Mysterious CEO

Chapter 2 - First Meeting

Rose's POV

After me, more people came to join. We were all seated in a hall. Around twenty of us were selected including seven ladies and thirteen men. A man in his early twenties sat beside me. He smiled at me when our eyes met.

“Hello, I am Ryan Philip.” He extended his hand for a shake hand.

“Hi, I am Rose.” I took the hand.

“Rose ‘what’” He again asked. It’s a question I have been hearing since my childhood. Why do people always want a surname? Can't I be recognised by my own name?

“Rose, that’s my name. I don’t have a surname.” I said.

“I am sorry.” He said and the door opened at the same time. In came four men and a woman. I recognised one of the men as the same old man I met on the day of the interview. I wondered what he was doing here. They all took the seat arranged in front of us. One of the men stood up and introduced himself and others.

“Good morning and welcome to Dumont enterprises. I am Michael Grant, head of the marketing department. I would like to welcome members of our board of directors Abraham Dumont, Paul Dumont and Megan Dumont.”

The old man stood when Michael Grant said Abraham Dumont. That means he is the old Mr. Dumont the lady was talking about. That’s how I got this job. I looked at other two directors and anticipated that Paul should be the son of Abraham Dumont and Megan might be Paul’s daughter. But again Paul didn’t seem to be that old to have such a big daughter.

“So, we have selected twenty of you out of around 200 people who attended the interview. You will be equally distributed on the basis of your qualification, to the marketing and accounts department. Mr. Derick Homes, head of the accounting department will give the list of candidates to his department. Rest will join my department.” Michael invited Dereck. He stood up and read the list of candidates to the accounts department. I am sure that I will be in the marketing department as I don’t have any knowledge about accounting. As expected I fell in the marketing department and the man next to me who introduced himself as Ryan Philip also was in the marketing department. After we were divided into two, Megan Dumont stood up and said the least I ever expected.

“Good morning to all. You all are being appointed as trainees. You will be on probation for three months. You will get all the perks and remuneration for the three months. In these three months you will have to earn your position in the company. Only half of you will be made permanent after your probation. Rest will have to leave and find another job. That means you have a fifty-fifty chance to be a part of the Dumont enterprises. Just keep in mind one thing. Dumont enterprises value hard work and not shortcuts. If you want to secure your position, work hard and be faithful to the company.” Her words made my mind blank. If I don't succeed in securing my position, I will have to wander for another job.

We were then led by our department heads to our respective departments. Only two of the girls, including me, were selected for marketing. Rest of the five girls went to the accounts department. I tried to talk to that girl but she was more interested in other boys including Ryan Philip. Why do these girls want to stick to any boy they see, I wondered? I have never felt any attraction towards boys but that doesn’t mean that I am into girls. Ryan slipped away from the girl and came to me.

“Can we be friends?” he asked.

“Well, let’s be colleagues first. I am sorry, but I don’t make friends that easily.” I said and it’s true in a sense. I never had any friends but that’s not because I don’t like them but because they left me after learning that I don’t have a surname. Even my teachers at the university were distant after knowing about my surname. Only my English professor Dr. Janet James showed care and love towards me after that. She too was an orphan, the only difference is that she had a surname.

“That’s nice of you.” He said and took the table next to me. I saw the other girl looking at me with envy. I ignored her as I used to do in my college. Actually, I have been blessed with hazel eyes, straight nose, defined lips and perfect oval shape making my face look beautiful. I don’t need any makeup to compete with the heavily caked faces. I know that a lot of girls from college envied me, but I never cared. We waited for our head Michael to assign our jobs. He came within a few minutes.

“Hello trainees, let’s first melt the ice between us. I will give you a brief description about me and you all will have to do the same. As you all know I am Michael Grant and I have been a part of the Dumont enterprises for the last ten years. I am from Washington and currently resides here in California. I have a wonderful family of a beautiful wife and two cute daughters. That’s about myself. I want to tell you the most important thing about the Dumont enterprises. Dumont enterprises is not just centered in California. The Dumont’s originally belong to Texas and their business is spread all over the US including the major cities of New York, Texas and Florida. The enterprise also has business outside the country including some Asian countries. So, if you succeed in keeping your place in the company, you should be ready to work anywhere the company wants. Now you all can introduce yourself one by one.” I don’t have a problem working anywhere in this world. I don’t have to ask anyone.   

The tallest among us stood up first and introduced himself.

“Hello, I am Martin Meadow. I am a fresh graduate and this is my first job. I am from Kansas and I came here for my studies. I liked California so much that I decided to settle here.”

Then came the other girl who was looking at me as if to bury me under her feet.  

“Hai, I am Fiona Raphael and it’s my dream to work for the Dumont enterprises. I am from Arizona and I don’t mind working anywhere in this country.” Her eyes were glued to Ryan Philip all through her introduction. Again others introduced themselves and it was now Ryan’s turn. I will be the last one to give an introduction.

“Hello, I am Ryan Philip and I am from nowhere. I am actually a free bird as I don’t have anyone to say my own. The only possession I have is my graduation certificate and I will be delighted to work for the Dumont enterprises irrespective of the place.” His words brought a smile to my lips. He is an orphan like me except that he has a surname. I can surely accept his friendship. Next was my turn and I stood up and introduced myself.

"Hello, I am Rose. I too have recently graduated. I haven't worked in any company before. I used to be a waitress before. I have achieved whatever I have on my own." I finished and Fiona started to laugh. 

"You will be better at that restaurant in the waitress uniform. Better secure your job there before someone else takes it, Rose Bastard." Her words made a deep cut inside me. 

"How dare you call her something like that?" Ryan and Martin stood up at the same time.

"What, I just gave her a surname. She should be thanking me for that." Fiona said, smirking at me.