Chapter 4 - You have to reconsider, Maya

I wondered if it was because of the way I dressed or if there was something else but before I entered my boss's office, Tracy pulled me aside.

"Hey, where were you yesterday? I called your apartment severally without any response."

"So you should have tried my cell phone, unless you want to tell me that, you do not have my number, I said teasingly.

"Well in case you didn't know, research has proven that over seventy per cent of cell phone users tend to lie when they are talking on a cell phone," she said with a smiley and questionable look on her face.

"Sounds like a great defence and..hmmm... a smart one too. But I have something important to do now," I said trying to escape her gaze.

"Wait, wait, wait, not so fast". She said as she pulled me back. "Is it about the meeting with Mark Snowman?"

Crazy Tracy, she was my closest colleague at the head office before she was transferred to this branch. Just like me, she was transferred when it was time for her promotion. I have never known any marketing Personnel stronger than Tracy.

She always exceeds whatever target is given her. When I was also transferred a month later, our bond was rekindled despite her very busy schedule.

She would always have lunch with me whenever she was not out to meet a client or pull me into a corner for a little chit chat like she is doing now. But with the way she always got first-hand information, I think she should have been a Public Relations Officer instead.

"I don't know about any meeting," I replied with great confusion. "Maybe it's boss."

"No, it will be you because your boss already went but messed up the situation. They sent an email for you to be transferred back to the head office to prepare for the meeting."

"How do you get all this info, What is this meeting all about, and who is this Mark Snowman you are talking about?"

"Her eyes widened with surprise at my question." You seem like a stranger in this generation. Who doesn't know Mark Snowman?. His father owns three Banks, two telecommunications and they are now merging with Shippers & Logistics after he gets married to Tilda Shaw, the Heir. I heard it's an arranged marriage but they have no objections and are going to engage in two months."

"Why two months? Why not now?"

"Hmmm...reliable sources have confirmed that Tilda is using that two months to catch up on the world, to do things she might not be able to do alone if she gets married."

"Can't they travel together if they get married?"

"Of course they can but she wants to do all this alone and Mark has no objections to it as well. Let's talk when you get back. Mr Stem is coming towards our direction."

"Maya, good to see you," was Mr Stem's voice from behind us. Tracy suddenly disappeared before he got close. "Good to see you too, Mr Stem. How do you do?"

"How do you do, Maya. Can we talk in my office?"

"Of course, I was even coming to see you." Mr Stem is the Branch Manager here. Even though he has the highest rank, he is the most humble. He reminds me so much about my Dad. Even though my Dad passed on when I was very young, his memories are not completely deleted from my mind, just like my mum. Immediately I got to his office, he offered me a seat and poured himself a cup of coffee. Nobody offers me coffee because they know I am allergic to caffeine.

"Maya, I have received orders to transfer you back to the head office immediately. The company is merging with GMAN Telecommunications so auditors are there auditing our accounts at the moment. There have been some issues raised in the Procurement department and Kira did not do a good job defending it but we have been given a second chance to defend our books and expenditures. "

"If this merger is complete, our company will stand the chance of surviving and maintaining most heads but if it doesn't, then it will be taken over completely, which means, we might have little or no say in its affairs."

"I do understand that this company is going through rough times but I am very sorry, Mr Stem, I will love Soo much to do that but I can't."

"What do you mean you can't? I know you are not yet a manager but we are working out your promotion. Management realized the foul play after your transfer and drastic measures are being taken to address issues." He said with seriousness.

"I am sorry Mr Stem, I can't because I will be here for only two weeks more. I even brought along my resignation letter."

"You have to reconsider, Maya, it is not in my place to discuss the offer prepared for you even though I am aware of it but all I can say is, it's the best offer you can get anywhere," he said in a pleading voice.

"Can I ask you a personal question, Mr Stem?" I asked him.

"Yes, ask anything," he replied assuredly.

"If GMAN Capital gave you an offer, double what you have now, will you take it?" I asked carefully, looking him straight in the eye.

"Why not, only a fool will reject an offer from GMAN. It's an opportunity of a lifetime to get such an opportunity."....he replied truthfully.

"Then you can understand why I can not continue working here."

