Chapter 4 #3
Before I could respond, Robert’s boisterous laughter stopped me. It wasn’t the kind of laughter that made you want to laugh. It was one that made you want to gather your things and leave. I took a discreet step away from him.
“I apologize for my outburst. I’m laughing because my mind is unable to understand what could have emboldened you to think that question was one that should be asked in this forum.
Mr. Corelander, did you wake up this morning and say, ‘I want to lose my job’?
” Robert had humor in his tone as he spoke.
Like someone snapped their fingers, his laughter stopped, and his facial features tightened.
“You must be out of your damn mind to think that you could be disrespectful to anyone in this company in that manner. What was it that you said? She was inadequate. Well, if she’s inadequate, then that means that you think the same of me since I selected her. ”
Johnathan’s head shook so hard that I thought it would snap off. “No, no, Mr. Brand. That is not what I am saying at all. While your credentials speak loudly, it doesn’t seem that Ms. Plates’ credentials even whisper, so I wondered if it was a on the black hand side kind of thing.”
My eyes bucked at his words before laughter spilled out of my mouth.
There was clamor all over the room. “Mr. Corelander, this is not how I expected you would end your career with the company. Instead of dignifying your ignorance or allowing Mr. Brand to, I will ask you to leave the premises immediately.”
Robert pulled out his phone, pressed the screen, then placed his phone to his ear.
“Yes, I need security in the main hall immediately.” He disconnected the line and placed his phone into his pants pocket.
“You might want to move it along, Mr. Corelander. See, my security, I did hire on the black hand side since there’s a trend of pharmaceutical executive assassinations. ”
I giggled lightly before I gathered my composure.
Robert and I had a conversation during a recent lunch about his security that traveled with him and that would travel with me on business trips.
The fact that he told Johnathan that security was hired on the black hand side was funny because it literally was a company that was owned by his family member from Macon, Georgia.
I was introduced to the entire security team that covered our company.
It was clear that regardless of how professional these men came across, all of them would be with the shits if it was needed.
The majority of the team were minorities, which was a stark difference from the previous security company that was contracted under the previous CEO.
Johnathan’s face was flushed. If I didn’t know any better, I would say that he wanted to cry.
He should have thought of that before he decided to pop out there like an idiot.
He grabbed a coat that hung over his seat.
“You know what, that’s fine. I’m not sure I want to be a part of a company that is headed by cotton-pickers’ descendants.
I’m sure the Feds will be at your doors soon enough, knowing how you people are. ”
“I know this muthafucka did not,” I mumbled. I forgot where I was and who I was for a moment when I took a step forward. My eyes shot down to my wrist when Robert grabbed it, then they shot up to him. He didn’t need to say a word because his expression said it all. Get me in check, CEO Zaddy!
Seconds later, security came into the room. Johnathan talked a good game, but the fear sprinted to his face when he saw them. Ferguson, the head of security, stepped into Jonathan’s space and asked him if there was a problem.
I couldn’t help what came out of my mouth next. I knew it would be unprofessional, but fuck that. “Call him a cotton-picker descendant. I dare you.”
He looked at me with squinted eyes, a red face, and a tight jaw. “Both of you will be sorry about this. I promise you will.”
“I don’t take threats lightly in the climate that we live in today, Mr. Corelander. Ferguson, please escort him from the premises, and make sure the needful is done to ensure he never returns.” Robert’s tone was so hard. It was clear that he wanted to do and say much more than he did.
It took a few minutes for the room to get back to order after Johnathan was escorted out. I wasn’t foolish enough to think that there weren’t others in the room that felt the same way that he did. He just screwed on his dummy nuts to say that shit out loud today.
Once the room was quiet, Robert cleared his throat.
“What will not be tolerated at MediGenix Pharmaceuticals under my watch is disrespect of any kind. I don’t care how much you may dislike a person, you have that conversation with your little lunch circle in the quiet of a restaurant away from here.
If you feel that someone is not properly performing in a manner that is becoming of this company and their position, there are processes to report that.
Disrespect will not call for warnings. There will be immediate termination if found to be factual events. Are there any questions?”
The room was dead silent, as it should have been. After a moment more of silence, the room was dismissed. Individuals came up to both of us for various reasons.
Francis was the last to approach me. “Jubilae, I am so sorry that you had to experience that. I cannot believe Johnathan.” She shook her head. “To think that Cora sat there like the proud wife when he asked his asinine question until Mr. Brand put him out.”
Wait, what! “Johnathan and Cora are married? How did I not know that?”
“A lot of people don’t, because that is how they wanted it.
She kept her maiden name for business purposes.
I honestly think he was acting obnoxious because she didn’t get the position.
I know for a fact that he didn’t apply. He tried to call you inadequate, but he was holding on to his VP title by a string,” she said with a giggle.
