Carolyn was curious to know how her best friend’s date went. The previous night, she’d yearned to call Vanessa and hear all about the date, but she didn’t because she didn’t want to interrupt anything. The thought alone made her blush like a teenager.
She knew everything Vanessa had gone through with her previous boyfriend. She only hoped this would work out for her and Darryl.
Catching Vanessa on the phone was the best idea because she couldn’t wait until the next time they met. She took her phone and dialed her best friend’s line.
The ringtone of Vanessa’s phone distracted her as she was getting ready for work. “Good morning”. Carolyn’s voice was filled with excitement as the greetings escaped her lips.
“I don’t think there’s anything good about Monday morning especially for working-class citizens like me”. Vanessa’s response dripped with sarcasm.
“It is too early to be a bitch, Vani” Carolyn got the clue that something was amiss as Vanessa spoke. But she didn’t want to dwell on it. Carolyn, ever the optimist, brushed it off as a case of the Mondays.
“Maybe hanging up can make me a real bitch” Vanessa’s retort confirmed a lighter mood.
“How was your date?” Carolyn’s voice was filled with amusement as she pressed for details.
“It was not a date, but if we were to call it a date, it was the worst date ever.” Vanessa’s terse replies painted a picture far bleaker than a bad date.
“It can’t be that bad,” Carolyn replied in disbelief. She is aware that Vanessa has not been opened to dating since her experience with her ex boyfriend but trying again won’t harm anyone.
“It was that bad, Carolyn. His presence alone pissed me off.” Vanessa emphasized on her bad date with Darryl.
“I hope you got your purse back?” Carolyn asked, as her voice laced with concern.
“That was the only thing I was proud of.” Vanessa shared the single positive news about her date.
“At least, you got your purse back. That might be a sign that he is a gentle man.” Carolyn teased her friend.
“Gentle man, my foot. Don’t forget he stole the purse in the first place.” Vanessa voiced out her irrigation to Darryl.
Carolyn, known for her sunny disposition, could sense the weight of loneliness hanging heavy in Vanessa’s voice. All she wants is for Vanessa to get a man who will love her deeply.
Maybe it was time for Carolyn to play cupid, maybe she could bring Vanessa and Darryl together. One can only hope for the best out of it.
“Talk to you later. You won’t want me to be late for work.” Vanessa’s voice took Carolyn out of her deep thoughts.
“You know you can work for me if your boss fires you” sarcasm dripped from Carolyn’s voice as she teased Vanessa.
With a final goodbye, Vanessa grabbed her bag and left for work. She should have taken the bus, but she had wasted time on the phone with her best friend, so she ordered a cab. That would save her a few minutes.
Thankfully, Vanessa cruised to work without any traffic delays, punching in right on time. For the past two years, she’d thrived as a consultant for this small company. Initially, things went well, but lately, our clients had reduced, leaving us with nothing.
The financial strain of the company wasn’t a novelty for everyone working in the company, most especially Vanessa, but that did nothing to diminish her dedication to her work. This is not because she loved working, it is because work was the only thing that kept her mind in order.
Her best friend wants her to find love again. Her mother wants her to get married as soon as possible. Her sister is busy enjoying her life while she hasn’t healed from her abusive ex-boyfriend.
“We have a brief meeting and your presence is needed.” Vanessa barely had a chance to unpack her things before Mr. Rogers’ booming voice shattered the morning calm.
He had summoned everyone for a “brief” meeting, a phrase that sent shivers down everyone’s spine. Mr. Rogers was notorious for his long-winded explanations, a talent for “beating around the bush”, as some liked to say.
Vanessa was curious about this unexpected meeting. What could this unexpected meeting be about? But her primary concern wasn’t the topic, it was the potential duration. Knowing Mr. Rogers, this “brief” meeting could easily stretch into an hour, throwing her carefully planned day into disarray.
Vanessa quickly went to the boardroom, the usual meeting place. She met her coworkers already assembled in the room. A tense silence descended upon the boardroom as Mr. Rogers addressed his assembled staff.
“While some of us were enjoying the weekend, some of us were struggling to save this company.” His opening speech was laced with veiled accusation.
What does he mean by “enjoying the weekend” versus those who “struggled to save the company?” His accusation hung heavy in the air, while the staff waited for him to continue his speech. A collective wince rippled through the team. Was this the “brief” meeting they’d been called to?
Vanessa darted her gaze around the room, hoping to find a clue in someone’s face. But it seemed everyone mirrored her own confusion.
Mr. Rogers, notorious for his rambling and fondness for metaphor, wasn’t making it easy for them. It only added to the bewilderment.
“Don’t you think this company needs a savior?” His cryptic accent, bordering on parables, offered no clues about the impending announcement.
“Myself and the other directors found a savior for this company. But the saving process requires a lot of changes.” He laid emphasis on “changes”.
The weight of his words, coupled with the uncertainty of the situation, created an undeniable tension that crackled in the confined space.
The whole “savior” and “saving” talk made Vanessa tense. She didn’t know what to think about this whole meeting. All she knew was that something unfavorable was about to happen and a lot of them would be affected. She only hoped this unfavorable news wouldn’t cause her any harm.