Illicit Affair (Published With Etluxocpub)

12 - Handing Over

For the last couple of weeks, the entire company has been busy with the preparation for the grand ball and my inauguration as the CEO. This has been my dream for such a long time. Connor never shown any interest in the company though he was working here before. He is not much of people person. The marketing department is in-charge of the event. According to them there was last minute changes in the programme and invitation was resent. I reviewed the guest list of pre-dinner conference and of the grand ball. I saw Zander's name and he has not signified his plus one. I don't understand why they have to resent the invitation and there is so much hush hush regarding about this. I just let the in-charge to do their things.

I remind my mom about the ball and asked her to come with me for the fitting of formal attire. I was surprise when she told me that she already prepared. I even called Connor for confirmation, asking him if he will come with me for fitting. I was stunned when he told that even his girlfriend has been fitted long before. This is new to me, for this kind of event our family does the fitting a week before the event. The family's couturier always has ready formal dresses for my mom to choose and suits for us.

This grand ball preparation feels like a wedding or a proposal on the making. I called for a meeting with the in-charge team for the ball. As I check on the floor plan, theme, and motif everything that I can see in the plan is about what I like but when I check on the date of the plan it was set last year. As I was going over the original plan, the Marketing Head get it from and me and handed me another set of papers.

"Oh this is the old plan sir Noelle. Please check the revised plan. Don't worry we can execute this properly." I was startled how she abruptly took it from my hands. It seems that they are hiding something from me.

"I'm sorry that I startled you, it just that this plan has many overwritten notes that you wouldn't understand." She explained to me. I just nodded to her.

After the meeting I went back to the office and called Hunter. I asked him if he has prepared suit for the ball and also reminded Aimee about it.

As I was looking for a pencil, I opened my drawer and there I saw the letter again. I am tempted to open it; I am even curious because it was thick. But I held on, I don't want to know whatever he has to tell me.

And the biggest day has finally arrived. I arrive at the hotel early on to attend the pre-dinner conference. This conference is attended by different media outlet and here we will officially announce my take over as the CEO. We have been waiting for Zander to come but it seems he just snob us once more. And then I saw Connor rushing to side entrance, he was waving his phone. So I follow him for I know he is talking to Zander.

"Who are you talking to Connor? Is it Zander? How can he have stood us up now? A lot of investor in here is looking for him." I asked Connor but he hushed me.

"Who told you you're not on the list Zander?" He paused to listen to Zander. "What? You were not allowed to go in the conference hall?" Connor roared and then he looked at me angrily

"You're too much Noelle. How could stand there and pretend that you are waiting for Zander, well in fact you are the one who give the orders not let Zander in for the conference." Connor shouted at me. I am at lost; I didn't order that. I dint give anybody an order nor a memo about barring Zander from the conference.

"I did not Connor. You got to believe me." I told Connor and I went to the usher situated at the door of the conference. I asked them the guest list and I was shocked that I did really signed a memo barring Zander from the conference. This is an electronic message from the CEO's computer that doesn't need my signature but can be printed with my passcode. When did this happen?

I saw Connor walking out of the conference going to the hotel's bar. As I enter the bar there, I saw Zander with his glass of wine. He loses some weight; he has dark circles. Gone were glow in his eye. I don't recognize the Zander in front of me now. Its like Zander who lose the will to live.