The Horizon Oil and Gas Company had been in existence for about 50 years and counting. It survived the reign of dubious government officials who tried to launder it and hoard resources from it. Originally, it is believed to have been started by a body of corporate partners whose goal was to provide an environment where the nation's wealth which in this case was 'crude oil' could be evenly distributed and well utilized and at the same time create profit for it's partners.
As time went on, the ownership shifted to a group of shareholders of which a certain rich man bought and owned many of the shares. Being the largest shareholder in the company, he not only had the power to employ workers, he also had the power to make as many changes in the company as he wished. This man was none other than 'Dr. Remy Johnson', the grandfather to Ms. Noelle Johnson.
Ms. Noelle had grown up with him. Being the only child to her parents who were both celebrity Rock stars who never stayed too long at home with her, she developed a bond with her grandfather that was difficult to break. She had a will as strong as a rock and enjoyed talking about business with her him. It was no surprise when she graduated from the university as an engineer and started working for her grandfather in his company. And when her grandfather retired, there was no better person to fill his shoes than his amiable granddaughter 'Ms. Noelle Johnson'.
The old man was comfortably living in his mansion, enjoying all the wealth he had suffered in his youth to acquire while Noelle ran the company with the temerity of a lion and the zeal of a young lady determined not to disappoint her grandfather whom she dotted so much on.
***
The first few weeks at work were demanding for Jimmy, perhaps even exhilarating. But he found peace and fulfillment in his new job. It was challenging to work in a company that believed in excellence and nothing less than that.
His supposed boss, Miss Noelle was barely seen around. Of course this was understood, for she was one busy woman who believed solely in hard work as being the only source of success in life.
Each passing day, amidst the hustle and bustle of his work life, Jimmy found himself fantasizing more and more about Ms. Noelle.
What was really special about her? He kept asking himself. He had had a fair share of beautiful ladies in his life, his looks could attest to that.
But Ms. Noelle was different. Intelligent yes, but extremely different from every other lady he had met before in the past. He was determined to find out what really made her so special.
***
It was weeks before Jimmy finally set his eyes on Miss Noelle again. She had summoned him to her office on a rather short notice. Jimmy had the feeling he was in for doom as he strode nervously for the boss's office.
As usual, she was engrossed in her job on his arrival. Jimmy merely had to clear his throat to gain her attention.
"Ehrm......Good morning Madam. You asked to see me."
She lifted up her face which immediately met his eyes.
"Sit down Mr. Carter. You and I have a lot to talk about."
Jimmy didn't know if this was good or bad. He sensed the conversation was heading the wrong way. He hated being cornered the way this woman made him feel. The power and influence she carried was beyond his grasp. He finally heard himself saying,
"I'm attentive ma'am."
"Good", she retorted, "How are you finding your new job? Any difficulties?"
Jimmy calmed his nerves. Maybe this wasn't a bad meeting after all and he was being worried about nothing. Maybe the boss only wanted to find out how the job was going and nothing else. Jimmy maintained a calm face and responded,
"No ma. I'm doing my best."
Miss Noelle gave him that discerning look he had come to fear and muttered,
"Katherine, my secretary told me there was an error in the last report you sent to the board of which she did some last minute corrections before forwarding it to the board. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Jimmy looked up startled. The color drained from his face. No, this was not happening to him.
"I......I don't know what happened ma'am", he stammered.
"I reviewed it many times before I submitted the report. I don't know what happened. I'm very sorry. This won't repeat itself."
Ms. Noelle leaned back on her seat and observed him for a moment, then she flashed him that hardened look he had come to hate. It was already becoming obvious that today was not meant for smiles.
"It had better not. I realize that some mistakes are inevitable. Take this as an act of kindness from me towards you. Next time this happens, you'll receive an official query. Maybe that will teach you to take your job seriously and be careful how u perform your duties."
"I'm sorry ma'am"
Jimmy muttered utterly embarrassed. He didn't seem to enjoy her chiding one bit.
"Very well then, that will be all for now. I'll get back to you if something else comes up."
Jimmy grunted and was rose up to leave when her voice interrupted his footsteps.
"I trust you'll avail yourself your presence at my house warming party this weekend. You got the mail, right?"
Jimmy was taken aback,
"What mail ma'am? And what party are you talking about?"
Ms. Noelle raised a brow and rolled her eyes which looked cute to Jimmy. Though, he had to admit, this was not the time to admire his beautiful boss.
"Oh my.....I really do need to talk to Katherine. She was supposed to forward the mail to all the staff inviting them to my party. Why are all of you so incompetent!?"
Jimmy shrugged,
"I never got the mail ma'am."
Ms. Noelle's face softened, "My bad.... She'll have to explain herself to me for making such a clumsy mistake of excluding you out of the company's affairs. You're invited to my house warming party this evening once again. Do look casual. It's going to be an evening to socialize and get more acquainted with your co-workers in this firm. You of all people should be able to understand the importance of maintaining a good cordial relationship with your fellow employees here."
Ms. Noelle said this with a sweet sonorous voice. Jimmy couldn't help but savor the moment in his subconscious mind throughout the time she was speaking. He barely managed to mutter a 'Yes ma'am' when she was finally done with her speech.
"Good Mr. Carter. See you there. I'll have Katherine send you the invite for the party, the time and venue is stated there. Let's just hope she does her job well this time around."
"Thank you ma'am", Jimmy replied.
"You may leave now", Ms. Noelle announced with a note of finality in her voice.
Jimmy departed.
***
Ms. Noelle starred at the retreating figure in front of her. It was no doubt he was a good looking man, a young man in his prime. There was one problem though;
He always seemed distracted, always had that far away look in his eyes whenever she spoke with him.
She always wondered if she was that scary to him or if he was just nervous about nothing.
Well, as long as he did his job well asides from the minor mistake he made with the report, Ms. Noelle decided she'd have no problems with him. Maybe she was a bit too hard on the young man. But her job demanded that she be hard, else, they'd turn the whole company to a circus and not be serious with their jobs. She had to be hard to maintain decorum and discipline among the work force. Jimmy was just another ordinary employee, nothing else.
With this thought on her mind, Ms. Noelle finally put her head down and went back to work.
