Seven
1040 Words
''Ms. Arista report to my office.'' Arista put down the telephone and sighed, she thought she could evade the consequences of coming late, not with a supervisor like Jeff. As she got ready to go to his office she wondered what her punishment would be. She had never gotten into trouble with work, unlike OB who grumbles about her work saying, ''Jeff is so irritating, can you imagine Ari he...'' and there is always a tale after another that Arista can't recall any of them, but right now she wished she had listened attentively, maybe would have known what indiscipline penalties were like.
She took a deep breath before she knocked on his door. She wasn't scared of her supervisor, but she was wary. He was calm and kept to himself, but that didn't stop the uneasiness she felt when she was in his office with OB absent. She entered his office when she got the permission. The office was so cold one could freeze but he was seated on a sofa in a casual t-shirt and jeans, drinking what? A cocktail with ice cubes in it? Where on earth did he get the cocktail from? Everything about this man is off. She knew he was Roman, but not a werewolf as his scent was pure. But she was sure he is something, someone she needed to be wary of.
''You called sir,'' She said, wanting everything to go fast so she could leave.
"You resumed work late today.'' He gave an intimidating pause but she looked unfazed. ''Why?"
She rolled her eyes. Jeff Benardi was an alluring man who had the perfect height and hunky build who intimidated everyone with his looks and words. He was quite full of himself and talked to everyone rudely, disapproved projects by simply not signing them and tossing them across the office saying ''I am disappointed in you, I'll find someone to replace you as soon as possible." OB's stay is the longest as his personal assistant, Arista didn't know how she coped,rumour then went out that she sleeps with the MD to secure her job. She didn't care as she just laughed over it.
'' People tend to make stories when they see you do what others can't. I shan't think of what people say. I would have died a long time ago if I had done."
''I am sorry, there was an emergency.''
''I do not buy that, I don't like to hear that, it irritates me.''
''I was hit by a....''
''A?" He arched his brows
''Nothing.'' Arista couldn't think straight, like Antarctica polar bears could run from here.
"I am not in the mood to caution you, you have been a toleratable worker and I appreciate it staying that way." He said sharply.
She nodded, fair enough.
"I called you to inform you that you will be part of the crew going to Rome.''
''What!!''
''Oh thank you so much sir for this opportunity.'' She burst out trying to keep her voice at bay but failed to hide her excitement.
''OB will give you more details about the trip. This is an opportunity to prove you are adequate and an asset in this organisation. Do not become a disappointment.''
She nodded. Could this man ever say encouraging words? Rather, he gawks words that can make someone question themselves and make them think twice about themselves and once someone does that, there is a problem.
''You can leave my office. Start making preparations. You don't have to show up at the office till we leave if you don't want to.'' He goes on tapping his foot. Arista wondered if that was what he did to keep himself warm.''
"Thank you so much sir.'' She turned to leave when he told her to hold on. ''Yes sir?''
''Umm.. I just wanted... to tell you that if you have any questions,you can come to me.'' He said, rising. Arista checked if there was a coat on his seat.
''You... can feel... free to ask... me.'' He rambled.
Feel free? Was Jeff Benardi being nice and did he stutter?
''Okay sir, can I leave now?''
"Yes sure."
As soon as Arista left the office she exhaled, squealed in delight and headed to the cafeteria for a nice cup of hot coffee.
.................................................
The beautiful streets brought back memories of her childhood, they are on their way to a hotel to get settled and prepare for a confrence the next day, the journey was stressful, not only because the flight was long but OB was by her side. That annoying that doesn't let you sleep, but shakes and says 'wake up' just for the sake of it. Arista found her self saying ''I am not actually sleeping.'
Now surveying the streets of Rome removed all trace of tiredness from her.
"Oh my God this place is very grand, you are from a very beautiful place Arista''. OB complimented. One of the workers known as bitter Amy rolled her eyes.
''Being from a beautiful and grand place doesn't guarantee the person will be like that, like take a look at perfect Ari, that is enough proof to back up my fact.''
''Just shut up Amy, what you are saying doesn't even match. '' OB retorted.
''Ms Princewill, I have thought you not to reply lowly workers as my personal assistant." Jeff scolded. "You will be fired if it repeats itself." He warned.
"But sir you heard..."
"Enough." He said as he held out his hand, "Besides, she isn't beautiful herself and doesn't deserve any attention, she will be off the crew when we return to New York." Amy sat up and opened her mouth to speak.
''A word and you will be off now, I am sure you can find your way back as you are grand as your hometown.''
OB looked at her boss confused, what in the world was going on did he just stand up for Arista? He hasn't done that for anybody.
Arista didn't notice a thing she was thinking of the packhouse, the luna, Marcus, Linda and then he also crossed her mind.
Her face lit up and she smiled when she saw she and Linda's favourite pasta ristorante.
- Writer
