“You’ve been persistent about speaking with someone at the top,” I continue, my tone smooth but firm. “I thought it was time we connected directly. Call me back at your earliest convenience.”
I end the call and sit back in my chair, drumming my fingers on the desk. Something tells me this isn’t going to be a typical meeting.
I lean back, staring at the ceiling. I’ll wait for her callback.
An hour passes. Then three.
I glance at my phone, the number I called earlier still in my recent calls. Nothing.
A slow burn of irritation creeps up my spine. Most people scramble to return my calls immediately, bending over backward to accommodate my schedule. But not Ms Ng.
The fact that she’s not playing by the usual rules only makes me more curious and more annoyed.
I’ve moved on to reviewing another report when the phone rings.
“Mr Ashcroft, there’s a Lila Ng on the line.”
I set my pen down slowly, masking my irritation behind a calm exterior. Hours later. She’s calling hours later.
“Put her through,” I say, my voice calm, measured.
Claire hangs up, leaving me alone with the blinking line. I let it ring once. Twice. Three times.
Make her wait.
Finally, I press the button.
“Ms Ng,” I say smoothly, my tone sharper than it was earlier. “I was wondering if you were ever going to call back.”
There’s a slight pause, barely a beat, before her voice comes through, steady and unaffected.
“You did say ‘at my earliest convenience,’ Mr Ashcroft,” she replies. “This is it.”
I smirk, despite myself. Bold. I like that.
“So,” I say, bringing us back to business. “What can I do for you?”
She jumps straight in, laying out her argument with precision and efficiency. No unnecessary pleasantries. No hesitation.
Most people plead, try to appeal to the company’s goodwill. She doesn’t. She’s not asking for a meeting. She’s demanding one.
Her voice is sharp, controlled, but there’s a heat beneath it. Passion. Frustration. Fight.
I listen, more focused on the way she speaks than the words themselves.
She pushes without pushing too hard. She knows exactly when to hold back.
Impressive. Most people don’t know how to handle me.
I tell her the meeting will be next month. Let the frustration build. See how she handles resistance.
As expected, she pushes back immediately.
“Next month?” Her voice sharpens. “We were aiming for something sooner.”
I smirk. Predictable.
I smile, sensing the tension behind her words. She’s trying to take control. I respect that, but she’s not in charge here. I let the pause stretch just long enough to make her wonder if she’s overstepped. Make her feel the weight of silence.