The things you learned after things popped off. “Wow, well, I hope you have a good weekend. Don’t forget to call my office to make an appointment with me.”
After she assured me that she wouldn’t forget, she left the room. I turned to see Robert with his hands in his pockets as he talked to Ferguson. I didn’t want to be nosy, but who was I kidding?
“Yeah, don’t be surprised if you get a bullshit lawsuit from buddy.
He wanted to go back upstairs to get his things, but you know that wasn’t going to happen.
Never let fired people back into the building.
He bucked when we told him that his personal items would be mailed to him, so you already know how that went,” Ferguson said before his shoulders lifted toward his ears.
Robert tittered. “I’m not worried about that shit at all. There are cameras all around this building. This entire meeting was recorded, including his stupid ass question.”
He had a point. It was known that all of these meetings were recorded for posterity. “Are you going to leave the interaction with Johnathan in the recording?” I asked Robert.
His eyes tightened. “I am. If you’re willing to be an ass on camera, then I’m willing to let it be there for people to see later. Ferguson, make sure y’all keep an eye on his wife too. I don’t trust her ass either.”
Ferguson nodded. “I already let the team know that Cora Landing is now on our radar. Let me know if you need anything else, boss. You and Ms. Plates’s details are ready for the Cali trip next week.”
They exchanged a few more words before Ferguson left. Robert walked over to where our things were, grabbed them, then walked back to where I stood. “You ready for dinner, Ms. Plates?”
As I allowed him to place my trench coat on me, I asked, “You knew that Johnathan and Cora were married? How did you know and I didn’t? I worked with that lady for years.”
He chuckled. “Of course, I knew they were married. Their marriage is fairly new. I think they’ve been married three or four years now.
Hell, if I wanted to be funny, I could have terminated both of them a long time ago.
Our company doesn’t have a problem with fraternization, but you do have to report any internal relationships to HR which they never did.
The lack of reporting is the violation, not the relationship. ”
He paused after his statement. I wasn’t sure what to make of the pause, so I decided to fill it. “So, where is Mr. Brand taking me to dinner?”
The top of his lip curved to offer the sexiest smirk. “I’m taking Ms. Plates to a place where we can have peace and quiet to continue to get to know each other. Is that alright with you?”
California Love . . .
It was our third day in California, and a bitch was tired as hell.
This president thing was not easy. The more employees that I met, the more I realized people didn’t think I deserved this position.
Robert was serious about the disrespect thing, but people still found a way to put their toes into the water and not dive completely into the disrespect pool.
It was in the way that they asked their questions.
They asked me questions to challenge not only my knowledge of the company, but of the pharmaceutical industry overall.
When I answered every question with grace and elegance, the surprise was plastered on their faces while pride tattooed on Robert’s face.
I was far from a slow leak. There was no way that I would have ever gotten as far as I was if I was.
I studied this industry from the moment I knew I wanted to go into it.
I knew more about this company at my entry level interview than some of the executives knew now.
When you were a Black woman with power, you had no leeway to not be damn near perfect.
On top of me being a Black woman, I had the nerve to join the party late.
“Girl, I was about to chop that lady in her head when she said what she said. They clearly haven’t heard about your guard-baddie executive assistant.
” Joy was revved up from her seat in the living room of my suite.
When I asked her what the lady said, her head snapped in my direction where I was on the opposite side of the couch.
“I don’t know and don’t care what the fuck that lady said.
What I do know is how to read your expression to know that you felt disrespected.
You felt disrespected by whatever that chicken foot face ass lady said, and I felt like chopping her. ”
I wasn’t going to do this with her tonight. “Girl, when are you going to your room? I think it’s about that time.”
She chortled. “Not you trying to put me out of your room so that your lil CEO boo can come over and chill. You don’t have to rush me.” She picked her phone up from beside her after it beeped. After she tapped the screen for a few seconds, she said, “I’ll be out of your hair in a second.”
I watched her move around the room. I ignored her comment about Robert.
Yes, we’d chilled together every night since we had been here.
We also had dinner together nightly, but our assistants were with us for dinner.
When we chilled, we did just that, chill.
My thoughts were cut off by a light knock on the door.
I sat up, but Joy told me it was for her.
“Hey, baby,” Chance greeted before he pulled her into a hug and kissed her lips passionately. Once they pulled themselves apart, he turned his attention to me. “What’s up, Sis?”
My head tilted to the side. I wish I could have been surprised to see him, but I wasn’t. “What are you doing here, Chance?”
“Jubilae, you know I can’t go too long without my baby. Y’all got her on the other side of the country for a week and think I’m going to be alright.” Chance’s face drew back as if he questioned my sanity because of the question.
He stepped fully into the room, then closed the door. I stood so that he could give me a hug. Just as he hugged me, there was another knock on the door. Fuck!