The Last Meeting
The snow leopard sipped her tea while she looked at Tigress's forlorn face staring at the surface of her kitchen table. "And he gave you the day off?"
"Yeah," the tiger replied. "Three days. I don't know what I was thinking. I shouldn't have reacted like that."
"I don't think it was for nothing," Song replied, pulling the wrinkles out of her T-shirt. "It seems to me that Po matters to you more than you're willing to admit."
The tiger stared at the snow leopard and sighed, resting her head on her propped-up hand. "And you're not teaching Lei Lei right now because?"
"Coincidentally, I have PTO time, too," Song smiled.
"That poor substitute."
"Actually the substitute is stricter than me. Lei Lei seems to like him."
"Who is he?"
"His name is Mr. Ping. A goose. I think he used to run a cooking business before substituting. He told me it was temporary, but he loves teaching kids while he figures out what to do," Song drank her tea but stopped when she saw Tigress's jaw drop. "What?"
"Mr. Ping is the person in charge of the culinary school that Kai 'acquired' without anyone knowing. The one I was telling you about?"
"Oh! Well, that explains why he was emotional when he talked about his shop," Song muttered, sipping her tea. "Anyway, the kids are in good hands. Once I saw him come in with his wooden spoon, I knew they wouldn't do him much harm."
"Wooden... spoon?" Tigress repeated.
"It's hard to explain." Song rubbed the side of her head with a grumble.
"That doesn't help me with my situation."
"Is there a situation yet?"
"Oogway comes for a visit, Po mentions a plan to stop the corruption, and then he asks me if I would take his job again? You don't find that a little too coincidental?"
"Or you're making up stories in your head. Like someone we knew?" Song smirked, raising her eyebrow. Tigress grumbled under her breath. "Whatever happened to her?"
"She left."
"Oh."
"Cited 'personal issues' as a reason for her resignation. Good riddance."
"I don't know," Song hummed. "Sounds like you and Du Ai had the same issues when it comes to jumping to conclusions. I mean, what did you initially think Po did when he fired me?"
Tigress pursed her lips and turned away. "I... thought he assaulted you."
"Ha! If that were the case, I would probably be sleepy," Song laughed, "Po's punches probably hit like pillows."
"He can get angry, Song. He was definitely angry when he learned Kai bought Mr. Ping's school," Tigress grimaced, rubbing her right forearm. "I've never seen him that furious at someone."
"Wouldn't you be?"
"Yeah, but... I just never thought I'd see Po like that."
Song tilted her head, setting her teacup down. "But you don't seem to hate it."
"I've... never really seen Po stand up for things like this. I think the whole CEO position has given him a backbone that he could never get at his previous job," Tigress said, hiding a small smile.
The snow leopard smirked, "And that intrigues you?"
"Song."
"I'm curious. How do you see Po?"
"You know how I see him."
"Actually, I don't. And it seems like it's changed recently. You've practically met his entire family, including Shen." The snow leopard grumbled at the mention.
"He says sorry, by the way. He's probably going to send you a letter later on but he told me to tell you that. He knew that you wouldn't like to see him anytime soon."
"He's right," Song grumbled. "I've got a looooot of healing to do before I can forgive him. But back to Po. How do you see him?"
Tigress sighed heavily and looked at the table. "I... don't know."
"Let's ask an easier question. How do you see Lee? Does this whole thing change your view of him?"
Tigress lifted her widened eyes. She made a loud sigh and buried her head into her arms. "I... I think I know what I have to do."
"You do?"
"Yes."
"Great... mind sharing with the class?" Song asked.
Tigress smirked as she sipped her tea. "You'll see later."
"Oh come on! That's no fair!"
"The best fruits off the grapevine are the ones fully ripened."
"That makes no sense!" Song shouted. The tiger laughed as they changed their conversation to something else.
Meanwhile, Po rubbed the wrinkles out of his suit and paced up the stairs towards the top floor where Shen was waiting. "Oh! I thought you would've used the elevator," Shen said.
"I'm one floor below you guys. I don't understand why you use the elevator in the first place," Po said with a bit of annoyance. "Is everyone here?"
"Well... no."
"He didn't."
Shen nodded. "He said that he had more important things to do than... 'waste time with your small-minded goals'. His words, not mine."
Po held a neutral face for a moment before grinning widely. "Good. That makes this all the better."
"What do you mean?"
