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1055 Words
Frank's expression turned to one of annoyance as he yelled. "Where are the cleaners?!" His gaze swept round the hallway and narrowed on the puddle of water on the floor. His voice echoed through the hallway, and in less than one minute, staff members flanked the hallway. The news of the CEO's fall had circulated the company.
In no time, the HOD got to the hall where Frank was waiting angrily. When Frank saw him, his frown deepened, making him look so scary.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. CEO." The HOD apologised with a scared expression when he neared him. Miraculously, the news had gotten to him.
Frank's eyebrow arched in anger. "You are sorry?" His voice dripped with venom.
Ian immediately inputted. "Mr Ben, who are the cleaners assigned to clean this hall?" His tone lacked warmth. He looked really upset, even more upset than Frank. Frank's gaze remained on Ben, his eyes staring daggers at him. His pride was bruised, and he felt really angry.
At the far end of the hallway, Anna stood beside her colleague, who was visibly shaken. Her face was pale and clammy with sweat, and her hands had been trembling uncontrollably.
"Gina, stop shaking." Anna whispered at her. Gina had obviously forgotten to mop dry the water on the floor before rolling the cleaning cart away, and now, because of her, the CEO had slipped.
"Anna, you don't understand..." Gina cried with shaky hands and a sweaty face. "...I'm so dead."
Anna looked at the commotion down the hallway. Ian was questioning Ben on the cleaners assigned to clean the hall while Frank's face remained impassive with a deep frown. "It was a mistake. He'll understand." She convinced Gina. But she knew otherwise.
"You don't know him, Anna..." She cried. "He's merciless, and he'll definitely have me fired. I can't lose this job."
Ian looked at Ben while he checked the cleaning roster on the iPad in his hand. The staff members gathered in the hallway, watched the commotion. They whispered among themselves, eager to see the end of the drama.
"Anna Yates and Gina Daniels," he called out, his voice carrying across the hallway.
Anna steadied her heart before she slowly gripped Gina's hand and reluctantly pulled her along as they made their way through the crowd of staff members, coming to a stop in front of Frank, Ian, and Mr. Ben. The three men towered over them, their faces stern and unwelcoming.
Although he didn't let his surprise show on his face, Frank was a bit taken aback to see the same lady he had bumped into on his floor, standing in front of him with that same unyielding look on her face. She was holding a lady dressed in the same cleaner's dress as she, with her gaze slightly lowered. Who would have thought he would meet her again and in this scenario?
Anna had recognised him the moment the commotion started. He was the one she had bumped into when she had unknowingly used the elevator to the 15th floor. She was a bit surprised that he was not only the man she had bumped into, but he was also the CEO. Could that be the reason why he hadn't said anything to her that day? He must have been just as surprised to see her then, as she was to see him now.
Ian's eyes locked on both ladies, his expression stern. "Who amongst you was responsible for cleaning this hall?" He asked with a firm voice.
Gina trembled from fear, but before she could answer, she heard Anna's voice. "I was, sir."
Gina flashed Anna a surprised look. She was clearly taken aback by her abrupt confession.
Frank's gaze remained impassive as he studied both cleaners. His eyes lingered on Anna, who had just shifted the blame and protected her colleague.
Ian's eyes flickered to Frank briefly before locking on Gina. He had caught the lie too. "Is that true?" He asked her.
Gina couldn't bring herself to say anything, so she nodded instead, still visibly shaking with tears escaping her eyelids.
Ian's gaze lingered on both cleaners whose gazes were lowered before turning to Frank. He bowed his head slightly and said. "Sir, it seems the matter is clear."
Frank didn't say anything. Instead, his eyes scanned the hallway, sweeping across the faces of his staffs before landing on the situation. He thought of a punishment to give to them. But for some weird reason, he couldn't bring himself to sack them. Why? Was it because of her?
Ian leaned closer to Frank. "Sir, what's your order?" He inquired in a low tone.
Frank turned to Ian for a while before saying. "I'll have both of them...." Everyone held their breath awaiting his punishment. "....fired." He said firmly with no room for argument. Anna's mouth widened in surprise, and Gina burst into tears.
Ian and Ben nodded immediately before bowing slightly as Frank carefully made his way to the elevator.
"Have someone else take care of this mess." Ian ordered Ben before falling into step behind Frank.
The staff members shook their heads like they hadn't expected more from the cold CEO. They bowed their head slightly in respect to the departing CEO. As the elevator doors slid shut, the employees began to disperse, gradually filing out of the hallway and returning to their respective workstations, leaving Gina, Anna, and Mr Ben.
"Get your things and meet me at the exit." Mr Ben ordered in a stern voice before walking away.
"Anna?" Julie called softly as she walked to where she stood with Gina. Anna was still in shock like she hadn't expected him to fire her. When Julie stood next to her, she placed her hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay?" She asked softly.
"Did...did...he just fire...fire me?" She asked with a low voice, still surprised.
Julie sighed. "I warned you to stay away from him." Gina was still sobbing as she left them to gather her things.
"But....but...I...." Anna stuttered.
Julie cut her short. "Look, you will be fine. Just go home. I'll be back soon, okay?"
Anna remained silent, still processing what had just happened.
"Okay?" Julie asked again, and Anna slowly looked her in the eyes before nodding. She couldn't explain how she felt.
"Okay." Anna nodded.
- Writer
