New CEO

"Waaaaaahhhng Waaaaahhhng".

"Oh shoot", I opened my eyes disoriented, and realized it was just my alarm. I turned it off and was planning to go back to sleep but I remember I have a meeting today and it's still the weekend.

"Holy moly where's the justice when you still need some sleep but you can't get it even on the weekend". I started to prepare myself and after having breakfast I headed to the office.

"Good Morning Ms. Wright". Greeted by our security guard.

"Good Morning Mr. Ben, how's your weekend? Is everyone inside?

"Good Ms. Wright only Ms. Cruz just arrived a few minutes ago".

"Okay, I have to go then, see you around Mr. Ben." waving goodbye.

When I enter the conference room, I saw Ms. Cruz organizing everything for the emergency meeting. "Ms. Cruz good morning." Good Morning, Ms. Wright, you are early do you need anything? "No, it's okay go on don't mind me here I will wait for the other directors to come". I sat on the last corner of the table and open my laptop to kill some time waiting for the others. I think it's gonna be a long day.

After a few minutes, other directors entered one by one and our CEO, Mr. Smith is the last one.

"Good Morning everyone, sorry for the short notice I'm glad you all can make it. I called for this meeting for an urgent matter that all of you need to know, so you can avoid being shocked and believing in the gossip going around". said, Mr. Smith.

"What is that important matter you are going to tell us, Mr. Smith? Is it good news? or a piece of bad news? uttered one director.

"Okay everyone listens it's both, I need to step down as CEO of this publishing company for my reasons but don't worry all employees will be in good hands. The new owner of this company is my best friend Isaac Jones from New York City. We agreed that all employees are going to remain, nothing is gonna change except the ownership so everyone can relax. We started the turned over last month and starting tomorrow Mr. Jones will be handling all company matters. I will not be around starting tomorrow as my personal schedule are needed my attention. That's why all of you are present here today so I can explain to all of you what will gonna happen from tomorrow." continued Mr. Smith

The meeting continues for more than an hour. But my mind is not present. I wonder for the past few minutes about my new neighbor. Is his name the same as our new CEO? Is he our new CEO? No no no (shaking my head) it must be just a coincidence. The meeting ends and my mind is still not clear. Are there any surprises waiting for me tomorrow? Oh, I hope not.

__

I have plans for dinner with my best friend Tamara. She and I have known each other since high school year. We are both directors of a publishing company, but she's in Columbus Ohio City and I'm still here in Cleveland Ohio. She only visits me at the weekend so it's BFF time before anything else.

"Hello T where are you now? I called her.

"B I'm on my way to our hang-out place". Tamara answer.

"Okay, I will be there within 5 minutes".

"See you there".

At the Restaurant.

I saw Tamara already sitting in the same spot at the corner of the restaurant. I walk in and my eyes focus on her that I didn't expect to bump into someone.

"I'm sorry", Oh Mr. Jones? And I looked up at the person I had just bumped.

"Bettany? I'm glad I bumped into someone I know from the area." Isaac answer

"So what are you doing here? How did u find this place, Mr. Jones?

"Bettany stop calling me Mr. Jones I thought it was too formal for a new neighbor. Just call me Isaac and by the way, I was supposed to have a plan with my best friend here but he ditched me at the last minute."

"Ohh, I see did you have dinner then? My best friend is waiting for me here, you want to join us if it's okay with you? I offer to him

"If it's okay with your best friend I will not decline your offer because I don't want to eat alone here honestly".

"No problem with that, come on maybe she is already wondering where I am".

We walk together to our table. I'm kinda excited but a little nervous as well. Tamara already looking at the menu when we come.

"B what takes you so long? I'm thinking to order already if you didn't show up any minute I'm starving you know". Tamara said while still looking at the menu. She didn't notice yet that I'm with Isaac.

"Ahem T ". I try to take Tamara's attention from the menu.

"Yes, is your throat okay? What drinks do you want I will order them." still not looking up.

"Tamara, can you look at me first? I tell her sounding a little frustrated.

"What is wrong with you? She looked up and her eyes got widened from surprise. "Holy Moly am I dreaming? This is? she asked while her eyes questioned me.

"T this is Isaac my new neighbor I bumped into him here. Isaac Jones this is my best friend Tamara Lovett".

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Lovett". Offering his hand.

"Nice to meet you too Mr. Jones and you can call me Tamara, Ms. Lovett is just too old". hahaha. Smiling while shaking his hand.

"Okay, Tamara do you mind if I join your dinner? My best friend just ditched me at the last minute and I'm still not familiar with this area".

"Yes, yes, no problem you're very much welcome to join us. Come have a sit". Tamara excitedly answered.

We settle and waited for our food to arrive.

"Excuse me, ladies, I just need to go to the washroom first," Isaac asked.

"Okay, go ahead the food is not yet here anyway", I answered.

__

"B are you going to tell me anything? Tamara gives Bettany a suspicious look.

"What are you talking about?

"This Isaac the new neighbor how did you know him?

"Yesterday he woke me up with his knocking just to ask for the hypermarket nearby". I think he was new here in Cleveland Ohio, he's not very familiar with any places here by the way."

"Oh really? so he didn't think of his best friend first before he knocked on your door? Tamara's still suspicious.

"I don't know T ask him if you wanted to know. Stop questioning me okay".

"But how come he joined us for the dinner? Tamara's continuously asked.

"I told you already that I bumped him and ask him what he is doing here. He told me that he got ditched by his best friend and I offer him to join us because he doesn't want to eat alone there. He is not familiar with the place that's why I kindly offered. Okay? stop guessing wildly on your mind. He is just a neighbor okay.

"Fine but he's hot, by the way". Tamara said winking while laughing.

After a couple of minutes, our food arrived and Isaac returned to the table. We took our time to engulf ourselves in the food on the table while chatting away. We didn't feel the time passed and we need to say our goodbyes.

"B see you next weekend I need to go back to City".

"Okay see you drive safe T". We exchange hugs and kisses before she hopped in her car.

I glance at Isaac and he stared at me. "So thanks for the dinner by the way we should supposed to treat you but you do the other way around".

"It's okay that's the only thing I can do, you just let me join your BFF time so it's fair I do the bill". Do you have any other plans?

"No, I don't, I need to go back home. I have work tomorrow so I need to prepare for a meeting. Do you have any plans?

"No, I'm heading home as well. Let's go.

"I bring my car here so I think to see you around then?

"Oh right, okay then see you around. By the way thanks for allowing me to join you at dinner. Hope that I didn't annoy both of you." He smiled.

"No, no It's okay we both enjoyed your company.

"Let's go I walk you to your car".

I hopped inside my car. I down my window to say goodbye to Isaac.

"Isaac thanks once again and drive safe". waving my hands.

"Bye, you too drive safe". he waves back.