Chapter 2: What a creepy guy

Around 9:00am,

Our HR and Administrative Manager, Susan Liu walked to our common area to inform that all personnel are called into an immediate urgent meeting by our Managing Director.

None knew the purpose of the meeting. We walked in the meeting room and sat down to wait for our superiors including management executives to enter.

Within minutes, the door opened and the familiar faces of our superiors appeared with a new face.

None of us know who he is.

Everyone in my team were looking at one another and giving the question on our face “Who is that?”

We stood up to greet the executives.

I glanced at the new face and pondered, Eh, This new face looked rather familiar. Have I seen him before?

Our Managing Director, Mr Aaron Elijah spoke,

“Please be seated. Meet my son, Jeremiah. He has just returned from the United States, and he will be working as the HR & Administrative Director as of today. Jeremy, please introduce yourself.”

Oh, so he is Jeremiah, the new face and new Director. He is quite tall, around 5’ 10”, handsome and young.

He has the stern look, an aura that others will refrain from offending him.

Alright, fine with me for whoever the director is, as long as I enjoy my work. I pondered to myself.

Then, the new Director introduced himself,

“Hi everyone, just call me Jeremy. I will not talk more about myself, rather I will go straight to the purpose of this meeting. This is only a briefing as there will be reshuffling of system such as work scopes in our organisational chart for Administrative and HR Department. Thereafter, reshuffling will continue with other departments until the whole company has a completely new working system. Details will be given in our next meeting.”

‘That voice’, I thought to myself. It sounded familiar.

I tried to remember where I heard this voice, but in vain.

Suddenly, I felt that someone was looking at me.

I looked up and noticed that the new director was looking at me as he speaks.

Why?

Then, Jeremiah opened his laptop and clicked on a file to show us a framework of new system on the huge monitor screen on the wall.

My observation and evaluation of Jeremiah’s presentation left a good impression on me. He has lots of new ideas.

I believe that he has acquired these ideas from his working experiences in the USA.

The meeting took only twenty minutes, indeed it was brief.

Before he ended the meeting, he said,

“Brace for changes, and be receptive to new changes. Anyone who has ideas, please share it with us so that we will improve our system of work.”

Even though, the meeting was brief, it kind of giving me an uneasy feeling, as he was always looking at me while presenting his ideas.

Creepy! I shuddered as I thought of it.

As everyone was walking back to their individual’s workstation, the topic of the new Director could be heard, be it loud or whispers.

I kept quiet as I hated such petty talks. I needed to get back to my desk and focused on my work.

I didn’t give the two hoots of the hot topic, I only wanted to meet my datelines.

As for other colleagues, the talk intensified.

My buddies, Shirley and John joined in the gossips with the other team mates.

Suddenly Shirley asked, “Rachel, what do you think of our boss’s son, Jeremiah? He is the boss of our department now.”

Without looking at her, I replied, “no comment”.

John looked surprise, and uttered “Huh?”

I looked at John, and said, “No comment because I don’t know him, right?”

Shirley with her curiosity clearly written in her eyes walked towards me and whispered,

“Rachel, will you consider him as your potential boyfriend?”

John quickly poke Shirley’s right arm signaling her to shut-up.

I glared at Shirley as I could feel myself fuming. Before I opened my mouth to shout at her, she quickly apologised,

“I am sorry, forget what I asked.”

Then, she quickly went back to her seat after noticing my anger and John’s warning.

I was cursing Shirley in my mind,

I wanted so much to smack Shirley’s head. I have enough of love relationship. Once bitten, twice shy!

After my bad experience with Geoffrey, I lost my confidence in love.

I didn’t want to hear any more about the creepy Director or other men.

I got up with my laptop in my hand and walked to Susan Liu’s room to report our progress of documentation for the three projects.

After hearing my report, Susan suggested a short meeting, thus, I called everyone to come together for it in our small meeting room which was located within the Administrative Department.

There were only five in our team, thus, the meeting room was sufficient for our small group.

