Rejected by the Alpha

4 - The Real Boss

BECCA pick-up the printed copy of the report that Janessa asked this morning. It was the sales report of the last three months.

She put the papers in a folder and leave the office. Janessa's office is at the next floor.

She used the fire exit to get there.

Ruth motioned for her to go directly. She nodded at the secretary. She made a warning knock before pushing the glass door.

"Please put them on the table." Janessa ordered without looking at her. Her focus was on the screen of the macbook.

"Everything alright?" She opted to asked since the young boss seems on the edge.

"N-no. I mean, yes."

The young woman look up. A few tendrils of hair fell from the bun. The woman is obviously stress. It was not even  lunch yet.

The years that they worked together, she can count in one hand the times that see saw Janessa strained. The woman is still poised even under pressure.

"Anything I can help you with?"

The petite woman sighed and sat up straighter.

"The big boss is coming today."

"Oh? It's the reason why everyone is on edge."

"You're not one of them?"

Becca shake her head. "I'm doing my job well. I have nothing to worry about."

Janessa pouted. "I wish I feel the same."

"Relax. The company has been doing great. We're selling big time in the market under your management."

Her and Janessa has been in good relationship professionally. They became friends since Becca was promoted as an account manager. They worked together most of the time. Friendship grow along the way.

Becca work under Janessa. She handled the major accounts of the company. The other account officers seek for her instead of going to Janessa directly. That means less workload for the marketing director.

She and Janessa went through meetings together. They brainstormed before and after every conference. Most of the time, they were the last to leave the office.

"Boss, Madamme Doue will be here in 30 minutes."

"Thank you, Ruth."

Janessa take another deep breath. Becca motioned at the young woman that she is leaving.

When Becca reached her own office, she get a spare flash drive from the drawer. She open several folders and started working on several files. Ten minutes later, she save it in the flash drive.

Holding the tiny storage, she stood up and make way to the next floor.

Ruth was not in her table but the door to the marketing director's office is slightly ajar. She knock before opening it widely.

Janessa look irritated when she glanced at her. Ruth was there, too.

She lift her hand that holds the flash drive. Janessa left eyebrow raised.

"The sales of last year in bar form. I also have the graph of the sales the last five years. The account of every perfume were selling from January until last month."

The young boss smile widely. The tall woman approached Janessa and surrender the flash drive.

"Get your laptop, Becca. See you in the conference room in 10 minutes."

"What?"

"Tik-tok."

She saw Ruth grin widely before she left the office.

                                                                                      ¤¤¤¤

THE world stop moving the moment Becca opened the door to the conference room.

There were two women inside but her eyes remained at the woman speaking  to Janessa.

Their similarity is noticeable. They were both petite and slim though Janessa is taller by an inch or two. They both have platinum blond hair. Though different in color, the expression and shape of their eyes were the same.

Their conversation halted as they turned to her.

Her brown eyes met blue. The exact same color of the eyes of the wolf tattooed in her arm.

"About time that you're here." She heard Janessa.

"I thought this is just for the two of us." The other woman said.

"But she made a more concise report. Can you believe that she made the report in 15 minutes?"

"Maybe I should promote her and fire you."

"No, Aunt Mira. You need my genius brain in running this company."

"Smart ass."

"I am."

The woman named Mira glance at her before settling in one chair.

"Tell me what I need to know."

Janessa motioned for her at the front. "Please."

She open her laptop and connect it to the overhead projector. She inserted the flash drive and open the sole folder inside the memory storage.

"If you're ready."

Janessa take over the presentation as she take a sit and tried to relax.

Since Becca already knew the content of the presentation, her focus directed to Mira.

For years that she worked in the company this is the first time that she saw the owner of the company. There were no pictures in the internet about the person behind the La Belle Scents but only a very short information regarding the owner.

The big boss as Janessa said a while ago, is obviously older than both of them. She might be in her early to mid thirties. She has pale skin and long, straight hair that reach mid-back.

From a short distance, Becca noticed the dust of freckles on top of the woman's pointed nose.  There were a few more in both cheeks.

"What do you say, Aunt Mira?"

"Impressive."

"Thank you."

"You have the position until I say so."

"Yes, boss." Janessa said with a wide smile. She followed it with a salute. "By the way, this is our account manager, Becca Jackman. Becca, meet the elusive woman behind La Belle Scents, Mirabella Doue."

She stood up and offer her hand to the big boss.

"It's a pleasure, Miss Doue."

The woman stood up, too, and meet her eyes. They had a stare down. Becca was about to put her hands down when Mira clasps it with hers.

Sparks ignite inside her. This is what they have been talking about. She never had a chance the first time.

Becca take a deep breath and smile at the big boss. It was never returned.

"Treat your boss with lunch, Janessa." The older woman said but their eyes were still on each other.

"Yes, ma'am. You should come with us, Becca."

"I don't want to intrude, boss. But thank you."

She excused herself and leave the conference room. She can still feel Mira's eyes on her back. And her system is still buzzing with the sparks when their hands met.