Fuck.

“Good morning, Mr Collen.”

What are the odd that we met just after our conversation about him last night? I was going to train myself to move on but it appeared that even the nature against it.

I walked pass Mr Deacon who was kindly holding the door and approached the man. I put the drink down on the coaster near him. “Here’s your coffee.”

“Thank you.” He grabbed the cup and took a sip on it.

Now that he got his coffee, I’m gonna leave. I was turning back to head to the exit when he say, “Oh, since you’re here, why don’t you join us?”

This fucker really wanna mess with me, thinking I’m his play toy when he’s bored. You know what, I’m just gonna play his game for now. I don’t want to show bad impression to the other employees that was just watching the whole event silently like this is some kind of movie.

Although I utter any reply, I strode to the furthest seat I can find which is at a chair located at the left side corner - away from the discussion table. Perfect.

I’m gonna seat here throughout the meeting, pretending to listen and understand any matter that occurred. Just like what he asked me to do. Join them, right?

I was already seated when the scumbag again say, “What do you think you’re doing? Seat here.” He patted at the chair next to him.

That seat is clearly taken. There’s a notebook and some papers, probably materials of the meeting along with a pen carelessly thrown on top of it.

“Sorry, sir but I think that seat’s taken.” I said indifferent. Didn’t show any signs of obeying his order.

“It’s okay. Mr Deacon wouldn’t mind switching seats with you.”

I looked at Mr Deacon who was just closing the door and heading to his seat but Mr Collen’s question made him dead on track. It’s a command to be exact.

“Y-Yeah, of course. Come sit here, Cody.” he said while packing up his things. He went to Cody’s current place with his stuff on both hands, trying to keep it stable to not fall. He was in a hurry that he didn’t have the time to put it in his briefcase that he brought along.

Gritted teeth, I stood and ever so slowly step towards Mr Deacon’s former seat which is at the left side of the arrogant CEO. Staring at me with again that smirk I hate so much.

I tried not to look irritated or else it would only bring joy to the jerk. Others’ misery is the bread to his vicious soul so of course he’s not gonna make your life easier.

I sat there without sparing a glance to the man and focusing on the presenter at the front, standing awkwardly due to the long interruption. I just hope this is going to end soon.

“You can proceed, Mr Toons.”

With the green light from him, the presenter, Mr Toons continue with whatever matter they’re discussing before. I sat there without doing and understanding anything. Everyone’s either writing something or listening intensely while I on the other hand, sitting straight like a statue with nothing to do.

This is all thanks to Mr Collen, that didn’t give me a chance to prepare things or at least let me grab my book and stationary real quick. But no, he went suggesting something out of the blue and here I am. Looking like a child got dragged to the office by his parents.

Throughout the entire presentation by Mr Toons, I’ve been trying to get my attention to work but failed miserably. I can feel an intense gaze heating up the back of my head. It made me wary to even move my arms.

Until finally, itch what defeats me. Itch made me broke my facade of acting nonchalant. My right side rib is itching like crazy, I can’t pretend no longer. I slowly turned to the side to reach for it while keeping my head to the front, still avoiding to look at him.

That damn particular place was further than I expected. As I was reaching out for it inside my coat, I unconsciously tilted my head to Mr Collen. He was staring at me with his elbow rested on the armrest, chin in his palm. He didn’t looked surprised though, got caught staring.

He just continued on looking deeply into my blue ones. Observing something that I cannot figure what and I don’t wish to know. I was getting flustered after a few moment of eye contact before quickly averted my gaze back to where it suppose to be.

I can still feel his eyes drilling a hole on the back of my head. Man, can you stop being creepy?

“And that’s all Analysis team’s report so far for the last three weeks, Mr Collen.” Finally, the words I’ve been waiting for.

No response.

“Hm, sir?”

I saw that everyone is turning their heads to the CEO, waiting for his critics or acceptance of their report presentation, except for me. I’m not gonna looked at him. He’ll only develop ideas to add to my misery.

“What do you think, Jigglypuff?”

“Huh?” I spun my head so fast the headache from my hangover started to kick in again after the adrenaline left my system.

“What do you think about the report just now?” he said, looking all professional now and it made me nervous. Well, I’m actually confused what to feel. I’m nervous because all my listening was acting and angry because he called me that thing again but this time in front of everyone.