Susan Liu joined us for the meeting, and I reminded everyone on the fixed work schedule for them to accomplish each stage in order to submit all the proposals before the datelines and work scopes were being followed through in the meeting.

Susan smiled and spoke before the meeting adjourned,

“Rachel has been leading this team and it has had proven that this team is a good team. I know there are more works this time around. Be patient, and work together to deliver what is expected by our Managing Director. You can do it!”

I smiled upon hearing what Susan had said, Susan has always been motivating and we are thankful for a kind-hearted superior in our department.’

When lunch break approached, my colleagues were getting ready to go out for lunch.

John asked, “Rachel, let’s go”

“Nah, I am not going. Need to complete this Report. Please help me to buy sandwich, the usual tuna egg sandwich.”

Having said that, I took my wallet out to pay John while uttering “thanks” to him.

After John left with the rest, I once again bury my head into my work. A few minutes later, I sensed as if someone was standing in front of me and when I looked up, it is Jeremiah.

I startled for a moment.

“I am sorry, did I startle you? I didn’t mean to give you a fright.” Jeremiah apologised and he continued, “Why aren’t you joining the others for lunch?”

Being polite, I just smiled and said, “I have a report to finish by today. Besides, John is helping me to buy sandwich.”

In fact, I was cursing him for giving me a fright.

“Sandwich? Enough for you? Since I am going for lunch, I get other food for you?” Jeremiah insisted.

“No, you need not do so. I have always prefer light lunch, so that I won’t be drowsy after lunch. Thank you very much.” I replied in haste, and reminding myself not to be a burden to him or anyone else.

I have always been independent.

“I am fine, please go and have your lunch”, I continued while looking at him. Oh dear, He looked disappointed, I may have sounded like I am chasing him away.

Indeed, he is good looking. He is considered a very handsome man. He is attractive, I must admit.

No, no, Rachel, focus on work! Don’t side-track! Don’t think of any relationship with any man.

I have enough of the pain when I found out of Geoff’s cheating. I wanted to move on with my life.

Even if I ended up as a spinster, I would at least be free from the burden of love. I was reasoning to myself.

Jeremiah left after giving a faint respond of “hmm”.

My engrossment in my work continued, after ten minutes or so, I felt thirsty. I grabbed my tumbler to drink but realised that it was empty.

I stood up with the intention to refill my tumbler at the pantry, but alas I was shocked to see a person standing behind the glass panel near my cubicle. He was smiling at me.

That person was Jeremiah.

What the hell was wrong with him?

Creepy! I was again cursing him.

Without saying anything, Jeremiah turned around and walked away.

I grasped my tumbler to my chest, and I was quite shaken up with his ‘action’. I began to ask myself, Should I stay late tonight?

My team would stay late with me, but not as late as I usually were. They would leave around 8:00pm or 9:00pm because most of them either are in relationships or they have families.

I hope this creepy Director would leave exactly at 5:30pm, I wanted to stay until midnight today.

After lunch, John walked in with my sandwich. I was famished and quickly took a bite.

I ate my food hastily together with a cup of coffee, thereafter, I continued with my report.

Data kept coming in from other departments, we were getting busier and busier.

Suddenly, my intercom rang. I put my file aside and glanced at the display screen.

It is Mr Aaron’s intercom number.

I promptly answered the call, “Hello, Mr Aaron.” He wanted to see me immediately in his office.

“Okay, I will be right there.”

Within minutes, I was seated in front of Mr Aaron’s desk.

“Rachel, thanks for coming immediately. I know that you are busy with the reports of previous projects to be integrated as guidelines for our upcoming three projects. There are a few important things that I need you to take note.” Mr Aaron informed.

He paused, took a sip of tea and continued, “Remember your suspicion on the accounting of last year and please dig more. Something odd about it. This is the first thing you need to do.

Secondly, compile the flow chart of procedures and documentation for the whole office system. You are the only person in the office that know the system from A to Z. I am worried that the others will not be able to give Jeremy the complete picture.

