To Color Your Life

Thin gold stiletto heels were confidently stepping on the carpet of the hall. The girl was wearing white tight-fitting trousers and the same white jacket, emphasizing her slender figure in the best way.

Thin golden chains descended from the edge of the jacket, which were swaying temptingly with every step of hers, making a light and pleasant ringing. They transformed a business suit into an airy translucent dress, which would be worn by the best priestess of the Pharaoh.

Hands were open, numerous bracelets shimmered on the wrists under the light of the lamps. The hair was straightened and hung over the shoulders, and the same gold chains were woven into the strands as well as to her clothes. The girl's head was adorned with a neat diadem.

The makeup was not bright, rather the opposite, but it was thanks to this that one would want to keep looking at the girl's face.

"Third camera, close-up of the first row," Kelly commanded, and one of the cameramen in the audience captured the shocked faces of the men.

In a matter of seconds, their strict business suits turned them into one big gray spot, a muddy puddle, through which a snow-white swan was swimming at the moment.

It was difficult to say who entered the hall - the queen of Egypt or the business woman.

Without all the additional decorations, Emily was an example of elegance, style and impeccable taste. Such one could not only become the head the management of a large company. But also represent the country at international events.

But at the moment she also fits perfectly into the atmosphere of the meeting. Her costume was combined with the clothes of the girls of models, and her accessories echoed in style with the costumes of the men who were standing around the perimeter of the hall, like loyal guards of their ruler.

If the fashion of ancient Egypt reached our days, then it could well be just that.

"Em, camera on the right, greet our viewers," Kelly prompted. Emily turned her head slightly as she walked past the statue of Osiris. The corners of the girl's lips curved into a faint smile, but that was enough to trigger the mona lisa effect.

She went up on stage to Justin and Mr. Pitcher and calmly looked around the hall.

The team really did their best. In addition to living models, several statues were distributed around the room. No one in Pharaoh would have attached great importance to this, since such things could be found on any floor. Even the reception area on the ground floor was designed in the form of a pyramid.

But none of the guests knew one small but essential detail. A camera was attached to each statue, and now not only its direct participants saw how the meeting took place.

The team of Pharaoh magazine left this little surprise for dessert.

"Dear gentlemen... and ladies," Emily singled out several women present at the meeting. There were much fewer of them, but the girl was glad that Catherine was among these ladies. Support from her during the vote was guaranteed.

"My name is Emily Hayes. On behalf of the Pharaoh magazine team, I welcome you to this unique reporting meeting." The girl's smile was bright and sincere, but the men, especially those in the front row, frowned and crept up like bats hiding in their burrows from the bright sunlight.

Emily hadn't expected a rosy reception. But the advantage was on her side, as she at least knew what these people would expect in the next two hours.

"Everything's fine, baby. Views have tripled," Kelly whispered into her hidden earpiece.

Emily and Justin exchanged glances. He ran his hand over his ear, confirming that he had heard it too.

"Today Miss Hayes is presenting you with Pharaoh Magazine's new marketing strategy that could change not only the future of our department, but the entire publishing house," Evans confidently told the audience, "This is not the first reporting meeting for many of you, but I will repeat the rules.

We have two representatives of the publishing house who will defend their vision of this project. This is Miss Hayes and Mr. Christian Denver. After they finish their presentations, the meeting participants will have half an hour to reflect on their decision. After that, a vote will take place, which will decide the further fate of the Pharaoh magazine.

Mr. Arthur Pitcher will certify the results of the vote and the meeting will end there. If you have any organizational questions, you can ask them now. If not, then we will start presenting projects."

The shareholders exchanged glances. It was clear from their pursed lips that they had questions, but no one dared to voice them first.

"I have a question," a calm voice, searing as cold as Antarctic ice, interrupted the temporary confusion.

Emily could hardly hold back a laugh when she noticed how several obese men, who did not even button their jackets on their bellies, exhaled and looked expectantly at the one who dared to speak up.

She was not surprised. Her gaze momentarily crossed with a pair of brown eyes. Unlike the rest of the Pharaoh's elite, Christian Denver was dressed almost the same as Justin. He was wearing dress pants, but the top was not so strict - a polo shirt and no tie or jacket.

