I could not sleep not one bit after the Gala. My mind was filled with so many questions I could not think straight. I cancelled my 8 am meeting and my 9:30 am conference appearance. I needed to clear my thoughts.I could only image what Annica could be thinking right now. My actions last night to her seemed out of place and definitely out of character. Waiting for Mr. Parr to contact me was nerve wrecking enough. Why was all of this happening. All I could think to myself is why is this all happening to me?
*Ring tone Sounds*
I ran to the counter to my phone. I was hoping it would be Mr. Parr, June...somebody but...
"Hello Chica" said a voice all too familiar but much unwanted right now. It was Andrew. I wont say I was relieved to hear his voice but I was more pissed than anything solely because of all that has happened. All I wanted was answers. I needed a release truly I needed to talk to someone. Everything that has passed had officially overwhelmed me. So I told Andrew when he was free to come to the hotel. He agreed and that was that. I needed a familiar face and someone with me with a cooler clear mind. To be honest I felt as if my world was crashing all around me. All the major questions I had still crowding my mind. I reminded myself quickly that I can not fall apart. I have a company that expects much from me and a team that depends and trust me. Regardless of how things turn out I must remain true and focus. My tablet goes off reminding me I have a meeting with the adviser's. I have to remain realistic about everything . Making sure the Seniors do not connect me to my husband or the Gala is imperative. I can not afford to jeopardize my job because of his wreck less indiscretions. I grabbed my phone and called one of the Executives. The meeting was still be held at its regular schedule time and by they way it looks. Luckily I did not interact with the guest so my face and name should not be mentioned at all. But in today social media driven world you never know. The meeting starts in less than a hour which gave me enough time to get cleaned and refreshed for the hell storm that's coming.
"That felt good", I said to myself. A good hot shower always does the trick. I checked my phone and to my unnerving surprise the team has been blowing me up. Highly unusual. So I message back saying meet me on the conference room floor in 10 minutes. I still had a bit of time left be fore our company meeting. If anything has developed they will warn me before hand. I wanted to prepare myself for the massive massacre that is slowly rising against me.
"Ok people, I have a meeting with the Seniors so what..." I was immediately halted in my steps. There stood my team and Mr. Parr. My anger rose ten fold.
"What the hell are you doing with my team and why..."
"Mrs. Deeson I called him. I'm sorry", Interrupted June
"June why?", I asked
"You may want to sit down Mrs. Deeson", She suggested and her tone spoke volumes even more than her facial expression.
"I did as you ordered and remained at the Gala after you left and this is what happen..."
I sat down at the desk laptop and what I saw almost brought me to tears. The video footage showed Mr. Parr confronting his wife and exposing my husband. Every bit of my soul started to pour out of my eyes and soon after my heart. All I could say to myself was why would he do this to me. The team inched there way out of the doors until I said...
"June", I said loudly
"Yes ma'am", she responded
"Go to the Seniors, watch them very carefully and ask if the meeting will still commence at 2'o clock today," I ordered. "Yes ma'am", she agreed
"This goes for all of you. Each one pick a Senior and confirm the meeting. Do not overlap or give away anything that is remotely wrong am I understood", I said sternly
"Yes ma'am", they all said in unison
Mr. Parr just stood there in a amazement. He could not image how I could go from balling my eyes to a Captain ready to attack.
" No matter what you do, you continuously amaze me". he stated
"Enough of this bullshyt. I want to know every single thing you know and it better all be the truth or so help me God..." I said in extreme anger
"Ok..but I will tell you after your meeting...there is much I have to explain and I wont interfere with your time or your work schedule", he suggested
"Fine...meet me back here at 9, if you are one minute late at all..." I threaten
"I won't be I promise", he agreed. As I was about to walk out the door the team started making their way back to the conference room.
"Mrs. Deeson everything seemed ok for the most part, Its safe to have the meeting", each member exclaimed.I looked around and did not see June with the rest of the group. I looked at my watch and noticed that meeting would be starting soon. As I walked down the hall I saw June standing at the side conference door.
