Page 8 of Words Unspoken

Ann sighed. “Fine. Okay.”

“Good. I will see you tomorrow morning at six o’clock in boardroom C,” he quickly retreated.

“What? Wait! I thought you were going to give me this gift now?” Ann called as he left.

“Boardroom C, six am!” he called back over his shoulder as he walked briskly down the hall. She would come. Ann was too curious to do otherwise. Michael nearly smiled in satisfaction as he rode the elevator back to the ground floor. Now to clean up a few other pieces before the big reveal in the morning. He ignored the black specter that rode the elevator with him.

∞

At precisely six in the morning, Ann made her way to boardroom C. She did not want to delay this any longer than necessary. She had settled on a braid, blouse, jeans and ballet flats. Ann no longer worked at Ramesly Pharma therefore she did not feel the need to dress formally. Inside the boardroom the board of controlling share members were gathered and Ann halted. Michael must have made a mistake. She had never been invited to a board meeting. Secretaries did not attend such meetings. She didn’t see Michael in the boardroom, so she turned around to go to Michael is office and bumped into someone. Taking a step back she was surprised to see Maxwell Ramesly.

“Ann? Wow! It is good to see you. It has been a long time,” Max smiled boyishly down at her. “You look good. Casual, but good.”

“Thanks. You look good too. How have you been?” She was surprised that Max was in the building. As far as she knew, he and Michael were still estranged. Curiosity bubbled up. What was Max doing here?

“Great! I have met an amazing, beautiful woman who has agreed to help me retire my bachelor life. Can I send you an invite to the wedding?” he asked.

Ann blinked. The playboy had fallen hard. She was interested to see the woman who had managed it. “Sure. I would like that.”

Noah came walking down the corridor sipping a coffee. When he spotted Ann and Max, he paused in surprise before coming over to them. “Max? Is there something going on that I should know about?”

“I am here at Michael’s request,” explained Max. “I take it you are in the dark about this board meeting, too?”

“Why would Michael need you at the board meeting?” a frowning Noah got right to the point.

“You will find out soon enough,” Michael came up behind Ann and laid his hands on her shoulders. He steered her in front of him into the boardroom.

“Michael, I don’t think I am supposed to be here,” Ann whispered.

“It is fine. There is a seat right here for you,” Michael pulled out a chair and gently pushed her into it. Max and Noah sat down as well and there were murmurs of surprise and recognition from the other board members as they saw Max.

Michael cleared his throat, standing at the head of the table. “Thank everyone for coming out to this emergency meeting so early in the morning. I have two items on the agenda today, so this meeting should be very brief. Before I do, I would like to welcome Max back to the director’s meetings. As you all know, Max is still a shareholder of this company.”

There was a pause to acknowledge this before Michael continued. “First, I would like to thank Ann Schaeffer for her years of service and dedication to this company. She has been and continues to be an outstanding member of the team. In recognition of her achievements, I would like to transfer all my controlling shares to Ms. Schaeffer.”

There was a shocked silence. Michael owned the most controlling shares. The net financial worth of the shares was huge. The direct sway for vote in the company was the envy of many of the board members. To give all his shares to a secretary? Unheard of.

“You cannot be serious,” Ozzit said, sputtering.

“Michael, maybe you should think this through,” Gains tried to reason.

Ann sat there dumbfounded.

“I need someone to second my motion,” Michael looked directly at Max. “Please.”

Max didn’t have to ask Michael if this was what he wanted. He knew. Even though they had been estranged from each other for six long years, Max knew that Michael would never ask for something like this, something this major for the company and for himself, unless he had thought it out completely. He did not understand why Michael would do this, but he would support him. “I second the motion.”

“What?” Noah exploded. “Michael? Really?”

Michael cleared his throat and held up his hand. “Put to a vote to transfer the shares, all say aye. Aye.”

“Aye,” replied Max, putting up his hand.

“This is a farce,” Ozzit said. “I don’t care how good in bed she is. You cannot just transfer your shares to her!”

All three Rameslys glared at Ozzit. Ann blushed, feeling mortified.

“Noah?” Michael asked softly.