BEFORE NOON (On Hold)

Chapter 11- Inauguration

The massive Grey painted boardroom, consisted of a long sliver table, with comfortable chairs surrounding it, at the centre of the room.

There was a large screen Tv mounted on the wall, and a conference phone lying on the table. Technological types of equipment peeked their heads at the edges of the room. Through the speaker a voice blared, announcing the arrival of the Chairwoman.

The board of directors rose on their feet to acknowledge her, as the glass door splits open. Mrs Dennis Grace walked in gracefully, with Mercy and two guards tailing her.

She gives them a subtle nod and walked to her chair, where she made herself comfortable, and they all sat down after her.

Mercy sat by her right hand, while the guards stood behind her. Mercy's eyes collided with Vin, whom Cara sat close to. She gives him a curt nod, in recognizing him. He returned the gesture.

Mrs Grace turns to her left hand and shared a beautiful smile with Cara. As she stretched her perfectly manicured fingers on the table, Cara squeezed hers, understanding her assurance.

Being her Inauguration day. She felt highly overwhelmed with the news. She knew that the company would be handed to her and not her sister. For her illness issues. Although it wasn't promised. She has met lots and has passed through too many hurdles to get here. Though she accepted the quick pace, the earlier the better.

So no regrets, she thought.

The newly appointed MD, Martins, stood up to address the opening of the inauguration. But the clicking sounds of a stiletto interrupted his motion, thereby making all heads turn to the glass door.

They were not expecting any external.

The glass door split open again, revealing a beautiful Emily, who wore a blue, belted metallic wrap midi dress. She stepped in and released an alluring smile, that left all the boards standing, bowing their heads in recognition.

With her smiles still intact, she sets her gaze on Cara, who wore a shocked expression.

"Mercy, what is Emily doing here?" Mrs Grace asks, and Mercy looked away from her, not saying a word.

Vin stared at Emily with furrowed eyebrows and squinted eyes. He recognized her and wondered what she was doing there. But quickly nodded when he recalled, that she was the chairman's daughter. He watched her, with the way she swayed her hips seemly exuding her epitome of femininity. All eyes were on her. He smiled at the sight, as she quietly took a seat close to her mother, where Mercy once sat.

"Mom" Emily touches her palm.

Grace smiled and said "Darling, you shouldn't be out now"

"I..know" she replied in a whisper.

Grace's mind wavered, scared that the meeting might drag on to noon. She wouldn't want people to see her child sick, they'd hid it well for years. This was Cara's inauguration and the board has been told of the disinterest of the Chairman's first daughter in the company's affairs.

But truly now they will question her sudden presence.

Everyone watched Mercy walk to the centre of the table, as she began to address them.

"And you all must have recognized Miss Emily, the Chairman's daughter" and they nodded.

Mercy continued "It is true that she wanted not to be a part of this company"