"What is it June?", I inquired in anticipation
"Senior West knows something. he was very hesitant when I brought up the meeting and may miss it", June reported
"I know what to do now", I said reassuring
"Monica what are going to do" Mr. Parr said in very concerned voice
"Meet the situation head on. This is not my first time handling a scandal within the company. I can handle this one as well now that it involves me", I said
"I trust you", he said
"Make sure you are where your suppose to be Mr. Parr", I said in a direct tone.
Before leaving I grabbed the laptop with the footage on it. Mr. Parr asked me why I was a taking the laptop and I quickly replied with Evidence. I did not need him erasing anything. Plus I need it for my divorce. Him most of all understood why I needed it. I ordered the team to stay in the conference room until the meeting was over. I needed to have my game face completely on for this meeting. This can go off without a hitch or it can go south in the speed of light. Either way I need to be prepared.
The meeting began as usual. I waited until it was my turn to speak. Having three other executes before you is pretty neat. It gives me the opportunity to scope out the room. I could tell who had questions pertaining to the meeting vs the ones who had questions the whole room wants to hear. There is always that one bold Senior to speak for the whole room. Today my eyes were on Senior West. Anyone can speak so remain open minded I told myself repeatedly but he was the one I was most awaiting. Finally it was my turn. I announced the new clients that have signed the six month contracts first, those that have signed the one year contract and so on and so forth. So far I can see a few faces of concern and I thought to myself someone is ready to pounce. Someone is ready to...
"Mrs. Deeson"
"Yes, Senior Thomas"
"Will these new clients get us into our quota for the is upcoming cycle?"
"3 of the 6 will. The other three are collateral if the prime three do not fall thru or allow the six month contract to end without renewal."
"Mrs. Deeson"
"Yes Senior Gross"
"What is the percentage for leading clients you currently have?"
"93% sir"
"Mrs. Deeson"
"Yes Senior West".......Here we go I thought to myself quickly.
"There has been some development in the past of clients not cooperating. Can you reassure us that they will stay put and remain committed?" I knew where he was going with that so I decided to answer completely with all honesty.
"To answer your question....nothing last forever we both know this but as I stand here I can still assure you that inside of the negative that these new clients can produce for this company. They will remain firm and conquer thru. If you can all turn to page 4 sub section 12, I have added a new clause that state any new client only signing the six month contract can have access to the firm at a 0.5% rating. All this really means is if the client fails to maintain their company or goes under by any other means it will only cost our company a few hundred instead of a few million like previous members have cost us."
I can tell that the room rested easy after the many examples of clients who plummeted aligned with the company. Where we stood after the chaos made them more at ease about my new clause. But I had to still be on alert until the meeting was fully over. I need things to simmer for a full 24 hours before I can actually breathe. The meeting was over. I was packing up my papers when Senior West and Thomas approached me. SO much for my 24 hours of breathing.
"Mrs. Deeson", said Senior Thomas
"Yes Senior Thomas, Senior West. How can I be of some assistance?" I replied. Here we go I thought to myself. I had a feeling it was coming. I just did not think it would come this soon.
"Please" I motioned for the both of them to have a seat and continue to ask me anything. They looked at each other and then Senior West began his interrogation.
"Mrs. Deeson" Began Senior West
"Yes Sir"
"How is your marriage Mrs. Deeson"
Senior West has always been the direct and blunt type. Many in the company look up to him the most. The best thing to do is just tell the truth because anything less is a problem and he was see clean thru it.
"My marriage?"
"I'm not sure if you know about the events that took place in Baker City.."
"No Sir I don't"
Senior Thomas pulls out his tablet and pulls up an article written by Annica. Luckily I got to her first and gave her pointers on how to keep me out the story but still spin it to make headlines for the morning. She and I are a good team but I never thought that I would be her story. Senior Thomas slides the tablet to me. It showed Mr. Parr confronting his wife and my husband. A picture also provided by June and myself.
