"Today,Sam was looking very young and dashing in Blue shirt.He is in this project for last 5 years but he has not come to our office so far.I have even heard rumours that he has not been to his home in City D in these 5 years.I am looking forward to his visit to offshore office."
"Sandra, Can you please stop talking about him? Did not I told you that he will not say much.He will only have negative things to talk about team."
"I think you have forgotten about Appreciation email that he had sent to team right after our Production release.He had praised everyone involved in the release and he had even mentioned about nominating significant contributors for awards."
"Why did not he praise our team in today's meeting in everyone's presence?"
"Christine,You are acting like a hypocrite now. We both do not like Ray because he only appreciates team in private.Who cares about that?
Sam had emailed his appreciation notes to entire team including leadership team.Those big bosses might not know about us in person but at least now they know that we are there in this team."
Christine can't deny this fact.Deep down, she knows Sandra is right.When did she started hating Sam so much?She will just ignore him whenever anyone mentions his name.
They gobble down their food quickly, put food trays in automated dish washer and left cafeteria soon after that.
Mark's cabin was on the same floor but was in opposite direction of their project Bay. Mark was working on his laptop when Christine knocked on his cabin door and entered his cabin.
"Sit down Christine.Give me few minutes. I am in middle of reviewing SOW for one of our new project."
"No problem Mark, take your time."
Christine took this time to observe his Cabin's interior.It was not lavishly designed but was simple and elegant.His workplace was very neat and clean.Only few important things were placed over the table like his VOIP(Desk phone),Notebook,Laptop,Pen Holder,Coffee mug and Water bottle.
Mark reviewed final draft of SOW for one last time before he emailed the document to his seniors.He locked his laptop.
"My apologies.I kept you waiting for me."
" Mark, I should have checked with you on your schedule before coming here.I should be the one apologising you.Also, I am not busy today. I am aware that you would never call me for trivial things."
"Correct, You must be wondering why I have called you in my cabin.This information is confidential at the moment so I can't discuss this with you in your cubicle."
"You are in this project for more than three years now.You are diligent and serious about the kind of work that you do on our project. I as your Boss always feels that we have not appreciated your work enough.What I am going to tell you now may surprise you. You may not be prepared for this."
"We have been thinking about sending you on-site for quite a while now.You have good functional and technical knowledge on this project and moreover, you get along with everyone. It will be beneficial for your career growth if you get first hand experience working at client place.At this time, there is one role opening at client site for Sr developer.You may not know this but Cletan has resigned from our company as of last Friday.His Last working day is on 29th of this month.We have only 15 days and we can't keep this position vacant for too long."
"Mark, I was never interested in on-site opportunity.My parents are about to retire from their respective jobs.I am only child of my parents.I had always wanted to take care of them when they need me the most. I can't take up this.Please consider someone else from our team."
"Christine, I know your problem but we are also in difficult predicament.We are providing you 3 years work visa.You can choose to return back to this location once you complete term. I promise that I won't force you again.This time, you can't refuse to go on-site."
"Rick might have mentioned about on-boarding more resources in the morning meeting.We are sending couple of more people over there.You are not going alone.Of course, you all may not travel at the same time.It's better if you think about this thorough in day or two. I will give you 48 hours to make yourself mentally prepared for this role. I will email you all the documents that you need to produce for work permit in Country N."
"You need to visit consulate to get your business visa stamped by Friday.You are flying there in next week.On-boarding team will prepare your temporary accommodation, Air tickets etc.Don't forget to submit your current laptop at IT help Desk.You will be provisioned with another laptop from client after you reach Client office.Also, Collect sufficient currency from Forex office.Global travel team will brief you on other details and instructions. I have meeting coming up. Do you have any questions for me?"" No Mark, I am good. I will reach out to you if I need anythi
Sean's Cubicle was in another corner of the project bay.One would meet all annoying colleagues on the way.On top of that, Ray's Cubicle was next to Sean's Cubicle.You can't talk non sense when you are talking with Sean in his cubicle. Sean is a great supervisor who understands all of his subordinates very well. Sometimes, He feels helpless in front of Ray. Ray thinks of various ways to torture his team. Ray is a typical manager who takes credit for all good work and blames his team when he receives any escalations.Luckily, Ray was not in his cubicle when Christine
At last, Cloud9 team reluctantly agreed to let Cletan go but they thought of of giving him a big farewell party on this last day. Sam promised them that he will plan out all the events and inform them by mid next week.
He will ignore Ray's pings for next few days. He does not have time to deal with this annoying person.Next, Cletan replied to Sean's message."All
"Miss Sandra, That's at least 3 months away. We will grab all opportunities to get closer to Sam and will show off in our WhatsApp group.Also,did you thought of Sam as some casual guy who will go on date with just any girl? You are thinking too highly of yourself."Sean was trying to conceal his emotions quite well. When this silly girl would realise that he likes her."I did not meant
"Come and Sit down next to me, Christine. Child, you should have informed me earlier. I have only prepared three simple dishes for today's dinner.Tell me what do you want for supper tonight. I will prepare it for you.""Mumma, Don't tire yourself.You have also returned from office after long working hours. I am fine with these dishes.Look, you have already cooked Pomfret Fish fry and Prawns curry for me."
Half an hour later, Lisa found out from someone that Christine has arrived in the office.Yesterday, She had gone to Ray and Mark to tell them about her grievances.Ray said he is doing his best to convince Mark and Sam.Truth was that he was a coward. Does not he know what Mark and Sam are thinking ? They clearly do not want to give this chance to anyone else other than Christine.They did not even take his recommendation into consideration while finalised other names.He is not brave to fight them head on.He did asked Cletan but he also ignored him.
"I dare you to say that again." No one knew When Ray had arrived. Sandra quickly shut her small mouth and hide behind Sean."Christine, Lisa and you two follow me to Mark's office." Ray pointed to Sean and Sandra while saying this.