CHAPTER 105: New Management
Alora’s POV
I had left Morgan's hotel room early Monday morning to get ready for work.
Selene was happy we were back together and Leo had whined about not seeing me, and made me promise to come home.
I had wrapped my arms around him and made that promise even when I was not comfortable sleeping in that house.
He was like a little brother I never had, and I would do anything to make him happy, but I couldn't wait to be on my own, with him, of course.
I walked into the company with smiles, memories of the weekend racing through me. It was one of the best weekends of my life and I couldn't wait to see Morgan once more before he left back to the Bloodfang pack.
He had told me he would leave the next day, and had only stayed so long because of me.
I heaved a sigh as I walked into the reception, past the glass panels, nodding to colleagues, clutching my handbag close to my chest.
Today I wore a black turtleneck over a black blazer while I paired it with a milky-colored miniskirt, black sheer tights underneath it, and black knee-high leather boots.
Everyone was whispering in clumps, clustered near their office doors or kitchen corners. Some glanced toward the large digital board that usually displayed announcements. It now flashed: "Staff Meeting: All Departments. 9 A.M. Sharp. Main Auditorium."
"You know what's going on?" Dalia, one of our interns, fell into step beside me, her face curious.
"Hi Dalia, I just walked in. I’m just as clueless as you. Everyone's acting like the building's on fire."
"Rumor is, the company was bought overnight. Some bigwig from the capital, and the whole management structure will be changed, which is why everyone is on edge.”
I looked at her in surprise. “Okay, so you know more than me then” I replied, shaking my head.
“But come to think of it, who would buy the company and why? I just hope this won't affect our internship here "I said my thoughts out loud.
“I hope not. I really love this place” she replied.
"Me too” I echoed, walking with her into the hall.
As we got in, the auditorium buzzed with restless energy. There were murmurs and assumptions going on everywhere. Everybody was trying to figure out what was going on.
I took a seat in the third row, hoping to God that whatever the management had in their sleeves would not affect me.
Then the doors at the back opened, and the CEO, Mr. Hendricks walked in, his presence making everywhere silent.
Employees scurried to find their seats while the managers stood erect with fake smiles on their faces.
He climbed onto the podium, his eyes scanning the room in a way that made everybody maintain their positions and listen with rapt attention.
He adjusted the mic. "Good morning, and thank you for being here on time. Without further ado, I would go straight to the point, as most of you may have heard, there are significant transitions happening within NovaMeds. We have officially merged with a new parent company."
With the information, gasps, and murmurs fluttered across the room.
"I know this comes as a surprise, but this change represents expansion. Growth. And innovation beyond what we imagined."
He cleared his throat and there was a pin drop silence. "Before I introduce the new owner and management team, there are a few announcements I would like to make. His eyes settled directly on me. "Miss Alora Lance."
My spine stiffened. I blinked.
"Please stand."
I rose slowly, every eye in the room suddenly turned in my direction.
I stood on rubbery legs and my heart beating as if it would come out of my chest.
“Please come up to the podium” his deep voice urged.
I was so worried about what that meant, but I surged forward, with my head held high until I got to the podium. He stretched out his hands and assisted me as I walked up and stood beside him.
He turned his gaze at me with a wide smile on his face before turning back to the room.
"Miss Sinclair is an intern in this organization, but in her little time with us, she has been an invaluable asset in our clinical trials and ethical research protocols. Her dedication, resilience, and unique insight have set a benchmark that we not only noticed internally, but her fame has spread far and wide. She is loved by the hospital staff, both doctors and nurses, and the patients look forward to having her in their wards.
The announcement I am about to make was not just our decision, but the decision of the new boss coming in.”
He turned to me, “Miss Lance, I know that you are an intern, but it is an honor to inform you that you will always have a place here in this company, and for that to happen, we need to elevate you to a position whereby you will find it difficult to leave.”
There were murmurs and chuckles in the room.
“It is with great honor that we promote you to Chief Clinical Research Director."
A loud round of applause erupted in the room following the announcement.
The sound was deafening, but I couldn't hear it. Not really. Not over the blood rushing in my ears. My heart was pounding with dread and happiness and self-doubt.
Chief Clinical Research Director, wasn't that a bit much for an intern? I knew at the back of my mind that something was not right. No company promotes an intern from an assistant to a director. I didn't do anything to deserve such an honor. Even if I did, it would have taken time to get to the management level, not to mention a director.
He stretched out his hands and I took it with both of mine, my mind still reeling from the announcement.
I was about to get down when he tapped me on the back to indicate I should stay.
I frowned, but he smiled before turning to the room.
"And now," Mr. Hendricks said, gesturing toward the double doors, "please welcome the new CEO and primary stakeholder of NovaMeds Research Group, Mr Morgan Blackwood."
My body went cold.
It couldn't be the Morgan that I knew, right?
Maybe there was a mistake somewhere, maybe someone else just had the same name.
It couldn't be him. He would have told me this morning before leaving, right?
I was still contemplating when he walked in like he owned the world.
Well, he did now.
My mate walked into the room.
Tall, devastatingly put-together in a black three-piece suit that fitted him like a glove, accentuating his burly figure. His white shirt was crisp, the top two buttons undone just enough to reveal the whisper of a tattoo curling at his collarbone. Dark tie, undone.
His whole ensemble and demeanor screamed wealth and luxury, and his presence demanded attention.
I could hear the women gasp and drool at his looks.
I was too confused to utter a word and too far gone admiring him to form any coherent words.
One of the interns whispered, "Oh my God, who is that?"
Security flanked him, dressed in sleek black. Two associates followed, heads bowed, carrying sleek briefcases.
But his eyes were trained on only one person.
Me.
His eyes locked on mine as he walked to the podium.
He stretched his hands in courtesy and greeted everyone around, including the CEO and me, before taking over at the podium.
"Good morning. I’m Morgan Thorne”, his voice vibrated around the room, as everyone adjusted in their seats.