A Boardroom Meeting

Rayna's POV.

The sound of shoes slapping against the tiled floor could be heard as I walked into the company's building and walked past the receptionist desk. The sound of ‘good morning’ greetings by employees from every corner, many of which were females on pantsuits wearing a healthy smile rippled through the silence that enveloped the environment.

Rounding a corner, I took the spiral staircase which led to the boardroom as supposed to the elevator. All I wanted to do was get there on time. The elevator should do, right? Perhaps, I didn't just want to take it. Even after wasting so much time back at home, the driver wanted to waste more because only heaven knows where he suddenly disappeared to. If he hadn't returned on time, then maybe he would have lost his job, who knows? Climbing the spiral staircase, I gripped the rails as I continued to ascend with my head held up high. 

“We could have just taken the elevator ma'am.” Sera said, looking more exhausted than she sounded. “It would have been a better option.” 

“Yes. Actually, not would. It's always a better option compared to walking on the staircase.” I said, with a knowing look. “However, you've got to be unpredictable sometimes. I figured they would all be expecting me through the doors of the elevator but then, I want no one to be familiar with my movements. Besides, the elevator could go down someday. I should start practicing.” 

“I understand ma'am.” she said, trying to catch her breath. “However, considering the meeting which you have in five minutes time, I suppose that day isn't today. So, we could have just taken the elevator.” 

The words had barely left her lips when I took the last step, arriving at the third floor then I turned and proceeded towards the boardroom which was on the left side. Again, I'd barely taken two steps from where I was, when employees began to greet me again. Meanwhile, as I proceeded towards the boardroom which was in sight, a young lady with a topknot hairstyle, perhaps in her late twenties, approached me with a document which she embraced tightly on her chest.

“Good morning, ma'am.” she greeted, with a slight bow of her head. “My name is Laura and I would like to commend your dressing. You look so good ma'am.” 

“Thank you, Laura.” I said, the words seemed to drag themselves from my throat as I shot a surprised look at her.

“I was employed a few months ago, ma'am.” she said, with a smile on her lips. “I work with the financial department as the financial analyst.” 

“Alright Laura, I am in a hurry right now.” I said, taking pauses in between my words as I glanced at my wristwatch. “But not to worry, I'll call you when I'm less busy, alright?” 

“Thank you ma'am.” she said, as a smile pushed her lips to the side. 

I knew what she wanted, but I just had to tell her that so she would leave immediately. If anything, I have lost count of the number of people who'd done the same thing. However, it was becoming more of a ritual these days than before. Not a day goes by without having an employee introduce themselves to me. And the beautiful thing is that they all appear new to me. 

In the meantime, I gripped the doorknob of the boardroom, turned it open and then stepped in. As I did, the board members who were initially seated on the executive chairs round the U-shaped desk, rose to their feet and with a slight bow, they all greeted me.

“Good morning to you all too.” I said, with a wave of my hand as I proceeded to my chair which was at the head of the table.

Meanwhile, Sera had gone before me, so she pulled the chair back a little for me to sit down. And as I did, the other members of the board did the same too. Although, I'd been monitoring the affairs of things even before coming down to New York but then, there seems to be a misreport about some finances. And, that was what I wanted to address.

“Let me start by thanking you all for arriving here earlier than expected.” I said, titling my head to both sides as I glanced at everyone on one side and the opposite side of the desk. “However, without further ado, we'll begin the meeting immediately.” 

I clasped my hands on the table with a smile on my lips as I awaited Sera to take it up from there.

“On the fifth of May, a bill of five million dollars was presented to the management of the company for the commissioning of a building project which would serve as an extension of the company,” she paused, swiping a finger on the screen of the device in her grip as she moved on to the next page. “To see that the project was set in motion, the bill was approved. However, after going through the expenses again last week we discovered that there were some errors in the figures.”

“Malcolm, you're the chief financial officer, what do you have to say about this?” I asked, titling my head to the side as I turned to him with a raised brow. “It turns out over a million dollar could have been recovered. What happened to it?” 

“I know nothing about that.” he said, shooting side glances at Sebastian who sat directly opposite him on the other side of the table. “I was only asked to present the bill to you.” 

“You were only asked to present the bill to me, right?” I asked, letting out a laughing scoff. “Can you even listen to yourself right now? You were asked? Were you under some kind of pressure or what?” 

“No, ma'am, I wasn't.” he said, dropping his head as his face grew warm with embarrassment. 

“Then give me a reasonable explanation to this.” I said, my voice almost rising to a scream. “Give me something to work with and not excuses.” 

“I am so sorry ma'am.” he said, evading my gaze.

“Of course, you are.” I said, turning to face Sebastian. “As the deputy CEO, you should have noticed that something wasn't right in the bill they presented. Didn't you?” 

“Well, it seems like I've been having some issues with my eyes lately.” he said, with a hint of sarcasm edging his lips as he adjusted his glasses. 

In reaction to what he said, a good number of the board members burst into laughter.

“Or, it could have been that you diverted the money to something else, isn't that so?”