Withholding nothing

"Who are you?"

Why were the others late? I wasn't exactly enjoy this situation.

Still, I had to get comfy in the discomfort.

I took a deep breath and spoke.

"My name is Davina Osula. I was scouted and brought in as a Client Relations Manager for this firm. I look forward to working with you."

"Oh" they both said, under their breath.

They looked as though they were not aware. I could understand, after all I was impromptu.

We remained there drowned in the awkward silence. At around fifteen minutes after seven, many men and women in office wear came in, which was not strange. What was strange though, was the anxious looks on their faces.

I bowed as the walked in.

They came in, and sat down in silence.

They all had panicked looks on their faces, almost desperate.

The tall man's secretary, the some other staff, who I assumed were also secretaries, and I, stood.

The silence remained.

The door swung open and broke the silence.

After a brief moment, I finally saw him.

My new boss, the one to impress, 'The Man in Grey', Mr Kingsley Igwe.

He walked in dressed in traditional attire, like one who was rushed from a prior engagement.

His face clearly expressed that he was not in the best mood.

Another man in a light drown three-piece suit calmly followed behind him.

'The assistant, I assume.' I thought

Oh.

I looked up at the young man who just walked in and...it was him.

The familiar clarion voice, an old colleague, an old friend. Douglas.

I...did not expect that.

I stifled my gasp as best I could, because, there was a bigger problem at hand.

Mr. Igwe sat down "How did this happen, Canaan?"

The grouchy coffee guy I met early, who was now identified as "Canaan" stood up quickly and gave a report.

"Our latest product in fashion subsidiary, was released by the competition, Umet Ltd." Hs continued "The released is about a month before we had scheduled our release. Based on their unusual low quality and other factors, we deduced that the release was rushed and that they stole our idea."

Mr Igwe grunted a bit and said "And that happened how?"

Canaan looked up after sighing "one of our staff, most likely"

With the anger I observed from his face, I assumed Mr Igwe was going to explode at everyone else, which was usual at my old company.

Fortunately, he got up saying, "Find the mole and terminate them. Work on enhancing our product because it must and will launch as planned. Then work on coming up with a new idea. I expect results by next week. Meeting dismissed."

Mr Igwe paused right at the door. He was upset but not enraged. He turned and said "My son, time to shine, yes?"

He was addressing Canaan...or Mr Igwe or Mr Canaan. I don't even know.

I almost offended my boss' son, great.

Canaan gave a slight nod and bowed.

Douglas and I locked eyes for a few seconds gave each other a nod and he left.

He wasn't smiling, I really hope he had not changed.

Canaan walked out of the room with his secretary. All the executives as well.

I was alone in the room.

I looked around at the empty chairs.

"Uh...what do I do now?"

'Dumb question, Davina. Make yourself useful."