Chapter 2 - Belittled

Rayner’s POV

“Why are there a lot of errors in the contract,” Director Kim slammed the contract I had prepared last night on my desk angrily jolting me back to my surroundings.

When he called me last night, he asked me to prepare a contract. He gave the details and despite my broken heart, I tried to draft it.

Maci's words, the picture of Daniel riding her from behind, the stranger I bumped into, and how I spoke to him harshly occupied my head while I prepared the contract and even before Director Kim came in.

His gaze was cold and I could see disappointment in his eyes. I have never made a mistake not even missing the letter ‘a’ when preparing a contract but now I have made a lot of errors like Director Kim had said.

“Are there errors?” I asked to be sure I heard him well.

“Yes, Rayner. There are a lot of them, I couldn't finish the first page,” he shouted at me.

Director Kim is a nice man but he just hates dirty work, laziness, backwardness, and anything that will slow his work down.

“How is that possible?” I picked the document up glancing through it myself.

I knew I wasn't in my right frame of mind last night but I was so good at preparing contracts that I could prepare one with my eyes closed.

I stared at the contract document in front of me and all my pride went down. My shoulders that had been up suddenly came down.

I turned around to look at the faces of my colleagues sitting around and every one of them had their eyes on me. My eyes moved to Katherine's desk to see her face. She had a mocking smile on her face. I bent my head in shame.

“Rayner, are you okay?” Director Kim asked, holding me on my shoulder.

“I am fine, Director Kim,” I responded, avoiding his eyes.

Tears were gathering in my eyes already. After the betrayal and embarrassment from last night, here I was receiving another dose of embarrassment.

“If truly you are fine, you won't make such a mistake.” He yelled. “The client will be coming in an hour. How do you intend to fix this?” He yelled again, this time louder.

“I can get it done in twenty minutes,” I proposed.

“Rayner..” he chuckled lightly, managing his anger. “Who prepares a contract they had the whole night to prepare and made a lot of mistakes in twenty minutes?” He questioned.

“I can do it, Director Kim. I will do it,” I told him repeatedly.

“Katherine,” he called out, his eyes still on me.

“Director Kim,” Katherine responded.

He stretched the document in his hand toward her. “Prepare this again. Someone is not in the right frame of mind to work today,” he turned around and left for his office after staring at me coldly.

I looked at Katherine's face, she was blushing hard, her eyes sparkling. She walked to her desk and sat down quietly. She knew I was staring at her, hence she moved slower so I could picture her every move and I did. I hate this.

Katherine was my greatest enemy at the company. I met her here but I have signed more contracts than her and she wasn't happy with it because I will be promoted before her.

I was looked down on by Maci yesterday as she said I have nothing to offer and today Director Kim said I am not in the right senses. Why does everyone keep belittling me? I would have screamed that out loud but I wouldn't dare.

I knew there was no way Katherine would prepare that document in an hour. She was slow when it came to preparing contracts, which is one of the major advantages I have over her.

I still have the softcopy on my laptop and quickly, I went to work, correcting all the mistakes I made, this time, with a clear head.

I had told Director Kim in twenty minutes but here I was done with it in ten minutes. I should be called the boss in this department.

I looked at Katherine, she was engrossed in correcting the errors I made earlier, I could feel the heat she was on, she kept biting her finger and her lips.

“Hey, Rayner. Since you are not in the right mind today I bet you can do it. I have a meeting with another client right now, inform the client coming to sign the mess you made that I will be with him shortly and occupy him.” Director Kim smiled softly. He nodded his head as if asking me if I understood him.

“You can leave that to me, Director Kim,” I smiled back.

“Katherine, how is it going?” he asked Katherine, who didn't notice he was around.

“I am on it, Director Kim. There are a lot of mistakes and I am considering preparing a new one instead.” frustration could be heard from the way she spoke.

“Just keep correcting it, Katherine. Not much time left for a new one,” Director Kim knows how slow she is so he won't dare tell her to go ahead with it.

I wanted to give a loud laugh seeing pain written all over Katherine's face but at the same time, I felt sorry for her.

“Rayner,” Director Kim nodded before walking away.

Director Kim had just left about five minutes ago and the client he spoke about walked in. It was going to be a long wait.

“Welcome, Mr. Oswald,” I greeted him happily when I caught up with him while looking around for Director Kim.

“Oh, Miss Rayner, nice to meet you again,” he stretched his hand for a handshake.

“Same here, Sir. Thank you for choosing Cee Enterprise,” I smiled widely.

“You offer the best so I won't go for less. Where is Director Kim? I am supposed to sign the contract today. I have a client to meet up with in the next fifteen minutes,” he looked at his watch while looking around to see if Director Kim was close by.

At this point, I knew I just had to take over the signing process. It wasn't my first time and being confident in my skills, I knew it would go well.

“Please seat Mr. Oswald. Director Kim is in a meeting with a client at the moment.”

“No, No, No. I can't wait any longer. I will go then,” he was angry.

“But the signing will still take place. He told me to take over,” I lied. He was Director Kim's client and not mine. If I must do anything with him then I must have the permission of Director Kim.

“Let's get started then.” he relaxed himself on the comfortable chair I had ushered him to sit on earlier.

“I will go get the file from his office,” I lied again.

Like lightning, I ran to my desk, clicked print on the document, ran to the printer to collect them, arranged it, and ran back to where Mr. Oswald was sitting in the Business Management Department lobby.

I got there to find Carista, a member of the BMD serving him a cup of coffee. I was happy at the sight of it. Carista nodded at me to go on when she was done.

“Here is the file Mr. Oswald,” I gave him the file.

He flipped through the pages and when he was done, he pressed his pen on the space where his signature was needed. With a satisfied look, he stretched a copy to me.

“I will hold on to this.” he looked at his wrist again to check the time. “I will be on my way now.” he stood up.

“Thank you once again Mr. Oswald for choosing Cee Enterprise,” I said happily as the man left.

I returned to my desk, holding tightly to the copy given to me by Mr. Oswald.

I don't know why my eyes went to Katherine's desk but she was still busy correcting the mistakes. I laughed softly as I shook my head.

I wanted to tell her the contract had been signed already but she should remain busy with that while I search for new clients.

I was chatting with a client who needs computers for his school when Director Kim walked in. “Where is Mr. Oswald?” he threw the question at me as he walked to my desk.

“He has left. I think it was fifty minutes ago. The contract has been signed.” I giggled.

“What?!” Katherine who was still busy making corrections on the contract and surprised Director Kim shouted in unison.