The Strange Lady

Mallory was already set for the meeting ahead of time. She got ready everything Wilder would be needing - some files and all. The meeting was very crucial as it was his first as the acting CEO. 

With poise and fitness, Wilder stepped out of his office when it was time. Mallory rose to her feet as quickly as she could, taking the arranged files on the desk into her hands. 

Wilder didn't spare her desk a glance as he walked past her, expecting her to follow. 

Trailing after him, Mallory couldn't help but stare at him as if he were a god. He looked too dashing in his designer suit; too perfect. He used to be hers...

Standing behind him in the elevator, countless thoughts filled her head.

God, a lot had changed about him! He was more handsome, more charming, and grumpier. From young, Wilder had been mostly rude to a lot of people, but never to her. Unfortunately, she had become one of those people now. 

They reached the twentieth floor and exited the elevator, heading for the conference room. 

The long table in the conference room was filled and surrounded by the board members. The only vacant seat was that of Wilder at the head of the table, with Mallory's seat being beside him. 

Everyone on the table rose to their feet when Wilder walked in. Although, a lot of them seemed to have done it with disgruntled faces.

"Please, have your seats," Wilder said as soon as he was seated. 

Mallory, along with the others, took their various seats. 

The board members were twenty-six in number, and that was due to how large the activities of the Pemberton Synergy was. Mallory found it amazing that her Wilder was the head of them all now. 

She glanced at Arlo and noticed a scowl on his face. Thinking about it, how was he managing his emotions? He used to be the one at the head of the table until Wilder's arrival. Now, he had to answer to him. 

Mallory had a feeling things might get a little messy in the company. Five people from the table were Wilder's cousins, including Arlo. 

Chloe once told her about it, explaining how the grandchildren were all hungry for dominance over the company. In Chloe's words: 

"The power of the company rests on their grandmother - Rebecca Pemberton. The grandchildren have been trying to get in her good books, but her favorite grandchild is the one in a foreign country. She adores him and might likely will the company to him."

The whole time, Mallory had no idea this favorite 'grandchild' was her Wilder. She had no idea the Pemberton Synergy belonged to the Pembertons she knew. 

She concluded on Wilder being their grandmother's favorite, considering the fact that Arlo had to step down for him. 

"I'm sure a lot of you must've heard about me already," Wilder began. "But I'll introduce myself, anyway. I'm Wilder Pemberton, son of Elwood Pemberton. And it's an honor getting to be your acting CEO. 

"For a start, I'd like to get an introduction from every one of you, as well as the departments you're in charge of." 

He reclined in his seat and waited. 

The introductions took about eight minutes. Mallory noticed Wilder's cousins responded grumpily when it got to their turns, just few of them had been able to conceal it. 

After the introduction, each member went on to give reports on the current status of their department. It was a very long process, one that stressed Mallory's fingers as she had to take down a lot of note. 

Their top competitors in the market were also discussed. But the company that had more focus was the TeraFusion Company.  

Anyone in the business world was aware that the TeraFusion and Pemberton Synergy were always at loggerheads, and their rivalry dated to more than twenty years ago. 

Pemberton Synergy majored in the production of high grade gadgets and also had a separate brand for wines and coffee drinks. The TeraFusion were involved in the exact fields. And years ago, the TeraFusion were known to be the best, until a major crisis struck them and made the Pemberton Synergy ahead of them. 

Now in the country, Pemberton Synergy were known to be the best. Their gadgets were the most used, their various wine flavors were highly sought after and their bottled coffee drinks were known to have the best boost. 

The TeraFusion had been long back on their feet and running, but they ranked second in the country. A lot of efforts had been going in to get them to the top again. There had also been rumours that the Pemberton Synergy had been behind the crisis that had struck them years ago. 

"The TeraFusion, for some time now has been announcing a new launch into the market." One of the board members reported. 

"Any idea what it is, yet?" Wilder inquired. 

"Not yet, sir. We've um... tried using some strategies to get info, but it's been proving impossible. It's scheduled to launch by the end of the month."

