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“I think it’s about time we got new leadership. A new CEO could do us a lot of good.”
Just like that, the organised manner of raising hands and waiting turn devolved into a free-for-all.
All I could do was watch on. I had the same questions everyone else had, and my voice wasn’t powerful enough to cut through the chaos, especially from my position near the back of the theatre.
Beside me, Brooke seemed much more relaxed about the situation. Her uncle was high up in the management team, which must have afforded her a sense of security. If job losses were around the corner, she would likely be safe.
David was turning redder and redder, trying but failing to restore order among the staff. I thought he might give up and storm off, but then a sudden atmosphere shift took place. The tone of questioning changed from frustrated outbursts to murmured enquiry.
“Who’s that?” someone asked.
“Is that him?” another person echoed.
I looked around, trying to see who they had noticed.
I heard the footsteps before I saw him. Leather soles thudding on the wooden stage, even and deliberate. He emerged from the shadows and approached the lectern.
I recognised him at once.
The man who walked across the stage in a flawless black suit was the same man I had seen in the lift on that fateful morning. I flashed back to that awkward moment, his penetrating eyes on me, his humourless, straight-faced remark.
“Your top’s on inside out.”
I slid down my seat in an aftershock of embarrassment.
Why is he up on the stage? He can’t be… can he?
The man made a shooing gesture, and David Green stepped out of the way like a meek underling. He took the stand. Under the harsh stage lights, he looked even more severe than I remembered. Hard eyes, clenched jaw, sharp nose, pursed lips.
“Wow. He looks sinister,” Brooke said.
“He does,” I agreed.
The man commanded attention with his pin-straight posture and his stern expression. He scanned the audience as if sizing us up, and he didn’t look impressed with what he saw. He clearly wasn’t going to tolerate our behaviour and wouldn’t speak until everyone had settled down. His fingertips drummed the side of the lectern. His jawline was stiff, his brow creased.
A hush fell over the audience like a blanket smothering a fire. All eyes were on him.
He tapped the microphone, causing a screech of feedback. Then, at last, he spoke. “How is it that so many people are gathered here? Who is out doing the work, running the business?” His voice had a low, luxurious timbre that made me shiver.
Confusion and nervous laughter rippled through the room.
“Anyone?” he pressed.
A woman near the front spoke with a slight tremor in her voice. “A few staff members from each department have stayed behind.”
“But coming here to argue and complain is a productive use of your time?”
“Staff aren’t machines. They’re human beings. Trust and transparency go a long way in business.”
“How wise.” His words dripped with snide sarcasm. “Your name and position?”
“Clara Evans. Head of HR. And you are?”
He smirked, dark eyes glinting. “How rude of me. I haven’t introduced myself.” He turned his attention to the audience at large. “My name is Neil Kingston. I’m sure most of you have put two and two together, but for those who are a bit slow, I’ll spell it out. I am going to be the new CEO of Luxmore Appliances.”
Fresh gasps and murmurs broke out.
Just as I suspected. That man, Neil Kingston, was the new CEO. I slipped further down my seat, mortified. I had tried to flirt with the CEO in the lift. What had I even been thinking?
