The Devil's Harem

Chapter 141: Jessica is here

Chapter – 141

“Here are your Empanadas,” Alex walked out of the kitchen with a plate full of something round in shape, “And here comes your litchi juice.” Alex said as he placed them in front of Martha, “C’mon, dig in.”

Martha, who was busy looking at the reports in her hand, nodded and reached out to grab that round, doughnut-like thing without even looking.

“Careful,” Alex yelled as he lightly slapped her hand away.

Martha, on the other hand, looked with a questioning gaze.

When Alex saw Martha give him that look, he raised her eyebrows, “What? I just got them out of the microwave. They are still hot.” Alex explained.

“... Put that file down and eat carefully,” Alex said as he sat in front of her.

.....

Hearing Alex, Martha did not say anything and put the reports on the side before diverting all her attention to the food in front. Alex had put a great deal of effort into preparing this meal. From the dough to the fillings, everything took a great deal of effort and precision. She should have praised his efforts if it was some other day, but since that discussion, the two of them have been on much more formal terms than familial.

It was Saturday, and almost a week had passed since he came back, but there was no news of George coming back anytime soon. Alex was beginning to get anxious. On the one hand, George was not answering his call, while on the other, he could not say anything out loud in front of Martha. From the way she was carrying her around, it looked like she didn’t even remember that conversation. But Alex always felt on edge around her, not wanting to brush her the wrong way.

“Achoo...” Alex had just taken a sip of the juice when he sneezed. Something he had been doing a lot lately.

“Looks like someone is really missing you,” without looking up from her plate, Martha commented.

“It’s nothing like that,” Alex said, acting shy about her words, “It’s just that the weather is changing, so I think... ” Alex tried to explain.

“I don’t see your nose running or your throat sounding hoarse,” Martha ruled out the possibility right away, “It’s more like someone is thinking about you day in and day out even in their sleep.” Martha looked at Alex and smirked.

“You are just imagining things,” Alex said and gulped down his juice in one go, “Come, let me drop you on my way.” Alex offered Martha.

“No need,” but Martha rejected without even thinking about it, “I don’t have any appointments till afternoon. I will manage on my own.”

Hearing Martha, Alex stood there wanting to say something but words wouldn’t just leave his mouth. When Martha felt that Alex had not left yet, she looked up and, raising her eyebrows, gestured if he had anything else to say. Though he wanted to, shaking his head, Alex picked up his bag and, putting it around his shoulder, left from there.

Martha looked in the direction Alex left and got back to reading the reports.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Wearing a yellow hoodie, Alex walked into the building. Ullu was sunny and warm, but Elenor was getting more and more chilly by the day.

“Oh, Mary... My Mary Jane...” As soon as Alex walked into the building, he stumbled upon his personal assistant, Mary. But Alex had started calling her Mary Jane because she had the same red hair as the character in one of his favourite comics.

The lady, probably in her late thirties, blushed when Alex looked at her with those excited eyes. Tucking her hair behind her ear, she averted her eyes, “What is it, sir?” Mary asked.

“Never beating around the bush,” Alex gave a helpless sigh as he looked at her, ‘what a party-pooper,’ Alex thought.

“... I want you to bring in all the project heads to the meeting room. All those who are in the building right now. I have something to discuss with them.” Alex said. For the last five days that he has been working, Alex didn’t do much. He would grab hold of a random employee and spend some time talking to them. Trying to understand the kind of work they did and if they had some sort of grievances or problems.

Now it was time to come to a conclusion.

“Is there something I should let them know? Have them prepare something?” Mary asked as she got back to her assistant mode.

“Nothing in particular. I just want to discuss some things with them.” Alex waved his hand and told Mary.

“Sure, sir,” Mary said and walked past Alex.

“Remember, no more than ten minutes. I want them all in the meeting room in ten minutes,” Alex yelled from behind.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Sir, this will cause a bit of a problem for everyone,” a lady told Alex.

Three ladies were there in the room apart from Alex. Alex was sitting on one side of the long table while the three ladies sat opposite him on the other side.

Right now, the three ladies looked at each other helplessly. What Alex was saying sounded very good and noble, but not everything could be run on morals and business in the least.

“I know this is not something that they would welcome,” Alex nodded, agreeing with them, “But this is something that will benefit the company in the long run. I have seen your densely packed schedule, and personally, I don’t think it’s a good thing.” Alex tried to explain.

“The staff can keep up with the stress, for say, a couple of projects, but after that, they will eventually start to lose touch. The work will be sloppy, and the end result is a disaster.” Alex made his point.

What Alex wanted was to increase the duration of projects with a margin of one week. Most of those he talked with highlighted this issue. With deadlines pressing on their head, they have to work long hours or sometimes, they won’t leave the company for days. This, in turn, affects their health and availability for the next project.

“But the investors won’t agree to it,” one of the ladies pointed out. The ladies knew that what Alex said was morally right to a certain degree. Being the project leads, they knew it, but there were too many obstacles.

“Not just the investors, but the directors and the main cast won’t agree as well,” the third lady picked up from where the other left, “Investors try to be as stingy and thrifty as possible, even targeting the meals of the staff. The directors and actors, on the other hand, have many commitments. Most of them are booked for months. We can’t just ask them to jiggle through their dates.”

“I know this is hard,” Alex did not push his idea like a tyrant, “I am totally aware of all the issues. That’s why I am having this meeting with you guys,” Alex threw his hands away, agreeing to every issue they had raised.

“... But this meeting is not to discuss the problems and give up,” Alex shook his finger in front of them, “Na... Na... Na... I want to know what could be done? Because one this is for sure. I want to go ahead with this matter. You like it or not, that’s all up to you,” Alex told the ladies his intention.

‘Like it? Of course, they like it. They would be the first one to support it, but it will rub a lot of people the wrong way,’ The ladies thought.

“Sir...” the second lady hesitated to say.

“Go on, don’t be shy...” Alex said, “Even if I don’t like the idea, it’s not like I will throw you out, would I?” Saying so, Alex giggled. The memories of his first meeting began to come to him. The Ladies of the PR department liked his first idea but were wary of the second one before agreeing to it. He could clearly remember that only Karen was the one who supported him all along, eventually taking him to the all department meeting.

Now that Alex thinks about it, Karen tried her best to push him forward with every opportunity she got. With Jessica, with Daniel and even in the promotion. She was a real sweetheart. Wish he could have her switch over to AR. He would be able to stare at that beautiful face all day without any interruption.

While Alex was lost in thoughts, the door opened, and Mary Jane peeked inside.

“Sir...?” Mary called out, but Alex was lost in his thoughts, staring at the ladies.

“SIR!” When she saw Alex lost in his own world, Mary called out a bit louder. This was not the first time she had suddenly found him in a stupor. In the last few days, it had happened numerous times. She had no idea if he liked dreaming a lot or if it was a case of loveria. All she could do was walk up to him and shake him hard.

“Huh... What is it? Why are you here?” Luckily, Alex came back to his senses easily this time.

“Sir, someone is here to meet you,” Mary took a step inside and told Alex.

“Meet me?” Alex looked a bit confused, “I don’t think I had any appointments today.”

“It’s not an appointment, sir...” Mary looked in a bit of a difficulty.

And Alex sensed her dilemma, “Who is it?” Not wanting to make it hard on her, Alex asked.

“Miss Jessica, CEO of Theation.”

“Jessica?”

* * * * *