A Stylish Offer

I sighed as the music got even louder outside. Squealing and chattering grew more and more. I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration. I was holding myself back from another confrontation. I knew that if I went out now something bad would happen. So instead I took a few deep breaths and tried to calm myself down. Then there was a huge thud and clanging. I slammed my fists on the table. That. Was. It. I stormed out of my office and looked for the perpetrator. I saw a young woman blasting music off her new speaker. She turned towards me and immediately knew she was in trouble by the look on my face. I was no more going to calmly tell her to shut it off. This time the dormant volcano had exploded.

"SARA GOTSCHEWSKI, TURN OFF THAT HORRIBLE MUSIC RIGHT THIS SECOND!"

The music went off abruptly and everyone stood in silence. Sara walked towards me quickly setting her speaker down on the closest desk.

"What…" I barked "Is the meaning of this?"

She flinched on my tone and fidgeted with her fingers.

"I-I-I didn't mean to set it off so loud boss, I swear. I just got carried away by m-mistake. I'm very sorry boss"

On normal mornings I would have given her a warning and let her off. But today wasn't a normal morning and I had reached my daily limit of endurance.

"Sara I have given you a lot of warnings. This is the last straw. From today onwards you are no more head of the design department. You have been demoted. Please collect your belongings and move floors right this instant"

The poor girl was shaking and tears formed in her eyes.

"Please boss, give me another chance. I promise it won't happen again"

Unfortunately for her today was not one of my good days and I ran out of chances to give her.

"I said…RIGHT THIS INSTANT" Sara gulped and trotted away her shoulders sagging. I hated it when people did that.

"Sara!" I called out. She turned around with a hopeful face probably thinking she was forgiven.

"Your shoulders dear…fix them" I said and walked off to the center of the department.

Somewhere behind me Sara Gotschewski fixed her shoulders and ran off, tears pouring down her pink binder.

But oh boy I wasn't done. I stood on the podium and shoved the small mike away. My voice was way louder than it anyway. Since my anger was still boiling I had room for more punishment.

"You all have disappointed me today. This place sounded like a zoo, can you believe it? The leading fashion business's top office sounded like a zoo. But don't fret my dear employees all will be better. From now on there will be no more monkey business. No more music in the department. No more loud chattering. If any sound reaches my office you ALL will be punished. No more drinking or eating in the department, only during breaks. These are the casualties of today and it will get worse if you make it worse"

I stepped off the podium and returned to my office the air behind me sullen and quiet. When I returned I sighed and I took a deep breath. I knew this would happen eventually, It was my fault for giving them too much freedom anyway. So much that they acted like kids in school. I generally loved all my employees, they were more smart and witty than they let on. That's why our business had been so successful and we were the leading fashion industry in Australia. However, aside from that and behaving well on meetings and conferences they were very free and liked to do what they want, which got on my nerves a lot. I never liked being harsh with them because when I get angry I tend to do things I regret later. Though I hope after these rules they will be better instead of worse.

I sighed once more and was about to continue working when someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," I said.

"Hiya boss" I look up to see my secretary Lauren walking in. She was a pretty girl. She had long lavender hair with a regal and kind face. Not to mention her striking blue jumpsuit that complimented her figure incredibly.

"What's up Lauren?" I say

"I've got a man with a business offer and he refuses to speak to anybody but you"

"Oh," I say quizzically "Put me on the line then"

"Done," she says quickly transferring the call on her Ipad.

"Oh and Lauren," I say

"Yes, boss?"

"Excellent outfit choice today"

"Thanks, boss," she says closing the door behind her. I love when my employees dress up stylishly. It inspires others to design and create wonderful clothes.

I answer the phone in a monotone voice.

"N.C industries, Nicole speaking," I say

"Hello Miss Nicole I am Sejin and I work at Bighit Company in South Korea"

"Hello Mister Sejin, and what can I do for you?"

"My team and I are hosting a fashion event in our company and would like to ask you to come to see it as you are an expert in fashion and can judge the outfits. It is a two-month contract since we would also like you to guide our employees in the process of the clothes being designed and made. We will obviously pay grandly of course"

"How much?" I ask getting straight to the point

"Money will be discussed on an agreement to this offer but we're looking at about 70-80 grand."

"Would you hold for a minute, please? I need to check my schedule"

"Sure boss"

I ran quickly through my schedule. I had a whole lot of meetings that could be rescheduled and this guy was offering some big money. I had also heard about this company, it was a very prestigious entertainment agency. Also, Korea was also one of the places I drew inspiration for my designs. Getting hands-on experience in another country would be very beneficial for my company. I finally decided the pros were more than the cons.

"I'll do it," I said

"Great," he says

"Send me all the documentation as soon as possible"

"Of course"

"Goodbye Mr. Sejin, it was nice talking with you. I look forward to meeting you."

I put down the phone and smiled. I personally loved traveling but had a weird feeling about this trip. I decided it was just jitters that I somehow still get even after being the head of a company.

What I didn't know was that somewhere in Korea a man puts the phone down and smiles to himself.

"It was lovely talking with you too Miss Nicole, only it's not just another event. I hope you're prepared for what's waiting for you"