Thirdly, compile the budget for next year. I know it is too early to compile, but I need Jeremy to have a picture of our budget. I have always relied on you to budget instead of waiting for A&F every year. Rachel, these are urgent. Please put some time per day for it. Is one week sufficient?”

I gazed at Mr Aaron and replied,

“One week is enough for the flow chart of the office system and budget, but the digging on the accounting discrepancies will take some time. However, I will get it done as soon as possible. Is there anything else?”

Mr Aaron shook his head and said, “You can go ahead with your work. Thank you Rachel.”

I stood up and replied, “Thank you”.

Just as I was about to walk out, there was a knock on the door.

Mr Aaron quickly called out, “Come in”.

The door opened, Jeremy walked in and he was startled to see me.

I felt bad for giving him a fright. “Sorry”

I said followed with “Excuse me,”

and I made my way out of Mr Aaron’s room.

“Wait a minute Rachel. Come back and join us for a discussion.” Mr Aaron called out to me.

No choice but to obey him. I turned around and sat next to Jeremy without glancing at him.

I wanted to avoid looking at him after remembering his creepy gazes during the meeting as well as lunch-break today.

Mr Aaron spoke, “Jeremy you didn’t have the chance to meet Rachel personally this morning during the meeting. She is my most trusted person in the company. My trust in her is even more than those executives in the management level. Rachel was one of the first batch of employees I had since I started this company in Kuala Lumpur. Even though she is young, she is capable of even managing the whole company.”

Suddenly, I chimed in,

“Mr Aaron, thanks for your compliment but my academic qualification was not at par. I only have five years of working experience in your company.”

Mr Aaron laughed, “Rachel, my dear Rachel. My humble Rachel.”

He then turned to Jeremy and said,

“She started working at only seventeen years old which was considered underage. Her secondary school teacher had to sign the consent letter in order for me to accept her employment. She even completed her diploma in business administration as part-timers. She might not have the academic qualification like others but she is more than capable.”

I wanted so much to stop Mr Aaron from blaring about me. There wasn’t anything special about me, I am only a simple woman in my early 20’s.

Just that I am more than willing to learn whenever I am given the opportunities. Many in the company called me ‘meddlesome and stupid’ by bringing more workload on my shoulders.

I didn’t care because I wanted to keep myself busy and live a fulfilled life.

Jeremy was quietly listening to Mr Aaron. He didn’t say much except nodded and smiled to me from time to time.

Half an hour later, I was back to my workstation.

I heaved a sigh, pushed my existing work aside on my tray and started on Mr Aaron’s request.

I took out a piece of recycled paper and started to draw out the flow chart according to hierarchy, including the details of each department.

After I was done with the draft, I began to draw, type and elaborated in the computer.

I completed the draft five minutes before 5:30pm while other staff were going home except my team members.

However, John informed me that they were going out for dinner before coming back to work.

I nodded and answered, “Alright”.

Shirley chimed in,

“Rachel, what do you want to eat? I’ll help you to buy.”

I shook my head and said,

“Nope, I am going to have my dinner later. Thank you.”

John and the rest of our team came back after dinner and continued to stay on to the evening, and everyone started to leave before 9:00pm.

Shirley looked at me, and said

“Rachel, best that you go home now. You have been working late, and you really look tired.”

I smiled,

“Don’t worry about me, I sleep like a log and all these documentations are urgent. I can always rest during the weekends.”

Shirley smiled,

“Alright, girl. You take care on your way home. Don’t stay too late.”

“Thank you for your concern. See you tomorrow!” I replied without looking at her as I was too engrossed with my work.

After some time, maybe an hour or two, I heard footsteps on the door way.

That must be Raju, the security guard who was doing his rounds.

As the footsteps drew nearer to my workstation, I spoke without lifting my head to see.

“Raju, it’s me, I am working late again. No worries, I will switch off the lights and air-conditioner when I leave. Then, you can lock up the office.”

There was no reply, Raju would usually response.

Why? Out of curiosity, I looked up, expecting to see Raju’s face.

But no, that’s not Raju. My goodness! It is the creepy Director.