“It’s a massive client. The company is excited to take them on. It’s going to be a great project for us.”
“It is. I hope that I get to play a role in it,” I say eagerly.
“The management team sat with the information this past weekend and has pieced together the ideal team. So, we’ll find out in a bit who is running the show and what each person is going to be assigned. I’m damn sure you’re going to be a part of the team.”
Walking into the building, I have a knot of anxiety in my stomach. My eyes dart around, expecting people to be looking at me differently. I expect them all to judge me.
But so far, nothing has happened out of the ordinary.
Bianca greets me exactly the same way she always does.
My desk looks the same. My coworkers all say good morning in the same way they always do.
Maybe he’s wrong. Maybe no one knows.
“Meeting in five,” someone calls out from the other side of the office.
Everyone is excited. I hurriedly gather my notebook and pen and make my way to the boardroom to find a seat. The energy levels are high as people chatter about the new client.
And so far, everyone is treating me normally, including me in conversations and joking around with me, until the management team arrives and we all sit a little straighter.
“Welcome, good morning, is everyone here?” Roger says, his voice booming in the glass room.
Josiah is standing near the doorway with his arms folded over his chest, watching it all play out.
“We’re all here,” Josiah says, gesturing for Roger and his team to go on.
“So, as you all know, we have a new client. A very big client. They have twenty-seven franchises across North America and are now looking to expand into South America and other parts of the world. And we are the team they have chosen to help them invest and grow their money in order to do this. We will put together a product management package; we will analyze each of their franchises and give them a set plan for improvement based on each location’s needs and target market. We are going to blow them out of the water with our efficiency and professionalism.”
He’s creating more hype in the room, and the tension is increasing.
Roger looks around the room. He smirks. “Are you ready to hear the team we’ve put together?”
“Yes, please, we can’t handle the suspense,” Sally from the marketing department laughs nervously.
“Sally, you and Damien will handle the marketing,” Roger smiles, relieving her anxiety first.
Her smile widens, and she reaches over to playfully punch Damien in the arm.
“Vincent and Luke, you two are on programming and the new app they want built. We might have the chance to rebuild their websites. We’ll see as we go along,” Roger says.
He goes through each aspect of the project, handing out tasks to various sectors, and I sit feeling more and more anxious that my name has not been mentioned.
“Then, as we know, Josiah is usually at the top, always hands-on, managing the lot of you. But this time we have a different plan. Kayla, please stand.”
My face drains of color, but I stand, appearing confident on the outside.
“The whole reason we got this client is that Mr. Carter referred them to us. Your astounding work on the Carter file has spearheaded new opportunities for us, and that is why the management team wants you to lead this entire project alongside Josiah. Do you think you’re up for it?”
My mouth drops open in disbelief.
“Project management?” I gasp.
“Your analytical skills will be put to good use, that’s for sure,” Roger says.
“I’d love to,” I say politely.
The boardroom breaks out in a loud cheer. I look around me in surprise. My co-workers are clapping for me and congratulating me.
