chapter three

Chapter three

Avery's pov

Work is double as tedious and stressful as before, I've been on my computer for close to four hours now, trying to compile and merge the company's financial record for five months now and to make it worse for all departments.

I've successfully compiled that of all the departments however, I'm yet to merge it with that the company's financial statements. Being the company's accountant and chief financial analyst comes with a lot of heed and reverence, except for times like this.

The work is in a rush and I wouldn't want for figures or important details to be omitted, as one it might tarnish my reputation and secondly, I will certainly need to start again from the beginning not to mention how hungry I am, my stomach is already grumbling from the lack of food.

Deciding to take a break, I pull out the box of cake, Chloe had given me and cut off a slice before going to the staff cafeteria and collecting a carton of orange juice, maybe it would have been easier on me if I had listened to my dad and eaten breakfast.

I return to my office and pour myself a cup before devouring my snack. Dad would be furious if he finds out, I'm having cake and orange juice as brunch, without having had anything for breakfast.

Speaking of Dad, I haven't told him or anyone at home I'd leave for my apartment soon. I mean, I'm twenty-five already, and I know it's time to start getting myself together. Living with Dad wouldn't be a problem but Miranda and her daughter are what's stopping me or rather giving me a change of heart, plus I have what it takes to get my apartments.

I'm still reckoning on how to get my shits together when I catch a glimpse of the time on my wall clock.

"Shit" I mumble under my breathe, dropping my food I continue to work on my computer, merging reports where necessary before drafting a comprehensive statement for the company.

"Finally" I breathe out, cracking my knuckles when I ultimately surmise fitting the statement from various departments into one concise, comprehensive and detailed report.

"Now I'm good to go," I say pushing myself backward which makes my seat recline further.

I hear a buzzing sound from the speaker above me before the telecom goes off "all recognized departmental heads are to be reminded and to get ready for the foretold executive meeting in the next ten minutes" a voice I recognize to be Theodore's sings from the two-way communicator.

"Well, ten minutes is enough time to print my reports and finish my brunch," I say pressing further on my seat. So am I supposed to go clubbing if I'm already feeling this tired? I already finished printing my report and eating the last bits of my snacks when I hear the final call for the meeting.

"Everyone concerned is by this announcement mandated to assemble at the board meeting compartment" Theodore's voice calls again.

"About time," I say before making my way to the venue of the meeting.

Soph, Chloe, Theodore, and other division heads are already seated on the round table for board members and executive discussions when I enter the meeting venue.

"I was beginning to think you are no longer one of us," Soph asks as I take my seat on the right-hand side of the table, next to the CEO's seat. In all sincerity, I think the sitting arrangement in the board room is a clear show of the company's formation and hierarchy and I guess, you could also call me the boss's right-hand man. I'm still in shock as to why Mr. Robert would out-of-the-blue call for a meeting and that too without my knowledge seeing I've always posed as his Secretary or the vice president for that matter. I'm sure whatever it must be very and extremely classified and confidential to make him keep what happened from me.

"My apologies, for coming late" Mr. Robert greets as he takes his seat. "Without further delay, I'll like to declare openly the purpose and justification for this spontaneous meeting," he says looking across from everyone of us sitting around the table, with an indistinct expression on his face.

"Do you want me to take details of the meeting?" I ask?

"It's fine, it is not an official meeting, I just wanted to substantiate that everything is in order before the new owner of the company comes" he replies nonchalantly. It takes me a couple of good seconds to fathom what he just said, but I wasn't able to say anything. My voice suddenly gets stuck in my throat, the effect of his words made a lump form in my throat.

"I'm sorry but did I hear correctly?" Soph blurts her face looking as confused as she is possibly feeling.

"This is so confusing, " Tee says sounding genuinely anxious, I mean who wouldn't be? Considering Imperial IQ is like a second home to most of us, even though some persons makes it less of it and tiring, the efforts of Mr. Robert to ensure consensus, conformity, unit,y, and efficiency could never go unnoticed and he just went ahead to sell it without informing us. Truth to his actions, the company belongs to him and he has every right to do whatever he likes with it but there's something called protocol rights? How did he maneuver his ways through all the necessary steps to be taken? In my attempt to voice out the chaos going on in my mind, I swallow the lump in my throat and try as much as possible to push the shock in me to my stomach.

"Since when has this been?" I ask making the others look at me.

"About a month now, I'm sorry I didn't say anything about it all this while, I couldn't bring myself to tell you guys, I know how much my presence in this place means to all of you," he answers.

"But.." Soph begins to say but he cuts her off.

"There's no but", he cuts me " instead of complaining you should start getting prepared for his arrival". Mr. Robert gently reprimands her.

"When is the new owner resuming?" I ask Mr. Robert.

"Monday" he simply replies.

"Okay sir" I answer briefly, fighting the urge of saying something that might sound unethical.

"I believe you have somewhere to be?" Mr. Robert suddenly asks me.

"Yes, there is" I reply to him.

"Then you are done for today, get your girls and hurry along, I know it takes decades for your gender to get ready," he says trying to ease the tension in the room.

"Then we must start going right away" I answer giving him a curt nod. There's no way I won't take him up in his offer, not to mention my sudden need for alcohol, I need something to help me digest what just arisen.

***************************

Soph, Chloe, and I are presently rummaging through  Sophia's closet in search of what to wear to the club.

"This will look good on you," Chloe says holding a strapless black body con dress.

"There's no way in hell I'm wearing that," I said eyeing the dress with contempt.

" The hell you aren't," Chloe says rolling her eyes.

"The hell I am" I answer back.

"Why don't you want to wear it? " Soph asks.

" Because it's showing too much? " I say more like a question.

"That's the whole idea bitch, I mean it's your birthday and you're going clubbing what are you supposed to wear?" Soph asks.

"I don't know maybe something less revealing," I said eyeing the dress in her hand.

"It's your birthday girl, you ought to look good"  Chloe chastises.

" Fine, I'll wear but I'm still not getting laid," I say collecting the dress from soph.

" Whatever you say, your majesty," soph says bowing.

Soph and I are of the same size, wearing each other's clothing was never a problem. Chloe on the other is a bit plumpy than us and an inch or two shorter, but miraculously she finds a maroon dress that fits her perfectly, kisses to soph who always saved the day. I decide to go for the classy but hot look and pick a sexy black ankle strap four inches heel by Christian Louboutin and adorned by lips in a wicked red lipstick style.  I let my brownish-blonde silky hair fall freely on my back in its natural waves and pulled off the whole look with a black clutch and a set of star chains dangle earrings.

"Girrrrrlll" I hear a plush voice squeal the moment I turn to face the girls.

"That good, eh?" I ask

"Fiercely hot" soph says

"and sexy too" Chloe chirps.

"Y'all are dressed to kill too, by the way"

Soph has dressed in high waist baby blue shorts with a black camisole and pumps, while Chloe is dressed in a red lace thigh-length gown and a black sandal stiletto.

" That's the intention gee," soph says waving her hands.

"It's a shame that isn't the case for you" Chloe jokes.

"so, do we call a taxi or choose someone to drive" I inquire deliberately avoiding her dark humor shit.

"You decide" soph answers grasping my distaste In Chloe's remark.

"I'll drive," I say before shoving my car keys and purse in my phone. So much for ending the day on a good note.