EPOV
"I mean, the targets are not set right. The release dates are missing. The marketplace data is all over the place. I don't know what we're even trying to discuss here." I said.
This was the first time Isabella and I were talking to each other after whatever the hell happened three days ago. I was glad it was during the office meeting. I didn't think I was ready to have a normal conversation with her just yet!
"I'll get them ready before the next meeting. It's something the team is working on," Isabella said.
"Well, these were expected today." I said, "I'm not sure why we're having this meeting today then."
Wasn't I pretty clear about what I expected to see today?
"Yes, sorry, we tried to get them ready, but due to the lack of clarity on certain issues, we decided to leave it out," she said.
"Well, focus on the meeting agenda from next time. I hope you've realized how many people's time was wasted in this meeting," I said.
"Yes, I do realize that," she said, "And we're missing just one point from the agenda. We've covered everything else."
"It's not just one point," I said, "It's the most important point."
"That's fine," Big Pa chimed in, "You're just getting started. You can take some time to work through the details and expectations."
"Yes, sure, thank you," she said.
"You need to tone down a bit during these kinds of meetings," Big Pa said to me once we were alone after the meeting, "You're getting worse day by day."
"I'm trying," I said without taking my eyes off my laptop.
"Well, then you need to put in more effort," he said, "You need to understand that these are real people with emotions. They can make mistakes. You need to stop treating them as robots."
"Don't exaggerate," I said, "I haven't treated anyone as a robot. I was just pointing out the obvious misses."
"You could have handled it a bit better especially when it was your wife at the receiving side," he said.
"She's not my wife here," I said, "She's just someone who's leading one of my ambitious projects here."
"You're just... getting worse," he said.
"Say whatever you want! I have the best track record than everything else here. Better than you, Mom or Dad! So whatever I'm doing definitely seems to be working," I joked.
"Well, then you might want to explain to Isabella about how great you think your methods are," he shook his head, "I don't think she liked the way you treated her today."
Who cared about her anyway!
"I need to talk to you," Isabella came to my office after some time, "What were you trying to prove in the meeting?"
Okay, bring it on!
"I wasn't trying to prove anything," I said without taking my eyes off my laptop, "That's how I talk in the meetings."
"Look, I just got to know from Esme that it was you who had recommended my name for this project. I thought it was her. If you didn't trust me enough, then why did you do so?"
"I just thought you'd be a good choice to lead this project," I said.
"Well, I can see how much you're regretting it. I can see it on your face!" she said.
Oh really? How could she see something on my face that was not even on my mind?
"You know what?" I said as I looked up, "You should work on your insecurities before coming here to fight with me."
"Insecurities? What insecurities?" She snapped.
"Emmett told me about some of the issues going on at Swan Inc. I guess they're lucky to get rid of you and your insecurities. It's us who're stuck with you now."
Shit! Maybe I said a little too much, and that, too, something I didn't even believe in!
I instantly regretted it as I saw her expressions changing immediately on hearing that, and those were the most hurtful expressions I had ever seen on her face!
"Thank you." She said and left my office.
"Shit!" I said to myself as I banged my head with my hand.