Beyond the Mask

2. Flash Back

"Silence & smile are two powerful tools. Smile is the way to solve many problems & Silence is the way to avoid many problems."

― Iris Johansen

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Recap:

The work is all set, but the previous year expenditure on construction of the project showing the difference which I have to look after and report before I produce my final report. Taking the printout of expenditures on the project I directed towards the CEO, Mr. Zakir's cabin.

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  I still sometimes wonder, does he remember me from our trip. When he first saw me when I joined the office, I almost thought he recognized me, but till now he never spoke me about our trip. I guess he didn't recognize me, that's good.

@@Flash back @@

I have passed all the levels of interview and got appointment letter as next in command to CFO to join their office from Monday, but then I didn't know the CEO of the company is my HULK (Veronika used to call Mr. Zakir as HULK during the trip) who I met on the trip if -I would have known I wouldn't have joined this company ever.

On Monday I started my work in the company. In my fourth week I had to present my PPT in front of all the department heads of the company. I had to get some papers signed by CEO before I present my part. I knocked, entered the cabin 'If say I was shocked by seeing him is an understatement' I stood there without moving.

"Yes, give me that papers, already Mr. George (The CFO when I joined) has informed me about the papers," he said without looking at me in a professional voice.

I placed the papers on the table without saying a word and without uttering a word I turned my heels and exited the cabin and released the breath which I don't know I was holding till then. I got totally panicked. "what I do. what I do." chanting these words in my mind went to my table. 

The phone buzzed indicating the phone call, it was my friend Aliya's call the one and only who know about my trip and importance of HULK in my life. I picked the call

"Aliyaaa"

" Hi and All the best for your first presentation in that company, I know you are the best and you don't need any best of luck, but as your friend I just thought to call you before your presentation blah blah blah" she started rambling as usual. Meanwhile, I went to washroom for some privacy to talk.

"Hello to you too, and I am in deep sh*t right now, " I said by taking deep breaths and calming myself.

"What happen are you fine" with that I explained that the companies CEO is the same person I met on the trip and now I don't know what to do.

"Hey, calm down princess, everything is fine, he can't recognize you as a Cinderella who met her on the trip who has black long hair of waist length with blue mesmerizing eyes, now you have made over with a brown short hair wig which covers your forehead and not to forget nerdy glasses, so he won't recognize you don't worry"

"But still" I queried.

"No buts, just behave as you never seen him in your life and behave professionally and don't be clumsy and I am 100% sure he won't recognize you, OK," she said.

"Yeah, you are right, " I said by taking deep breaths.

"And now get your nervous a*s out the washroom and top the presentation," she said

"Yes, wait how do you know I am in the washroom" I haven't told her that I am in bathroom right.

"I know you better than you know yourself, princess, " she said, grinning on the other side.

"Thank you, Aliya. I will call you after presentation"

I entered the conference hall, everyone is present and Mr. Zakir was talking with administrative head. Good. I directly went to the front and introduced myself. As soon as I spoke he stared into my eyes as if he recognized me. I remembered the words of the Aliya's and started presentation in my professional attire and the whole time he was staring me making me uncomfortable under his eyes.

 At the end, the administrative head asked about his opinion, he startled as he caught off guard.

I know he didn't hear my presentation as he was staring me all the time. I was inwardly praying that he didn't recognize me. Then he asked with his mesmerizing voice "what's your name?".

"Veronika shah"

"I will have my word on this proposition tomorrow, " he said, staring directly into my eyes as if searching for answers and dismissed the meeting"

@@Flash back end@@

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