A bet that changed their lives

Part 11 - The Bet (Contd...)

Arya's day had been pretty good, but overwhelming. The induction programme had gone on for three hours - she was briefed on the history of the company, the work it did, the awards it had won, its network around the globe, its acquisitions, the different departmental heads, its overall ranking in the list of best companies ot work for all through the years, and so on. Once an overview of the business was done, she was taken through her role and responsibilities, her immediate to-do list for the next two days. "These are going to be your main tasks for the next couple of days. As you interact with Mr. Jones and start maintaining his schedule, you will get a hang of other tasks that need to be done," George had informed her during the induction programme, when he had also handed over her appointment letter and contract, and had informed her of the benefits the company offered to its employees

Once the session was done, she was asked to take the remaining hours off. Her timings from tomorrow were going to be 8am to 5pm, with occasional unpaid overtime hours depending on the boss' schedule. Arya had somewhere expected these work hours and she was okay with it. She hadn't got a chance to meet her boss, not that she was looking forward to seeing him but at least an opportunity to thank him for selecting her and to let him know that he wouldn't regret his decision of hiring her. Being let off earlier than she had expected, she decided to cook something and surprise her family. The publishing firm was supposed to send some files for editing on weekend, so she had all the time today to prepare something special for dinner.

She made a trip to the market, getting ingredients for her dish - chicken casserole with herbed rice. She knew this combination was a favourite in the house but it had been quite sometime since Aunt Susan made it. She collected everything that she needed and was on her way home, she wanted to at least prepare the chicken casserole before her uncle left for work. She hurried home, eager to get started and share with him how her day was.

***

It had been a rough day for Mason - being forced to pay attention to the family business, being forced to interact with his brother, almost coming face to face with his best friend... he needed a break. He decided to head out of the Towers for a quick smoke, looking around the street, which was less crowded at this time. With the last puff of his cigarette, he was about to turn towards the Towers when he spotted a familiar face. With her dark hair loosely tied in a bun, blue dress that screamed business and a tan handbag, Arya was lost in her world as she seemed to have a faint smile on her face. Whoa! Was he dreaming? Was she actually here? He did a double take and sure enough, he was convinced that she was actually here. The sight of Arya was more than enough to make Mason forget his worries. He thought of approaching her but decided against it. He chuckled remembering how she had reacted when he had been friendly with her. If that girl was working somewhere around here, he wouldn't really mind coming here daily. And she was working in the same building, he was even willing to tolerate having daily discussions with his brother. Heck, he might even forgive him for abandoning him all those years ago. He shook his head at these silly thoughts that crossed his mind, snuffed out his cigarette and entered the building, with a spring in his walk and a faint smile on his face. Just her glimpse had made his day so much better.

***

"You're home early," Dan was surprised as he opened the door to find a smiling Arya. He helped take a few bags from her hands as she leaned in to kiss him on his cheek with a bright smile on her face.

"I was left early. Perks of of being a new employee on her first day," she smiled widely as she responded to his question, before turning to look at Brooke who wa checking what all Arya had brought home.

"Mimi, are you cooking tonight?" She asked.

Brooke squealed in excitement when Arya nodded, and after some more talks, the latter went to her room to change out of her work clothes and freshen up before entering the kitchen. Half an hour later, the two girls were busy in the kitchen while Dan was trying to be a helpful assistant but failing miserably.

When Susan came home from her get-together with her friends, she was pleasantly surprised upon smelling the aroma that wafted throughout their apartment. Dan tasted a bit of chicken before he had to leave for his job while the three ladies continued with the task, each talking about how their day was.

***

Once dinner was done, Arya and Brooke cleaned the dishes and the kitchen counter as Aunt Susan couldn't stop praising what the former had made tonight. Once all the chores were done, the three of them settled on the sofa and watched their favourite sitcom that focused on a Korean-Canadian family running a convenience store, with Arya talking about how the company was, her new office, and some employees she encountered whenever there was a commercial break.

Arya soon retired to her room, tired from toiling hard in the kitchen but satisfied nonetheless for making her aunt, uncle and Brooke happy. She set the alarm, thinking about how tomorrow would be, what kind of work she would be assigned. She set aside the clock, said her prayers and laid down on the bed, blissfully oblivious of the bet that was being made right now between her boss and his business partner s***h childhood friend at an elite pub that was at an approximately 40-minute distance from her place.