Chapter 2: I Hates Birthday Surprises

Gazing through the window. Tony Flynn, a small man in a bulldogish face, caught a lady stopped her car in front of the enormous gate. The lady had an orange-brown, knee-length silky skirt on and a cream-coloured, well tailored, buttoned-down satin shirt. Her outfit was not too baggy, not too tight. 

"She's here! She's here!" He clamored over the phone. "I'm sure she will be upstairs in a minute. I'll join you right away." Tony ended the call with excitement. 

The lady wined the tinted glass of her shiny black Lamborghini and climbed down. Everything looked like they made it to fit me. The CEO of Beckett Holdings. Shocked at the bones, I gasped at what stood before me. The gates to the company were wide open. 

"Wait, what's happening?" I wondered and staggered closely on my heels. Stepping into the building, I realized the electronics were all on and the place was literally a graveyard. Only the sound of my heels echoed in the silence as I approached my office. With a ding from the elevator, I got to the first floor. Anger boiled through my eyes when I got to the reception. 

"Didn't they come today? Who in God's name handles this?" 

A thousand questions popped out of my head and with every step I took, the more confused I got. My hands clasped my waist as I glanced around. I could hear soft conversations from my office. I steadied my breath as I kicked the door open. 

Happy birthday to you, 

Happy birthday to you, 

Happy birthday to you, our boss. 

Happy birthday to you! 

My employees sang to me with their favorite dance moves. My eyes almost dropped from their sockets as I watched them like watching lunatics. 

On my table was a box of red velvet cake with birthday candles burning on it. I threw my envelope handbag on the table, and sank down on my executive chair, watching them. 

"Wait for me!" Tony Flynn - The chief security guard barged into the office blushing like a fool. "How old are you now?" 

"How old are you now?" Others joined him, and I tore a burning gaze at them. With folded fans, my face settled on my palm in disappointment. 

Their voices faced gradually, making them look away from me. 

"So sorry ma'am. Good morning." Tony greeted vividly. 

"You left a complete establishment open as if it has no owner. The reception downstairs was empty, same as here." Some looked at each other and then away to the glass ceiling and marbled floor. "The chief security officer had the effrontery to leave the gate unmannered. And you're all gathered here, taking part in this nuisance, right?" 

"Em, don't be mistaken, ma." Oaklyn, a twenty-year-old female janitor, intervened. "We didn't leave our duty posts. In fact, it was the security guard that called us to your arrival. We know today is your 39th birthday and planned to surprise you." 

"Yes, it's a birthday surprise." Others agreed in unison. They were about thirty of them gathered in my office. 

"Good." I snapped, faking a smile at the idea. "I also have a surprise for you all."

They chuckled in amazement, cheering at each other as if they'd just won lottery tickets. "Thank you, ma!" They bowed vividly in appreciation. 

My eyes glinted with mischief, watching how glad they were. "You're all fired." 

"Ahh!" they clamoured at once. 

"Take this shit out of my face and leave these premises!" The words flared out of me with command. 

"No, you can't do that, ma. Blame me..." Oaklyn pleased. "I am responsible. Don't sack anyone, please... Sack me. I was the one that brought up this idea. Don't do this to them, Mrs Beckett. Please... Reconsider."

"We apologize, ma." Others begged. 

"You have ten minutes!"

With shocked, yet disappointed faces. I watched my employees walk out if my office, one after the other. 

Oaklyn was about to step out when she turned back to me. 

"Yes, what's it again?" I stormed, and it startled her. Placing both hands on her almost flat chest. She had a boyish statue. One could be mistaken seeing her from afar. 

"I... I came for the cake. She stammered. Looking at me, then away at the white and black iced cake that was still open on my table. "I ordered this from Mrs. Anderson's baking. She's the best in New York. Have you tasted her cake before?" 

"So, where are you taking the cake?" I asked, a little concerned. 

"Back to the company to refund my money. Truth be told, ma. We planned four stages of surprise for you." 

My eyes raked her in disgust. Her presence gave a sardonic lift to my dark eyebrows. 

"Precisely four." She continued. "We had one planned now, which is 8:00 a.m. There's another for 12:00 p.m, for 3:00 p.m and the one for 6:00 p.m." 

Oaklyn might just be a janitor, but among all my employees, she's the only one able to face me. I know she wouldn't leave until she speaks her mind.

"You do not know what we planned for you today, ma. We invited Rihanna, Ed sheran and other live performers you love. We invited the press and even camera operators for..." 

Pestered, I jerked out of my black leathered chair. "You've got only four minutes left, oak! Out of my sight!" 

I ordered. 

"For coverage." the words dropped out of her mouth and I caught a glance of tears forming in her eyes. 

You're just like an angel to me and I'm so grateful. I'm so sorry for all of this. She replied quietly and with dignity. 

"Get out!" I retorted, giving Oaklyn a rather dirty glance. My eyes, which were castaneous, flashed at her as she silently carried the box of cake and walked out of my office. 

My question is why? To hell with whom invented birthday surprises. If not that Dan planned one for me, he might still be alive by now. If only that night, he had entered and gently gone to sleep.