Chapter 5

The Operations department had just brought in the list of pending projects when she heard shouts from just outside her door.

Before she could react, her door was rudely flung open and in walked a pot bellied , bald, red looking man. 

“Who do you think you are coming into this place to start calling the shots, girl?” He spat out angrily.

“I assume you are Mr. Cox. I am Dukia Chen. Pleasure to meet you.”

“I am the new Manager sent from the headquarters, I believe you were intimated of my pending arrival before now.” Dukia replied calmly.

“And what exactly gives you the right to start terminating my staff on your first day here. Look here young lady, you are just a little girl that I can trample and return back to where ever you came from. I am the Director here.” He barked.

“Mr. Cox, you seem not to have read the email sent to you regarding my resumption here properly. I believe it was clearly stated that I am free to make major administrative decisions with or without your consent.”

“Need I remind you of the current state of this branch? You couldn’t get the job done, so I was sent here to do it. Now you may be the Director by title, but let me make it clear to you that I do not answer to you or anyone here. I answer only directly to the headquarters. If you have a problem with the decisions I have made, then you may take it up with the headquarters. Good day Mr. Cox. Do not let the door hit you on your out.” she stated coldly.

“You…. You better watch your back.” Mr. Cox said angrily before leaving.

Dukia sighed in relief the minute he was gone. 

She was not going to let anyone or anything stand in her way, no matter who they think they are.

Mr. Cox thought she was just another manager he could frustrate into quitting. He was in for a rude awakening because she was here to stay.

The next day, began with it’s own problems.

By the time she got to the company, majority of the employees had resumed work. 

She pitied the few who decided to call her bluff.

She headed straight to the HR department.

“At exactly 8 am anyone not yet here she should be emailed their termination letters. No excuses.” She ordered the head of HR.

“Yes Ma’am.”

“Good. Have someone send me the list of applications for the positions currently open. I will personally oversee the hiring.” With that Dukia turned on her heels and left.

On her way to her office, she saw Mr. Cox door was open. She decided to make a little detour there.

“Mr. Cox, there is a problem. Remember we have a meeting with the Donovan group by 10 am today. They just called and said they are moving the time to 9 am and Mr. Donovan himself will be in attendance.” Mr. Cox’s secretary was reporting.

“What? Mr. Donovan himself will be here? That is less than an hour from now. You fool why are you just telling me now. Where are the files for the meeting?” Mr. Cox shouted.

The Secretary quickly ran out of the office to get the files bumping into Dukia who was standing by the door.

“Mr. Cox, why all the noise, is anything the matter?” Dukia asked sweetly.

“You, what are you doing in my office. Get out.” Mr. Cox barked.

“Hold on. I come in peace. I seem to have heard you talking about the project we have with Donovan Enterprise. By my calculations, that project is just what we need to revive this place and get it running again. This is not something you would want to mess up.” Dukia said.

“It is none of your business, young lady. Like I said, get out of my office and mind your business.” Mr. Cox replied.

Dukia left and walked over to her office.

“There’s no way I’m going to let Mr. Cox ruin this project too. This is just what we need to bring this place back to life.” Dukia thought.

Thankfully, after she had discovered the project yesterday, she had spent her time working on it. Now she just had to find a way to be in that meeting.

At exactly 8:50am, Alex Donovan and his group arrived at the company. They were led to the conference room where the meeting was to be held. 

At 9:02am, Dukia walked into the conference room.

“I am so sorry for my lateness, I lost track of time for a minute there. Welcome ladies and gentlemen, I am the new manager, Dukia Chen.” With that she took a seat at the end of the table.

From where she sat, she saw Mr. Cox glowering at her. 

She could also feel another pair of eyes melting through her skin, turning her eyes to the head of the table, she was met with the deepest blue eyes she had ever seen. Alex Donovan, the ruthless billionaire CEO and also the most eligible bachelor in City M, in fact the country. The pictures she had come across while doing her research had not done him justice.

She aimed a smile at him and turned to listen to the presentation Mr. Cox was giving.

The next 10 minutes passed in a haze of boredom. This was probably the worst PowerPoint presentation she had ever seen and that was saying a lot. 

Looking at Alex Donovan’s face, she knew that this was over even before it had begun.

“Mr. Cox, why did you bring me here to waste my time?” Alex asked.

“Erm… Sir, please if we can reschedule, we promise to come up with something better.”Mr. Cox replied sweating profusely.

“Reschedule? You seem to think I have all the time in the world to waste on incompetent people. If by now this is all you could come up with, then there’s no need going ahead with this. Wrap this up.” Alex said already rising up from his seat.

“Sir, if you would kindly excuse me, we have another presentation which will be worth your while.” Dukia said stopping him.

All eyes in the room turned to her.

If eyes could kill, Mr. Cox’s would have sent Dukia six feet below.

Straightening her back, she walked up to the front of the room.

Alex focused on her. The intensity of his gaze almost made her bend her head, but she gathered all the resolve in her and stood upright.

“Another presentation you say?” Alex asked.