"Mrs. Deeson can you explain this?" Asked Senior West
"My husband and I have been separated for a little over 4 years. We have maintained our Martial status for only image purposes which he did agree up until now. What my husband does outside of me now does not concern me. In the same sense he agreed to keep his private now public affairs out of the medias reach but I guess now that is over as well. My work ethic to the company has not been tarnished or altered until now. It has not been easy but as time went on I have made due." I responded. This was a lie I did not have to tell. My first and I prayer my last.
"Why didn't you come to us sooner Monica? We could have helped you..." Stressed Senior Thomas
"I had to found balance between my marriage crumbling and work. I could not let what was happening effect me and definitely could not involve neither of you. It would show to much favoritism."
"But Monica!"
"No buts...the decision with the entire board once this fully comes out about my termination if directed I'm willing to accept"
"Are you sure about this?" pleaded Senior West
"Yes, I am sure. My divorce is on the way but as for my status at this company is up to the board. I will continue to work until that day."
They stood up as well as I and hugged me in encouragement. Gave me a few choice words or advice, a quick story each and a joke a piece just to get me to smile. Then Senior Thomas handed me a card to a better lawyer and said give him a call. All I could do was laugh. I took the card and told both Seniors that Ill remain on top without fail. I can tell they were really concerned but respected my wishes and remained still about it all. They have really helped me along in my career. I owe them a great deal. Now that that was over now it was time to get the truth out of Mr. Parr. If it wasn't for him I would still have my so called marriage and my job but something tells me he was losing something much greater. I made my way back to the conference room. There they all were. The team and Mr. Parr which in the back of my mind I had wondered why he had remained.
"Ma'am" they all said in unison.
"Ok everyone we have work to do and..."
" Monica..ummm..how did the me."
"Excuse me Mr. Parr. The team and I have much to discuss. Can you please. I will talk to you tomorrow evening" I said coldly while pointing to the door. I wanted him to understand that this was not the time for sentiments. Business for me has not ended. Until I am brought before the board, i am still in this fight for my company to stay on top.
"Same place" he quickly asked
"Yes...now if you don't mind" I said sternly
He raised his hands in defense and walked out. he looked back at me as I ask my team to have a seat. While in the conference room I told the team the whole truth. I told them what could possible happen in the next few days maybe weeks. They were not happy at all about the situation. I was thrown in but out of respect for me they listened and continued to follow my orders slash wishes. Much had to be done. Crazy thing is I still have not head from my husband. . It almost made me think this was all staged. I hope he is not trying to strategies his next move. I had to remind myself that I left a voicemail saying i would be at a event. Luckily i did not say which event. A save on my part. New thoughts were rising in my mind about everything. As I made my way to the elevator and to my room I thought everything and something was just not adding up. Something was just not right at all. But what? This week, this hotel and most of Mr. Parr and the Gala which I had no clue about until him. So many things floating thru my mind. I was starting to catch a headache. Almost to my room and there he was. My husband. This is seriously not what I needed . I wonder if he is here to plead his case or does he know I was at the Gala last night.
"Monica..." he said said my name like it was a sign of relief. I stared at him remembering I have the the mini tablet in my computer bag.
"Baby, I missed you so much and..."
I raised my hand up so he could see I wanted him to stop talking. I took out the tablet and let it play. His face went from his sly smile to a ghostly pale frown. At that point one thing was clear. He did not expect that at all. I moved him out the way and open the door to my room. As he tried to walk behind me I pushed him back and closed the door in his face. I stood there. As he raised his hand to knock on the door he knew that he had fucked up. He placed his palm on the door and then his head. he felt defeated. I watched him as he took a deep breath and said in a low tone "baby I'm so sorry". I turned around and pressed my back against the door. I fell slowly to the floor. I could not believe how everything was going. I could not stop my heart from breaking nor the tears from pouring out. I found myself dying from the inside. I finally said it out loud.
"My marriage is over....'