Definitely the mixture of the two. I took a quick peek on others and it seems either they didn’t heard him catcalling me or they simply didn’t care. That spared my embarrassment.

Now, think, think. “Emm… report is… good…” I pause. “…sir?”

He flopped at the back the office chair, bouncing it slightly as he did so. Looking at me with a fed up expression. Emm, sorry?

“How can that be good when he’s talking about our assets being stolen by the workers there? That last slide, show him, Mr Toons.”

Immediately, he reversed it to the last slide which shows a table just before the ‘thank you’ slide so it didn’t gave that much time to breathe for me.

He pointed at it, “This is the assets table for Highden. All the equipment, machines, materials for the product and even furniture at the store was counted, standardize in money form. It helps us to keep track on our assets efficiently. Didn’t you learn this part in class?”

I nodded, excitedly. “I’m surprised you did.” he said with a hint of sarcasm. I thought he was finally going easy on me, explaining these things to me but well. Just call me stupid, maybe then I wouldn’t be upset. Jerk.

“Now, you see that negative red values on the right?” I nodded with less interest this time.

“That is the estimated amount of losses in Highden for now. Usually, it’s always higher in the end. If it passed 10k, it would affect your monthly results and it won’t look good on the statistics. What do you think now? Is it still good?” he expertly simplify a whole semester in one breath. Damn, those business brain.

“No, sir. It did not look good on the company.” I’m puffing my cheeks, hiding my embarrassment. I looked stupid beside him, I have to admit that.

“Good. Now, we’ll proceed to the Support team.” The said team’s employees looked shocked by the CEO’s command.

“Hm, we’re sorry, Mr Collen. Since Analysis just completed their report, we haven’t prepared anything yet.” The leader of Support team finally spoke up, displaying pure terror on his face as he goes. I would’ve laughed my ass off if the atmosphere is not this tense.

Calmly he replied, “I acknowledge that, Mr Dalley. That is why I’m here. Since there’s some complication occurred during the submission report last month,” he surprisingly took a glance at the Analysis team and not me for the first time. Thank god.

“I’ll be monitoring the process of this report until it is finished. I don’t want to see anyone’s lacking. Including you.” he said, pointing at me. Of course, there will be me in every demand. I’m not even surprise or anything at this point.

“For now, I want all of you to suggest something. Strategy, plan, modus operandi, anything relevant in order to solve the arise issues.”

Everyone manifest the same exact expression on their faces, anxious. I can’t blame them though, they should be. Their normal pace usually takes around two to three days to develop such a thing. So the CEO’s command was an unreasonable request for them to achieve at the moment. It even left the leader of each team speechless, flustered to come up with an excuse.

I saw Mr Collen sighed, “Everyone relax. It’s an impromptu session. I just want a rough guideline on this matter so that it’s easier for us to minimize the scope later on. Use all your knowledge through the entire time you’ve been working here and dealing this. As simple as that.”

Tension left their visible tense faces before almost immediately after he said that. Some even sighed in relief. “We’ll do our best, sir.” said one of the leader.

“You can start brainstorming. I’ll give you 10 minutes and then present.” Without wasting time, they started discussing but in a moderate voice rate, not too loud to disturb the peace of the meeting room.

I was checking everyone else since I have nothing to do and even if they discussed with me, it would be pointless. I didn’t have that much experience to be a part of the discussion.

I was sitting in silent when suddenly I heard, “You Jigglypuff.” I can’t help the glare that came out spontaneously at the name he called me. I hate it.

“Since you’re here, why don’t you be useful and take note on the presentation later, will you?” he smirk.

This jerk. “I would like to, sir but I don’t have any paper or my notebook with me. If you would excuse me for a se-”

“Use mine instead.” He offered me his notebook along with a metallic silver colored bold pen that probably cost more than my salary here.

I looked at him indifferent. Purposely leaving his hand hanging there with the offered items. “Come on, now. Don’t be shy.” he teased.

Shy, my ass.

I snatched it out of his hand, ignoring the smirk that came along with my action. I don’t give a fuck about being rude to my boss. This man has a lot tricks under his sleeve. I prayed for no more used upon me for today.