6. The Office

Third-person POV

As Rose sat at the head of the boardroom, listening to the heads of the different departments in her company tell her the final details of the event that was about to start in two hours' time, she felt an unsettling feeling deep within her.

"That's good, Mr. Sunshine, well done to you and your team for a great job," Rose complimented the Chief Marketing officer as he finalized his presentation.

"Thank you, Miss Gabrielle," Mr. Sunshine said with a cheeky grin, a contrast to Rose's Stoic expression as he took in Rose's compliment while the rest of the people in the meeting nodded their heads in recognition of his work.

Next, was the Chief technology officer, Mr. Sanders, who continued with his presentation. "... Taking all the efforts brought forward to make this day a success, I would also like to put forward an idea to make our work with our partners more efficient..." Mr. Sanders stated.

Rose's curiosity piqued. "And what is that idea of yours?" Rose asked him.

"I suggest we have our companies' technology upgraded, so it becomes more hand in hand with today and makes things more efficient for our employees. Also, if you approve of it," Mr Sanders passed a folder to Alice, who handed it to Rose. "I suggest we form a team to oversee this project."

"Good thinking," Rose said while going through the folder. "Do you have anyone in mind for the position of team leader?"

"Yes Ma'am," Mr. Sanders tried to hide a smile.

In fact, he already had someone in mind. "Yes. I suggest Mr. Declan Dean. He has proved valuable to the company so far, although he will have to be promoted to manager for this particular job."

"Alright," Rose nodded. "I believe that is all for today's meeting. You have all done well. Have fun at the party." Without waiting for anything else, Rose got up and went out of the meeting room while the rest stayed to congratulate each other on a job well done. Alice stayed to gather some more info while Rose went straight to her office.

Sitting on her desk, Rose bit at her newly manicured finger. Soon after, Alice knocked and entered the office to find Rose looking uneasy. It was uncharacteristic of Rose to show this side of her to anyone except for a few people she deemed close to her, one of whom was Alice.

"Your outfit for the event is ready. Would you like to see it right now?" Alice said as she placed some folders on Rose's desk.

"No, Maury has been my designer for years and is still Vercace's top designer. I trust he has done a good job as always," Rose replied absentmindedly.

"Of course," Alice agreed. "Your stylists will be here in twenty minutes. Rest assured, the event will go without a hitch." Alice reassured her friend.

*Gabrielle Enterprise, Technology department. *

The enterprise office was bustling with energy as the different workers went about. One could hear the click of keyboards as some of the employees hastily tried to keep up with their deadline.

The sound of clicking heels and stumping sandals as some went about on errands.

The clicks of keyboards, the whirring from printers and photocopy machines doing their part, and the occasional sighs from workers who couldn't wait to be done with their part for the day.

Of those that sighed, was Kimberly, an energetic woman in her late twenties. Kimberly clicked the 'send' button on her computer, watched as the screen relayed that the action was successful, before leaning on her office armchair and rubbing her neck, which felt sore. She patted her messy bun, which was held by a pencil and still in place for all the hours she had been working.

"Finally," She stood up and stretched her arms and her shoulders let out a satisfying crack, followed by a relief to her tense shoulders. "I can't believe they are having us work on the day of an important event," Kimberly complained out loud.

"Well, as long as we get paid overtime, and with a bonus too," Kimberly's friend, Erin replied.

"Still not done yet?" Kimberly peeked into her friend's cubicle, resting her arms on the compartment that separated their spaces. "Just a few minutes and I will be done," Erin replied, her attention on her screen.

"How's it going ladies?" A male voice stated, and their eyes went towards him. It was none other than the most popular guy in their office, Declan. And he was popular for a reason. Not only was he the best at what he does, but he was also good-looking, making half of the female population at the company have a crush on him at one point or the other, including Kimberly.

"Oh hey," Kimberly said with a small smile, feeling self-conscious. More than anything, she regretted putting her hair in that messy bun.

"Hey Declan," Erin, who, until seconds ago, had her undivided attention on her screen, looked at him with a friendly grin. "You done with your part yet?"

"Oh yeah," he replied, his eyes on Kimberly. "Nice to be you. I am still stuck on this, and I have to get ready for the party," Erin said sweetly and pouted.

"You think you can help me?"

"I would love to, but Mr. Sanders called for me. I just stopped to say Hi. But I am sure Kimberly can help you. She's got the smarts too," Declan said, looking at his smartwatch.

"Nice bun by the way Kim," he shot Kimberly his signature smirk before leaving. Kimberly's eyes widened as she shared a look with her friend, who opened her mouth agape.

"Did you hear that?" Kimberly gasped. "Oh my God!" Erin laughed. "I am going wear my hair in a bun for the rest of the month!" The two clapped hands in excitement while the other women near them took notes.

A few minutes later, Declan came out of Mr. Sander's office and everyone could see the smile on his face. Before anyone could talk to him, Christine, his colleague, clung on to his arm, her hair in a messy bun as she laughed sweetly. Almost everyone rolled their eyes.

"You went in there and came out looking happy. Care to share the good news?" Christine said sweetly.

"Alright, you caught me," Declan laughed. "I did receive some good news just now." "Really? What is it?" Christine jumped happily as she squealed. Trying to appear cute but making a fool of herself in everyone else's eyes.

"B*tch," Erin mumbled.

"A team will be formed very soon to oversee a project, and I am going to be its head manager."

"Woah!" Christine gasped. "Congratulations! I am so happy for you! You totally deserve it."

"It's not written on paper yet, but thanks Christine," Declan smiled shyly.

"Oh come, on! Don't be such a humble pie!" Christine giggled. "Everyone do you hear? Our sweet Declan is getting promoted," she said at the top of her voice.

"Wow, that's really nice!"

"You totally deserved it!"

"Congratulations Declan!"

Voices filled the entire office as soon as Christine made the announcement. It was as if they weren't listening in on the conversation from the beginning until it was said out loud.

"How pretentious." Once again, Kimberly muttered.

Not long after, Declan and Christine, who held his arm more strongly as if they were in a relationship, were surrounded by his colleagues, saying congratulations to him, except for a few who were saving theirs for later and some who sat in their cubicles seething with envy.

"I should go say congratulations to him," Kimberly said, getting up and adjusting her blue blouse, just then noticing how squeezed it was.

"Save it for later," Erin grabbed her by the arm. Kimberly hadn't noticed when Erin compiled her work and entered her cubicle. "Let's go while everyone is busy," Erin tugged Kimberly by the arm and pulled her away. "We should go and start getting ready for the event while everyone else is busy. We can congratulate him when we are all dressed up and looking pretty."

"Right," Kim agreed with her friend.