yes she is,"

"Then why did you let her present these things to us? If I am not mistaken, I know that you have someone responsible for the presentation of the company’s report. Why did you choose her even though you just hired her recently? " Mrs. Ortiz asked again.

"Yes, that's true. I have a person who’s responsible for presenting the reports to you, but I let Yassmin present for today’s meeting because I want you all to see how great my secretary is. She’s intelligent and responsible. I want to show you, that she will be one reason we will keep our spot as the number one. She has proven her excellence in this field, right everyone?" Harry stated, then turned his gaze to everyone inside the conference room.

Smiling, they congratulated and applauded Yassmin. Honestly, all the stockholders in his company are kind except Mrs. Ortiz. She’s puffy and strict, but when he says that, she’s fair in everything, Harry means it.

That was all, and their meeting ended happily that afternoon.

Yassmin POV

Earlier, Yassmin noticed that Mrs. Ortiz did not like her. It’s because of her rudeness while talking to her. It was as if she was catching her and waiting to make a mistake.

But she didn’t let her fear getting hold of her. Yassmin doesn’t want to be embarrassed in front of the stockholders and; she doesn’t want to be embarrassed by Mr. Lee. He trusted her, so she won’t let him down.

"She’s your new secretary, right Mr. Lee?" Mrs. Ortiz asked Mr. Lee.

"Yes, she is," Mr. Lee answered while nodding.

"Then why did you let your secretary present the company’s report to us? Didn’t you already have someone who you usually assigned for this presentation? Why did you choose her even though you just hired her recently?" Mrs. Ortiz blurted out, which made Yassmin froze in shock.

Wait?

"There is someone responsible for the presentation with the stockholders? But why did Mr. Lee ask me to do it? Is he making me suffer? Was the kindness he showed me just a pretense?" Yassmin thought.

Confusion is visible on Yassmin's face when she looks at Mr. Lee, who is now smiling at Mrs. Ortiz.

"I have a person who’s responsible for presenting the reports to you, but I let Yassmin present for today’s meeting because I want you all to see how great my secretary is. She’s intelligent and responsible. I want to show you she will be one reason we will keep our spot as the number one. She has proven her excellence in this field, right everyone?" Mr. Lee replied and left her surprised.

Yassmin was wrong about him. She immediately doubted him without knowing the truth.

"I am sorry, Mr. Lee," she said to herself.

Upon returning to Mr. Lee’s office, Harry started to re-sign the pending papers, waiting for his approval. He also looks at some designs already finished by the designers that they are planning to release for the Fashion show.

Yassmin got up from the chair and walked in front of Mr. Lee.

"I’m going to the cafeteria, Mr. Lee. Do you want something to eat?"

He frowned and looked at her.

"Nothing, have a snack."

Confused by Mr. Lee’s reaction, Yassmin left the office. Presenting in front of the stockholders made her hungry.

While waiting for her turn, someone approached Yassmin. If she's right, the woman’s name is Jane. But, Yassmin doesn't know the two guys with her.

"Hi, Yassmin right?" Jane greeted me.

Yassmin smiled. "Hello," she greeted her back.

“By the way, I’m-"

"You’re Jane, right?" Yassmin cut her off.

"Wow, how did you know?" she looks surprised.

Yassmin laughed. "I just remembered when I came here for the interview. I saw your name in your I. D when you stopped me from entering Mr. Lee’s office."

She bought spaghetti and a slice of pizza. And also bought juice and bread for Mr. Lee.

Jane and Yassmin were walking with her friends to the empty table inside the cafeteria. When they found an empty table, they sat down immediately.

The guy sat down beside her, while the other guy was beside Jane.

"Oh yeah, I remember that," Jane said, laughing.

"Hey guys, maybe you want to include us in your conversation," the guy beside Jane caught their attention.

Jane and Yassmin laughed.

"Oh yes, I already forgot that you're here," Jane said jokingly." This is Rowell, and that guy beside you is Allen."

"Yuck girl, how many times do I have to tell you that don’t call me Rowell? Hmph! let me introduce myself. I am the Goddess of the Goddesses. Rowell in the morning, Rose in the evening!" Rowell said softly while waving her hand like a beauty queen.

"Oh, you mean witch at night," Allen told Rowell.

"Hmph! If I know, you just think that I’m beautiful Daddy Allen," Rowell said to Allen with a wink.

"If I know, Yassmin is much beautiful than you, bitch!" Allen teased Rowell.

Jane just shook her head because of these two.

"Wait, who’s that bread and juice are for, Yassmin? Why haven’t you eaten it yet?" Jane then asked Yassmin.

"It’s for Mr. Lee. He didn’t say what he wanted to eat when I asked him earlier, so I just brought what I saw he could like," she explained.

The three looked at each other.

"Oh my gosh, girl! Don’t tell me you’re crushing Mr. Lee?" Rowell asked Yassmin in a teasing tone.

"Of course not! Let’s just focus on our job," Yassmin defended myself.

"Then, why are you blushing?" Allen added.

"It’s my blush, guys! It’s just my blush!" Yassmin still defending herself.

"Oh, really?" said Jane.

And then, they continue teasing Yassmin until they heard someone cleared his throat behind us.

"Oh, Mr. Lee," said Rowell.

Mr. Lee greeted them and turned his eyesight to Yassmin's.

"Aren’t you going home yet?" He asked her.

Yassmin stood up and faced him.

“Of course, I will. I will just grab my things first."

"No need, I already brought it," he replied as he handed her bag.

Yassmin already packed her things earlier, so everything is fine. And she doesn't need to worry about leaving some belongings in the office.

"Oh, thank you, Mr. Lee,"

Yassmin stared at the three, who still had a teasing look.

"I’m going ahead. Take care, guys!" she waved them goodbye.

Mr. Lee and Yassmin then walked together towards the parking lot.

When she reached her car, Yassmin looked at him.

"I’ll go ahead, Mr. Lee. Be careful,"

"Don’t bring your car tomorrow, Yassmin. We’ll use my car instead since our house is just near to each other."

Yassmin frowned but answered.

"Okay, I’ll inform my mom first."

That’s all, and she claimed to her car and went home.

“To be continued”