Welcome to Our New CEO

For the sake of ease of nerves and confusion, I ask mas Farhan's mother to come with me. I call her bunda. She was like my second mother. Mother-in-law taste parents. Whenever fret tampers the soul, bunda's embrace always soothes me.

The arrival  bunda, together with  Firman greets me with happiness. 

"Bundaaa ...." I ran to meet her on the frontyard.

"Eeeh ... no running, baby. Remember your womb." She gave me a hug and kiss the cheeks, the forehead, and the crown of my head.

I invite bunda and Firman to enter the house. After explaining a few details regarding tomorrow's inaugural CEO, Firman has left bunda with me. He returned to his own home that he purchased a year ago with his wife.

My maid miss Darni is serving warm tea and some refreshments for bunda. I leaned over my shoulder all spoiled, "What time did Firman pick you up from Bandung, Bund?" I asked as I kissed her hand.

"Firman and his wife reach Bandung yesterday afternoon. Early this morning we had left for Jakarta. Got home to his house around 10 pm. I was supposed to be here at noon. But suddenly Firman had something to do. Hanna send regard for you. She can't come down here. Her son was tantrum." Mother answered my question with a vague explanation. She was a retired primary school principal, so her world was structured and systematic.

As bunda and I were talking about Fitri coming up. She was discharged from the office. Checking all the preparations for tomorrow's event.

"Hallooo ...  Is that bunda's daughter me or mbak Vita anyway? Bunda isn't love me anymore." Fitri is acting jealous while hugging and kissing the hands and the cheeks of bunda.

"All of you are my children. Vita is also my daughter. She replaced your dead brother as my eldest child." Bunda said, hugging and kissing her youngest daughter.

"Bund, I nervous about tomorrow's event. I worry can't run my parents wishes." I let out along breath.

"Vit, who was it that helped the company run before you married Farhan? It was you? So let's just say you're having a "dejavu" back to helping your dead parents. After all, if we all believe you can, why do you doubt your own ability?" Bunda tried to calm me as she stroked my back gently.

"What about my pregnancy's problem next time?" I asked as I stroked my womb.

"A child is a gift, my dear. Trust him. Your baby will support his mother for the shake of goodness. You're not alone, anyway. There is Fitri. Who will always be by your side. Also Firman and Fauzi who supported you. I can only keep in praying for you from home." Again she comforted me with her counsel.

"Dinner's timee!" Yelled fitri from the dining table.

 I did call my sister-in-law this afternoon to buy mom's favorite food, beef steak. While miss Darni cook  capcay, the sweet sour shrimp, Fish balado, and Fried tempe.

We eat together and get chit chat until just before 10 a.m. After dinner I told mother to sleep with me. Yet another jealous Fitri. But bunda wisely mediate. Even fitri gave up her schedule. Tomorrow night's bunda's turn to sleep with her.

 ***

At dawn prayer, Vita seeks solace by reading the quran. Nervous feeling made her go back and forth to the toilets to unpack.  Bunda giving a glass of water to vita.

"Drink up. You'll dehydrated. After that calm your mind." Bunda is trying to calm me down. After that she made her way to the back garden to enjoy the morning sunshine.

Again and again, Vita inhaled and simmed slowly to escape any nervousness that approached her. 'If mas Farhan were still here, I would never have to faced this on my own. Hubby, please pray for me from your immortality." I ended my heart's conversation by saying a prayer for him.

Time is running out. It's time I prepared myself. I wear pantsuit and a blazer as outer. My wavy curls hair flitted in the right side of my head. I'm wearing heels that are less high and a handbag with the same color, navy blue. I see myself in the mirror. Perfetto! I look good in white skin, oval-shaped face, and dainty eyes that I reinforced with eyeliner. I really do have an advantage with my dad's Chinese family lineage that show in my face and complexion.

I am waiting fot bunda and Fitri at the living room. While I heard that bunda was showering and changing clothes. At the same time bunda and Fitri came out of the room. Look at me with staring eyes.

 "It's really so beautiful, honey. Right, Fit?" Mother worships me as she looks at Fitri.

"Yes. You look gorgerous, sister. "The CEO's aura came out" even Fitri complimented me and made me blush.

"You might just please my heart, Fit." I said while sitting on the sofa.

"Its 6.30 pm. We better go now." Bunda's words remind us that time has passed.

We enters the car. For now Fitri is driving that pajero while waiting for my driver. Being selected by Firman. The car rolled down the road quite slowly this morning. The journey to the company I'm about to lead is smooth, but it's like a cosmic gesture of support to me.

Soon we arrived at the Pravhinaya Corporation parking lot. I see Firman is already standing there accompanied by the other staffs and employees who made the welcome.

Accompanied by bunda and Fitri, I immediately got off the car and strolled towards Firman. All eyes staring at me in amazement. It's like I'm the princess who came down from heaven. I say hello in front of Firman and smile to others.

He thanked me in return, saying, "welcome to Pravinhaya Corporation, Ms. Gendis Pravita Chua. Please forgive this modest welcome."

I smiled and nodded at him. So this is it. Formal corporate culture? Till our Firman is very formal with me.

After the reception Firman gave me away and showed me the big room. As soon as the room was opened, a backdrop was hanging at the back of a desk. "Welcome our CEO, Ms. Gendis. Pravita Chua."

"This is your office, madam CEO." Firman says.

"What shit, Firman? Just like you always do. Don't call me so formal except in front of the employees." I said.

"Hahaha. Let you get used to it, Vit." He answered with a laugh.

Bunda smile. Happily saying, "nice office, honey."

I just sat myself in the big chair while rubbing my name as CEO on the board name at the table, Firmann again says, "15 minutes to the introduction of you as a new CEO, Vit."

 

"I thought it was the punch line just now." My comments were astonished.

"Its not. It was just a welcome. Bunda will come to the hall with you. Stay beside you. Who knows if you collapsed from stage fright." Firman teasing me who is answered only with a small laugh of bunda.

And here I am. Sitting on stage with the rest of the company's board of directors. I sat on the right side of the lectern with bunda. From here I can see everyone in the front row. The stage of the first row show is Firman's wife, Hanna. Fauzi and his wife's, Fitri, and a few others I barely knew.

"Assalamualaikum warohmatullohi wabarokatuh. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. As we all know together. Recently Mr. Farhan, our CEO, passed away. As the massage given by the owner of this company that if Mr. Farhan passed away, then his wife will take over as CEO. And I introduce Ms. Gendis Pravita Chua. Our new CEO and the only owner of Pravhinaya Corporation. Please welcome our new CEO, Ms. Chua,  to the Lectern." Firman opens event And introduce me to the entire company's staff.

All  the audience applauded as I walked to the lectern. Before I spoke I scanned quickly everyone in front of me.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I am Gendis Pravita Chua, the only daughter of the late Mr. Handono Satriya Chua. I hope we can all work together as a team to advance this company to a better place for everyone's well-being. If you have any ideas or constructive Suggestions you can go through my secretary directly. Thank you." I just gave my short welcome speech as CEO and nodded to everyone before I left the lectern.  

I was finally relieved to step off the lectern. I suppose I'll have to get used to these formal events in the future. Fightin '! I can make it because I'm the CEO.

***