Monique’s brain shut down after Mandy said the flowers were from the chairman. Monique absentmindedly received the bouquet and walked back to her desk.Her heart was pounding fast.She felt a warm and bubbly feeling spread across her chest.These were flowers sent by Henry Moore and delivered to her office by his own secretary.It was a public acknowledgement of her status.Was he asking her to be his girlfriend?Was this really happening?A day ago, Henry ordered Mandy to send flowers to the house but Monique thought it was a reward for her service.The bouquet in front of her carried a different significance.If they dated and got married, Angel and her would finally have a complete family.It would be a dream come true.The handsome visage of Henry Moore appeared in Monique’s mind. He was holding a bouquet of flowers as he approached her.Beside him was Angel all bright-faced and cheery. Monique could imagine the peal of laughter coming from Angel’s open mouth.Her cowo
A direct order from the chairman meant it was a decree. Whatever position Monique wanted, she could have it. Assistant Manager Walt would give up his own position if that was what the woman wanted.“Thank you for your troubles. I’ll take my leave now,” Mandy said before leaving.Henry wanted to have a look at Monique’s work to assess if there was an adequate reason to promote her. The position of an aide was simply too lowly for someone who was to be the chairman’s wife.Monique was caught up in her own daydream when the assistant manager came over.He clapped his hands to get the people’s attention. He said, “Quiet, everyone. I have some good news.”Everyone in the office stopped and turned to look at Assistant Manager Walt.A pay raise?Monique snapped out of her day dream and followed the crowd’s attention.“Miss Monique Xander did a good job on the proposal. For that, she will be promoted to planning specialist. Effective today!” Assistant Manager Walt announced.The annou
”Thank you so much,” Monique said to Assistant Manager Walt.The series of surprises made her head light.Based on her own assessment, Monique knew she lacked the skills to be a planning specialist. However, after the public announcement, she was too shy to reject the promotion.She needed to speak with Henry about abusing his power.Even the assistant manager was succumbing to Monique’s newfound title. Amelia shot her two aides a glance.The three women went to the break room.Zoe said, “She barely worked the entire week and yet she gets promoted?”Beth chimed in, “I’ve been here for two years, yet I’m still an aide. This is bias.”“Well, you’re not the chairman’s lover now, are you?” Amelia said.“If she’s so special, why didn’t she just be a manager and save us all the hassle,” Zoe said.Amelia grinned and joked, “Who knows, maybe she’ll be promoted to manager in two days. It’s not as if anyone can object.”Beth gritted her teeth and said, “It’s so unfair.”Beth worked a
The company’s Christmas party was a joint venture among the planning department, administrative department and public relations department. The initial proposal was done by the planning and administrative department while the public relations department handled the communications. Execution was done by the administrative and public relations department after the plan was firm.It was a middle-sized event that aimed to uplift the company’s image and reward its employees.When Manager Hayley returned to the planning department, she got the assistant manager to bring her Monique’s submitted proposal.She read through the work and concluded that it was an above average submission for a newcomer.Manager Hayley still found it odd that a newcomer was involved in proposal-writing right off the bat.“Who was Monique tailing?” she asked.Assistant Manager Walt replied, “Amelia.”“Amelia arranged for her to write up this proposal?”The man frowned. ‘Was there an issue?’“I assigned it t
Ten minutes later, all the employees in the planning department were gathered in the meeting room. Manager Hayley was seated at the front of the room. She looked professional and fashionable as always.When the room quieted down, Manager Hayley smiled at Monique and said politely, “Monique, congratulations on your promotion.”At that, everyone turned to look at Monique.Unaccustomed to the attention, Monique nervously gripped the edge of her top and said, “Thank you.”She was aware that her promotion was undeserving.“Is there anything you would like to say?” the manager asked.Monique’s eyes widened in surprise. She did not know what to say.She gingerly stood up. Her cheeks were already red as she blinked a few times. “Everyone in the office are really helpful. The proposal I wrote was guided by Amelia, so thank you.”Manager Hayley said nothing as she watched Monique.No one knew what was going on but they watched in silence. There was a twinkle of mischief in the eyes of A
Manager Hayley spoke in an icy tone, “You said the same thing when I first interviewed you but I heard you’ve been absent and leaving early during your first week of work. Do you think that’s working hard?” The Chairman Moore that she knew appreciated punctuality. However, that was before meeting Monique.Monique bit her lip and stayed silent.She did have her reasons but what the manager said was true. She lowered her head and apologized, “I’m sorry. I had some urgent matters that day. I’ll strive to be better.”Her sincerity placated Manager Hayley’s anger. She said, “I won’t look into your promotion but you should know the real reason behind it. Despite that, I hope you understand the planning department emphasizes on merit, not personal connections.”Monique kept her eyes on the floor and pursed her lips.Manager Hayley was right and she knew it.In an unhurried voice, the manager said, “Many in the department are unhappy with this development. I believe you wouldn’t want peo
Yvonne was busy in the office. She wanted to slack off but the orders kept coming.When everything settled down, she took her mug and headed for the water dispenser. She was so thirsty.She went to the washroom on her way back to her desk. While she was in the stall, she heard voices talking outside.“Did you see the huge bouquet that came for the chairman’s driver?”“It was so romantic. I’m jealous. I’d faint if the chairman looked at me.”“No way he’d look at you if you’re so easy. He not only gave her flowers, she was even promoted.”“So soon? Didn’t she just join a few days ago?”“Exactly! And I heard her attendance was horrible for her first week of work. If not for the chairman’s orders…”Yvonne waited until the women left the washroom before exiting the stall.Was this the reason she was getting odd looks by her coworkers?Highly likely.That wild child was promoted yet Yvonne was stuck doing menial tasks.Yvonne thought of sending Henry the photo she took but hesita
Yvonne’s uproar clearly soured Monique’s mood.She collected her thoughts at the stairway before going back to the office.She could feel the stares of her coworkers but she remained calm.Once she was back at her desk, she started her work.The company hosted many dinner parties in a year. She found information on the previous events as she was browsing through the company’s internal server.Time passed without Monique noticing. Her phone suddenly rang.“Hello, Monique speaking.”The reply came some moment later, “It’s me.”It was a masculine voice on the phone.Henry…Why was he calling at this time?Monique felt a warmth in her chest as a smile tugged at her lips. ‘Did he miss me?’The thought of Henry’s handsome face made her heart beat faster.“Bring me a cup of coffee,” Henry said in a husky tone.Monique uttered a sound of affirmation.Henry smiled as he hung up the phone.Monique stood from her seat and went to get the cup of coffee. She delivered the coffee to He