Meetings can be a lot of fun or they can be frustrating.
- Bob Weir

A few weeks went by, and then Tara received a summons to an important meeting. The last time Mrs. Ade had called for a meeting had been the time she'd dropped the news about her new partnership. Now, Tara could only wonder if this one would be equally significant.

Or even more important, for that matter. The only difference between this summons and the last was that key workers had been invited, not the entire company. Mrs. Ade had stated in her email invitation that Tara was a valuable asset to the company and would need to be involved.

That acknowledgment struck Tara as both an honor and a burden.

Flattering, but riddled with expectations. Tara's stomach churned as she headed to the conference room, rubbing clammy palms together as she went. She couldn't help but fear the two boss men had called the meeting because something had gone wrong and someone needed to be punished.

When she entered the conference room, she found her way to an empty seat next to the infamous Jay. Whether she actually saw a smirk on his lips in her peripheral or only imagined it based on past experience, she couldn't tell. But surely it had to be there.

"Oh no, look who you got stuck with," Jay said, grinning.

Tara rolled her eyes. "You'd better behave. This isn't the place and time for your childish antics."

Jay threw a mock salute. "Yes, ma'am. I shall be on my best behavior."

"I sure hope so."

Tara averted her eyes from Jay to eye the newcomers. Mr. Marcello had just entered with a smile already pasted on his face, while Mr. Angelo followed, expressionless. Nobody seemed to know what stirred in his mind, behind those eyes that betrayed nothing. Most of the staff had their reservations about him for that reason.

The two bosses took their seats at the upper part of the table alongside Mrs. Ade. When a company has three bosses, Tara thought, there can't be a chair at the head of the table.

Mr. Angelo cleared his throat to gain the attention of everyone present. All eyes snapped to him, and nobody spoke a word. Tara listened attentively.

"Good morning, everyone." Mr. Angelo said, his voice clipped and face stern. "My partner here has an announcement to make."

Mr. Marcello's smile widened. "Well, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to say, it has been a great pleasure knowing and working with you all. I have found most successful companies function as a family, and I see that is very much the case here. Unfortunately, I will have to depart for Italy for an indefinite period. Because speaking of family, my mother has fallen ill, and my presence is needed over there."

Tara stifled a groan at this news. She couldn't be the only one who realized with Mr. Marcello gone, the workers would need to fend off the wolf, Mr. Angelo by themselves.

Mr. Marcello appeared to sense the discontent settling over the table, and he spoke up again to disarm any hostilities.

"But not to worry, because I have some good news to deliver. My first son, Martinez Marcello Jr. will be coming down here to fulfill my duties in the meantime."

Instead of calming everybody, his statement seemed to only heighten the nervousness of his staff. Tara squirmed, wondering if dealing with the wolf by himself would be better than rolling the dice on another Marcello.

But then Mrs. Ade's voice cut in with a sad undertone. "How unfortunate; we are sad to see you go. We wish your mother a speedy recovery, and she will be in our prayers."

The staff present didn't raise their voices but nodded in agreement.

"Thank you, ma'am." Mr. Marcello said, "I shall depart by the end of the week, and my son should arrive by the beginning of the next."

This time, Tony Adio spoke up. "It is our pleasure to have him here, sir. We'll do everything in our power to make him feel welcomed and comfortable."

"Thank you. You have all been so warm to us, so I have no doubt he will receive similar treatment."

After a few seconds, Mr. Wolf, as many of the staff called Mr. Angelo behind his back, cleared his throat once more. "I believe all that needs to be said has been said. This meeting is over. Let's get back to work."

All he needed to do was crack a whip to complete the picture, Tara thought as she rose with the rest of the staff. She watched as he summoned a few of those present to his office, and then a wave of gratitude washed over her that he let her be. As the workers dispersed, she thanked God nobody would be punished for something going wrong.

All the same, getting yet another new boss in a span of four months gave Tara some anxiety. Whenever she felt solid ground, something had to shift.

She jumped out of her contemplation at the sensation of someone's arm snaking through hers. Tara glanced over in alarm, only to see Alice. She'd hooked their arms together, eyes twinkling with unconcealed excitement.

"Oh my gosh, Tara, I was right! They do have sons!" Alice gushed.

Tara groaned. "Apparently Mr. Marcello does, sure. How's that change anything?"

Alice pouted and smacked Tara on the arm. "You need to stop acting like a grumpy old soul. You kill the mood that way."

Tara didn't have a reply, just stared blankly. How much of her obliviousness was an act and how much was real, nobody knew.

"You're so dense, Tara! We're going to have a young, handsome boss. Which means an eligible boyfriend and maybe husband."

Alice had been speaking so loudly, that other employees walking by glanced over. Tara flushed. Once they were out of earshot, she shook her head at Alice.

"Not again, Alice; I thought we already went over this. Hasn't it occurred to you he may be engaged or even married?"

Alice snorted. "My gut says he's not married. And even if he is engaged, so what? Haven't you heard those stories that sometimes, when a guy moves somewhere else, he falls in love with someone new?"

"Stories are stories. But okay, assuming he is single, who here do you imagine he'll fall in love with?"

"Either you or me, of course. Who else?"

"We're not the only two eligible girls here, you know," Tara said. "Bunmi, Adamma, Evelyn, just to name a few. And besides, I may be single, but I'm not searching."

The two had almost reached the point where they'd normally split ways. They slowed and peeled their arms apart, subtly measuring one another up with their eyes.

"And that is already a love story I can envision. I see him coming here, falling in love with you, sweeping you off your feet, buying you a stunning ring..." Alice trailed off and sighed dreamily.

Again, Tara didn't respond with anything more than a shake of her head. Once again, an apt reply for her romantic best friend eluded her. Alice dreamed so much it was a wonder she got any work done.

"We'll see," Tara said, finally finding words.

"You'll see I'm right, you mean. My gut doesn't lie to me."

"If you say so..."

The two finally split paths, and as Tara approached her own desk, Alice's words floated through her head.

A weird feeling took root in Tara's chest. She was a woman who craved stability, and she could only hope Mr. Martinez Marcello didn't shake things up too much. Tara could do without more drastic changes.

                     ★★★★★

Hmm...

Not much to say today.

A new character shall arrive soon...

How do you think he will change the course of the story??

Question of the chapter:
What are or was your favorite school subject??

My favorite subjects are :
English
Literature
History
Geography
Civic Education

Don't forget to decide to vote, comment and share.

Until next time. Keep learning.