Chapter 30: 30 - BACK TO BUSINESS
“Good morning, all,” Grey was at his best.
Attired in a black tuxedo and black Italian shoes with silver paddings, he looked like he was the president of the United States, or anyone more powerful than the president could ever be.
His face had just a little smile, though it had such a spark that made him look entirely friendly, it seemed to command more respect than that of a regular person would ever do. His height was another big win, on the pitch, he looked like he was god over the staff seated before the pitch in the massive hall.
The hall was their place of annual parties and awards. They aren’t meant for announcements or anything off from annual parties, but he wanted them there, and that, they did.
On the other end of the hall were the board members, a handful of them, including Mary, all seated with legs crossed and eyes on the man on the stage.
Each with their own pair of judging eyes, just waiting to hear what he had to say.
“My sincere apologies to those of you who were busy with one thing or the other before they were asked to come join us in the big hall,” he said with brows raised. “But trust me, I didn’t summon you all here to waste your time, but to offer you a break, and some refreshment.”
The hall went lit. his words were good, and their stomach was ready. Who knew why he suddenly got so friendly and generous? They all knew there could be other things he would tell them.
“Yeah, I have snacks for everyone and a wine gift as a take-home package,” he said with a smile but then, his smile vanished. “But that’s not what I summoned you for.”
Everyone sat upright, ready to hear him speak his piece. Even the board members took different positions that made them look a little more serious than they were at first because the strict man was on stage.
“I am getting married,” he hollered.
The hall went lit once more with jubilee. This was the first time any of the board members or any top official did such. The ones who were married did their business without getting such an announcement to the staff.
“To who?” Mary asked from her corner.
“You already know her!” Grey hollered back.
Everyone went silent. They already know the staff Mary hated the most. The staff Grey would speak of in such money.
“I know no shit about your personal life, Grey,” Mary rested her jaw in her palm, “so tell us, who is this wonderful wife of yours?”
Grey nodded and spurned to the hall where the staff were gathered. Many of them had taken interest in what a fight between Grey and Mary would be.
“Yes, you should see her, dear Mary,” Grey’s humor was different from what it used to be. he seemed determined to surprise the crowd.
He snapped his fingers and the lights of the hall went off. The windows were shut even before they entered the hall, so, without light, the hall went dark, but then, the stage light came on.
“Please, welcome my wife-to-be,” said Grey, Lola Kane.”
The stage light moved to a lady figure in red. She walked majestically to the stage and Grey took her hand and kissed it.
It was Lola Kane, his former personal assistant. Everyone was puzzled, especially those who thought it was over for her the day it was said she resigned from the company.
The light came on and they saw their boss on his knees with a ring. Everyone’s brows went up, and many of them covered their mouths with both palms.
“Say yes!” someone screamed from the crowd.
“Lola Kane, will you marry me?”
***
“Did you see the drama those two animals staged out there?” Mary was all rage. “This is the first time such a thing…”
“Grey’s life is not your business,” the lady next to her in the restroom said. They were both pinned before the large mirrors in the restroom, busy with their weak makeup.
Mary looked the woman in the face, but the lady cared very little about her rage. She was a fellow stakeholder like Mary, so, unlike the staff whom Mary could yell at and order around, she had a say.
“You support them, Cynthia?” Mary’s eyes were wide in awe. “Come on, don’t you want me to take over the management of this company?”
The lady turned to her and offered nothing other than a scoff. Mary was funny, but she wasn’t the best person to jeer in such a manner. She wouldn’t forgive such disrespect.
“If you wish to be the CEO, why not challenge Grey to a contest, why not demand he be voted out?” said the lady, “only then will you know that you should be as busy with other things as many of us are.”
The lady was done with her makeup. “Listen, Mary, the man you think you want to sit out is the best, and we are stakeholders for a reason.”
“What reason?” Mary asked.
“To keep us rich and free,” the lady replied. “I have big stakes in five big companies, so, all I do now is be a wife to my husband, a mother to my children, and attend meetings.”
The lady looked around the restroom as though she wanted to figure out if they had a third party in the restroom.
“You are neither married nor concerned with what you should be concerned with, all you want is to manage a business that is already being properly managed by your co-founder and the board of directors.”
“I am a member of the board and the co-“
“Who cares?” the lady asked. “You are just rich and empty because you sting everything around you all because you have a dream so big you will do everything to achieve it.” she pressed Mary’s shoulder. “Grey has found purpose, humble your ass and find yours.”
Mary shrugged her hand off her shoulder. “I have found my purpose,” she closed in on the lady, “to manage this business the right way.”