These two were clearly not bothered about what the senior nobility of the publishing house would think of them.

They would make a great team, Emily sighed inwardly. But it is not for her to decide.

"Miss Hayes, I congratulate you on your new status in the publishing house," Christian's gaze was as always piercing and penetrating into the very depths, "I like you as a person, so do not take my words personally. It's just that this matter bears a great importance to me," he looked at Arthur.

"Mr. Pitcher, with all due respect to you, the transfer of shares to Miss Hayes is a violation of the priority rule. According to the Pharaoh's protocol, the priority in buying them belongs to me."

"That's true, Mr. Denver is right," several comments supporting Christian''s words came out from the side.

Arthur Pitcher leaned on his cane and looked at the shareholders with an open grin. They are so accustomed to their familiar places, albeit deservedly received, that they completely forgot the basics.

"Mr. Denver, with all due respect to you," he repeated Christian's words with a slight sarcasm, "But you didn't read the protocol well. Otherwise, you would have known that there is an exception for every rule."

Denver frowned, "What are you talking about sir? The protocol clearly states that when selling a stake of shares, the priority of buying them is from the one who at that time has the largest stake of shares and has the necessary amount of money to buy those shares that are on sale. Even if Miss Hayes was able to meet the second condition, she certainly did not have the first."

"Steven," Arthur turned to one of his old friends, who was watching the whole thing with a melancholy look. This Steven and Justin's father were the only ones who did not show surprise and indignation at the unexpected appearance of a new shareholder.

"Well, strain your sclerotic brains, my friend, and remind the youth, what is the exception in this case?"

A grey-haired man, about the same age as Arthur Pitcher, yawned and replied, "Reverse priority rule. Any employee of the Pharaoh who does not yet own shares can purchase them if he has the required amount and he proves his rationale for the buyback."

Christian was surprised for a moment, then frowned. Understanding flashed in his eyes. He closed them and exhaled slowly. Damn it.

"I suppose Ms. Hayes's argument was more compelling than mine?" There was no reason for Denver to hide that he intended to get Pitcher's shares. Given his business acumen and rapid growth in publishing, this would not come as a surprise.

Behind his back, many prophesied the post of the future head of the Pharaoh to be given to him, but Denver has not yet given hints that he is striving for this.

Arthur Pitcher nodded, "Right. Emily proved to be quite convincing in her ambition."

"Mister Pitcher, even so, the package of shares you have offered is only half. On what basis did you transfer the other half to the girl?" one of the guests was indignant. He was clearly annoyed that such a large catch did not get into his nets.

What kind of other half? Emily looked at the boss's grandfather in confusion. They didn't discuss any other half!

Pitcher made a contented quacking sound that sounded like something between a chuckle and a horsey snort.

He grabbed Emily, who was standing nearby, by the elbow and said to his friend, "Hey Steven, you remember Marian?"

Steven took off his glasses, wiped them with the corner of his jacket and put them back on. The man narrowed his eyes, looking at the girl, as if he had just noticed her. 

"Oh, that's right. Definitely Marian," Pitcher's friend's wrinkled face lit up with a childish smile. "Look, she's Marian's exact copy! You remeber the days when she played Cleopatra!"

What?! Emily looked convulsively from one man to another. When did her grandmother play Cleopatra? She generally hated all these historical films, especially on this topic!

"And what am I talking about! It's funny, don't you think?"

The men laughed out loud at something that only both of them could understand.

Emily gave signals to Justin, but Justin pretended not to notice them. The smirk on his lips indicated that this shameless boss was also aware.

"Gentlemen, you most likely do not know, but among the founders of the publishing house were not only me, Steven, and Marty," Pitcher waved his cane towards the man who was sitting next to his friend, "There was a beautiful girl among us, bright and energetic, like a fire-breathing dragon. Her name was Marian. And this girl," he pushed Emily forward slightly.

"This girl is her granddaughter. Therefore, I return the part of the shares that I had kept on behalf of her grandmother to this family in gratitude for the support that was given to me sixty years ago.

If not for Marian, the Pharaoh publishing house would never have existed."