Sound of Power
DANA
"…AND YOU NEVER THOUGHT OF INFORMING YOUR BOSS BEFORE MAKING THAT DECISION? IF NO ONE HAS REMINDED YOU, YOU'RE JUST THE ASSISTANT CEO IN THIS COMPANY! YOU SHOULD'VE KNOWN BETTER THAN SENDING THAT INVESTOR HOME BECAUSE YOU THINK WE HAVE INVESTORS ALREADY?!"
Suddenly everyone in the meeting room was looking down on their laps. I was only addressing that outburst to Emma Salvador, the company's assistant CEO. My morning was greeted with a call from Neil saying his thanks for letting go of Vivienne's Apparel as an investor. I can still remember the chuckle on his voice when he said he's on the shower at that very moment, preparing to meet the company's representative.
Because of that, I slammed the telephone down and called my secretary to schedule for a meeting with everyone in the department. With a lot of asking, finally they gave me the name of who's responsible for that lack of judgment. I couldn't stay calm so there goes my rage, echoing in the room as my idiotic assistant CEO let go of one of the biggest companies in the country.
"I'm… I'm sorry, Miss Dana. You were busy with your executive meeting yesterday and their representative wants the answer right then." – her eyes were teary. I know this embarrassment I was putting her through was too much for her to handle. She was avoiding my eyes, she was only looking down at the stack of folders in front of her.
"and that's what you said? Why didn't you say yes, for Christ's sake!"
"well, miss, I…"
"WHAT?!"
"I don't know them…"
I wanted to curse out loud. What she said was impossible. Everyone in the country knows the VA company. They were one of the trending online shops because of their hand stitched clothes and original designs. Though they may be small, their entrepreneurs are hardworking and passionate about their jobs. It could've been a good partnership… or whatever we can arrange, and now that opportunity's gone.
I exhaled. I was still feeling pretty mad because of what Emma did. I looked at her and she discreetly wiped the side of her eyes. She was crying now. I made her cry. Still, that doesn't excuse what she did. I tried to calm myself by closing my eyes and having deep breaths. I know I look like a villain to everyone's eyes now.
When I opened my eyes again, two people were comforting Emma as she has already broken down. I grimaced as I didn't want to see such vulnerability and stormed out of the room. I was still having a fast heartbeat, my anger still up to my throat and my mind still raging with all the possibilities that could have happened if only Emma knew or thought of calling me before making that one decision. Everyone stayed out of my way until I reached the elevator. Two more people wanted to take the ride but when they saw me, they froze on their feet. I know what I look like when I'm angry. I've been told once to look at the mirror when I feel mad and I knew it wasn't a pretty sight. For all I know, my face is red and my eyes are striking. As the elevator door closed, I let out a deep breath. Thing is, they don't understand how anything is too important in this company. They don't know why I am this protective and serious. No one could ever understand that. I just need to be alone now. I needed time away. I didn't want to see any of the employees yet, especially Emma.
The decreasing number of the floors in red digital numbers felt like the level of mu anger, or at least that's how I wanted to think of it. When it stopped on the ground floor with a ding, the doors split open and I walked out, the sounds of the stilettos on the tiled floor sounded like power. Marvin was waiting outside and when he saw me, he rushed to open the backseat of the car.
"take me home, Marvin." – I said, and then slid on the back seat. The car started and I looked up the building, though the floors were not that clear from my perspective, I knew the employees on floor 23 have been saying bad words to me at this moment because of what I did.
As the car moved, I tried to check my messages on the phone. Aside from the last message from Neil saying he closed the deal with VA, there was no new one. I don't know why he had to update me with these stuffs though. If it was to gain my envy or whatever, I won't give him the satisfaction by replying. Pretty sure among the possibilities, what's impossible is the thought that he's doing this to gain me back.
And then a new message arrived. It was from Zyra.
"Miss Dana, are you at home? Emma just handed her resignation letter."
I scoffed. Oh please, what a weakling. it's for the better though. I don't want anyone like her to be a part of my team. I need the competent and the best ones. Not someone who's gonna file a resignation letter right after being nagged at for her own incompetence.
I decided to ignore the message. Emma can leave the company whenever she wants, none would stop her. When I placed the phone back in the bag, something fell off. A card. I leaned over to get it and I instantly remembered what it was.
It was from that small coffee shop just across the street. Small, but has a very friendly and cozy atmosphere. Right, I could be there now. between home and the coffee shop, I'd rather be in the latter.
"Marvin, please turn around and bring me here."
I handed him the card. At the next intersection, he did a U-turn and we were back to the familiar path.
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"I'll call you later when I need you to pick me up already." – I said and got out of the car.
The name "He Brews" were a lot brighter now at this time of day. The silvery letters reflected the sunlight, giving it some golden glow. It hurts my eyes but gave the name some aesthetic factor. I walked inside and Peter gave me a shy smile. I picked the same chair and table from last time, placed my bag and went to the counter where Peter was catering one customer.
"hey, you came back." – said a voice behind me. I turned to look and it was the shop's owner once again.
"had a bad day, please don't annoy me or anything."
He chuckled. He was arranging the different colors of tumblers on the cabinet. Maybe some merchandise of the shop itself. The man in a cowboy hat in front of me was taking forever to order that my feet was starting to hurt from standing. Ivor must have noticed it that he moved from the cabinets and transferred behind the counter.
"you can order here, miss Dana." – he said, pertaining to the other counter.
Oh. I gave the man before me a glare before I went to the designated counter.
"I didn't know you also serve here as a counter"
"no, I don't… just saving your time. you look uncomfortable standing on those shoes." – he responded. See? He noticed. It was kind of a gentleman of him to notice and do this gesture.
"thank you."
"so, what's your order?"
I know I was feeling under the weather just minutes ago but there's really something about this place. I knew right then that this is going to be my favorite coffee shop, my little sanctuary away from work and home.