The Man From The Club

Veil followed Simon as he took her to a spacious office on the fourteenth floor. The office was decorated with a white lilac flowery wallpaper, and designed to fit three or more persons, but, it had just one desk, one arm swivel chair, and a window that looked outside the city. From there, one could see a lot of things. Like, the famous Chinese restaurant.

"This will be your office. I'll leave you to settle in. If you need anything, you can ring me on the telephone at the desk." Mr. Simon said and turned to leave, but, Veil called out to him just immediately.

"Isn't there anything I should know about the CEO? Like, his schedule, favorite drink, coffee or tea, etc..." She inquired, earning a smile from Simon.

"His schedule will be sent to your work email. His favorite color is black, and...strong black milkless and sugarless coffee is his preference. You'll get to find out other things as time goes by. Have a nice settling." With that, he turned around and was gone.

The moment Simon left Veil, he reported to the CEO'S office.

"Sir! the Ms is in the building."

  Ander who stood, looking out into the city's outskirts from his window gave a pleased smile on receiving this information.

"Send her here." He ordered. 

"The boss wants you in his office. Take his coffee along with you." Simon informed her via phone. "His office is the only one on the Sixteenth floor," Simon added. 

Veil brewed a cup of coffee and then took it along as she entered the elevator on her floor. In no time, it dinged open and she stepped out. As she walked down the hallway to the office, she could feel a pang of nervousness which she tried her best to silence, by muttering words of encouragement to herself.

Nearing the Italian door, she could see a few men in black suits, patrolling the hallway and guarding the door.

   On approaching the door, she gave a light knock, and a gentle 'come in' followed. She pushed the door and tried her best to not get overwhelmed by this nervousness looming around her heart. She strolled in her usual confidence to the man standing by the window.

"Mr. Rodriguez, your coffee." 

'So this is what she sounds like?' Ander thought, a tiny smirk playing on the corners of his lips. Slowly he turned around, with a smile so annoying.

"Hello, Ms. Fierce!" 

Seeing this person right in front of her, Veil's hands gave way, and the cup fell off her hands and broke into numerous pieces. The hot coffee spilled on her in the process.

  Ander stared at the woman in front of him, and his smile immediately disappeared.

"How clumsy. Day one and you're already breaking things, spilling hot coffee on yourself. What then would you do when you clock one week, roast yourself up?" He sighed and turned away from her. "The first aid is over there. Get me a fresh cup of coffee when you're done. And, don't burn yourself.

 Veil still in her perplexed state strolled in the direction he had pointed her. She picked up the small first aid kit and then clumped away.

  Ander put a call across Simon the moment he heard the door shut close.

"Get someone to clean my office."

Veil sat across her desk, sighing at intervals as she applied some ointment on the affected areas. Now that she was out of his sight and was a little bit composed, she wondered if that person was her boss.

 Such an unspeakable person. A man that had no respect for a woman, how did she end up as one of his employees? What if he ends up assaulting her?

 With that, she resolved to quit, at once. She shut the first aid box, made him a fresh cup of unworthy coffee, and matched to his office. She was going to teach him a tiny tiny lesson before quitting.

"Your coffee, Mr. Rodriguez." With a trace of irritation, she gave his coffee.

Ander looked up from his laptop. Leaning on the backrest of the swivel, he neglected the cup of coffee in front of him and took the chance to assess Veil from head to foot, until his eyes stopped on her waist.

"With all due respect Mr. Rodriguez, I'd like to quit. I'd tender my resignation letter to the right quarters." Veil spoke. She waited for Ander's reply, but when it didn't come, she squared her shoulder at him, turned around, and headed for the door. 

"Don't wear pants to work tomorrow." Ander who had been staring at her butt all along finally spoke up when she was just about to pull the door. 

  Taken aback by his reply, Veil turned around, but he had already resumed with his laptop.

Veil took the elevator to her office. She felt sad that she was going to forfeit a job she liked just because of a man who disrespected her once. But he hadn't been under the influence of alcohol that night, and even today, he didn't seem to be sorry for his action. He's just an arrogant, disrespectful, ma....' she was about to conclude, but her phone rang.

The caller ID read 'Mom'. She dragged deep breaths into her lungs, before answering the phone.

"Hello, mom.."

"Veil dear! How are you doing?" The voice on the other end sounded shaky. As if the person had been crying.

"Mom! Are you okay?" The veil was beginning to panic.

"It's about your dad dear. His condition is getting worse by the day. The doctor says he'd be needing the surgery sooner than expected. Else, we might lose him" Mrs. Smith sobbed silently. She tried to hold back her tears, but couldn't. "I don't know what to do baby. We can't lose your dad, I don't want us to..."

 The news, her sudden outburst, and her situation, everything just weighed down on Veil. She needed this job, she had to keep it at all costs, at least for the sake of her family. She can't lose her father all because of a minor incident. She could just forgive Mr. Rodriguez, pretend the accident never happened, and move on with work. That's if he doesn't end up firing her for what she had done.

  Never act on first instinct. Now she was going to apologize to Mr. Rodriguez. Although she hated the idea of it, did she have a choice? Her father's life depends on this job. She'd have to let go of her pride. Just this once.

    Veil took the elevator once again and as she walked the hallway to Mr. Rodriguez's door, she pondered on the right words that might help keep her jobbed. 

"Mr. Rodriguez, I..." She started once she was in his office. But, his deep voice cut her off.

"Prepare for my meeting with HKs executives in less than thirty minutes." Ander passed his instruction with stern authority.

  Surprised, Veil's mouth dropped open. Was he still keeping her? If yes, she should follow his orders quickly else, he might end up changing his mind.

"Yes, Mr. Rodriguez," Veil replied and then turned to leave...

....but, Ander's voice came again, halting Veil in her tracks.

"And...never add sugar to my coffee next time, if you don't want to end up dead."