Reprisal

Chapter 8 : Not His Type ?

“You can't be serious, Dad!”

A week later saw Isabel barging into the boardroom of Wilder Chemicals looking mightily displeased. She didn't care that she had rudely interrupted a board meeting and it didn't go unnoticed by the twenty plus members seated there. Aiden rolled his eyes at his sister's dramatics and pulled out his phone to play Call Of Duty as he knew what was their father's next move.

“Gentlemen, excuse us please.”

The members stood up and started leaving the boardroom. Christopher also followed suit but his face was contoured with confusion.

“You can stay, Christopher.” - Foxen said.

Isabel shook her head. “I want to talk to you in private. Aiden and Christopher will have to leave.”

That statement made Aiden took his eyes off the phone screen and look at his sister in shock. In the past week, all she had talked about at home was the great Christopher. His ears were on the brink to bleed listening her discuss wedding plans with Foxen. So if that crazy sister of his was saying she wanted the great Christopher to leave as well it meant something was not right.

“We will discuss about this consignment when you get free, Mr. Wilder.” - Christopher said, raising the file in hands and left. But not before meeting Isabel's eyes once more.

Aiden stood up, his gaze switching between his father and sister, before slowly leaving the room. He made sound of his shoes as if he was walking away but stayed outside to eavesdrop.

~

“Isabel, I am shocked at your preposterous behaviour today.” - Foxen expressed his displeasure.

Isabel crossed her arms. “And I am shocked at your decision to make Christopher ACOO.”

Foxen's eyebrows shot up. “How did you find out ? I had planned to surprise you and Christopher.”

“That's not the point. My concern is, how can you do that ?”

Foxen's eyebrows furrowed in bewilderment. “I don't understand. You are... not happy with him becoming the ACOO ?”

Isabel sat with an angry thud at one of the chairs. “Of course not! You're making him assistant to the chief operating officer! And we both know who the chief operating officer is!”

Foxen sighed. He stood up from the head chair, crossed the long table and came to sit on the chair next to his daughter's.

“Honey, Aiden might be a little careless and irresponsible at times but we both know he takes this company seriously.”

Isabel snorted involuntarily.

Foxen tched, chiding. “Bella, he-”

“Dad, see, Christopher has not asked you of this. We both know he would feel he is being given favours because of me. And after that if you'll set him to work under Aiden, he would feel uncomfortable or insulted even.” - she tried to make him understand.

“So what do you suggest ?” - Foxen asked.

An excited spark dawned in her eyes. “I suggest, assign him a designation that's not under anyone but you.”

Foxen's eyes grew wide. “What ?! Do you know what are you suggesting, Bella ?”

Isabel held her father's hand between both of hers. “I know. But I don't aim to take advantage from the company, Dad. Just asking to give him the position you have reserved for me but I didn't show interest.”

“And that's Managing Director, Isabel! The second in command after CEO and equal to COO!” - Foxen emphasized the importance of the designation anxiously.