"Oh, wow. Boss, that was beautifully done. They would be nothing but a fool not to give you that contract, you know," Philip Agguerro, one of the best top accountants in ReyDexter, said as he followed Reyona out of the presentation room at Multilinks Co.
"Of course, it will be beautiful. I already knew that this would be a smash when she said she would take this up," Samantha Boone, her ace accountant, said as they all left the room at a clipped pace. "You see that other CPA company? What was the name again?"
"I didn't catch it," Philip said with a distasteful look on his face.
Reyona smiled to herself. She knew that her employees knew the name of their competition. They were just saying that out of loyalty. Yes, they have pretty stiff competition, but Reyona knew that she did excellently well, and Multilinks would be a fool not to choose ReyDexter, but it was great to hear the approval from her staff too.
"They have got no chance at all." Samantha continued, "Did you see the way those decision-makers at Multilinks were so enraptured when the boss started? I am sure that we have this in our bags. We should be drawing up the contracts soon."
"Modest much?" Reyona said, and they all smiled.
"You are not doubting this, boss, are you?" Samantha asked with incredulity.
"Well, I know we tried our best. You guys were brilliant with the compilation and all. I am sure that they were wowed by the presentation too." She said it with a contemplative look on her face. "I would have just preferred that their CEO was around too."
"I don't think you should be worried about that." Phillip said as they stepped into the elevator that would take them to ground level, "I heard that these people's opinions weigh a lot when it comes to the company's decision. The CEO is said to be... well, not your conventional CEO though but he is quite reasonable and I am sure that he would listen to what would be best for him."
"Yes," Samantha said as the elevator door slid open and they stepped out into the lobby. "One can't be in charge of such a company without having a sense of right and wrong, after all. Inherited or not."
Reyona gave her a sideways look "You seem to have lots of information on this CEO," she said in jest.
"What, no" Samatha looked at Reyona and laughed. "If you are thinking what I think you are thinking, then don't. I just know so much about him through a friend of a friend."
"Ooh," Philip said meaningfully.
Reyona shrugged. "Okay, if you say so. I haven't thanked you for being able to get that much information on such short notice.
"No, it is nothing," Samantha said as she got to her blue Buick car, a perfect match to her electric blue suit skirt and jacket. "Still riding shotgun with me?" she asked Phillip.
"Of course," he replied, heading towards the car.
Reyona's phone vibrated, and she removed it only to see the display of the main number they had been calling since their engagement with Multilinks Co. started-the CEO's assistant number.
"Hello, ma'am. Mr. Jordan is around now, and he wants to speak with you."
"Oh, okay, I will be right there," Reyona said, and her staff looked back at her.
She smiled to herself as she disconnected the call.
"What, what? Did we get the offer already?" Samantha asked excitedly as she closed the door to the car she had already opened and turned around to Reyona's side.
Philip gave her an expectant look as well.
"Well, I wouldn't be that excited yet," Reyona replied with a smile. "There is potential here, though," she said as she closed the car door. "The CEO wants to see me."
"Really?" Samantha said with a grin, "Definite potential there, boss."
"Solid gold," Philip agreed. "Do you want us to come with you?" he asked.
"No, I don't think that would be necessary." Reyona added as she shielded her eyes to look up at the building of the company as if trying to gauge the exact location that the CEO's office. "I can handle any other questions he might have so I will be fine."
"Okay, then," Philip said. "See you at the office?"
"You got that," Reyona said as she turned to go back into the company. "Work well with Mrs Crawford, Phil."
Philip's groan, complimented by Samantha's laughter, reached her as she smiled to herself.
Phillip was too handsome for his good. His features would have been more at home in Hollywood. And some of their female clients wouldn't hesitate to let him know it. Mrs. Crawford was the latest of such females, and it was the current joke in the company. Reyona knew that Phillip could handle himself, though. Mrs. Crawford would be disillusioned soon, even while she remains their customer.
One of Phillip's charms was how well he could handle the customers. Both the moon-eyed and the tough nails alike. She was fortunate with her employees, she knows.
"If only the same could be said for my personal life too," she said, banishing the unwelcome thought from her mind as she stepped into the elevator and punched in the number. She reminded herself of her vow.
No longer would she allow Thomas and his deception to colour or affect her working day. No, much less would she allow any other intrusion too.
"You mean a particular black-eyed intrusion?" her subconscious whispered to her.
"Stop"
She snapped just at the same moment that the elevator slid open.
"Excuse me?" A male voice spoke from the other side. The hand he had just used to press the elevator button was suspended close to the door.
"Oh, I am…sorry. Sorry, that was not meant for you," she said in embarrassment as the man stepped into the elevator, giving her an odd look.
"Oh, great. Now you are talking to yourself," she thought to herself as she fought the urge to close her eyes. She looked straight ahead, ignoring the man.
The man stepped out on the next floor, and Reyona shook her head at herself as she mentally prepared herself for meeting the CEO.
The curvy, hourglass assistant that had met them earlier was waiting for her when she stepped out of the elevator.
"Thank you, Miss Michelle," Reyona said as she joined her.
"Just doing my job," the blonde with the cool look added before saying, "Come with me, please. He is rounding up his meeting, and he would meet you right after."
"Tha..." they rounded the corner, and there he was.
Reyona saw him first, as he had his head down, tapping rapidly into his phone. Why here, of all places? Reyona thought, and then another thought came to her mind.
Just as he raised his head, his eyes widened a bit, as if he were not expecting her. Liar!
"Are you stalking me?" she asked before she could stop herself.