Chapter 11: Chapter 11

BOARD ROOM.

Lennox was in a sour mood, hence why he found the littlest reason to lash out at any discrepancies that cropped up in his manager's report. It didn't sit well with him that he had been genuinely happy for a moment when he deserved to be sad all the time, he also didn't like the low-profit margin he was seeing in their monthly report.

"You're telling me this is all we have so far, no increase at all this month" he directed at Jonathan.

"Sir Lennox, this year, I mean to say that the midyear sales are usually this low, because of the heat, people don't feel the need to explore, travel or try new things, they prefer to stay home where it's more comfortable, hence why they don't patronize our business". Jonathan replied, looking to the others for support.

"Are you going to give me such a cheap excuse, because of all the things I expected, it was not that. People don't want to buy our items?" He scoffed, his hard gaze cutting at Jonathan. "Need I remind you Mr. Jonathan that your job is to make them believe they need what we have to offer them. You are to create a powerful advert highlighting all the best aspects of the product, create something that'll guarantee customer satisfaction, not come here and give God awful stupid excuses that people don't want to buy stuff".

Jonathan held his pen tighter, nodding, his mouth set in a thin line. "Yes sir Lennox, I am sorry for my incompetence. I'll do better."

Lennox turned to face Jonah. "I'm sure you have the same sorry excuse, the sale in your department this year only went up marginally, it's even low compared to last month. I pay you all to work and yield results for the whole damn company and its branches, is this how you wish to handle your assigned branch".

Oliver cleared his throat, his black jelled hair bouncing free. "We'll do better sir. Just give us another chance, we'll make sure to increase the company's sales. This happens to be our best sale this season, we've had a return of thirty billion compared to last year..".

Lennox shook his head."Your best is not enough. Such an amount is not enough, because I know you can do better. I want you to give it your all, that's what I need from each of you. I want results, so I'm putting you all in competition, the one with the highest profit gets to maintain being head of their department, if your profit is too low, I'll have no choice but to let you go". He stood up, picking up his files. The managers watched him trying to mask their panic and anger. Lennox stepped out of the office to meet Sophia waiting for him. She pressed the elevator open button. He entered, while she stood, watching as the door shut, creating a wall between them.

********

Jonah's office.

Jonah huffed, flinging the files off his table before he took a deep breath to rein in his temper. Being spoken to like a two-year-old errant child didn't sit well with him. "Fucking hell, he's even worse than his father, such a freaking dictator".

Bianca, his assistant quickly rushed to gather up the flying files while he grumbled.

"That darn jerk, he's so fucking infuriating, nothing we do or achieve is ever good enough for him, now what, he's giving us a darn competition". He inhaled deeply, turning to face Bianca. "You do realize this means more working hours don't you".

Bianca nodded. "I do sir".

"If I lose you go down with me, but if I win you get a promotion, don't you want that?" He asked, watching her skeptically. He didn't like that she was so calm when he was about to lose his mind.

"Of course. I do".

"Then get to work and come up with crazy ideas that'll help both of us raise sales. Schedule a meeting with the team, they're dragging us back and it's pathetic". He ordered, then noticed that Bianca was still standing without rushing to get it done. "Well, what are you waiting for".

Bianca stared at the door nervously. "Your girlfriend is waiting for you outside the company, it's been a while already".

Jonah growled low in his throat. "Do I look like I fucking have time for girls now, go make her leave, tell her it's over between us"?.

Bianca's eyes widened at the abrupt change. He'd been parading the girl for weeks on end. "What? Are you serious"

"Did I fucking stutter, or maybe you're suddenly deaf. Go. Now."

Jonah didn't fail to notice the glare Bianca gave him before she walked out of his office, slamming the door. He slumped into his chair feeling shitty about himself.

*******

Lennox walked into his office, took his seat, and tried to ignore the assistant that had invited herself into his office without asking him first. Sophia stood at the edge of his desk, waiting eagerly.

"Get me the reports from the last year, including the bank statements, I want everything on my desk... "

"You don't have to bother with that sir, I already had it summarized, everything you need to know about it is on your laptop".

