The Euphoric Meet

Dahlia walked away from everything that was around her. She sat in her Maserati and drove to her parent's place. Spending time with her parents might help her; to get just the perspective needed. She explained to her parents how Oliver had bought a replacement even before she was yet to resign officially. She asked her parents what she could do tomorrow at the partner's meeting, as she already blew her chances with Oliver. Dahlia was way behind in her preparations with acing the partner's gig.

Dahlia's father - Lewis, asked, "dear, what is it that you are looking for, to become a partner at that rusty firm or find your way to fulfil your dreams? It wouldn't be easy, but you have to pick one and go with it all in; once you choose - there's no turning back. Remember Dahlia! Do what your heart tells you - do what it is saying to you now, and don't think; too much. We are always there for you whatever you choose to do - we will respect your decision."

Dahlia questioned her parents, "Tell me, dad, honestly, am I doing the right thing by leaving this firm after so many years, where I have worked my ass off? Am I choosing the right thing to go after my dreams and make them come true? Do I sound like that same stupid girl - like it used to be in college days?"

Dahlia's mother was making her favourite Mac n Cheese when she told her, "Oh Dahlia, I know you have been considering your options for a while, but I feel you should get settled - why don't you talk to Oliver if things can be re-arranged a bit and maybe if you could buy some time to figure out what you want to do ahead in your life." Dahlia replied by eating one of the muffins - kept on the table, "Mom, I wish it were true; there is nothing in this world that can stop tomorrow's partners meet - all I can do is show up and tell them that I have resigned- all because Oliver was generous to me, and this wouldn't help me go further with the partners meet - or maybe!!! I can persuade committee members to change their minds regarding the partners' battleground before the meeting starts."

"Thanks, mom!! Kisses from far - I might be onto something, got to go - see you soon, mom & dad." Dahlia said to her parents and left the house in haste. The doorbell rang & Cleopatra opened the door and said, "Dahlia, what are you doing here this late night? Aren't you supposed to go around the world to build something of yours?" Dahlia said to Cleo, "That's right, my girl - exactly my point, that I want to highlight it before the committee board members, even they step in. It will leave no chance for Oliver to play his tricky games. Also, the very reason why I need your support - is to create a compelling presentation that will help me convince the board members. And what is the time when they will arrive?"

Cleopatra replied, "they will arrive at 9'o clock; however, the meeting will start at 11:30 am. Tell me, Dahlia, how can I help you with the presentation? Dahlia narrated all the plans to Cleo and worked late at night to complete them. Dahlia and Cleopatra reached just before the board members were about to arrive. Oliver mostly reached the workplace around 10:30 am, so they figured they had enough time to convince board members before Oliver could show up. To their surprise, Oliver showed up just in time with board members, as he wanted to discuss Dahlia's matter before the partner's meeting. She did not anticipate this motion, yet she signalled Cleopatra to start her mission as they had planned last night. While serving the hot cup of coffee - to all board members, she deliberately mishandled the cup, and the hot coffee fell all over Oliver's pants. He was - forced to rush to the washroom, and Cleopatra followed him to help her engage him until Dahlia finished her speech. Dahlia was not at all convinced by such kind of cunning act herself. She had to convince the board members in just a nick of time, or else she would lose the job, even before - she had resigned.

Dahlia gathered all board members at the conference hall - and welcomed them with an opening statement which said, "What do you visualize when you taste these crazy chiffon cookies? Does it contain the spark it requires to really wow the customers? Now try these cookies (handing over the other batch of cookies to board members) - do you feel the sparks flying, the cookie melting in your mouth and savouring your taste buds?"

Simon, one of the board members, replied, "Dahlia, from where did you get these cookies? It's amazingly a masterpiece!"

Dahlia, "and how about you - Mrs Kate, do you agree with what Simon has said?"

Mrs Kate and other board members too agreed with the second batch of cookies. Dahlia expressed herself before the team, "The first batch of chiffon cookies is what we sell in the market -which seems to be doing well but not great! However, the second batch of cookies that you just tasted is made by my grandmother, using the same ingredients but with a pinch of love and passion! You can see for yourself what impact it can create."

