I have good work relations with all of them except Raymond. Our work ethics and business just do not alig Cassandra steps forward and grab both my hands in hers "Welcome back senior Gweneth. I can't tell you how happy I am that you are here right now." I nod, feeling slightly uncomfortable at her words and physical closeness.
She doesn't let me take my hand off hers.
Cassandra and I are not close at all. We butt head most of the time. I constantly call her out for lackadaisical attitude to work. Once, I heard her discussing in the pantry with the other interns that I am an uptight bitch and her least favorite of the entire team. They stopped their gossip when I waltzed in. I prepared my coffee and bread toast and pretended like I didn't hear any of the things she had said about me. I don't let opinions from people like her get to me. I have nothing against her. She is a nice and fun girl except for her work attitude. She is way better than the wealthy brats from my school days. If she can improve in her job a toenail size better, we will not have any problems. She thinks of me as an uptight bitch and a workaholic. I think of her as a not-so-bad rich spoilt brat who thinks her parents wealth is all she needs in her life.
"You can let go now." I smile awkwardly. She only holds my hands tighter, placing them on her chest. I inwardly cringe. "No, you don't understand the relief I feel right now. I would have gotten chewed out and criticized to my bones if you hadn't come." She says dramatically in a voice of panic.
"Is everything okay?" I ask all of them. That question is long overdue.
"No. But it will since you are here now." Answered Veronica.
"That's right Veronica. I may be a little old with twenty six years of corporate working experience, but I admit that you Calloway, is so much better in dealing with cold, temperamental clients than any of us." Mr Carlson is not wrong on that compliment.
Dealing with clients who are temperamental and aggressive, that is one of my specialties. I never knew I am good at talking with people and convincing them to invest, and consider our projects. I found out the first time I was sent to convince an Asian business magnate into looking over a project proposal. He had rejected the others who went before several times. When I was assigned the task, I did all the research I could on him before I went to visit him. When I was there, I only spoke about things that I know, or guessed that he was into from my research. He loved a particular board game named Go. He invited me to play it with him. I didn't know anything about it. But I got the hang of it a little from the basics he taught me. He was so pleased. He said even his children could not play the game. Only his wife, and she was dead. His kids thought of it as an ancient game that is way behind the times. He then decided that he would go over the proposal. He later accepted it. But on the condition that I visit him to play Go every once a week. It was a steal and an honor for me, so I quickly and happily agreed. I got better at the game everytime I went. The company and I came to a rule that Fridays would be an unofficial off day for me so I could go play Go with Mr Chou. That is until last year when he died. He was 80. I miss my game partner. Hope you are happy in the afterlife buddy.
"What is the trouble Mr Carlson." I demanded. I can deal with a problematic human anytime any day.
"The president of Crimson Group is here." He informed.
That sort of hit me like a brick. I gasp, "But, I thought the takeover was next week?"
"He is not here for the takeover. He came for a board meeting. He wants to observe our financial statistics for the past months himself."
"Why doesn't that sound good?"
"Because it is not!" Cried Veronica.
"Exactly. He caught us unexpected. The meeting is in less than twenty minutes now."
"You handle the briefing for me Calloway."
"What? I can't do that Mr Carlson." I immediately state my objection. I came to work this morning expecting a normal work day. Not to be pushed into an impromptu meeting with some asshole big company president. I have to turn him down on this one.
"Please do it. I am not bold and smart to brief on a fake financial statistics in that man's presence." Mr Carlson looks really terrified. Crimson's Group President. I have heard a thing or two about him. The grapevine says he is so cold and heartless that you can almost see it. Seriously. A person can be bad but not scary. The scare is made up in people's minds.
"Please senior Gweneth. They will make me do it if you don't." Cassandra pleads.
"So that is what you were relieved about?" She nods. "You guys were going to make her do it? What is wrong with you all? That would have been a disaster!" I lash out.
"I told them the same thing."
"You know none of us ever does briefings." Laurel responds. "I particularly have stage fright and wouldn't be able to stand in speak in the presence of the executives."
"Me too. I really can't stand them. You are the only one who can." Raymond spoke to me again.
"But still..."
"If you do this Calloway, I will sponsor you on a three day trip to Honolulu."