Nathan Startford held his phone in apprehension. His trusted man in the company, Michael wasn’t taking his calls. He needed to tell him to cover all loopholes. Nelly said she would go to the company the following day and he didn’t want her to find out anything. The day ended but Michael hadn’t returned the call.
‘Knock Knock’
Nelly entered her dad’s room all dressed and ready to set off. Emma was beside her looking all pretty.
“Dad, I’m off to the company. I’ll be back soon.”
“Is it even necessary to stress yourself going there?” Nathan pressed.
“No Dad. This is our family business. I’m back now and I need to make sure it’s all good while am around. I’ll soon be back, don’t miss me much,” she smiled and kissed his forehead. Emma went into the man’s embrace and he kissed her cheek.
“Bye grandfather, I will tell mum to buy us ice cream to share,” she said sweetly and left with her mother. Nathan smiled but his smile faded when he recalled that Michael hadn’t called back. That meant that Nelly would find out the whole truth that day. He sighed in exasperation. When he thought that all hope was lost, his phone rang and it was Michael! He grabbed it immediately like his life depended on it.
“Good day sir. I’m sorry I missed your call sir. I wasn’t able to call back due to…” the man rattled off.
“Listen! Nelly’s coming to the company. In fact, she’s on her way as we speak. Make sure she doesn’t find out anything.”
“Nelly? Madam? Your daughter?”
“You dickhead! I said my daughter is coming and you have to make sure she doesn’t discover anything about the recent chaos and imbalance in the company. She must not know about Easton and his threats. Understood?”
“Yes sir. But sir, isn’t it best to tell her? What if she can be of help?”
“What? Have you lost your mind? Do you not know who we are dealing with? I will never put my daughter through anything or put her safety in the line. Easton is a scary person and I will not throw my only child to the lions.”
At this point, Michael saw reasons with him and closed the case.
Twenty minutes later, Nelly’s car was parked at the company garage. Most of the employees who knew her in the past looked at her like she had fallen from the sky. It would have even been better if she did. She looked all classy, sophisticated, elegant and pretty as she stepped down from the car with her lovely daughter.
“Good morning madam,” they greeted and she responded with a light smile.
Strange! Creepy! Scary!
Nelly seldom smiled to her employees. In the past, she never spared them a glance nor responded to their greetings. But today, she returned their salutations with a smile. What ever she must have encountered in her years of absence must be great. They gave kudos to what ever it was that brought out a sweet part of her.
“Good morning madam. How may I help you ma?” It was the receptionist. She was a new employee and didn’t know who Nelly was.
“I want to see your personnel manager.”
“Alright ma. Do you have an appointment with him?”
Nelly flipped her hair backwards in a way that exuded so much elegance and authority.
“Just tell him Nelly’s here.”
The secretary looked at her and didn’t miss the act.
‘Who the hell did this woman think she is? She comes into the company without an appointment and demands to see the personnel manager,’ the secretary thought and rolled her eyes inwardly. She took the phone and placed a call to the manager’s secretary.
“Yes. She doesn’t have an appointment but she said I should just inform him that Nelly’s here. Okay. Fine.”
The secretary dropped the phone and went back to what she was doing. She didn’t deem it fit to offer Nelly and her daughter a seat. She felt she needed to show her who was the boss here. Nelly could pass a test on etiquette and wouldn’t sit without invitation even if there were one hundred empty seats.
A minute later, the secretary heard the tapping of feet and she turned in the direction. To her greatest amazement, she saw the personnel manager! There were still more surprises awaiting her.
“Good morning madam,” the mighty manager bowed low to greet this woman.
“Good morning, Mr Michael.”
“Good morning sir.” It was Emma. Michael smiled at her before turning to the receptionist.
“Why is she standing? Why didn’t you offer her a seat?”
“Huh? Sir…I’m sorry sir..”
Michael turned to Nelly and apologized sincerely.
“I’m so sorry for this, ma. I’m sorry for the gross insubordination. I’ll fire her for this if you want me to. I also apologize for keeping you waiting.” When Nelly said nothing, he took it as a go ahead order.
“Miss Catherine, you are fired!”
The receptionist opened her mouth so wide that flies could fly in. She was a proud employee of the prestigious Jace group a few seconds ago! She dropped down on her knees and pleaded for mercy.
“Please sir. I’m sorry. I was careless. It was an oversight…”
“Leave her. She doesn’t have to loose her job.”
“Thank you ma. Thank you ma.” the secretary bowed low and showed her appreciation.
“You are very lucky that madam is benevolent.”
“Emma? Do you want to wait here or you want to come with me?”
“I want to come with you.”
“Fine. Let’s go.” And the trio walked to the elevator.
The receptionist took short deep breaths to calm her nerves. She nearly lost her job because of this woman! Phew! She had marked the woman’s face. She would kiss her feet next time she came around.
Michael handed some files to Nelly after explaining a few things to her.
“You can see that the company is thriving. Everything is going just well. We’ve recorded a high profit retention in the past years.”
He silently hoped that the smart Nelly would not discover any loophole but his relief was short lived.
“There’s an error here.”