THE CEO

CHAPTER 8

*DAVE'S POV*

Today was the big day. I haven't had proper sleep trying to make everything as perfect as possible. Scanning through each page of the proposal for any mistakes or errors. I was finally satisfied. I am a man with a passion for work. I've always been like that since when I was a kid. I am what you would call the perfect son. I learned how to play a lot of instruments, I always came first in my class and I got so many degrees, you name them. So when I am faced with a challenge, I am always up to the task. These Chinese investors coming in are one of the greatest investors in the whole world. They deal with automobiles, aeronautics, nuclear weapons, and so on. Their investment in my company is going to be the greatest thing to ever happen to Gardner&co.

I missed the gym today because I couldn't afford to be late, I'll make up for that tomorrow. I went into the bathroom to take a nice bath just reminding myself that today was going to be a good day. Going over to my closest I picked out my navy blue tailored suit made by some designer, I don't keep their names in my head. Putting that on with my custom made suede shoes I was ready to face these investors and get it over with. Going down to my kitchen, my food was already on the kitchen island, courtesy of my maid Mrs. Santiago but I call her Rose.
"Good morning Mr. Gardner," she said with the biggest smile. Rose has been my maid for as long as I can remember. Usually, I don't let people cook for me but I am a very busy man with a very tight schedule so I had to find a maid and rose makes the most delicious omelet. I only eat from three sources, McGarry's, Rose, and Myself.

"Morning rose. How's the family" I said sitting down to eat up my breakfast
"Oh Mr. Gardner, they are fine sir" she said as she watched like I was some science discovery. She must love it when I eat her food.
"Good to know," I said as I ate a few slices of my toast and gulping down my juice "well I have to go now rose, I have a huge day ahead of me"
"But Mr. Gardner you've barely eaten anything" she said looking a little bit worried. She is always like that.
"Thanks rose. But I really have to go" I said as I made my way outside. Dallas was already waiting for me with the car door open. He closed the door behind me as I got in and jogged lightly to the driver's seat. With that he drove me off to the office as I tried to look over a few things in the car.

*TRISHA'S POV*
I was at the office earlier than anyone else. I even came earlier than the lady in the lobby and she was known for her punctuality. I got to the office by 6:45 am, yeah I was that early. Going over to the board room, I made sure everything was perfectly prepared for the meeting. The meeting was at 8, so I still had enough time to correct any mistakes. I was done with preparing the board room at 7:30 sharp making sure there was everything necessary available at the table. I also arranged every 15 copies of the documents I printed out yesterday on the table for the said 15 investors who were coming in for the meeting. Everything was looking good so far. With that done I went over to Mr. Gardner's office to check if he was already at the office and of course he was.
"Good morning sir" I said as I quietly entered his office "I've prepared the board room for the meeting and also made sure everything is in perfect order" I said smiling proudly at myself.

"Okay. And what about the Chinese Translator?"
Oh my goodness... I'd totally forgotten about that. I'd forgotten to call up the one I spoke with yesterday and I was told to call by morning to know if their services would still be needed. I knew something was missing.

"O-oh well s-ir. I'll go right away t-"

"Miss Waston. I will ask you one last time. What about the Chinese Translator?" He said with his tone sounding like he was losing his last patience.

"Well s-sir, the t-thing is, w-well I already spoke with one yesterday, b-but it totally skipped my mind to call this morning" I said with so much fear. I looked over to him as his head was hanging down

It was silent.

More silence

It was very awkward for me and I wanted to reassure him that I've got everything under control "I am going to call them right now to confirm the-" I said as I tried leaving his office to get the damn phone

"You're fired" He said as he looked up to me.
Oh no. I could feel my heart sink 6 feet below. This could not be happening. I have worked so hard so far. I looked straight into his eyes for what felt like hours trying to search for a little compassion.
"But sir. I already called them up. All I have to do is call them again now. Even I could tr-"
"Enough! You are fired and that's final. I will not repeat myself. After today's meeting, I want you out of this company. I need someone a lot more professional and all you've shown us nothing but the opposite. Now leave. I don't have all day" He said as he went through his desk looking through some files.

I felt lost. I felt defeated. I left his office without saying another word. I went straight to the bathroom and cried.

*DAVE'S POV*

As she left my office I relaxed into my chair. I had to do what's right for me. Right?. She was not being professional and I run a multi-billion dollar company. I can't afford to take chances. Going through my files I tried to get my head back on the right track. I looked through the proposal for the last time and I was finally ready to go to the board room. I checked the time and it was 7:50. The investors should be here any minute.

As I got to the board room I look over at everything Miss Waston had arranged and I have to say, she did a good job. But that's still no excuse to forget about the Chinese translator.
After a few minutes the Chinese investors came into the board room. They were 15 in number so I greeted them "Nǐ hǎo"(hello) as they entered into the board room. I'd learned the basic "hello" and "goodbye" for this meeting but I still needed a translator. Damn the day I hired that woman. They were now settled down and ready for the meeting but I had no translator. As if on cue, Miss Waston entered the board room with a pack of bottled water for the guests and began going around the table dropping it off to each one of them. Her eyes looked puffy as if she had just cried. well I shouldn't feel bad about that right?.

Looking at the investors I noticed their eyes were focused on a certain someone moving around the room, and that was Trisha. It looked like they liked what they were seeing, such freaking retards. They were speaking with each other as they were staring at her knowing very well that we couldn't understand what they were saying. Trisha looked directly at one of the investors who was speaking in Chinese and smiled at him, the poor girl doesn't have a clue of what these guys are saying and neither did I. Once she was done she looked over at me with sorry eyes and I knew right then that this meeting was going to be a bust.

"Jiā dé nà xiānshēng, Zhège huìyì shénme shíhòu kāishǐ? (Mr. Gardner, when is this meeting going to start)?" One of the investors said loudly and no one had to tell me that the question was directed to me. I didn't know what to say back. I was about to improvise when a voice spoke back.

"Huìyì xiànzài kāishǐ (The meeting will start now)"
I looked up in shock as I saw who spoke back
"Miss Waston?"

A/N
Well I delivered as I promised. This chapter was fun writing and I can't wait for you guys to see the twist and turns coming next Lol. Thanks for sticking with this book. Please vote, comment, and share. Your comments seriously keep me writing. Thank you. Ily. And enjoy this chapter!!