Chapter 5- Ben helps Anne achieve success.

The next morning, I woke up feeling incredibly excited at the thought of going to the office. Never had I felt so earlier. I was filled with new enthusiasm as I got ready for the office, and I looked in the mirror multiple times to ensure that I was looking picture-perfect, as I had put in a lot of effort for the same. I felt as if I were going on a date, and I had felt this for the first time ever in my life.

I was worried that my feelings might have an adverse impact on my work, but then the feeling was amazing, and I wanted to dwell in it and enjoy every moment of that emotion.

I was surprised at my attitude. Being a sincere and hardworking girl throughout my life, I suddenly got diverted from my work, and I was in a mood to enjoy life from the moment I met Ben.

I drove the car myself, and while doing so, I enjoyed the pleasant weather, switched on my FM, and played a few romantic songs instead of rushing to the office like the other days.

I never knew previously that love was such a pleasant feeling. It can change even a tough person into a soft one. As I reached the office, I thought of focusing on the work and stopping daydreaming.

“Lily, ask the new MD to be present in my cabin within five minutes; we need to discuss our business policies and the new deals.” Said I.

Lily winked at me and could not help smiling as she simply nodded to me and walked out of the cabin.

As he entered my cabin, he had a very serious expression on his face. “Did you call me Mam?” he asked.

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“Yes, Ben. Be seated. I just wanted to discuss our business policies with you.” I already started feeling hypnotized, as I said.

“I already went through our policies as I reached the office this morning. If you don’t mind, I would like to suggest a few changes, and I am sure that our company will definitely have greater returns than it is having now.”

He went on explaining, and I listened to him carefully. Although I could hear and understand every word that he spoke, I felt mesmerized, and I was carried into a different world altogether.

But I realized that I was the CEO and I had to behave myself, so I tried to remain as serious as possible, nodding at whatever he said.

“So, this is my formula by which we can keep the price low and earn higher profits as well.” He concluded, and I was spellbound by his presentation and his ideas.

“You got a fantastic formula, Ben! But you should present the same in the board meeting for everyone’s consent," I exclaimed.

"Congratulations, Ben, sir! Your ideas are simply brilliant" exclaimed Henry, one of the board members, while listening to Ben.

“We all consent to your ideas. Mr. Ben, your formula is getting a majority vote, but how did you manage to read our business policies so soon as you just joined yesterday evening? asked another member.

“I just spent the whole night reading our policies and formulating new ideas. That is it. Thanks for consenting to the same.” Said Ben.

I noticed that Henry started looking at Ben suspiciously. Probably he already developed doubts that Ben is not a normal person. I wondered how I failed to realize at that time that he possessed supernatural powers.

I should have inquired further, I thought as I pulled my hand, trying to free it from the chains, as my injuries were itching by now and I somehow wanted my hands free. I screamed and yelled aloud, seeking help, but nobody turned up as I was locked all alone in the dark room.

Just a ray of light was entering through the ventilator, allowing me to see the time on a clock that was hung on the wall of the room. They had already snatched away my smart watch and my iPhone, making me feel pathetic. It was 2 a.m. I wondered how I would bear with the itching for the rest of the night. The blood clots on my arms were not only itchy but also extremely painful.

I again started thinking of Ben and cursed him for not appearing in front of me. If he has supernatural powers, then it must be so easy for him to come and unchain me and provide me relief by healing me. But then he has become so selfish. He can’t just sense my pain and difficulty this time.

I again got lost in the thoughts of the past. His business plan had become successful, enabling the company to earn huge profits and increase sales multi-fold by Christmas time.

“Anne, we should be celebrating this success. This is the best time to impress Ben. You should throw a party and dress up elegantly. Try to give up this formal look and look graceful and attractive at the party. Perhaps that might bring Ben closer to you.” I suggested Lily, who had just dropped in to my bungalow, to inform me about our increasing sales.

“I have almost quit the idea of trying to impress him. He behaves so formally and treats me simply like his boss. He behaves like a dullard and a bore. I can’t just lose my dignity as a CEO and keep trying to attract him. I wish he gets attracted this time. I want him to propose to me.” I said, quite disappointed.

“Don’t worry, Anne! Ben seems to have a humble background, so he might be hesitating about opening up to the CEO of the most successful company in the world. Give him some time. Gradually, he will understand your feelings for him.” Remarked Lily.

“His professionalism is necessary for the well-being of my company, but it is riling me up now.” I said it with an irritated expression.

“Let’s throw a champagne party, and I will personally dress you up for the same. I will give you such a ravishing look that Ben will be forced to get attracted to you.” Lily said as she left for the office.

“Don’t forget to prepare the list of guests for the party!” I reminded her.

  

As per the plan, we threw a grand champagne party celebrating the success of our company. We invited all the prominent businessmen and even our opponents. We tried to make the arrangements as grand as possible since we didn’t want anybody to make any adverse remarks as we had prominent business entities as guests.

I decided to begin the party by addressing it myself, and so I climbed the stairs towards the stage, and I could sense that all the eyes were glued to me in appreciation. I was wearing a floral midi dress with a square neckline made up of luxurious fabric and pearls and diamonds bordering the same. To complement it, I wore a diamond necklace and earrings and high-heeled sandals. I left my long, wavy, and silky hair open. Lily had taken special care while dressing me up, and I felt confident about my looks.

“I am delighted to celebrate our success, the credit of which goes to our new MD, Mr. Ben, and to my secretary, Mrs. Lily. They are like my two arms, and I am grateful to them for helping me achieve my target. The name of Frank Automobiles Pvt. Ltd. has appeared in the Times Magazine as the leading automobile company in the world.” I would love to announce an increment in salary for both my gems. Besides, the company has decided to announce a bonus to all our employees from our increased profits.” I declared gladly at the party.

The declaration was followed by a huge round of applause by everyone present at the party.

“To top it all, I would like to make a special announcement, and that is about ‘The Employee of the Year Award.’ The company has decided to present this award to our new MD, Mr. Ben. I would like to call our chief guest, the minister of trade and commerce, to present the same to Mr. Ben.” The applauding crowd stopped clapping suddenly as I uttered these words. I could sense a feeling of jealousy filling the atmosphere. Nobody seemed to be happy about this declaration, as Ben was just a newcomer.

The minister was just presenting the award to Ben when he suddenly turned back and pulled me towards himself. I was astonished by his behavior in public. But then I noticed that the chandelier that was hung on the ceiling of the stage was about to fall over me.

“Anne! You shouldn’t be so careless all the time! You know that there are so many enemies of yours trying to ruin you every moment" exclaimed Ben, as if shocked.

He looked sharply at the chandelier, and it just stopped where it was, as if unaffected by the gravity of the earth. There was chaos amongst the guests at the party, and they started discussing how it was possible for Ben to control the chandelier, but before I could notice what was happening, he acted smart and held the chandelier with his left hand and held me with his right hand both at the same time.