27. New Chapter
New Chapter
Nadine power walked down the hallway toward the conference room. She wore her favorite red Veronica Beard suit and Louboutin heels, ready to face the board. Devi was on her side, trying her best to keep up.
“And I have your presentation ready to go on the computer,” Devi handed Nadine a coffee as she looked down at her tablet. “Are you sure about this?”
Nadine turned to Devi. “Devi, don’t second guess me.”
For the first time in a very long time, Nadine was resolute and confident in what she was going to do.
Well, for the most part. The full board of DigiGo and PharmaDigital was meeting today to close the merger.
The entire office was buzzing about the magnitude of the merger and what it meant for the company Nadine would be the first Black CEO to broker such a massive deal in her industry. She had never felt more confident.
Nadine entered the boardroom, and the chatter seemed to cease. Mitchell rolled his eyes, whispering to his counterpart at DigiCo. Smug bastards. She had to smirk to herself. She took one last sip of coffee, straightened her jacket and stood at the head of the impossibly long conference room table.
Nadine smiled. “Good Afternoon everyone. This is an exciting day for DigiCo and PharmaDigital. Joining forces officially to become the largest online pharmacy, delivering medical supplies and prescriptions to people nationwide. This day has been a long time coming. Let’s go over the final numbers, corporate restructuring, and the proposed calendar for the advertisement rollout. ”
Nadine went through her presentation as usual, taking questions from the team.
Of course, Mitchell had to agitate her, but Nadine didn’t allow him to grate her nerves.
She was used to him. What was most difficult was trying to not be phased by Clyde Walters.
His faux sense of allyship was what irritated her the most. Every time he smiled at Nadine, she simply smiled back, pretending to appreciate his supportive nature.
Once the presentation wrapped up and the celebratory handshakes were given, everyone began to quietly pack away their things to leave, but Nadine interrupted the shuffling.
“Actually, I almost forgot. There is one more section I’d like to present. It won’t take long, I promise.”
“To end the meeting?” questioned Mitchell.
“Trust me, it’ll be fun,” Nadine assured. “Think of it as team morale booster as we move forward as one company.”
There was a bit of grumbling, but everyone stayed in their seats. Nadine nodded to Devi, who then moved the presentation to the next set of slides.
An audible gasp was heard as everyone looked up to see the unfavorable meme of Nadine from the Discord. Someone had put her face on the old Aunt Jemima pancake box, calling her a “corporate mammy.”
“I love memes. But, I’d have to say, Mitchell, if you were going to pick a photo of me to put on a pancake box, you could have picked a better one.”
Nadine moved to the next side and read out loud
“Now, this is interesting. “Nadine is such a bitch. It’s a wonder she has two kids. Who would fuck her frigid ass?” Wow, Doug, and you call yourself a feminist. I had no idea you felt that way.”
Doug Parsons, senior VP of Human Resources, was turning bright red. “Nadine, I didn’t mean…”
“Save it,” she interrupted, as she continued to read. “Nadine doesn’t even need to work. She’s taking up space for someone more qualified. Nadine shouldn’t be representing this company. Her salary is a waste.”
Nadine moved to the next slide and read.
“But this is my favorite one, courtesy of Clyde Waters. It reads, “She’s such a simple, dumb bitch. Just another DEI hire. She needs to go back to sucking NBA dick.” Attached was an A.I.
created photo of Nadine, on her knees, naked, sucking off her jersey clad husband.
The board room was now in pure chaos. Clyde was about to head toward the door, but Devi was there to stop him.
“Sit your ass down, Clyde.” Nadine ordered, pointing to the seat. The man slowly moved back to his seat.
“Nadine! How did you even get these?” asked Michell. “These were private conversations! You had no right!”
“Nothing is ever private on the internet. You really think I wouldn’t find out, you asshole!
” Nadine shouted. “You are the idiots who decided to create a special Discord to talk about me and share dirty memes. You all hate me that much, huh? Why? Because I’m competent?
Because I am good at my job. Or is it just because I’m Black, a woman or both? ”
Mitchell scoffed. “That’s what you think?”
“That’s what I know,” Nadine said. “And I cannot wait to present all of this in court when I sue this company for a ridiculous sum. The EEOC is going to love this!”
“Nadine, seriously think about this,” Clyde begged. “This could bankrupt us and put the merger in jeopardy.”
“You should have thought of that before you decided to make that Discord,” Nadine fumed.
