CHAPTER 9: The Presentations
The day for presentation was finally at hand and the department was busy fixing up the last touches to make a smooth one in order to impress their new bosslady.
Through out each small departmental presentation, Evette made a mental note of each presentation that she liked and also highlighted areas which needed to be either removed, improved or changed. Each small department managed to impress her one way or the other but she was still nervous because all these need to impress the big boss.
She had mixed emotions because that guy is hard to predict and she is yet to figure out how he reacts to things.
After all the presentations were made, Eve got the department working hard. She informed them that they all needed to work overtime to improve their designs and make sure they are ready for presentation to the executives in three days time. Though most of the work was already done, they still panicked and ran helterskelter!
A knock sounded on the door. “Come in” a thick voice bellowed inside. Eve pushed the door and entered. “Hello big boss, how are you?” asked Eve. “I’m good thank you Ms Scott. How are you?” responded Theophilus. “I’m all good” said Eve.
“ Yes how can I help you Ms Scott?” asked the boss. “ You know I would really appreciate it very much if you could stop calling me Ms Scott, it actually makes me feel out of place here, it makes me feel uptight and rigid. How am I supposed to report stuff to you feeling all so tight? Please call me Eve it’s not a big deal, it doesn’t mean we aren’t serious about work but work should also be fun because that’s where we spend most of our time. Can we lighten up the environment because in a design world that’s far more important and it brings out the best in designers” trailed off Eve with almost a sigh!
Theophilus looked intently at her while she spoke and many thoughts and questions ran in his mind wondering if this lady came all the way from her office just to lecture him on what name to call her? “Ms Scott, is that what brought you to my office? If that’s the case, I’ll have you know we aren’t friends to be on first name basis but we work together with me being the boss? I thought I should be the one calling the shots here, not you. Why do I feel like you are ordering me around?” He asked glaring at Eve.
Eve contemplated on how to answer back but instead she fixed her eyes on him trying to look for any human emotions in this cold tone. She knew he is hard work, infact a real stone would even go soft eventually when compared to his stony hard heart. ‘Does he even have that soft muscle with nerves and veins on it under his ribcage called a heart?’ Evette asked herself. “Sir, I came to report to you of the work you have assigned me, is it wrong to tell you I prefer working under a lighter environment because it brings out the best in me? You really need a life Mr boss, you are too rigid for my liking. There’s no harm in having fun while working hard, just relax sir.” She responded. “Well, be reminded that you don’t have to like me Ms Scott but just to do your work and get paid, infact I don’t have to like you too.” The cold capitalist said. All he cares about is people making money for him.
Eve knows that this project is very important to this man and by extension she is too. There’s no way that “the shots” he is boasting about involved firing her. So she decided to use this as leverage and would mention it at every chance she gets.
“I guess you also know that I’m not bound by this contract sir. Perhaps you have forgotten that I asked for that clause to be put in there to allow me flexibility as I’m also starting my own Interior designs company as well. So I’ll have you know that I’m doing you a great favour and not the other way round. I’m not your slave sir. If this working environment isn’t conducive enough for me to work under then I’ll serve only a month notice and leave regardless of what stage your valuable project is at. Bear in mind that it’s a legally binding clause.” Evette confidently reminded him while she watched him boil with rage.
“My words are not intended as insurbodination in any way sir, just a reminder. I really like working under less strict and tense environment. It brings out the best in me like I’ve already mentioned. Here is the report sir, I intended reporting verbally but I don’t think we can do that now because I feel like I’m unwanted here. I’m still your employee and respect you as my boss. I’ll be in my office incase you need clarity” Eve left the report and headed back to her office.