Wilder shrugged. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it won't have any impact on us."

He began flipping through one of the files in front of him. 

"Mr. Krester, from what I have here, the launch of our Berry Blush was quite successful. On the first week, it made about eighty percent sales. But from the fourth week, the sales dropped to sixty percent and currently, it's at fifty." He paused to look at his cousin who was seated adjacent to him. 

"Care to explain?"

Krester Pemberton was the second grandchild of the Pemberton family. Pride and arrogance were features he effortlessly carried with him. And seeing Wilder there at the CEO's seat infuriated him more than he could take in. 

"This is the only the seventh week." He grumped a reply. 

"So? Is that a criteria for declining sales?" Wilder's tone was firm. He spoke to Krester as tho, they were strangers on a work field. 

"When was the last time you created awareness on the product?" Wilder demanded. 

Krester felt embarrassed that he had to give it a thought. He realized he hadn't created any more awareness after the launch. He'd felt relaxed, thinking it'd sell as always since it was from Pemberton Synergy. 

"If you have too much on your hands, all you need to do is say the word, Krester and you'll be relieved. Because a company cannot survive on inefficiency."

"I have been trying my best. You haven't been here to see what has been going on, Mr. Wilder. But the company has been in good shape." Krester had to force himself not to grit the words. 

Wilder gave him a long stare before shrugging. 

"I don't need to be here to know how inefficient you've been. The report says it all. Now, I need you to do something concerning the sales, otherwise, I might have to put someone else in charge of it." He closed the file and moved to another.

....

The day passed by in a blur. From time to time, Mallory dashed into Wilder's office to attend to his calls, but she made a conscious effort not to look at him. The mere thought of meeting his eyes made her pain unbearable. 

She was determined not to succumb to another meltdown, bearing it in mind that a private investigator would fix everything for her. Perhaps, if she gets to know what happened to Wilder, there would be a chance of getting him back.

Mallory was on her desk and was trying to arrange the data for the day. She couldn't wait to get home and sulk in her room.

She was distracted by the sound of approaching footsteps and lifted her gaze from her computer to see two ladies approaching her desk. One was a staff of the company, while the other was an unfamiliar lady who was richly dressed.

"That's his office, ma'am," Mallory watched the staff point at the CEO's office before leaving. Then, the strange lady, walking pass Mallory, began heading towards the office.

Mallory sprang to her feet. "Excuse me, ma'am. You can't go in there. Who are you?"

The lady halted, and with a scoff, turned to Mallory. 

She was a tall regal lady, her expensive dress and accessories saying a lot about her status.

Despite her undeniable beauty, there was something about her that made Mallory unsettled. Like she could sense the cruelty and coldness that lurked just beneath that beauty.

With sharp, icy blue eyes, she retraced her steps back to Mallory.

"Did you just say something to me?" She rose her brows.

Mallory maintained her confidence and didn't act like she was intimidated. "I don't mean to be offensive, ma'am, but you can't just barge into the CEO's office. You need to make a reservation with me. Besides, he can't take more visitors for the day."

"Seriously?" The lady chuckled, overlapping her hands across her chest. "These low-lives never know when they reach their limits. Do you even know who I am?"

Mallory gulped hard, trying to overlook the mean word the lady used on her. 

"No, ma'am; I don't know who you are. And honestly, that is of no concern to me. I'm just here doing my job and..."

"Just shut it, will you? I can't believe you're still talking," she taunted with an eye roll, then took more steps towards Mallory.

"Whoever you are, you should learn to know your place and..." her words suddenly seized. A sudden wave of surprise washed over her.

Mallory watched as the lady's expression transformed in an instant, her features contorting as if she had been struck by lightening. 

Shock and realization flickered across her face, and her eyes widened in fear as she shrank back.

"You?" She called, disbelief echoing in her voice.

She scoffed, her face growing pale. "It's... it's you."

Mallory was confused. Did she know her from somewhere? She was sure she's never met her before.

She was about questioning the lady when the CEO's door opened, revealing Wilder.