He turned to face her, keeping his snappy tone in check. "I think I made it very clear that I didn't need you to do anything, or touch my laptop... " He was saying when the loud whirling sound hit his earbuds. He flinched, searching for the offending item as his head drummed with familiar screaming. Lennox saw the phone as Sophia struggled to turn it off. He got up from his seat, and snatched the phone from her, smashing it into the wall. Sophia gasped in shock, her gaze fixed on the broken pieces of her phone. Lennox whirled on her, his anger getting the best of him.

"I gave you fucking rules dammit, your phone should always be in silent mode, you can't even follow such a simple instruction". He shouted, advancing on her. He stopped once she cowered back with an expression that made his gut twist. "Get out" he barked. Sophia didn't wait for him to repeat the order, before dashing out of his office.

Lennox stumbled on his feet back towards his desk, loosening his tie. He couldn't get a decent breath in even when he tried very hard to.

*******

"He's such a jerk" Sophia cried, blowing her nose into the wipes she held. Her friends were huddled around her, trying to offer comfort.

"You know, I thought I was making progress, but I guessed wrong. He's such a beast, the worst of them all. He treats me with absolutely no respect, he smashed my phone into the wall and he didn't even say sorry, just yelled until my ears bled out". She told, almost choking on a hiccup. Sana rubbed her back to soothe her.

"I'm so sorry Sophia, but he must have been pissed off today, he pretty much killed all the managers in the board meeting... I now have more working hours to get through, oh right, and getting fired if we don't increase profit".

They all sighed. Bianca pulled at her hair. Her expression was ashen.

"Jonah is so frustrating, imagine him saying to me that he's worked his ass up when it's me who's been doing all the work, while he lazes around with his numerous girlfriend, ugh, I just want to strangle him sometimes."

"We could make this work if we all cooperate and make the same profits". Andria suggested. Bianca shook her head, waving it off.

"That's a lost cause. My boss will never go for that. He wants to be on top of everything, and he doesn't cooperate with anyone, not even me".

Sana turned to Sophia. "So are you going to quit"?

"Quit? Me? Not a chance. I'm going to be so nice to him, so damn good and when I succeed in making him depend on me, I'll have my revenge. I'll break his heart into tiny fucking pieces." She got out, crushing the wipes she held.

"Is it just me, or does it sound like you plan to make him fall in love with you, instead of him just needing you for work". Sana looked toward Bianca and Andria for support. They nodded in agreement.

"Hell no. That is never going to happen. I'm not going to be starred in one of those stupid falling for the boss cliches. I've read a lot of books on the subject, so I'm immune".

Andria rolled her eyes, Bianca's colors returned as she relaxed.

"But you've got to admit, Mr. Lennox is a gorgeous sinful looking beast".

Andria scoffed. "Yeah, I'd admit that, but Mr. Lennox wouldn't even be caught dead involved with a worker, he doesn't keep girlfriends either, it's strange... We don't know zilch about that guy".

"And I don't think we're about to learn anything new, cause dude's very evasive" Sana concluded.

Sophia's ear peaked up. "That's it. There must be a backstory somewhere. Maybe I need to find out why he got so cold in the first place, then I might be able to help".

"I can hire for you a private investigator" Sana offered, earning a groan from Sophia.

"Like I can even afford anyone you recommend. They're always expensive, how do you even meet them".

"Connection baby, I've got a lot of people that owe me favors. Don't worry about it, this time, the investigator is not going to be expensive, it's going to be free, 'cause that guy owes me a lot of favors."

Sophia pouted, snuggling into her. "Thanks, Sana, you're the best. I still haven't paid Mr. Lennox for his car and that shit is expenses".

"Yeah, so I heard." Bianca said, yawning." I'm going to have a good rest today because I don't think I'll be getting enough after today".

They all nodded, relaxing into the bedding. They twisted and turned until they found suitable positions, the trio snuggled closer to Sophia making her feel warm. Andria hummed a song, lulling them to sleep.

Sophia's mind wandered, even as sleep took over. "What are you hiding Lennox Ray?" she mumbled then succumbed to her tired body.