Eleven against one

Jake's pov

Even though I left Sabrina portraying confidence, deep down I was like a lion rained on so brutally, dejected, disappointed, and about to give up. I was on a tipping point and with one slight shove, I would have fallen so miserably. The way she threw the flowers and chocolates in the bin crushed my heart and registered in my mind the thought that she really, truly, sincerely hated me and my guts. What's money if you are fighting for the love of your life? I would buy all the flowers in the world if I had to just to see her happy with me once again. However, I was hopeful because I saw her rejection as a challenge, one that I was going to step up and up my game until her heart was all mine.

Her rejection left me in a sour mood that I could not go to work, otherwise, I will end up firing everyone. I headed straight to my apartment and into the shower, I needed to wash away my defeat. Most great ideas are born in the shower. Eureka! I had found the perfect way to make Sabrina forgive me, be close to me again, and eventually be my girlfriend. Tomorrow is the day to launch my master plan.

Early Friday morning by 8 am sharp, I was at Mr. K's hotel together with my counterparts. Sabrina was shocked to see me so early but she tried to hide her shock through greetings and pleasantries. I did not banter with her except for the short, curt responses I gave like a good morning. As we went to the boardroom I couldn't help but grin mischievously from ear to ear as this was the genesis of my perfect plan. She began the meeting along the lines of, "ln the last meeting we estimated that setting up a new branch of Mr. K hotel in Westlands would cost around 12 million Kenya shillings of which K Holdings will contribute 5 million towards the set up while Jake and Sons will invest 7 million shillings that will be paid back in a span of 5 years with K Holdings, of which all parties are in agreement. So today the main agenda of the meeting is how to go about finding a suitable location, furnishing, and human resource for the hotel."

Everyone gave their opinion, decisions were made and the secretaries on both ends took notes. It was my moment to shine. The genesis, the debut of a greater love story. When it was my turn to speak, with mischief under my sleeves, I began, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have had a fruitful conversation but I have only one concern, this project requires all the attention, time, and money as it is the most major for both of our companies during this financial year. Therefore, it will require constant supervision and consultation, and it's only prudent that Ms. Sabrina and I work closely to oversee this project." Sabrina was frowning at the mention of me and her working closely and in order to make her not refuse the offer, I continued, "Is there anyone in objection to my suggestion?" and as expected Sabrina was quick to interject, "Excuse me Mr., Jake but I think it's only fair that I appoint someone else to help in overseeing the project because of my current health condition, it not good for me and the baby to work under stressful conditions."

I knew that would be the excuse. I had it all figured out in my plan. However, I felt a slight pinch in my feeble heart that she did not trust me with her life. She thought that working with me would harm her and the baby, she thought it was stressful. But I didn't want to overthink this, so I continued, "In order to settle this quickly without further ado, why don't we vote ladies and gentlemen. Those in support of Ms., Sabrina, and I overseeing this project, by a show of hands, thank you. That's eleven hands. Those in support of selecting two people apart from Ms. Sabrina and me to be in charge of the project, by a show of hands. Oops! Ms. Sabrina, it's eleven votes against one. So it is settled. Ms. Sabrina, you and I will talk about how to go about this after this meeting in your office. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your participation. I believe our next general meeting will be two weeks, the exact date will be communicated via email