"I reviewed the company policies. The board votes by majority rule, and it doesn't matter if all the members are there and if at max two board members are missing, they can still vote."
Shen nodded as they walked to the door. They could see the members sitting in wait, but the bird stopped the panda before they went in. "The board also wanted to talk to you about the chairman."
"What about him?"
"I don't know, but here's to hoping it works in our favor," Shen replied. They walked into the room full of board members, six in all including Shen. "Gentleman, I'm glad that you're all here. I apologize for the urgency, but we do need to talk about our recent... addition of Mr. Ping's culinary school. And... company practices."
"Company practices?" Said a goat board member.
The peafowl took a deep sigh, "Mr. Shan-Yang, Zainan company has lived up to its meaning: disaster. When this company began, it was meant to be an oxymoron, a place of order in a land of chaos. Now, our company has become the emblem of chaos... and I've been a part of its creation."
"Oh, you mean your embezzlement?" Said a bunny board member.
Po and Shen looked at each other. "I... what?"
"We knew what you were doing with the money, Shen," Said Shan-Yang. "But we couldn't do anything about it because we were dealing with you and Kai AND dealing with the chairman's... foolishness. Coincidentally, you three have more money and power on the board than us. We were planning to let the feds find you out and just let you take the fall, but then Po's interaction seemed to give you a change of heart."
"Among other things," smirked a gazelle board member. Shen's eyes widened. Did they know about him and Ayi? "And just for the record, it wouldn't have been a problem with company policy."
"I... see," Shen said. Though that didn't give him enough information, the bird thought it best to sit down and say nothing.
"Uhh, Mr. Ling-Yang, what exactly happened with the chairman?" Po asked the gazelle.
"You haven't heard?" Po and Shen shook their heads. Shan-Yang, the goat, sighed, "He... Shen wasn't the only person misusing the funds. He was just... quieter about it. As you've probably noticed, the chairman is with us a relatively small number of times." Po nodded. "That's because he's been using company money to do... other things."
"Like?"
"He was found blackout drunk at a strip house using the company's money," Ling-Yang explained bluntly, rubbing his antlered head, "His bodyguards grabbed him before he could make a bigger mess of himself and told us."
"Which is why you asked me to be here?" The board nodded. The panda sighed, "Well, as much as I would like to have the job, I don't think that's the best thing to do. But I have been talking with a candidate that's willing to take the job for a... temporary time until we find a more permanent solution." He gave them the candidate's name.
The bunny board member, Mr. Tuzi, laughed, "So that's why he was here! So you knew this chairman was a mess."
"We didn't know anything about the chairman, Mr. Tuzi. But we knew that he would be out of the office enough times to... pull this off," Shen replied.
"A corporate coup?" Shan-Yang asked with raised eyebrows. The panda and peacock slowly nodded. The goat board member stroked his chin with his hoof. "What about Kai? He's not here for that decision."
"Actually, the company policy states that majority rules even if at max two board members are missing. OR if they decline to come," Po replied.
The board members glanced at each other. The room stayed silent for a long while. Shan-Yang stood up and smirked, "Oogway was right to hire you, Mr. Ping."
"Thank you," Po smiled.
"All in favor of the removal of the current chairman and approval of the new candidate? Say Aye?"
"Aye!" said all six board members.
"And majority rules, so the ayes have it. That takes care of that," Shan-Yang sat down. "Now, you said this candidate would be temporary. What permanent candidate did you have in mind?" Po told them. The goat smiled. "That would be perfect!"
"Wait, what about you? Wouldn't that be a conflict of interest?" Ling-Yang asked.
Scowling, Po narrowed his eyes as he slowly spoke, "I didn't know the office grapevine spreads all the way to the 15th floor. What have you heard?" The board members glanced from side to side, making awkward coughs and unsteady side stares. Po grumbled under his breath. "Well, other than the rumors, I have that taken care of." He told him his plan.
Shan-Yang dropped his jaw. "Are... are you sure?"
"I'm not the person for this. It's a lot and I took it because of bad home-life circumstances. I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Said Ling-Yang. "You've made a great change to our organization. And I'm sure your candidates will love the change."
Po smiled, "I hope so, sir. I hope so."
"Well, with that said," Shan-Yang stood up, "I bring this meeting to an end. Meeting adjourned."
The next day presented several challenges for Po and Tigress.
The tiger nervously tapped her finger on the table. The small 70's style diner's red-lined table could only take so much of her tapping. She shook her head, trying her best to not use her phone.