“What do you want, Nadine?” asked Michael Josephs, one of the lawyers helping with the merger. “Let’s talk about this. Maybe schedule a meeting. I can get our other mediators on board.”
Nadine held up her hand. Her body was shaking with anger.
Once the room was silent, she put down her hand and took a deep breath.
“I’ve given my all here for the past seven years, even working while dealing with a really tough pregnancy.
I gave my all to this place. For what? To be a joke?
Doesn’t matter if the company has high sales each quarter or was well praised for the advertising and community outreach.
I was just a joke to you all. No amount of money, sensitivity training, or apologizes is going to help this situation.
” Nadine took a deep breath. She closed the presentation on the laptop.
“I quit. You’ll be hearing from my attorneys at Dawson and Simmons in the morning. Let’s go, Devi.”
Nadine smoothed down her jacket and exited the board room with Devi. She knew they were probably sitting there dumbfounded, but Nadine didn’t bother to look back.
Nadine finally exhaled when she got back to her office. She turned to her assistant. “Devi, make sure you make a copy of those slides for me on a thumb drive.”
“Already done. By the way that was so boss!” Devi squealed. “You’re my hero. Pretending like you’re going to quit! Genius. Please think of me when you get even bigger bucks.”
Nadine gave a soft smile. “I wasn’t pretending, Devi.
I’m quitting. I know that wasn’t the plan.
I just wanted to embarrass them. Get them fired, maybe.
But they can have this job if they want it so bad.
They’re right. I don’t need it. I love what I did and hit every goal imaginable.
What else is left? What am I trying to prove? ”
“Uhm, that this company is going to go to shit without you, pardon my language,” Devi said sadly.
Nadine gave Devi a gentle pat on her shoulder.
“I am not going to go down with this sinking ship. I suggest you find something else, too. If they can treat me this way, I imagine they’d treat you even worse.
You’re a wonderful assistant. You’ll get nothing but glowing recommendations from me. Too bad you can’t bake. I’d hire you.”
Devi raised a brow. “Bake?”
Nadine nodded. “Yeah, thinking about opening a bakery. I don’t know. Just a thought.”
“Well, I appreciate the job offer, Mrs. Moody,” Devi laughed. “But all can do is boil an egg and I am terrible at that.”
Nadine glanced at her watch. “Speaking of eggs, why don’t I take you out to a late brunch? I am done for the day. I am sure they are scrambling since shit hit the fan.”
Devi was truly surprised at Nadine. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. And please, call me Nadine. We’re friends, now.”
Devi’s dark eyes sparkled. “Ok Nadine. One request, though?”
Nadine’s eyes narrowed. “What’s that?”
“After that meeting, I need a drink. I could definitely use a mimosa.”
Nadine whispered. “Oh, we’re definitely ordering mimosas. On the company card, too. I dare them to say something.”
After several mimosas and a lovely brunch with her former assistant, Nadine felt at least twenty pounds lighter.
Sure, she’d put gasoline on an already burning shit storm, but she had zero regrets.
Silently, she kept chanting her own personal mantra that had carried her through these past few months:
“I’m free. I deserve to be free.”
When Nadine got home, she found Zaire at the kitchen island, papers strewn around and her laptop open.
She was bobbing her head to something in her earbuds as she typed away.
Nadine paused near the mudroom, taking her in.
This week’s leggings were flesh colored, and it looked like she was totally naked against the cream color of the barstool.
Her ass was spilling around the sides of the seat.
Nadine made a mental note to buy her a shit ton of those same-colored leggings to add to her growing collection.
Nadine softly padded over to the island and placed a kiss on Zaire’s forehead. Startled, she jumped, placing her hand over her heart.
“You scared the shit outta me, Cookie! Be glad I don’t carry that thang on me,” Zaire laughed. She looked at her watch. “Wait, what are you doing home so early?”
“Well, it appears that I am without a job now.”
Zaire’s eyes widened. “Did you get fired?”
“Nope,” Nadine shook her head. “I quit. In glorious fashion, might I add. You should have seen their faces. Especially Mitchell’s.”
Zaire smiled. “I’m proud of you, baby. So, what did Eddie say when you told him you’d quit?”
Nadine froze. “Shit.” In her rush to get home, she hadn’t told him yet. Currently, he was in the middle of practice for the upcoming tournament. He didn't need the drama and distraction. She’d find the right time to break the news.
Zaire let out a long whistle. “Wow, looks like y’all got a lot to talk about.”