~whispers and rumors ~

*

This particular morning was just like any other in the Okoji's enterprise. The only difference was the overwhelming tension looming around in the air.

There was no indication that something off the radar had happened in the company to put their boss in such a bad mood other than the departure of one of their favorite colleague Aria.

Whispers and rumors seemed to be going from mouth to ears among the staffs, each wondering if the tension with their boss was because of Aria's departure from the company or something bad had happened and could make them loose their job as well.

Some of them had rumored that she left because she was fired even though she has done nothing wrong while others were adamant on the fact that she left because she couldn't take his bossy attitude anymore.

Some have always wondered how she was able to survive all those years working in such close proximity with someone as demanding as their boss.

No one knew why she left but her absence has caused so much panic with their boss who has gotten worst within just three days of her leaving.

Everyone seemed to be walking on egg shell as they hurry about their daily routine regardless. 

While his staffs were busy carrying out their various activities around the company. Mr Frank Okoji was back at his office with a deep frown cresting his forehead as she sat on his arm chair. His face a mixture of pride and refined beauty.

Both  his elbow were planted firmly against the large glass table seating in front of him as he kept brooding over the incompetent of his new assistant who can't seem to get anything right. Her sloppy working ability had just cost him a fortune in just two fucking days of her arrival.

Just where the hell did they find such sorry excuse of an assistant from.

And just when he thought she couldnt get any worst that morning, she had her lipstick all over the cover of an important document he was intending to present to the board members meeting the next day.

Frank would have never picked her even if she had offered to work for him for free. Aria was gone and he needs a replacement as soon as possible and that was how he found himself stuck with Martha his new clumsy assistant.

Martha was beyond just incompetent. She was clearly not cut out for a job as that of an assistant and even worst, not to work with someone like Frank Okoji.

She lacks the willingness and dedication to do so. Something Aria was born with or maybe just her love for her job but either way, she was most efficient and that's why he was stuck with her for so long and her absence was causing him a great deal of stress.

He gave a deep sigh and leaned back against his headrest with his eyes clenched close while he began to rub slightly at his forehead in an attempt to ease some of the tension building up around there.

Aria kept crossing his mind every single now and then much to his annoyance. He just couldn't understand her reason for leaving neither could he bring himself to getting the thought of her out of his mind.

Frank kept staring at his cellphone but couldn't dial her digit even though his hand kept twitching towards that very direction.

He was still deep in thought when he heard a  weak knock against the door, followed by the head of his secretary popping through.

"Sorry to disturb you sir but some persons are here to see you" She said.

"Tell them am not in" He replied in his ever serious tone, not sparing her a single glance.

She adjusted from one foot to the next and said. "I'm sorry Sir but you might want to see them because, it's important"

His eyes snapped at her direction wondering who could be so important that she had to insist. "Who is it that can't wait?"

His brow rose at her, causing her shoulders to grow stiff for a moment before she fumbled out a reply. "Our partners from Escrow world are here sir"

"Our partners from what?" He was suddenly seating up straighter at this point.

"Escrow partners sir and a meeting was scheduled for today"

Frank just sat there searching his brain for any information relating to what she had just told him but got nothing.

Was he loosing his marbles?

"How come I was not informed about this meeting before now? I mean where is that girl that calls herself my assistant?" His anger was evident as he kept glaring at his secretary even though his aggression was not directed at her exactly.

"She_she has gone for lunch break sir".

He growled out in frustration and just leaned back against the arm chair. This was simply the limit and he has had enough with his girl. She couldn't even remember to relay a simple information as a client meeting to him yet keeps tag on her lunch.

What a waste of his time and money.

"Just send them in and I will meet up with them shortly"

"Right away sir"

She turned to walk away but halted at the sound of his voice calling at her to wait.

"Yes sir?"

"Tell Martha to collect her salary for the month on her way out. I don't want to see her around here again and don't forget to put up an advert for a position of a P.A immediately and please, for the love of God, be specific this time" his voice sending a clear warning at her.

"I will do that sir"

**

Gina his secretary has worked closely with him for quite a while now. Three years was enough for her to adjust into the system pretty well but with the help of Aria of course.

She knows not to overstep her bounds when it comes to her boss and never to neglect her work for anything in the world. Apart from the good pay in the company, getting another job that pays half as close was something she wasn't ready to find out either so she dedicated her time to working as best as she could while looking forward to smiling home with her paycheck.

Frank searched around in his top drawer for the file containing the Escrow document and sighed in relief when he found them placed neatly above the monthly record papers.

Aria was the one that had handled the papers and now she was no longer there to see it to the end of it. The thought alone annoys him to no end.

He adjusted the collar of his suit jacket before picking up the file document and head out towards the board room.

A few hours later, he returned to his office with what looked to be a smile decorating his face. He was a bit unsure of the meeting outcome at the beginning but turneds out he has nothing to worry about as Aria has handled practically everything and the blueprint she left behind was enough to seal the deal without much stress.

He glanced at his Rolex watch and realized official hours was over and it was time to go home

His mind was set on celebrating as he has just finished closing a deal worth millions of dollars. He picked up his cellphone and dialed his best friend Kelvin who answered on the second ring.

"What's up man. Are you in town?"

He nodded at his friend's reply before proceeding to saying the next word.

"If you don't have anything plan for the weekend then hit me up let celebrate. We just closed a deal that's worth drinking over"

After a couple of talking about other things, he finally hung up and reached for his briefcase before heading out.

He ran into some of his staffs on his way out and beamed a sweet little smile at them. Their reaction at his gesture was priceless as it almost had him laughing out loud even as he composed himself and went on his way.

The shock expression on their faces wasn't the best part. He bet they thought they had imagined the smile on his face because he rarely ever smile and especially not at any of them.

Frank Okoji was well aware of what his employees thinks of him but he doesn't have the time nor the energy to prove them otherwise. They can think whatever the heck they wanted as long as they don't forget to do what he is paying them for which is to work efficiently then they can think whatever they want.