She couldn't be distracted this time. She had to do this. As the clock ticked on above the open-window kitchen, Tigress checked her clothing again.
It was casual. Dark jeans and, this time, a white polo shirt with a small jade alligator on the left side. It was a men's polo, but women's clothing was just hard to deal with. Tigress looked at her watch again, glancing out the wide window to her right. She placed a hand underneath her chin as she sighed for the umpth time.
"Calm down, Tigress, you're getting worried for nothing," She said to herself. Yet the nervous knot in her stomach refused to leave.
Just then the door opened. A tiger about a few inches taller than her stepped in with black scrubs. A stethoscope roped around his neck and he wore creamy white sneakers on his feet. Lee saw the female tiger and waved with a bright smile, sitting down in front of her. "Hey," he said in a light voice that reminded Tigress of a sic-com character somewhere. "What's shaking?"
"'What's shaking?' You really like showing your age."
"Hey, I'm not that old," Lee chuckled, "And it's not my fault my parents have good taste with the oldies."
"Uh-huh. That phrase is still dated."
"Sue me."
"Be careful. I actually can," Tigress smirked.
Lee's eyes widened but his smile stayed. "You're more jovial than normal."
"What makes you say that?"
"You're usually a little more serious."
"Things have... changed around my workspace," Tigress replied. The waiter came up, took their orders, and left. The tigers sat in silence for what felt like an hour. Lee scratched the side of his head with his claw. Tigress smirked, "Nervous?"
"A... little. It's just... well, when you told me that you had some time off and you wanted to meet me, I... found it a little odd."
"Why?"
Lee shrugged, "I don't know. We haven't met in a while and you mentioned having a lot of stress."
Tigress gave a long sigh, "Well, I'm sorry for being absent lately. I've... I've been trying to figure some things out."
"Uh oh," Lee said.
"What?"
"Usually when a woman says that it means that she wants to break up with someone."
Tigress chuckled, thinking about what Po said about 'women's language'. Maybe that's why she liked Lee. "Well... unfortunately... yes. That... is the case." She grimaced a bit and chided herself. This was a little too cold and business-like.
But the male feline sighed with a smile. "It's okay. I was... actually feeling the same way."
"What?"
Lee shrugged with a gritted frown, "I don't know. Tigress, you are a beautiful, talented, and high-achieving person determined to get what she wants in life and I admire that."
"But," Tigress asked with a tinge of suspicion.
"Over time, I... didn't think I was the man to help you with that. You're an amazing friend but as time went on... I just didn't think we'd make a good couple. Good friends, yeah, but... not really a good couple."
The female tiger slowly narrowed her eyes. "When did you learn that?"
"In our talks, really. And... I would be lying if it didn't feel like your eyes were on someone else." Tigress moved to apologize. "It's alright. I... even if they weren't, my... eyes also found someone else," Lee gulped, fearing what the striped businesswoman would do.
Tigress sighed with relief. "You don't know how good it is to hear that, Lee. Are you sure you're okay with this?"
"I am. I... also couldn't help but think that... since you've talked about her so much... that you only really dated me because you were worried about... your daughter. Which I'm fine with! I completely understand the motive but-"
"That shouldn't replace love?"
"Yeah," Lee sighed.
Tigress smiled wider. "I know that now."
"If it makes you feel better, I'm willing to babysit Lei Lei."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
"And you're sure the person you have eyes on won't mind?" Tigress asked.
"Yeah, she doesn't know that I like her yet," He said with a slightly nervous love-sick grin, "but... I think she'll figure it out once she's... done with her therapy."
Tigress's eyes narrowed. "Should I be concerned?"
"It's okay. I'm not dumb enough to start dating her RIGHT as she's doing the therapy. She has issues, but... I handle those kinds of issues well."
"She sounds a bit... much."
"Yeah," Lee sighed. "And I'm not trying to save her. I'm just going to bully her into saving herself."
Tigress chuckled. If she had to think about it, her friendship with Po was much the same way. The waiter came with their food. "I'm so glad we could do this. And you have to tell me more about this new eye candy of yours," Tigress smirked.
"Uhh trust me. If you knew her, something tells me you would kill me," Lee chuckled.
"Is it someone I know?"
"Hopefully not!" Lee said with a corny grin. "But I'm glad that we can still be friends."
Tigress smiled, "Me too."
