Chapter 4

I DON'T THINK I SHOULD SAY MY REASONS

BRYAN~~

" What's happening here the stock is in free fall! can someone explain to me why the numbers are plummeting? " i slammed my fist on the table my face reddened as I glared at my secretary on looking at the data.

I'm sorry sir we tried our best" he said, I stared at the screen, the numbers glared at me like a true joke, the stock was tanking and I seem powerless to do any thing about it.

" Schedule a meeting with all the departments in charge of the products now" I said my mind reeled as I stared at the plummeting stock. why is this happening? all my efforts.

" Copy that" he said and left

******

In the meeting hall

"I need to know what's going on with our stock. The numbers are disastrous. What's happening with the product?" I said agitated

"We've been seeing a decline in sales, but we can't pinpoint the exact cause. Maybe it's the market trend?" Mr. Raymond the marketing Manager sais

Bryan: "The market trend? That's not an excuse. What about our product strategy? Is it still aligned with our goals?" I said red

"We've been working on some new features, but they're still in development. Maybe if we-" Mr Louis said calmly

Bryan: "Maybe if we what? Maybe if we had done something sooner? When were you planning on rolling out these new features?"

"We were hoping to launch them next quarter, but-" my product Manager said

"Next quarter? That's too late. We need something now. What about the current product? Is it still competitive?" I said

"We've been getting some complaints about bugs and performance issues. Maybe if we-" the development lead said

"Bugs and performance issues? Why didn’t I know about this sooner? How are we addressing these issues?" i asked curious

"We're working on patches and updates, but it's an ongoing process." he replied me

Bryan: "Ongoing process? I need results, not processes. Fix the problems, and fix them now. I want a plan to turn this around, and I want it on my desk within the hour."

" Okay sir" they all chorused

" Sir your phone" my secretary said.

" Switch it off" I said almost rude.

" it's from Miss Mariel" I looked up what could she text about.

" Hi Bryan can we have dinner together I'm missing you " I read she is just a great disturbance to me.

" I'm busy" I texted and turned off my phone, I really don't have time for chitchats.

********

After 5hrs of meeting I finally spoke .

" Umm everyone let's stop here for now, take it as a home work find a possible solution to this, I declare the meeting a dismiss" I said feeling so exhausted.

" Yes sir " they chorused and left.

Just then I heard voices.

" Ma'am you really can't go in he I'd in a meeting

" I just want to see him" It's Mariel what for? I signaled she let her in.

" Mariel what are you here for?" I said almost annoyed by her presence.

" I heard on the news about what you're facing I thought I'd be of help, so I decided to come" ughhh this is really so annoying.

" There is no need for that I'll find a solution to it sooner"

" You have always been so brave" she said brushing her fingers against my chin making uncomfortable.

" Umm Mariel let David drive you home I've got to go "

" How about dinner"

" I think I'll pass I need to go and have some shower I stink" I said refusing.

" Oh how about after that I can wait?" she said still insisting.

" I've got to do some work I'm sorry" I said coldly, how am I gonna have dinner with her on the condition my company is facing. I really need to figure out a way out of this.

Mariel sets on her heels her frown deepens as she leaves the office.

********

7 am in my office, still busy with over 30 documents to work on as my secretary came in.

" Frida I'm busy " I said

" Sir Miss Melanie is out side" she said what for? does she want to cancel the wedding because of the kiss, she seemed more innocuous than Mariel who barged in yesterday.

" Let her in " I said

" Okay"

I heard the steps but I still didn't raise my head still busy.

"Why are you here?" I said with my head still down

" Sorry if I'm distracting you "

" Maybe you should be " I said almost rude to her.

" Oh well I don't think I should say my reasons"

" What do you mean?" I raised my head

" Maybe I'll distract you more the documents seem so you big you have to check on" she sounded considerate but I'm curious to know her reasons for coming here haven't I agreed to marry her on the contract assigned date, So why does she still have to come see me.

" Say your reasons maybe I can consider"

" Like I said it would cause you a lot of problem so pardon me I'll take my leave" she tried leaving.

I don't know what got over me, I stood up from my dear going after her quiet fast she was about to whine the door's knob when I

slammed Melanie against the wall beside the door, my breath hot and ragged, eyes locked onto hers with a fury that teetered on the edge of desperation. Her back hit the plaster with a dull thud, and for a heartbeat, the world went still—charged, electric, like the pause before a storm.

Then, the door behind me creaked too slowly to notice at first—until it suddenly burst inward, catching me off guard. The edge shoved into my back, forcing me forward against her. our bodies collided with more force than either expected—his chest pressed hard to hers, breath tangled in breath. Her gasp shot through the tension like a spark in dry grass.

I froze.

Not out of fear—but out of the dizzying collision of adrenaline, fury, and something else, something far more dangerous.

Someone had just opened that door.

And now we weren'talone.

" Sir I ..." she seemed to have misunderstood.

" I'm sorry" Frida said rushing out, only I and Melanie is left in the awkward atmosphere, her face flushed she turned her back at me facing the door again.

" My dad wants to see you" without turning back at me she whined the knob and walked out.

Even I can't believe what happened.

Her dad want to see me, what for? could it be that he is demanding for money before the wedding? who knows?