Novel Update
The Presentation
Chapter 22 The Presentation
X&J EMPIRE, NEW YORK. Nina chewed nervously on her nails. She kept pacing the office back and forth, hoping that Xander would branch at the office before heading to the meeting room. It’s been two days since she resumed work, and they haven’t met since then. Her attitude at the Sunday dinner didn’t seem pleasant, and Tania had something to say about it, putting her in a fix. She apologized for treating Xander like that when he only showed concern. She had arrived early at the building of the X&J Foods factory to take a look around and note things for the meeting she would be having with the CEO, the COO, and other administrative officers of the company. At first, they had set up the office of the research department staff at the factory location, but the company’s team moved it to the main building the day before. And it felt nicer as it would make meetings like the one they are about to have much more accessible, while the factory will only be more supervised. “Where is he?” Nina mumbled, checking her wristwatch. Her belly growled hungrily. She had pancakes this morning and had ended up vomiting every bit of it. Now she craves for something again. The door opened, letting Xander in. He looked a bit distorted with his eyes glued to his phone. “Finally.” She groaned. “Hi.” He glanced up from the phone in his hand with a shocked look. “Nina, why are you here?” Nina chuckled awkwardly. “Yeah, I guess you weren’t expecting to see me. Because we have an urgent meeting, I will be quick. I am sorry about Sunday. I was all up in my feelings, and it is no excuse to treat you as I did. I am sorry, Xander. Or should I say, boss?” Xander, whose day had started on a rough slate, smiled lightly. “You just made my day.” He admitted. “I am not angry at you. I understand what was going on with you.” “If you were not angry, why didn’t you check up on me or try to call?” “I thought you needed your space. I didn’t want to be an intruder.” “I am sorry again.” “It’s okay. Are you ready for the meeting? Dawn can be quite tough on the staff.” “You mean Dawn Baker, the COO?” “Oh, it’s nice to know you are catching up quickly.” He looked impressed. “Yes, that one. She can be quite a handful.” Nina exhaled slowly. “I will try my best.” Lisa knocked on the door, peeking her head in. “You have a meeting in five minutes, sir.” Nina gasped at the announcement. “I should go now. I can’t afford to be late.” Xander chuckled. “Alright, mama. Break a leg.” The meeting started with Dawn throwing different questions at Nina that she answered swiftly. Since she wasn’t around during the previous sessions, Dawn needed to ask as many questions as possible to be sure they weren’t spending money on the wrong enterprise. “Are you okay?” Xander asked in a whisper when Nina returned to her seat, which was right next to him. Nina hummed in response, putting a hand on her belly. “Not really; I am famished.” That brought a smile to his face. “Oh, I see. The little one wants to eat. I will take you out to eat after this.” “Okay.” “Hmmn, hmmm.” Dawn cleared her throat loudly when she noticed the exchange of words between Xander and the new staff, which seemed surprising. “Can we get back to the business of the day?” She stated sternly and didn’t fail to notice the comforting hand Xander placed on Nina’s hand. Her eyes thinned in envy as she bit down on her lip. Getting herself together, she went back to her professional act. “So, Miss Ruiz. You have three months to prove to us that we are not wasting time and resources on you. Our products must top the market by then, and revenue has to be blowing our minds.” She said. Nina nodded in assurance. “You can trust me and my team to do justice to that, Miss Baker.” “Do you have anything to say, Xander?” Dawn asked, keeping her expression tight. Xander sniffed. “Nothing at all. Since everyone is fine, we should all head back to work.” “Yes, sir.” They all murmured, dispersing. Xander reached for Nina to help her stand due to the discomforting look on her face. Dawn stood up, too, and cleared her throat again to gain his attention. He only glanced at her briefly before returning his attention to Nina. “You can head to your office. Send me what you will like. I will have it sent in twenty minutes. Let me talk to Miss Baker.” He said. Nina mumbled some words and hurried off. Dawn folded her arms to her chest with a frown on her face. “What was that?” He pocketed his hand, poking the walls of his cheek with his tongue. “What was what?” “Don’t act like you don’t know what I am talking about. What is the extra attention you are paying to staff? You do know that isn’t business-like. Or did you hire your girlfriend?” She joked nervously. Her smile faded at the seriousness on Xander’s face. “You are dating her?” He exhaled slowly. “I don’t think I owe you an explanation, but because you are more of my second in command. Nina and I dated back in college, and we are good friends now. Before you think otherwise. No, I didn’t hire her because of our past relationship. I hired her because she is the best at what she does. Now, if you will, please excuse me. I have something urgent to attend to.” Dawn stayed rigid on the spot with her mouth agape. She needed someone to pinch her back to life. The Xander, Dawn knows, would never leave her standing like that. Nina hasn’t even spent a week, and she is already driving a nail between them. Dawn doubts if she would be a fan of the head food researcher. Also, she has never heard him mention having a girlfriend before, which is why the revelation now is shocking. Sucking her teeth, she picked up her tablet and stormed out of the meeting room. Only one person would have all the answers.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.