Dahlia added further, "Today, you may choose a partner for the firm, based on what we have achieved in previous years, but I don't think merely choosing a partner would help you justify if it will do any good unless you understand their intent or the approach it stems from - Why do things the older way; when you can do it differently - bringing you better results than a previously made decision."

Mrs Kate questioned Dahlia, " Come to the point; what do you intend to say, and why are you doing this right before the partners meet? Have you discussed this with Oliver?"

Dahlia replied, "Mrs Kate, Simon and all of you present here, let's take a look - what if you do this partners meet today - probably Bella, Jackson and I will give you a presentation, the best presentation you liked - will be voted; and Bravo! You have another partner at the firm. Just give it a thought - will it help you justify the fate of this firm? Do you think - will it add value to it?"

Meanwhile, Cleopatra is trying her best to keep Oliver away from all of it - until now. Oliver said to Cleopatra, "Cleo, it's enough - I don't want to get the stubborn stain out. I am ok; I better return to the conference as I need to discuss something important with the board - so leave it. I'll be fine."

Oliver entered the conference room to find out Dahlia was already discussing something with the board members; and asked all, "what is happening here? What is being discussed here in absentia?"

Dahlia laid her eyes immediately on Oliver and answered, " The board is willing to take a detour for finalizing the partner." Oliver replied with confusion on his face, "what kind of detour are you talking about?"

Dahlia answered him by moving the second plate of chiffon cookies toward Oliver, " Bella, Jackson and I will be getting three months - to know ourselves and start a passion project of their own. The one with the best passion project having maximum sales will win the deal for partnership. The board will have 20% say in the decision, and the rest of the 80% say - will come from the customers of their passion project. This detour will also help the firm increase the customer base by three times depending on the varied segment of passion project chosen too!"

Oliver was shocked to hear this and added, "so everyone is on board with this partner's detour?"

Mrs Kate replied to Oliver, "It's a sealed deal - we are postponing the partner's meeting by three months, and you shall receive the official mail shortly after this. I think it's time we did things differently, and thanks to Dahlia, she helped us to see things in a new light, very well Dahlia - I am impressed."

Oliver stood up to greet the board committee as they dispersed and left the office, also taking away a couple of Dahlia's grandmother's chiffon cookies. Dahlia was disconnecting her laptop from the projector and collecting her belongings as she was about to leave. Oliver came next to Dahlia and asked, " what was that detour thing? What did you even say that they were so pleased?"

Dahlia grinned and said to his face, "Oliver, realize one thing that you cannot replace me so easily, while I still managed to get the gig I had been looking for, 3 months working on a passion project -still having a chance to become the partner. Perhaps it's also the time that things got juggled a bit at the firm - will be fun, good luck with your Caty."

Dahlia was leaving the conference room, but stopped at the doorway and turned around to say again "Oh and tell you what, tell your Caty a thank you, it's because of her I get time for my passion project and the chance for becoming a partner! Hope that coffee stain comes out soon enough, I guess it is your favourite!"

Oliver smiled, Dahlia's attitude was competitive yet very cute, whenever he saw her become jealous, related to Catherine. Oliver couldn't mention again why he had invited Catherine, but he enjoyed the presence of Dahlia, whenever she was around.

Cleopatra and Dahlia met each other & screamed out of joy with each other. Their last-minute hard work paid off. Cleopatra asked Dahlia, "so what is your passion project that you are going to work on?"

Dahlia replied, "before we begin anything, we need to celebrate a tiny victory."

Cleopatra replied, "Are you thinking what I am?" Dahlia replied, "Oh yes, BG's it is!"

* * *

On the other hand, Bella and Jackson were all prepared and came to Oliver for their partner's presentation, only to find that Board has postponed the meeting and ordered a detour by understanding your passion project that they will work on for the next 3 months. Jackson and Bella seemed disappointed. Oliver asked Catherine to help Jackson and Bella with their work on the passion project.

Oliver called Dahlia, "Where are you; I need to talk to you."

Dahlia replied, "Oliver, what can you possibly talk about? Anyways, I am at the BG's with Cleo - you can meet me after lunch if that sounds fine - to you?"