"I don't think...um...I can work on Hobsons's project." I say hesitantly to Caldwell.
As I said, I'm afraid of him a little and it's completely normal, after all he is the chief executive officer of the iAdverts.
His eyes are focused on his laptop's screen, but when he hears me, he turns his attention to me, "Ms. Frances, I didn't ask your opinion on this matter. I'm quite busy right now. If you don't have anything important to say, then don't waste my time."
Something very expected. I know I'm uselessly trying to convince him for this. The chances are very low that he'll listen to me because I'm just an employee here and don't hold much power.
"This is important. You said Ashar Hobsons is your special client. That's why I'm insisting you to please replace me. I'm not sure about my skills." I hope I'm not sounding desperate.
He stands up from his office chair, "I think you're overly nervous about this. I've thoroughly judged the past performan
"Is this one of your ways to hurt me and Zoya at the same time? Why are you playing with a kid's heart?" I'm getting restless now.He groans, "You're thinking wrong, Sanaya. Zoya is going to get her long lost Mom and trust me she's very happy about it.""Stop it, Ashar. I'm still unable to understand what's going on in your head and why are you here bothering me after so many years.""If you let me explain I can tell you why I took three years to come for you." He whispers solemnly.Come for me?Did he hit his head somewhere or what? Back then he didn't bear to have few minutes with me now he's acting all sugary. It's hard to swallow."It doesn't matter what were your reasons. Can't you see? I've moved on. I'm not interested in knowing your stories." I snap.I'm overwhelmed right now due to countless questions and confusions and those hints in his words. Those hints that say...that say..No, let's not go there. I'm not going to t
Next day early in the morning, I get a call from Derek. He told me that Ashar has summoned the entire team to his office. He is holding a meeting there to give briefing about the new gadget his company is about to launch.This reminds me of Ashar's words he said to me yesterday that from now I'm going to see him frequently. I guess that phase has begun.I reach to the address Derek sent me on my phone after dropping Zoya to the daycare center where her father asked me to. It was the first time I slept with her. After uncountable sleepless nights, I got to sleep peacefully last night with my arms wrapped around my baby girl.I'm planning to take her to Ryan's house and introduce her to my friends. I'm certain they will get excited after seeing her. I want them to meet my daughter.I open the door and walk to the receptionist to get instructions. There are only few people at the lobby and the place itself is not quite spacious. I wonder why Ashar have an of
Just before the sunset, I go to the day care center to pick up my daughter. By staying near to Zoya, I get to forget about Ashar problem and every other problem of my problematic life. However, that little kid reminds of my sin a lot more than before. I wonder how my parents would've survived after leaving me alone. Did they feel the same way like me? If yes, then they surely didn't have an easy life.I stop walking when I notice Ashar is standing at the front gate of the daycare with a yellow patterned paper bag in his hand. My mood is once again ruined.The corners of his lips curve upward into a smile as he looks at me. My nostrils flare. I don't know why he is keep showing me his puppy like smile. My heart flutters in a way I don't want to think about.He walks towards me. I stand straight and wait for him to explain his reasons of coming here."I thought it would be difficult for you to take care of her. But you're doing good." He again gives m
Next day, at the agency, I do my regular tasks. After I'm done proofreading the reports, I intend to take them to dept. head's office. They are actually the hard copies of all the research reports, needs a dept. head's final approval.I assemble them, hold them in my hands and then hurry towards Watson's office. I knock the door for once, push it opened and step inside in his office."Watson, these are the reports-" I stop in mid-sentence when I see Watson, department head is in meeting with someone.He looks at me. The man whom he was talking to also turns his head in my direction. An angry frown creases my forehead when I see Ashar there. He beams."Sanaya, please come inside." Watson waves his hand at me.Watson is a friendly, another middle-aged man. He is more humane than Caldwell. I'm happy that I work under him because he's not a difficult boss, but there are times when he acts like one.Reluctantly I walk forward and stand beside Ash
Meeting with Alfaro goes good. He has agreed for the trial of new gadget. If he'll be satisfied with its performance, he assured us that his company will sign the contract with Hobsons's Electronics. Throughout the meeting, Ashar remained serious and professional. I'm thankful that he didn't try any funny business during meeting. He asks me to initiate the discussion by telling the CEO about the most beneficial points of his new product. After few minutes, he joined me and used all the persuasive tactics to convince him for the trial. I'm happy that eventually we accomplished the goal. When Alfaro finally leaves the restaurant, I stand up from my chair and walks out of the restaurant while silently thanking fate for ending these torturous moments. But soon my relief disappears into thin air when I find Ashar following me. "Where are you going?" He inquires aloud. I stop walking and turn around to face him. "To the office. My work with you is f
Next day Carol invites me for her floral shop inauguration. I decide to take Zoya with me there. It will be the perfect occasion to let my friends see her.I reach just on time to the address Carol texted me yesterday. Grabbing Zoya's hand in one, I hold the small, cute flower bouquet in my other hand that I have bought on the way for Carol.I step inside Carol's shop and look around. The smell of fresh flowers strikes my nostrils and I breathe deeply to inhale more of the fragrance. Different species of flowers are displayed on their respective racks. There is an array of greenery spread over vertically on the mint green walls with the multi-color fairy lights for the decoration. On my right, at some distance there is a cash counter and two padded, rolling chairs in front of it.Overall the place looks colorful and eye-refreshing. I would want to live in that scented environment all day. There isn't much crowd here because Carol has invited only few people for
It has been three days. Yes, three whole days, I haven't seen Ashar. He didn't even come to annoy me or contact me after that day when I made him arrested. He didn't come to theagency.I'm in shock.There was a product launching ceremony yesterday at his office. The same product, whose promotional strategy we are designing. Ashar wasn't there on his own product launching and the strangest thing was that his staff also didn't know his whereabouts. He was not seen by his office staff either.Despite my futile efforts to not to get bothered by it, my head is flooded with pessimistic and bothersome questions like; did he give up already? What if he decided to leave Zoya with me forever? Did my fake complaint really affect him?Although I'm grateful that in his absence I worked in peace and thought that he finally learnt his lesson, but now his sudden absence is making me feel apprehensive."Mommy, I want to talk to daddy." Zoya's voice disturbs my
Anger, horror and guilt pulse through my veins as soon as I storm inside the police headquarter. I move my eyes around and observe that no one in particular has paid attention to me or Zoya. All the constables are busy in their respective tasks. I put Zoya down from my arms and hold her hand.I amble forward and speak to the first policeman I encounter with. His eyes are glued to the computer screen in front. He's trying to stay awake, but his heavy eyelids are keep shutting down. Zoya stands beside me, observing her surroundings."There's a person inside the lockup named Ashar Hobsons. I filed the complaint against him." I begin speaking to get his attention."So?" He looks up at me with sleepy eyes."I want you to release him."He chuckles, "Come back tomorrow." He ruffles his buttercream blond hair lazily, "It's late.""Listen." I persist, "He has been in the lock up since three days on a false complaint. He is innocent."He rolls