Coerced

Chapter 3

Shannon's POV

I was completely dumped in work with papers sprawled all over my office table. It's been over a month since Mr Luke's disease disclosure. Though the sickness had taken a toll, within the past few weeks he had rendered his complete concentration over the work to the best of his capability because I promised him, I would take care of his family whenever there would be a requirement. 

My phone buzzed after a short while and a smile embraced my features looking at the caller Id like always. My mom was calling me. "Hello son, it's been a while since we met you. Of late you have been too engrossed in work. You rarely visit us."  She complains like a five year old kid. 

"Mom, please don't start again."  I speak to her while signing the documents that required my perusal.  

"Have dinner with us tomorrow. We can have a small chit-chat and then you can go back home." Mom’s demands never end but she is also the only woman I love in this world. How can I deny her? I informed her in an affirmative and continued with work but this time with a smile on my face.

Next day as promised I went to my parent's house for dinner. My brother Adam was in his best behavior unlike I expected. Over the past month he changed completely and became responsible. The happiness of my parents seeing the change in him had crossed all the boundaries which made me happy too. Probably the bad luck in my family is going to end soon.

Adam completed his Masters in Mass communication and journalism from University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He wants to be a journalist but dad insists on him to take over our family business. I intervened in the conversation and let Adam have some more time of freedom while doing work of his choice. He is recently absorbed in the post of a journalist in one of the leading newspapers of the country.  

The next day

Buttoning up my coat, I walk to the conference hall in swift, long strides to hold a meeting with the department heads.  My secretary runs behind me trying to keep up with my pace and holding out the phone for me to speak.  "No phone calls Nina during the summon of the conference meeting." I hold up my finger dismissing her abruptly while walking.  

"Sir, I think it is important. Mr Judea wants to speak to you regarding our upcoming project in collaboration with their pharmaceutical industry."  I turn back, giving her a stern look.  "This is my last warning to you.  I state my rules only once and I don't like to repeat them."   My secretary's face goes pale.  In fear stricken eyes she stammers in a low voice.  "Sure... sir, this would not repeat again."

Walking to the conference room, all the department heads were holding in attention from their designated places. Wishing them quickly, I commence the meeting. "Mr Ramon, what is your explanation on this?" I push the file on the table towards our sales head of the department.  "Why are our sales depleting in basic consumables when our prices are reasonable and even a middle class consumer can afford it?  Remember if you do not give me a justifiable answer you would be quick to submit your resignation on my desk within the next couple of minutes." My tone was sharper than the tip of a knife. 

There was a visible distress appearing in the kinesics of the other department heads too because they never know who is the target of my next attack.  Sweat appeared in small droplets on the forehead of Mr Ramon even when the air conditioning was excellent. Sucking in the breath he replies in trepidation. "Sir the raw material is not reaching our industry on time.  As a result our products are not able to meet the sales demand and our competitive firms are grabbing the market."  

A nerve ticks on my neck and I bonk my fist on the large desk before me.  "So you keep your hands folded reading the whole story while our sales drop to a threshold point?  Why am I knowing the reason now? Why doesn't the raw material reach our industries on time?  Answer me damn it!"  I shout sending the silent conference hall to vibrations. 

Gulping audible Mr Ramon gives me a feeble reply.  "Sir, please give me ten minutes. I will set the matters right." I get off my seat towards him walking in slow, threatening strides and square him inscrutable.  "What were you doing all this while, Mr Ramon?  Were you baking cookies in your home along with your wife?” My tone goes low in acrid.  “It is high time you amend your mistakes. I need your resignation on my desk damn right now."  I behest furious, tapping my forefinger on the conference table.  

"Mr Mutt from today, you would be in charge of this matter. Make it a point to brief me about the progress of affairs on a daily basis.” I state my objects lucidly. 

“The meeting is dismissed."  My voice held command leaving dreadful faces of my staff behind watching me walk away.