SARAYA’S POV:
My grandmother glared at me as she storms into the polished sleek space of the boardroom.
“A unanimous agreement without the consent of a shareholder is preposterous! Don’t you all think?” she spat, taking her seat opposite of mine.
The distance between us was thankfully separated by the width of the wide and long mahogany table in the middle. Sitting to the left of my father, my grandmother casted a displeased stare at him for what seemed like seconds before turning her head to stare in the same manner to the others in the room, and then back to me.
“I thought you agreed not to interfer with the company directly any longer and allow me run it as I seem fit?” Father whispered in-between gritted teeth, leaning towards her.
I straightened up shoulders, I didn’t want to give off any sign of the uneasiness gnawing my soul as my grandmother held her gaze intently fixed on me without blinking, and I returned the favour.
The room suddenly felt tight and rippling with murmuring from some of the shareholders present. My ears heated up in embarrassment and I knew exactly what they were all thinking.
“As a second-highest shareholder, I exercise my right to oppose Saraya Newman as incoming CEO of this company” My grandmother dropped, ignoring my father. “And if this decision is further proceeded with, I will pull out my shares as I rightfully can”
She sharply twirls her head to meet my father’s gaze, stiffened in his chair, “Especially because I built third fourths of this company’s foundation from my hard work and sweat! Not to mention your father who must now be ashamed of you in the grave.” She added in a lowered voice.
“Mother!” Father growled, the tip of his ears moved slightly up and down as he tightened his jaw.
It’s an established fact that my grandmother hates me, but this was not how I’d imagined this meeting to turn out. No, not from my grandmother in front of all these fairly familiar faces I am yet to register their names, except for…
“I’m sorry, I’m late.” Arlan entered. “Got to hear about the board meeting late.”
My heart stopped the moment our eyes meet. “What is he doing here?” I asked under my breath.
I quickly took a glance at my father who was all smiles the moment Arlan walked in.
My grandmother stood abruptly on her feet. “And what is Mr Reef doing here?” She asked my father.
“Everything would be explained in due time.” My father replied.
“What is going on here?” I muttered at the scenario.
Having Arlan at the meeting was distracting when he was the last person I wanted to see. An emergency meeting had been called few minutes after I entered the company.
Once he sat down, I intentionally avoided to look in his direction and wondered why he was at the board meeting when we were still discussing partnership.
The hairs on my body stood on its ends fully aware of his unwavering stare piercing on me. My lips parted to say something, I’ll need to stand up for myself if I’m to be CEO but before I could say a word, Arlan beat me to it.
“I demand to know.” My grandmother insisted.
“As the third highest shareholder, can I say my shares hold just as much weight as yours, right?” Arlan injected while facing my grandmother, his voice vibrated smoothly, causing me to nearly flinch in my seat.
I twirled my head to finally look at him, and so did everyone in the room. My stomach flipped at how breathtakingly charming he looked even to a meeting. My cheeks heated up and my breath hitched a little.
“I beg your pardon, Mr. Reef?” My grandmother abruptly blurted, blinking as her face twisted in astonishment. So did mine.
Why is he standing up for me? I least expected him to chip in after what had happened.
Unfazed by my grandmother’s sudden outburst, Arlan gets up to his feet and, tugging the edge of his navy blue tailored suit, he steadily walked towards me. He tightened his lips, forcing them into a thick line, as if to suppress a smirk.
I turned my face away as soon as his eyes held mine. Last thing I wanted was to drool in front of everyone especially with how things ended between us last night.
“Was this all amusing to him?” I thought to myself. “And what is this news of Arlan being the third highest share holder.”
“Enlighten us, Mrs. Newman, why, in your judgement, is Miss Newman here unqualified to lead this prestigious company? Is it because she has no direct experience?”
A gasped escaped my throat. Was he helping or making matter go worst?
I felt his strong presence stop behind me. The tip of his fingers brushed fairly light on my shoulders as he gripped on the top edge of the leathered chair.
My pulse quickened and a shiver ran down my spine in a moment. Warm fluid flowed out from my vagina and my knees buckled. Thank goodness I was sitting. I quietly cleared my throat and quickly masked up with a composed expression.
My grandmother turned to my father, “what is this news of Mr Reef being the third highest share holder?”
My father’s expression remained neutral, but I could see the quick flash of victorious smirk on his face as he responded. “The third anonymous share holder of this very cooperation is Mr Reef here who acquired his shares a few months ago during the expansion phase. It was a strategic move to strengthen our partnerships.”
Grandmother’s lips tightened into a thin line, her displeasure evident. “Strategic? You mean reckless. Allowing an outsider to hold so much power within this family’s legacy is unacceptable.”
Arlan, unfazed, took a step closer to the table. “With all due respect, Mrs. Newman, I may be an outsider, but my investments are a testament to my belief in this company’s potential, specifically under Miss Newman’s leadership. The board seems to agree.”
I glanced up at him, my composure faltering for a moment. Was he deliberately provoking her by putting her in her place? Or was this his twisted way of supporting me? His unwavering confidence both annoyed and intrigued me.