"Maya, Maya!" I heard someone calling my name as I ran on the empty ground.
I was filled with fear and exhausted, gasping for breath.
"Maya, Maya!" I heard the sound again!
I felt like there was an earthquake or something, as everything around me was moving, including my own body, swaying from left to right.
Then, I suddenly felt a cold sensation on my face! I opened my eyes and saw Rohit, my husband, splashing water on my face.
I could see that he was angry.
So, it was just a dream! I didn't even realize when I fell asleep and when morning arrived.
I started laughing, which made him slightly angry, and he said, "What's wrong with you? You're an hour late for work!"
I widened my eyes as if I had seen a monster and jumped straight out of bed. I gave him a goodbye kiss and asked him to drop Shreya, my baby, off at school.
I got ready and drove to the office. I was stressed because I didn't want to be judged for coming late on such a tight work schedule.
When I arrived at the office, I saw Meena looking stressed. I said, "I understand, Meena. Come into my cabin."
I settled into my cabin, opened my laptop, and took a swig from my water bottle. Meena walked in and sat across from me, looking unhappy.
I thought she was under a lot of work pressure until she spoke."
"Maya," she said worriedly.
"I know, I know, I'm late and we have a lot to do," I said, moving back in my chair.
"That's not the point, Maya," she said, looking at me.
"What is it then?" I asked.
"The Boss," she whispered.
"What about him?" I wondered.
"The new Chief Marketing Officer is here, and do you know who he is?" Meena asked.
I looked into her eyes for the first time since I came in. "Who?", I asked, raising my eyebrow.
"Mr. Vikram, the VP Marketing of Asia region, he is now the CMO," she said, raising her eyebrows.
I almost lost my breath and fell back in my chair.
"Didn't you see the email yesterday", She asked.
I nodded and closed my eyes. What bad luck! What a great start to the day! My competition in the company got promoted to CMO.
"He will be looking after all the projects in all the regions now, which means we have to report to him," she added and stood up putting my hands on my table and looking into my eyes.
I was in shock I had no words to reply to her. Vikram was my competition for this post for the last 4 years.
I had proved myself worthy of this role but Vikram was too strong competition.
I almost feel like I'll be replaced on this project with someone else.
"Why can't these corporate jobs just be without the stress?" I mumbled.
"Mr. Vikram has a track record of excellent work in the industry; he was the right candidate for the role, and I hope you all are happy to work under him for the new project we are all working on," I read the last part of the CEO's email aloud and smiled in stress.
I knew he would use all his powers to knock me out of this company.
The reason was simple; it was my mistake to take on him and break his team apart. I looked upon him as competition instead of working with him and getting work done.
On the other hand, Vikram never lost his cool and now see he is sitting on the boss's chair, I cursed my mistakes in the past.
But now there is no point in remembering the past. I accepted the fact.
"He is now the CMO, and I have to work with him.", I mumbled.
I asked Meena to leave me alone and not send anyone for some time. I leaned back in my chair, pulled the drawer of the table, and took out a cigarette. I lit it up and reclined in my chair.
Even though I've quit smoking, I needed this for some reason. There is already a stress of work, and now this new issue.
I needed some sort of relief, which I did not get in any form, so I chose a cigarette today without giving it any thought.
I had just taken two puffs when I received a meeting invite from the CMO. He arranged a kick-off meeting, and all VPs of marketing were invited, including me.
The meeting was about to start in 15 minutes.
Why can I be so careless? Why didn't I check the email last night, about being him CMO?
Anyway, I put the cigarette away and collected my thoughts about the progress on the campaign in case he wanted to see it.
I rushed to meeting room, everyone was smiling mysteriously looking at me. I knew the reason.
I was in the race for CMO and now I've nothing to say, I just smiled. Feeling jeoulusy inside.
As soon as he walked into the room, everyone stopped talking. He was a tall and confident, dressed in a sharp dark suit that emphasized his authority.
He had a captivating gaze and dark hair that framed his face. It was clear that his presence demanded attention. His charisma and power made him stand out from the rest, and you couldn't help but notice him.
Vikram: "Good Morning everyone!"
His voice meant business, the room became quite and every eye was on him. I was no exception.
I've never seen anyone with such cool presence. Invisible sparks crackled around him, rising the hairs on my arms.
His dark eyes swept the room, landing on me like a spotlight. It was like being the only one in the world, suddenly naked under his stare.
His gaze felt like a laser, digging into my soul, uncovering parts I'd kept hidden away.
"Settle down, everyone," he said, still looking into my eyes.
"I hope you all are aware of the fact that we'll be working on the project under my leadership henceforth."
Everyone nodded. I just looked at him. But he did not. I did not like it that he did not look at me, I don't know why but this was the first time I wanted him to address me in front of everyone.
He continued,
"We have been working for this firm for so long, building it from the ground up, and now is the time to roar like a lion in the industry and win every battle."
All agreed. And somehow I also nodded! I don't know how he did it. He had this power to get you to yes.
He turned his head to the left and started talking to each one about the project and progress. As he was looking to the left, I was able to see the tattoo on his neck, which extended down to his chest but remained hidden beneath his shirt. I wondered what the complete tattoo looked like, and then I realized it was my turn to explain the project – every eye was on me!
I stammered, "I... I am on it. I'll present you the progress report soon."
He seemed displeased with my answer. I wasn't sure about others' responses because I was too busy observing his tattoo.
"I consider all of you very talented, mature, and experienced leaders in your teams. And I will expect the work to match your expertise," he said, moving his gaze to everyone except me.
I felt like I wasn't important.
"After working in this field for so long, now is the time for all of you to show your worth as we will be having new roles as Senior VPs," he said, shifting his eyes to everyone except me as if igniting a fire within us to showcase our capabilities.
I wasn't happy with that. Did he not consider me a leader or capable?
He stood up buckled up the button of his suit and said, well everyone let's get to work.
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Please continue to the next part...
