When We Meet Again

The team members of the Project Management Department were all seated, waiting patiently for their boss to start the meeting. They could all tell from the look on their boss' face that she had some bad news to share with them but what the bad news was, they couldn't tell.

Charlotte, on the other hand, could not stare at their faces. Though she needed to read the expressions on their faces; this might help her know how best to give out the information; she could not bring herself to do that. Knowing how much work her teammates had put into making the variety show a success, it saddens her heart to tell them that they wouldn't work on it again.

It was all Melvin's fault. She thought. If he had not asked her to let go of the show, she would not have been in this awkward situation.

She could remember vividly how he called her into his study room and asked her to let go of the variety show without any proper explanation. She knew he had spoken to Mr Frank; she saw him come out of his office yesterday. She did not bother to ask him why he wanted her to withdraw from it; he wasn't going to tell her anyway. Instead, she thought about the perfect explanation she could give to her members. And though she had come up with something better after spending all the night awake; seeing their faces, she was lost for words. It had been over twenty minutes now, yet she had nothing to say; she could only glance slightly at their faces.

"Ma'am, you can't keep them waiting," Bella whispered to her.

Charlotte cleared her throat, adjusting herself. "We all know about real estate, right." She began. Seeing how calm she was, her teammates could tell that whatever the bad news was, wasn't bad enough, so they nodded. "We can all agree it is one of the most profitable businesses you can work on?". She stared at them to get their reaction and when they nodded in agreement, she continued.

She took her time to explain a lot about what real estate management is, the profit and loss of the business, and how beneficial it will be for the company and also for every member of the team. She even promised them some percentage, spiking up their interest.

Seeing how much she had gotten their attention, she decided to ask a question. "Do you think we can do it?"

"Of course, we can," the team members chorused together.

"With you leading us, we will do a great job," one of the members said.

"I love the fact that we have such belief about ourselves. And I know you all want us to do well, right?" They nodded. "Then we might have to give up on the variety show." She had expected them to show a sad expression but they seemed to be okay with it. She decided to continue. "We are going to direct our attention to other potential investment opportunities."

"Like the real estate project?" Miss Bethany, one of the team members asked. "I would love to work on that."

Charlotte nodded with a smile. She loves the reactions she is getting from her teammates in this. "Yes, we will work on that and other potential investments too. I hope you all are ready for this?"

"Yes, ma'am" they all answered with some nodding alongside.

"I already have some documents on real estate management and every one of you will get a copy," Charlotte said. "Bella, please pass these to them.". Bella took the documents from her and began to give them out to everyone. "You are to go through them before our next meeting" she continued. "It will help you know more about real estate. Knowing about it will help us achieve a smooth execution. Has everyone gotten a copy?"

"Yes, ma'am" Bella answered.

"Good.". She smiled. "That should be all for this meeting. Or is there anything else, Bella?"

"No, ma'am," Bella answered.

"Then you all can leave. Thank you for your hard work.". As they began to leave, one after the other, she turned to face Bella. "Bella, get me a cup of coffee, please."

"Yes, ma'am," Bella answered before walking to the door.

Charlotte watched everyone leave before she rested on her chair not to sleep but to get some rest; she will continue with her work after resting for a while. Charlotte's mind drifted back to how well she had handled the situation before her teammates.

Kudos to her. She thought. She did a great job.

All through the night, she had thought of what to say to her members; how to explain to them that they wouldn't be working on the variety show, and how to convince them to work on estate instead.

Charlotte has always given room to her teammates to air their opinions and also express themselves in whatever way they want. This has given room for a smooth relationship between them and the teammates in turn respect and appreciate her.

Charlotte has always been someone who allows others to be themselves whenever they are with her. She also gives her everything in what she does. She is a very patient and consistent person who has been doing everything for the company not just because she loves her job but also for the sake of her husband, yet he has always been nothing but indifferent to her and all her efforts have been nothing but failures. So many times she had been vulnerable emotionally to him but his indifferent attitude towards her has changed her completely and she has learned to conceal her vulnerability from him.

Charlotte smiled. She loves the new her that loves and spends time on her job. The new her who can separate her family affair from work and still work hard for a company that belongs to an indifferent husband. "Your coffee is here, ma'am," Bella announced.

Charlotte sat up. "Thank you, Bella. Can you go and prepare for the next meeting? I do not want any mistakes."

"I will do that, ma'am. And I can assure you that there won't be any mistakes."