After All

The eccentric COO

It was nine in the morning at Innovare headquarters. Marie sat at her desk, her fingers dancing across the keyboard as she worked diligently to finish the reports for the day. The hum of the office surrounded her—the low murmur of voices, the rhythmic tapping of keyboards, the soft clinking of coffee cups. Like everyone else in the office, Marie began her day with a strong cup of coffee, the warm liquid fueling her focus as she typed out her tasks.

The atmosphere was pleasant, light even. Employees occasionally leaned out of their cubicles to chat with one another, and the office buzzed with the energy of a productive morning. But as the clock struck ten, a sudden shift occurred. The soft chattering died down, and a tense silence crept into the space. Eyes darted back to computer screens, posture straightened, and conversations halted as the door to the office swung open.

Jasmine Marino, the CEO of Innovare, had arrived.

Jasmine walked in with a hard, determined expression on her face, her movements brisk and controlled. She exuded power, as always, but today something was different. Her usual composed demeanor was clouded with a sense of irritation, and her presence sent ripples of tension through the room. Employees stiffened in their chairs, avoiding eye contact as they buried themselves in their work.

"Looks like Madam Jasmine is in a bad mood today," Sheree, a nearby secretary, whispered to Marie as they exchanged a quick glance.

"I haven't seen her like this before," Marie murmured back, nervously returning her attention to her screen, her heart pounding. She hoped she wouldn't be the one caught in the crossfire of whatever had put Jasmine on edge.

Before she could gather her thoughts, a sharp voice pierced through the quiet. "Marie!" Jasmine's unmistakable voice echoed from her office.

Marie's blood ran cold. She quickly jumped from her seat and rushed to the CEO's office, her palms sweaty as she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Jasmine was seated behind her sleek, modern desk, glaring at Marie with impatience. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her, but her eyes locked onto the blank space on her desk where the reports should have been.

"Supposedly, I am reading the reports right now," Jasmine remarked, her tone cutting and sharp. "Where are the reports, Marie?"

Marie felt her stomach drop. Cold sweat formed on her forehead as she stuttered, "I... I was just finishing them when you arrived, ma'am."

Jasmine's expression hardened. "My arrival is not an acceptable reason for you to not have finished the reports," she snapped. "I asked for them yesterday, and I'm supposed to be reading them today."

"I'm sorry, Madam," Marie whispered, lowering her head in shame.

"No, don't apologize!" Jasmine yelled, her frustration boiling over. "Get back to work and get me those reports! You have until noon. No excuses!"

"Yes, Madam!" Marie responded quickly, her voice trembling as she rushed out of the office, her mind racing with anxiety. She hurried back to her desk and began furiously typing, her hands shaking slightly.

But just as the office was returning to its tense routine, a loud commotion broke the silence.

"I want to talk to Jasmine!" a voice yelled from the entrance. The tone was demanding, angry. Marie and several others glanced up from their desks, eyes widening in surprise.

An older woman stood at the entrance, her face contorted in fury, and behind her was a tall man in his forties. The employees whispered among themselves, shocked by the intrusion.

Jasmine, hearing the noise, stormed out of her office with an icy glare. Her presence immediately commanded attention, but she looked more irritated than ever.