CHAPTER 8

It was Monday, and yes, the Friday incident will be a new trending rumor in our department. As soon as I entered, laughter erupted, whispering here and there as usual, and an expected person approached me, none other than Rachel. "Good morning, Mr. Walker, how are you? I can see you are doing well. You know, after the Friday incident, I thought you would walk straight to our manager's cabin and throw your resignation in his face. Oh, and I forgot that those things would be done by respectable people like me or any other in this department, right? Anyway, Mr. Walker, best of luck for the coming days. You know you need one, unlike it will be any helpful for you." She was waiting for my response when I didn't utter a word. She took her clue and left.

I started doing my work but was called by Simon, so I made my way towards his cabin, and on permission, I entered. "How are you, Mr. Walker? I think you are absolutely fine." Yes, Mr. Wilson, I am fine. Thank you. You called me; please, will you come to the point?" "Oh, that attitude of yours—he threw a file on the desk. "This is an overseas project. Study the file. Prepare whatever is required. By next week, I need a detailed report." "OK." I took the file and left the cabin.

As usual, days passed, and it was already the weekend. I worked overtime because this project was consuming more time. For sure, bloody Simon was taking his free salary by dumping all his work on me. Finally, on Sunday at 8 p.m., I was able to finish, which was great. Tomorrow, I need to submit the same.

The next day, I woke up and got ready, reached the office in time, and handed over the project to Simon with whatever he had asked for; he did not bother to study and blindly went to the meeting room. For sure, he was going to suck at the meeting, which I am least bothered about as my part was done.

I came back to my seat and continued my work. An hour later, I received a call from Scott. While going to his cabin, I started thinking about the reason for Scott's call. Was it related to the Friday incident? We cleared on that day, right? Why the hell was he calling to his cabin?

On permission, I entered the cabin, and Simon was also present. Scott threw the same file that Simon had given to me and spoke, "You are the one who prepared this report, right? Why the hell are relevant points missing? It was your fucking responsibility, right? Simon was searching for answers in the meeting room." His words only triggered me. If he sucked at the meeting because he didn't prepare for it. How the fucking I was held responsible? "Mr. Mathew, with due respect as a manager, his responsibility was to study the file and attend the meeting. Why do I need to spoon-feed him? Whatever task was given to me, I had fulfilled it." "If that was the case, why the hell was he sucking at the meeting room? You were assigned to prepare a report, right? Keep your personal prejudice outside the company understood and differentiate between personal and professional things." Exactly what personal prejudice is he talking about? Does he make any sense? "I am not getting; exactly what personal prejudice are we talking about here? Please do enlighten me." "You know what I am talking about do not pull my mouth. Take this dam file, you are attending the meeting this afternoon and giving the presentation; better not to suck at it." "OK".

I took the file and left the cabin. I could hear Simon disagree with Scott's decision, but I was excited. It's been 8 months since I joined the company. I had prepared so many project reports, and this was the first time I was attending a meeting with my presentation.

In the next few minutes, I prepared for the meeting and noted only relevant points, as I knew the rest. At 2 p.m., I accompanied Simon to the meeting, which he did not like even a bit, which I could care less about.

Once Scott entered the cabin and took his place, the meeting started. I greeted everyone and started explaining about the project. It took completely 2 hours to answer their every question, and by the time it was finished, I was exhausted. By 4.30 p.m., the meeting was over. We left the meeting room, and it was a hell of an experience for me.

After two days, Scott called me again. I was not getting one thing. I was a mere executive. How the hell do I connect with the CEO? Was Simon, not my reporting manager? After the Friday incident, I thought I would never have any interaction with him. But how the hell do I end up in his cabin now and then?

I reached the Scott cabin, and on permission, I entered. As usual, Simon was also present, but this time David was too. Scott spoke: "Mr. Walker, as you know, this is an overseas project, my first and most important project. I do not want to take any chances. You know more details about this project. You are accompanying us on a business trip to France. It will be 10 days, or it may drag on until 15 days. We are leaving on Sunday evening. Further details will be sent via mail. If you have any queries, do contact your manager." I was in shock. It took a few seconds to digest his words. OK, what? Did I hear him right, or am I dreaming? Is this really happening? France always thought of visiting that place when I had enough money. One of my dreams is coming true. I replied, 'ok', and exited his cabin with a broad smile.

Scott liked me or not; it didn't matter; he wanted this project to be successful; it was his first project after becoming CEO, and his only vision was to improve his company and profit, so he kept all his prejudices against me aside.

Finally, my hard work is now paying off. I am not on good terms with three of them; what odd can happen anyway? I was thrilled. News of me going to France was spread throughout the entire department, which may give them a good reason to shut their mouths for at least a few days.

It was Sunday, and I had received an email stating that everything would be borne by the company—boarding, lodging, transportation—everything would be taken care of, so our work was going to France, finishing the work, exploring when our day was off, and returning. Simple as that.