Unforeseen Chemistry

It's My Company and I Can Do as I Please

This was Angela's first big project in the company and her capability is being questioned. She had successfully scripted and directed a stage play. She understands stage plays and films are different because one is a live show while the other is recorded for later view but the dynamics of directing are not so different except for the tools used. She had never directed a movie before and had never had to use movie-making tools but that is something she knew she could learn very first during the project.

"Kindly return to your post," Don said to the team in the room in the room and they all exited the auditorium leaving Angela and Don alone.

"Ms Anderson, my company has remained on the bottom list of less popular filming industry in the entertainment circle. I had plans to up my game when your company and offered me that contract. I considered your company because it was obvious you didn't know me or anything about my company. I wanted the compensation I will receive when you cancel the contract and I can have some extra cash to search for a willing good company to partner with so I can rise to the top. You didn't cancel the contract you offered to help which I felt wasn't bad, but what is this, Diamond Corporation sent an employee with no skills to help me rise to the top. What is this? Some kind of a game?" Don questioned angrily, his eyebrow meeting at his glabella.

"Mr Don, this is no game. This project means a lot to my company as it means a lot to you too," Angela began but was interrupted by Don.

"So why did your company send in someone with no experience?" Don questioned with a deep frown.

"Mr Don, I have scripted and directed a stage play before. The play won an award," Angela said to assure him, she would deliver.

"How long ago?" Don questioned and Angela's eyes widened.

She was not expecting that he would ask such a question. Angela stared at him with pursed lips.

"How long?" Don repeated his question.

"Eight years ago," Angela replied.

"If graduated from college not long ago. That means the stage play you directed was in 9th grade. High School," Don calculated. "Fuck! You want to bring your experience of directing a stage play from High School to a movie set? I am sure you even got the price not because you merit it but just to make your kids happy," he said angrily and was about to leave but Angela stopped him.

"Mr Don, I have an IQ of 300. I am good at whatever I put my mind to. This idea of bringing your company to recognition was mine. I drifted the plan and the execution. The project plan you see that you love so much is my work. Your company is already at the bottom. Last face facts, it would not be easy to get supporting partners out there. You landed a partnership with Diamond through me and I am saying make the partnership worth the while," Angela said with all confidence.

She was determined to succeed and hence not ready to back down and return to Diamond Corporation with failure. She intends to complete this project.

"Fine," Don said. "I am going to do this under one condition," he began and Angela stared at him waiting to hear his condition. "Make Aaron Gregson the male lead," he said.

"Why? Mr Green did a better job living the character," Angela protested.

"It's my company and I can do as I please. I want Aaron Gregson as the male lead. He lived the character too and it appears he does his research about everything. Good for business," Don said. "Either that or I request a more qualified person," he added staring at Angela.

"Fine," Angela agreed upon hearing a request for a new project lead who was more qualified.

"Good," Don replied. "Now what next?" he asked.

"I would review the script and we can get all the people in place so we can start," Angela said and Don nodded. "I will take my leave now," she added and exited the auditorium.

Mr Don pulled up his phone and dialled a number. He brought the phone to his ears and waited for the person to answer.

"Hi, I did what you asked of me. So, please set my daughter free," he said and frowned hearing the person reply. "I made your boy male lead. I couldn't get rid of her but I swear, there are other ways I can be useful to you, please set my daughter free," he repeated. "I know that," he said trembling. "Thank you, I will be there," he said and ended the call.

He turned to leave and came face to face with Angela standing at the entrance. Chills ran down his spine and he suddenly turned white like a sheet.

"Mr Don, is everything okay?" Angela asked.

"How long have you been standing there?" Don asked wondering if Angela heard everything he said.

"I just got here. I left one of my files. I only came back to get it," Angela said with a frown wondering why Don looked tensed all of a sudden from the angry man she spoke with a couple of minutes ago.

"Okay," he said breathing a sigh of relief.

Angela walked to the table and picked up the file occasionally staring at Don who remained where he was standing not sure where to look.

"Okay, I will be on my way now," Angela said and walked towards the door.

"Sure," Don said and also started walking towards the door.

Outside, Angela brushed the thoughts off and focused on how to make the project a success. Her Uber arrived and she sat inside heading back to the company. It was not yet closing time. She arrived at the company and went straight to her office. She checked Bryce's schedule and she knew she needed to remind him of his 3 p.m. meeting with some clients. She took in a deep breath and exited her office.

At Bryce's door, she knocked and waited to hear an invitation recalling what Susan had told her. She knocked again not hearing any invitation.

"Come in," came Bryce's deep voice.

Angela pushed the door open and walked in.

"Sir, I mean Mr President, you have a meeting with a client scheduled for 3 p.m. Is there anything you will require of me in preparation towards the meeting?" Angela asked standing a distance away from Bryce's desk with one of her hand hand resting over the other both resting in front of her.

"Have you eaten?" Bryce asked relaxing in his seat and staring at Angela.

"Yes," Angela lied.

"Hmm," Bryce said moving his gaze away from her and to the table.

He had wanted to use that as an excuse to make her sit with him so he could study her reaction a little more because of what happened in the early hours of the morning. He felt from Angela's reaction she was probably thinking the worst of him.

"Thanks for the reminder. I will take care of what I need," Bryce said. "You went to Don Entertainment, right?" he asked leaning forward and resting both hands on his desk.

"Yes please," Angela replied taking a step back like she wanted to maintain a certain distance between them.

"How did it go?" Bryce asked.

"It went well," Angela said and remembered the misunderstanding that went on but decided to keep it to herself since she felt she handled it well. "I will send the details of it in the end-of-day report," she added.

"Hmmm," Bryce said. "About this....." he began but Susan walked in without knocking.

"Mr President, I just received a call from Don Entertainment reporting an issue that occurred earlier today," Susan blurted out and Angela knew it had to do with what Aaron raised.

Bryce shifted his gaze to Angela and back to Susan.