12

Silence filled the air for a few minutes.

Rose could not believe that Andre did not respond to what she said. Right there she decided that she would know what exactly his problem was, she was ready to find out if he actually had issues with his ear.

"I said thanks for the food and clothes" Rose repeated.

But this time she said it facing her front, so she would not make him feel or sight any gesture that would make him look at her.

But still she got no response, at this point she was a hundred percent sure that her boss had issues with his ear.

"So he is deaf, that must be the reason he has not answered me," She said in the lowest tone possible.

"I am not deaf, neither do I have issues with ear," He said without looking at her.

Rose was in shock, she had the urge to jump out of the moving vehicle, she was a so shocked and ashamed at the same time.

"I didn't mean it that way, I'm sorry," Rose said as she tried to explain.

"Seems like you've got nothing to do," He muttered.

He brought out a file and gave to her.

"That is the synopsis of what todays meeting will be about, go through it," He muttered.

"Okay," Rose responded.

She began to go through the file and before she knew what was happening, the car halted.

She looked out and saw an isolated skyscraper with sturdy frames and straight lines. The building was so isolated that there were no other buildings nearby.

They all came out of the cars.

Rose loved the environment because it was so calm, she loved the trees and the flowers. Smaller flowers were kept in planters and they were placed at the top and bottom of the building. They added color and life to the solitary surroundings.

As they walked into the building, a man that she recognized as the man from yesterday came out to welcome them. He walked them into a boardroom. Few members were already sitted in there. As soon as Andre and others walked in they all stood up to welcome him.

Women old enough to be Andre's mother and men old enough to be Andre's father also gave him such respect and that left Rose wondering once again who Andre was.

Every other sit was occupied except 3, the first one was the head of the table and the other two were by the left and right side of it.

Andre walked and sat down at the head of table's chair, Peter sat by his left hand.

     Rose did not know if she was supposed to sit or stand just like the security guards did.

Peter saw her where she stood, he gave her an eye sign and she got the message almost immediately.

She moved towards them and sat down.

The meeting began, the stakeholders were all sitted, they wanted to be one of Andre shareholders, Andre was fine with it except for the fact that they wanted to be the major shareholders. They wanted to buy more than half of Hiltons hotel shares.

Andre knew how risky it was to sell such amount of shares to them.

He knew that if he accepted their proposal they can implement laws and make rules that he might not be comfortable with and he would have no choice but to accept it.

The hotel was one of his father's legacies and he can not afford to play with.

"We have gone through the proposals and we are honored that you have our hotel in mind and that you are willing to become one of our shareholders, but it is unfortunate that we can not sell such amount of shares to one firm". Andre said.

"And why is that?". A man in his early thirties asked.

Rose felt something was off about the deal, she had a bad feeling about this people, only someone with bad intentions would want to buy 90% of a company's share.

"Companies and firms keep majority of their shares or stocks to themselves to maintain power, control and decision making". Rose said subconsciously.

Andre was impressed that he could not hide his excitement. He was not expecting that from Rose.

Peter looked at her as he nodded his head in agreement.

"Maintaining power and controlling the affairs of the company would not be an issue, you can trust us with the affairs of the company, we want 90% of the companies share and we won't settle for less" He said in an egotistical manner.

Andre wondered what gave him the impudence to think that he would want to give him 90% of his company's shares. He was so mad.

His gaze caught Rose and he saw how focused she was.

He already knew that he would not take this particular client seriously, so he decided to leave it to Rose to handle since she was already tackling the matter.

Everyone except the people he came with were pissed by the words he uttered, Rose anger was on a whole different level.

Peter was so certain that the man doesn't know who Andre really was, or he was deliberately trying to get on Andre's nerves.

"We are not scouting for a new CEO as we already have one and he is a competent one at that, neither do we have plans of selling our company". Rose spoke with a stern look.

The man felt so embarrassed and belittled, he wondered who she was, like who gave her the right to talk to him with such mannerism.

"And who do you think you are to talk to me like that". He questioned.

"My Personal assistant, and you will accord her with the respect she deserves". Andre said calmly.

Andre was so calm because that man was nothing compared to people he had dealt with.

Rose suddenly felt covered and protected.

Then her boldness increased.

"So she is just a mere personal assistant, what gives her the right to interfere in matters like this".

He said with a brusque voice as he stood up and slammed his hand on the table.