Banking on Him

Chapter 33 - Reese

I noticed Serena the moment I stepped into the room.  We were that in tune with each other.  She looked gorgeous in a red blouse and black pencil skirt.  I had to work to hide the smirk that threatened to cross my face when I realized we matched.  

I was handed a packet and seated next to Jack.  Looking around the room, I noticed several older men, many of which I had some previous business dealings with.  

Serena sat at the head of the table, with Harry at the other.  After a few minutes, she stood and announced it was time to begin.  She motioned to the packets, "If you'll please take a look at the first page, we have today's meeting agenda.  You'll see it's a short one, but first I'd like to give the floor to Harry to announce new business."

Harry took his time, going through a few topics before he got around to introducing me and my new position.  I smiled and nodded at all the right times, thanking everyone for the opportunity, but it took everything I had not to keep my eyes on Serena.

Luckily, I didn't have to suffer for long, as she took back the floor, jumping into the items listed on the agenda.  As she spoke, I was mesmerized by the power and confidence that she possessed in a room full of men.  Her love for her work really shown through in her presentation.  

All too soon, she was interrupted by a question.  

"Serena, tell me does that really make sense?"  A gentleman whose name I didn't know asked.

She smiled but held her ground, "Lucian, if you look at page four, you'll see the financial statement I prepared.  The profit margins are thirty-five percent, which is five percent more than what we would normally get."

He nodded, but more questions began popping up.  It seemed as if everyone in this room wanted to second-guess the choices she was trying to make.  She had told me this is how it was for her, but I had no idea.

The longer I sat there listening to these assholes question her clearly sound decisions, the angrier I got.  I wasn't known to be the kind of man to keep cool in situations where I felt like someone was being treated unfairly, but I knew that any bias towards Serena would look suspicious.  I also knew it would piss her off.  

The longer this went on, the more outlandish and inappropriate the questions became.  Finally, after twenty minutes, I slammed my hand down on the table to disrupt a rather heated argument.  "Enough!"

Everyone stopped to stare at me.  Some gasped, but Serena, she just glared, like she had been expecting this reaction from me.  Ignoring her intense glare, clearly telling me not to do this, I turned to the two gentlemen giving her the most trouble, "If you'd bother to look through all the financials Serena provided, you'd know the answer to half of these questions.  I've read your bylaws and as the CFO of this bank, she doesn't even need your permission for the changes she's proposing, she's just being courteous bringing this to your attention."  I took a breath and looked both of them in the eye, "And if you want an outsiders opinion, you're just making fools of yourselves by debating with her.  She clearly thought this through and she has the research to back it up.  If this is what your board meetings are always like, I think I made a mistake by being here because you're just wasting everyone's time."

I snuck a glance at Serena and was surprised by how well she hid how pissed she was.  I knew she was pissed because I knew her, but to anyone else in this room, she appeared completely in control.  

One of the men had the grace to sit down.  He knew I had a point and I could tell he was going to let this go... for now.  The other was sporting a red face and was clearly looking for a fight, so I continued, "Mr. Hellman, please consider taking a closer look at your bylaws and the power granted to this committee within them.  Maybe you'll see the error of your ways."  

I sat back, suppressing the grin.  This douchebag needed an attitude adjustment, and I wasn't at all upset that I had to be the one to give it to him.

Harry cleared his throat and finally spoke, "That's enough gentleman."

Serena cut him off, "Thank you, Mr. Logan, for reiterating the bylaws.  As some members have sat on this committee for quite a while, I think everyone could use a refresher.  Of course, you were right, this was me being courteous, and I already have a plan in motion to implement these changes.  As you all can see from my projects, it's a good decision and under my discretion to choose to do so.  I think that's enough for today.  We'll reconvene next month to go over the remaining motions.  Thank you all for being here."

She didn't give anyone a chance to say anything.  She just stood, collecting her portfolio, and left.

I was so proud of her.  I also knew I'd pay for my little outburst later.