"Wait a minute, you mean you got an offer from GMAN?"

I nodded in the affirmative. "But please keep my secret," I said sternly.

"Indeed, but how possible? A lot of people fail their interviews. How did you pass?" 

"Let's just say, God favoured me, I said almost in a whisper."

"So when a..."

His office phone rang and he picked it instantly, beckoning me to wait. "Hello, yes, she is here. Hmmm. You can ask her yourself, she is on her way."

"You have to leave now, the driver is waiting at the parking lot,". He said, placing the phone back on the hook. "All the best," he said, almost tearfully.

"Thank you," I shouted, heading out of the door. As I headed to the parking lot, I heard Tracy calling me again.

"Maya...wait..."

"Not now, Tracy, I will call you... I promise. I got to the car and the driver sped off. During the ride to the head office, my mind was clouded with the events of today. I came to tender my resignation and I can't imagine all that is going on.

For years, I worked my as* off for this company only to be treated this way. Everybody knew that Kira did not deserve that promotion. There were also rumours that she went to the extent of f*****g the CEO to get the job but I never trust rumours. I always believe that if your ways are right, nothing will stop God from giving you what you deserve. 

Even now, things are beginning to change in my favour but I no longer have the desire to work here, especially after seeing my new office. I get super excited whenever I remember. Nothing will make me change my mind about tendering this resignation.

As I got to the head office, all the members of management were seated in the conference room. The receptionist told me they were waiting for me to arrive before they start the meeting. Why should they wait for me? I am not a manager yet.

"Good morning," I greeted upon entering the conference room. 

"Good morning," chorused almost all members of management, ranging from the CEO, Finance Director, Sales & Marketing Coordinator, HR Manager, Head of Risk and Procurement. What....did I say procurement? Kira isn't here which means I am the acting manager for procurement.....well, that could be the only reasonable explanation.

"Without wasting time, let me introduce you to our new procurement manager, Maya Jacobs. Maya will focus purely on procurement, whiles Kira manages the Administrative work. We will have our final meeting with Mark Snowman in 3 days and everyone will have to make an excellent presentation. We do not have room for any mediocre presentation. We all have to bear in our minds, that a merger is what we want and not a complete takeover."

As I listened to everything he said, I realized Tracy had given me a hundred percent info. How does she manage to get information discussed in management meetings? Or....the only reasonable explanation will be that there is someone in this meeting who tells her everything discussed here. Hmmm.....I will surely find that out when we are through with this meeting.

"May I have permission to put something on the table?" I asked after careful thought and conviction.

"Okay, go ahead," was the CEOs voice.

"First of all, I am very grateful for the surprise promotion and I indeed thank you all for this honourable opportunity. However, it is rather unfortunate, that I cannot accept this offer."

The whole room turned quiet amidst stares and whispers I could not describe. I know that they might think I am so full of myself or ungrateful but you can't judge me if you have not been through what I have been through right? So I continued.

"I came here today, to tender my resignation, I said, bringing out my resignation letter. I am very sorry but I have already decided. Thank you."

There was dead silence after I finalized the announcement. I did not want to raise their hopes. I don't know why it came so much as a shock to them anyway. Of course, I expected it to surprise them but I was rather seeing the shock on their faces.

With all the politics going on here, I can't reconsider my decision. If Kira hadn't messed up on the presentation with Mark Snowman, they wouldn't have given me this position would they? It's not as if I am proud or ungrateful or anything but I always believe that, If someone doesn't make you the first option, don't accept the next available one. But what if I had not gotten this new job with GMAN? Would I have still turned this down?. Well, I don't know but one thing I know for sure is, since that incident happened, I have never felt the same. I hate injustice.

"Fine, we will double whatever offer you have." Said the CEO with so much conviction in his voice.

"Yes, and there are other benefits as well"..the HR Manager added.

"Once again, thank you very much for this promotion but I still decline this offer most humbly. Please don't get me wrong. It has been great working with every one of you but I want to do something new and different. Please try to understand.

"It seems to me, that your mind is made up, Miss Jacobs and none of us can change it," was the sad voice of the CEO. We will accept your resignation on one condition......"