Offer To The CEO

Monday, continued…

As Hou Yi entered one elevator, Anna entered another heading to her floor in the legal department.

Hou Yi when he arrived at his office warned Assistant Wang what was likely to happen sometime this morning, and they quickly determined what tele-conferences and meetings she could not disturb. Assistant Wang also advised him that some within the legal department had gotten Human Resources approval to have an early baby shower for Anna. Hou Yi was grateful as that would mean that he could get through some work before Anna would arrive at his office.

Anna, when she entered the legal department, was shocked to find some of her colleagues waiting for her, with an obviously planned baby shower. As Amanda walked up, she whispered to Anna "Do not blame me. It is a tradition in the legal department for a baby shower at five months, either for the expectant mother or father."

Following Amanda, Anna was taken to the lounge area, and as soon as she sat down, she heard multiple voices saying, "Congratulations Boss Lady."

People stood around chatting for a little while, spending some time talking to each other and Anna, most offering congratulations and best wishes to Anna. Anna at one point turned to Amanda and asked, "Why was my husband not invited?"

Amanda turned and whispered "Do you think anyone could relax with the big boss here? Anyway I hear before your wedding some executives intended to play a joke on your Husband, which turned into an early baby shower, plus I understand that in a couple of weeks there the intention after a board meeting for a more formal baby shower for you."

A little after 9:30am, before chasing everyone to their offices, the senior staff present handed to Anna three envelopes. As Anna opened then, she realised her colleagues were being thoughtful. The first envelope contained a gift voucher from one of the baby stores she had seen at M Mall, as well as outlets in shopfronts around town as well, another definitely for her being a gift voucher for a day spa, and the third containing a gag book for favours once the baby was born.

As she arrived back at her office, Jodie came in with her laptop and a notepad. The first thing that they went through was some matters relating to the charity initiative. Some of the original people involved had suggested a more formal structure, with a board and some paid staff. Sitting with Jodie, Anna worked out some preliminary thoughts, which Jodie assured her she would draft into a preliminary proposal before the middle of next week.

The next thing was dealing with the emails that had come through from ANX. Jodie, with all her skills had sorted through the emails and determined the priorities, firstly being the matters with the Sunrise project and a couple of affidavits requiring drafting, through to matters with lower priority.

Jodie, finally having read the few Hou Enterprises emails that had come through knew that there was one that Anna was not going to be happy about and started to go through those emails leaving the most troubling one to last. As soon as Anna read it, she shoved the laptop at Jodie and headed straight out the door, mumbling "That husband of mine. He knew about this." Before Jodie knew Anna was entering an elevator.

Anna quickly arrived at the executive level and headed straight towards Hou Yi's office. Having been made aware of what was likely to happen Assistant Wang immediately stood up and blocked Anna saying "Madam Hou, the CEO is in a meeting and cannot be disturbed."

"Get out of the way Assistant Wang, I need to talk to him now," yelled Anna angrily.

"Madam Hou, please calm down."

Before Anna could respond Hou Yi's office door opened and out came some people, with Hou Yi at the back of the group. Seeing Anna "Gentleman, if you would like to follow my assistant to the boardroom, I will join you in a few minutes. My wife needs to speak to me."

Taking the message, Assistant Wang immediately started to escort away from Hou Yi's office, while he turned around and Anna stormed in after him.

"Yi damn it, Human Resources are making me prove that I am suitable to continue to work. That is damn discriminatory."