14 14 The Offer

I was stunned and was just staring at the man in front of me. He looks short and in his early forties. He is wearing a black suit with a piece of equipment in his right ear which looks like a Bluetooth earphone. He was smiling with a bouquet of roses in hand. Is he my Genie?

"My boss wants you to have this, Miss Myers." He handed me the bouquet. He is still smiling.

"Who is your boss?" I asked.

"He said you already know who he is. I should be going now Miss Myers. Have a nice day." Then he left, leaving me at awe.

Everyone in the room was looking at me. After the man left, my colleagues started to gather around me.

"Wow! That's so romantic. Who is his boss? He looks very rich." Says one.

"I envy you. I wish someone will also send me even a single rose in here." Says one female colleague.

"This is the second time someone sent you flowers Jessica. You are so lucky. Is that the reason why you look different these days?" Says another.

Annie didn't say a word. She just stood there looking at me, smiling. I can understand that look. It's something that I don't often see but as her best friend, we understand each other without us talking. It's like she is saying "We will talk later."

I also didn't utter any word, but deep inside me, I find it romantic. I'm sure other women might think this is creepy, some might even call the police because they would think someone is stalking them, knows all their actions and knows everything about them but for me, this is special. This experience brought me to a world I haven't experienced before. This experience makes me feel special, like I am being treated like a princess and someone out there knows exactly how to make me feel loved and happy. Now, I understand why other people would think I'm weird.

Everyone went back to their workstation when Mr. Smith came with a group of men. They are all wearing suits but one of them stood out. He is in his early fifties but is still good-looking. It seems he is the boss of the group. My heart started pounding. Is he my Genie? A part of me wishes that he isn't. Although he still looks attractive, he is not the man I have been imagining to meet.

The man and Mr. Smith talked quietly. No one could hear their conversation since they almost whisper to each other. Everyone in the office was looking at the two men talking, waiting for instruction from any of them. After they talked, Mr. Smith instructed the staff to head to the conference room.

Before going to the conference room, Mr. Smith looked at us and we understood that we have to be in our assigned task. I put the bouquet of roses on my chair and got some files I will be needing for the presentation. I headed directly to the conference room. The atmosphere seems a bit tense. Every employee looks nervous knowing that this is an important presentation. Our goal is to show the visitors how we handle our projects and assure him that we can handle the advertising campaign of the company as big as theirs, although no one still knows what company they are from.

Mr. Smith is the one who talked first.

"We are honored to have with us today the representative of Liberty Group to discuss a possible business venture with our company. We, in Pines Advertising, take pride in our work and assure our clients that we leave them satisfied with the ads and posters we produce. Most of our clients had reported a boost in their sales after we launch our ads with them and I am sure this will be the same with Liberty Group although I know that it is already the most popular company not only in our state but in the country as a whole, from their hotel business, to their restaurant, clothing and snack market. We hope that this will open a good partnership between our companies."

Everyone clapped after Mr. Smith's opening speech. I was not paying too much attention to what he was saying. I was looking at the man who might be the same person responsible for what I am experiencing recently. I was a bit disappointed that he is much older than me, meaning there is no chance of being romantically involved with him, but I still want to thank him personally if it is really him.

He stood up after Mr. Smith's speech.

"Thank you, Mr. Smith. Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Richard Sullivan, the Vice Director of Liberty Group. Actually, our CEO, who is a very private person as you all know, was the one who was supposed to be here but due to an urgent matter, he couldn't come and asked me to be here with you on his behalf. I want to apologize since I know every one of you prepared for this meeting despite the short notice. Our CEO decided to change our advertising company partner to give a chance to middle sized company like yours. I also have to apologize that I won't be listening to the presentations you have prepared since it has already been decided that we will sign a contract with your company so the presentations I think are unnecessary. I came here to announce the good news personally and give you a heads up so you can prepare everything you need before the partnership starts."

Everyone in the room gasped and applauded. Mr. Smith looks very happy with his announcement. This means a bigger profit for the company, bigger bonus and more opportunities for the employees. I am happy with this news and I am happier knowing that it is not him. He is a representative, meaning he is working for someone bigger from Liberty Group. Something tells me he is not my Genie. I'm 80% sure he is not my Genie. I am hoping it is not him.

"We have one request though and our CEO who is a hopeless romantic man (Everyone laughed at this statement.) is very particular with this simple request. We will only sign the contract, if and only if, Miss Jessica Myers, (He looked at me while saying this.) which I believe is you, leads the project. Our CEO wants projects to be handled only by people he trusts. He is the type of leader who wants to be involved in most projects of the company. That is one of the main reasons why Liberty Group is where it is at the moment. Because of this, he wants to handle the ad campaigns of Liberty Group personally and he is very particular with details. He is not difficult to work with, I can assure you that. He said that he will only, take note, ONLY do all transactions and meetings with Miss Myers here. I hope we don't have a problem with that." He finished his speech.

"I'm sure Miss Myers will be glad to accept the challenge Mr. Sullivan." Snapped Mr. Smith. He looked at me, eyes pleading and hoping that I would say yes. "This is a very good opportunity for her to enhance her skills and show her abilities in leading a team."

I was speechless. Why me? I don't know what to say. Everyone is looking at me, waiting for my reply. I know this is a good opportunity for Pines Advertising, but this project is so huge that it is also scary to handle. I looked at Mr. Smith, hoping he would say something, hoping he would save me. Do I really have to give my answer now? This is more difficult than a marriage proposal, I think.

"I will be assisting Ms. Myers with all the work she needs to do and I will choose the best of our employees to be part of her team so she won't have any problems with the deal." Mr. Smith said.

I know he is trying to reassure me that I will get all the assistance I need and he will be helping me all throughout. It's like the future of the company lies in my hands and I cannot fail the employees. I want to say 'no'. This is something I never dreamed to be doing. I have never seen myself as a good leader. In fact, I have never experienced leading a team before, one reason why I am hesitant to accept Mr. Smith's proposal for me to lead a group but this one is different. It leaves me no choice.

"I would gladly accept the challenge, Mr. Sullivan. Please assure the CEO that I am confident enough to handle a huge project like this." I said, sounding confident, but am I really confident about this? Should I see it as a good opportunity or is it a trap?