Illicit Affair (Published With Etluxocpub)

6 - Facing Uncertainties

I woke up early to prepare for my nine am meeting with the board members. My intention is to impress them with my portfolio and shock them with my appearance. Most of them last saw me at my 18th birthday and they are in for a great surprise to see me, a matured businessman. I might be shorter than Zander but I can assure them that my height wouldn't matter.

I took Grab car going to company and I am at the lobby by 830 am. I called Connor to inform Zander of my presence as I don't want to bother people in the front desk. Someone approach me and asked my business in the company.

"Good morning Sir, may I know you business in our company" the lady at the front desk ask me.

"I'm Noelle Chandler, I'm here to meet Mr. Zander Patterson," I answered her.

"Oh, I'm sorry for making you wait Sir but you can proceed to the private elevator and it will lead you to the CEO office," I was informed by the lady at the front desk.

People at the lobby kept looking at me, I know they are talking about me as they give me those questioning glances. Some employees I think recognize me cause they greet me as I walk towards the elevator.

I walked towards the elevator and I can see so much improvement in the lobby of the company. The CEO has now its own elevator that leads to its office. The elevator has homey ambience, some painting of lowland farms are hanged on the wall. Some of those painting is quiet familiar to me. I know its a replica but the paintings are not masterpiece, it is like a kid's art work. I have seen this painting before I'm sure of it.

My reverie was cut short when I heard the sound of the elevator door opening. I was welcome in another lobby where in the executive secretary of my father is seated in her desk. Even here there's a lot of changes, I mean improvements. At the back of Miss Esther are cubicle dividers of several office workers, I think they the secratary/clerk pool. They are already busy early in the morning. Some were answering calls, some are busy typing and some walking around distributing files.

I approach Miss Esther and greeted her with my big smile. I always like her. As I was growing up and visiting my father she would always play with me when dad is busy. She would bring me around the company introducing me to the employees. I hope those ladies that I usually spend my lunch before are still here.

"Good morning Miss Esther!" I greeted her. Her eyes grew wide like a saucer as recognition hit her and she become teary eyed.

"Oh my! Its you Noelle, you're finally here," She greeted enthustiastically. I was even hugged by her. She began introducing me to the other clerks and secretary.

"Yes, nice meet you all. I'll be seeing you frequently now." I told them. 

"Oh yes I remember Mr. Patterson told me to usher you directly to the CEO's office when you arrive. He has been waiting for you." She winks at me. Miss Esther know my big crush with Zander. She would usually help me makes my letters and cards. I would tell her to buy coffee and snacks for Zander and deliver it to his office. "You know where's the office is, go ahead princess." She still calls me princess, habit die hard they say.

As I was walking towards the CEO's office, I saw our family portrait, my father's photo and next to him is my photo. This is my recent business shot I had in New York, how did they have a copy of this? There again paintings of a prairie same as the paintings in the elevator, they look familiar really.

I knocked softly and I heard his booming voice beckoning me inside. Always as always his voice can sent me shivers to my spine.

"Come in." His deep voice permeate thru the door.

I slowly turned the knob and schooled my feature. I put on my business face as I walk inside the office. I was shocked beyond belief on how the office looks like now. This is exactly how I painted it when I was in highschool and I gave it to Zander as gift with a little love note that said: