Chauvinistic Son of a Bachelor

  "Alright, shall we begin the meeting please?" The old man Ricky found cranky said loudly, impatience dripping from his tone. Ricky shook his head, wondering if he had been imagining the same man talk in a sing-song voice to the female CEO just few moments ago.

Standing, Ginger picked a lightpen and walked to the middle of the conference room to begin the presentation of the intended project.

The lights were switched off, casting the large room into a dimly-lit serious atmosphere with the projector being the only source of light. Ginger's loud voice echoed in the room, every attention focused on her British accent.

It was well-detailed, and even Ricky who wasn't easily pleased had to admit to himself that she had made adequate preparations.

Minutes later, after hands had been clapped to applaud Ginger for the efficiently done presentation and lights restored to the room, it was indicated that it was time for questions.

Jade had been flipping through the pages of the document before, wondering if this kind of chauvinism existed in a world where women were Monarch rulers and leaders of states. She had barely paid any attention to the young blonde's presentation, her mind in disarray at the content of the contract.

"I have a question." She began, adjusting herself in her seat to sit upright, as though it would make them see her point more easily.

"Go on." Ricky answered, supporting his well-trimmed beared jaw with his folded palms. She had been caught in a trance on seeing him looking so hot in his well-tailored designers' suit which had done nothing but emphasise his toned body.

She had almost lost her concentration to stare at him, but the moment that contract has been placed in front of her for review, she had regained her thoughts. 

She had almost forgotten that this was the man who had worked in the background to pull down her company just because it might pose a threat to his.

She had almost forgotten that he fought dirty and had zero principles.

She cleared her throat, hoping to control her emotions before she began.

  "According to this contract, we aren't only going to work on this deal together, but also merge to establish a company in South-Africa which would partner with Ashanti corporation. Am I wrong?" 

  "No, go on." Ricky replied with a wave of his hand.

  "This means it isn't a company we will be pulling down anytime soon, if possible never at all, meaning my company and yours will be talking about something permanent?" 

The word permanent, rolling off from her tongue stirred something like a pang in his chest, and another in his groin. He was getting mad, he told himself.

 "Yes." The chairman of the board beat him to it, replying before he could say yes.

  "Then I would suggest we set some things straight. According to this contract, I would own 35% of the shares, while Mr. Mears would own 45. Then, the rest would be divided among the three investors, shareholders and the board?"

 "Yes, correct." Ricky replied immediately this time, as though afraid someone else would beat him to it again. He was beginning to act like a child, and worse was, didn't give a damn.

"May I ask why the shares aren't equal?" 

It was as though someone had just announced a moment of silence for a while, for a tense quiet engulfed the room, so quiet was it that Ginger's attempt to adjust herself on her seat was heard and sounded disturbing.

 "Anyone?" Jade asked again, bracing her elbows on the desk looking and  around from Ricky to the members of the board. Finally, Ricky cleared his throat and said.

"We cannot have the same shares, Ms. Raymonds"

 Arrogant much? She would give it to him. "And may I ask why?" 

"Because..." But she interrupted him before he could complete his statement.

  "You are a man, and I am a woman right?" Jade scoffed, crossing her legs, her eyes and tone taunting. Before anyone could answer, she continued.

"Do you find my company lacking as a partner?"

   "No but..."

 "Good. When you came to my company looking for the CEO, wasn't it because you wanted to partner with us? Because you as a business man recognised the company as one with potentials, true or false?"

 "Stop cornering me, Ms. Raymonds" Everyone watched the interaction, saying nothing. The tense atmosphere raised the temperature a few degrees higher.

 "Now you listen to me everyone of you in this room, if  we are going to team up to make this deal a success, I suggest we drop every chauvinistic mentality we have here. Do you all understand me?"

.Gone was the all polite voice and personality she had been exuding. The lady in the room was strict and angry, her eyes and nose flaring, daring anyone to contradict her. 

 When no one responded, she turned to the investors. "I didn't know this would take place when I accepted this. Forgive me for disappointing you at the last minute but, I cannot work with Mr. Mears, or any other chauvinistic bastard. Excuse me." 

 With her shoulders and chin high, Jade grabbed her purse, ignoring the whispered murmurings. Just as she was about reaching the door, Ricky's voice rang out in the room.

"What if I were to edit the contract, and make you the owner of 45% shares, would you say yes to this?" There was a hidden desperation in his voice, dominated by his arrogance, so low it wouldn't have been noticed if she hadn't paid much attention to him.

  "No, Mr. Mears, no matter what you do, I already made up my mind about you and your company. I refuse to bow to bullshit. Go find another toy, but don't come anywhere near my coporation, good bye."

Without acknowledging the board members who stood abruptly deliberating over whether to go after her or not, she walked swiftly out of the buildings, clenching her teeth to stop the tears pooling in her eyes.

She wasn't going to shed a tear, none of those obnoxious chauvinists deserved it.