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"As you all know, my father has been hospitalized for some time. I am here to assure you that he is on the road to recovery and will be able, when the time comes, to be with us. While we wait for that to happen, I will be the Acting Managing Director for now."
I look at every single one of them in the room, understanding how important it is that I assert my authority now.
"Everything has to pass through my desk, anyone who fails to do that will face dire consequences. The financial growth of this company has been steady; it hasn't skyrocketed or tanked, which is a good thing, but I want it to be better," I say and pause for a split second. "I’d love us to work together to execute strategic planning for long-term goals and how to go about achieving them. As my father loves to say, the betterment of the company signals betterment for you as well. I hope you all remain focused on improving and have a great time as you resume work."
The room erupts in applause, I am a little surprised at the grinning faces and a few people who come up to congratulate me. I hadn't thought that I would be this readily accepted and had even expressed worry about that to Father, who had assured me that they would.
I receive their thanks and sympathy, give vague responses about Father's health. He’d actually wanted to keep his health status under wraps, which is what I am also ensuring happens. As I begin to make my way toward the door, surrounded by a few staff members who are still interested in Father's health and others who have several complaints to lay on the table, I glance at Felicity, who is lingering at the door, her eyes on me.
I carefully dismiss the staff flocked around me until it's just me and Felicity, nearly at the entrance of the conference room door.
"Hello, Ms. Goleman."
"Mr. Gray," she begins as we shake hands. I note how soft her hands are and how slender and warm they feel against mine. "Accept my heartfelt sympathy on your father's health. I wish him a speedy recovery."
"I do too. I am certain he will be well soon. He's a strong man."
Felicity nods with a soft smile as silence descends between them.
Now that we are both standing, I notice how gorgeous Felicity looks in her hip-hugging pantsuit and wonder again what the man from yesterday is to her.
A crazy ex? Current boyfriend?
Last night, after the whole interlude, she had looked so uncomfortable, that I had not bothered to ask. The last thing she had appeared to want or need was me grilling her about the situation. I had wondered if she was embarrassed as she had hastily driven out of the parking lot. I got the impression she was after I'd seen the sharp jerk out of her head as she had sprinted away from me.
She still looks slightly uncomfortable now.
"I would like to congratulate you as well," she says, her voice low and soothing to my ears. "…on your new position in the company."
I smile at her.
"Your congratulations would be heartily accepted if you agreed to go out for drinks with me. You know, to celebrate?" I say this even though I am not in any celebratory mood.
There's really nothing to celebrate about being made Acting Director, a position that would very likely be taken away if I do not fulfill Father's wishes.
"I don't see why not," the gorgeous brunette says.
"8 p.m.?" I say as she steps out of the door, and I follow suit.
"I will be ready," she responds. For a second, I watch her leaving, noting how gorgeous she looks.
"Great."
We make our way out the door. Felicity, without another word, moves back to her office. I stand there to watch her, a little lost in thought.
"She is gorgeous, isn't she?" someone murmurs beside me.
I turn to find my personal assistant beside me, his eyes in the direction that Felicity had just disappeared.
"You have to stop making it a habit of sneaking up on people," I say to Martin, who turns to flash a wide grin.
"It's not sneaking up on when you haven't been startled."
I roll my eyes and begin to walk down the corridor, Martin in tow.
"I would like you to fetch coffee from Starbucks and a bowl of fruit salad without papaya, please."
"Of course, Mr. Gray."