While this was happening, plans were moving at Zainan Inc. Po sat next to Shen who wore a black suit with his bodyguard Qiang behind him. The panda raised an eyebrow but smirked. "You really like that suit."
"Po, now is not the time to bring that up," Shen muttered. His wing brushed the side of his face. "Is... is there any mark on my face?"
"What kind of... Oh!"
"PO! Just answer the question before the board gets here," Shen ordered.
"Okay, okay. No. There isn't," Po replied. They sat in the top-floor meeting room, glancing through a large panoramic window. Though the two had spoken with the board yesterday, the OFFICIAL date for the meeting was today. "You think she'll like the view?"
"Depends on if she takes the position," Shen said. "Especially since-"
They stopped short when the board members and Kai marched in. The yak took a seat across from Po and Shen. The three glared at each other. Kai held a smirk on his face while Po fretfully watched the yak's every move.
Shan-Yang, the goat board member, cleared his throat. "I believe today is of great importance. As all of you know, our chairman has been removed for a number of... personal reasons. Needless to say, we need a new chairman."
"Gentlemen," Kai grunted up to his feet with a large smile. "Seeing as I am the senior among most of you and the one with the most expertise with Zainan Inc's legacy, I would like to nominate myself as chairman."
"No," said the whole room.
Kai looked deeply surprised. He figured Po and Shen would be against it but not the rest of the board. "What? I've been here at this company for going on 35 years!"
"And have shown the board, the shareholders, and the employees of this company that you are not suited for the job," Shan-Yang remarked. "Besides, we've already elected a new chairman."
"Without my presence?"
"Remember that emergency meeting you were supposed to come to?" Shen asked. "You declined saying you had other things to do. Besides, it was unanimously voted on."
"Who was elected?" Kai demanded.
Just then, someone came through the glass door and strolled straight into the chair reserved for the chairman. Kai's eyes widened and his mouth dropped. "Thank you for your patience, gentlemen. I had to meet with the head of Mr. Ping's culinary school for their restoration case."
"Y... Y... YOU!" Kai screamed.
The gentleman sitting in the chair smiled with a great grin. "It's nice to see you, Kai."
"Why is Oogway here?!"
"He's the new chairman," Shen explained.
"That can't be allowed in the company policy!"
"It is," Po smiled, raising his finger. "I checked."
"As I was saying," Oogway started, "The first order of business is to remove Kai from his position as board member involving several violations of company policy. Seconded?"
"Second."
"All in favor aye?"
"AYE!"
"NAY!" Kai shouted, pointing at Shen. "What about this thieving bird!?"
"Me? I'm also stepping down as a board member," Shen smirked.
"What?!"
"Like you said, it makes no sense for me to be here if you are gone as well. Fair is fair. So I am stepping down as board member and helping a... dear friend of mine with her industry."
Kai's jaw dropped as he turned his broad eyes at the panda. Po smiled widely, "Not bad for a pawn eh?"
"GRAAH!"
"Qiang!"
"On it, sir," The wolf quickly rounded the table and held the yak in check. Kai's "former" bodyguards assisted Qiang.
"You little swindling panda! I'll get you for this!"
"Gentlemen, please escort Kai off the premises," Oogway ordered.
"With pleasure, sir," Qiang grinned. As the barking yak went out of the board room, Po gave a large huff of air, even loosening his tie.
"Man, that was tense."
"You didn't have to say that, you know," Shen smirked.
"Hey, it was the one time I got to say it with some punch," Po said. The peacock smiled and shook his head. Po looked out the window and sighed again, "It's finished. It's finally finished." He felt the bird's wing gently rest on his shoulder.
"As much as I appreciate you two being here," Oogway said, "Mr. Shen is no longer part of the board."
"I understand," Shen bowed his head in respect.
"Don't worry, I'll see you out," Po said. "And you'll talk to the board about Shen and Kai's replacement, right Mr. Oogway?"
The tortoise smiled, "Of course I will. Has the candidate-"
"Not yet, but I'm working on it," Po nervously chuckled as he walked with Shen out the door. "Heh, heh, it's done."
"It is. I'm sure that Peng will be excited to hear the good news."
"And I'm sure my aunt will like being around you in your big house," Po smirked at the blushing bird.
Continued...
A/N: I'm sorry I haven't keeping to the schedule; a lot has been happening and I've had to reedit a lot of stuff I have on the back burner. Unfortunately, I forgot how HOT the backburner was and everything is on fire soooooo thanks for being patient.