Chp 3: Tension in the Air

IVANA

The office buzzed with frantic energy as everyone prepared for the crucial collaboration meeting with SHB Corporations. I watched my colleagues rush around a sense of tension thick in the air. Amidst the chaos, the sound of heels clicking against the floor caught my attention. Hayley, the boss' daughter, sauntered into the room, emanating an air of entitlement that unsettled everyone. I noticed the raised eyebrows and exchanged glances as the unspoken question, 'What is she doing here?' echoed through the room. Standing tall, Hayley announced with arrogance in her voice.

"What are you all up to? Don't you realise the significance of this meeting? Let me warn you, if anyone messes up and we lose the deal, they'll be out of this office for good."

I overheard an employee mutter to another, "Can you believe she's acting like she runs the place? All she is, is the boss' daughter. She hasn't lifted a finger of work here and knows nothing about business."

"Where is she? I mean, the head of our department, Ivana! How can she be so irresponsible? I don't understand why Dad listens to her more than me," Hayley disdainfully exclaimed.

"She's probably just jealous, Ms. Ivana. It must bother her that her father values Ivana's opinion more than hers," another employee whispered back.

"Hayley, she's never been late before. There must be a valid reason for her delay," one of them interjected urgently.

But before anyone could respond, all eyes turned toward me as I entered the department. Walking with my usual composed demeanour, I coldly glanced at each person in the room, my piercing eyes taking in their presence.

"Oh, Hayley! What brings you here? Did you lose your way and stumble into this department?" I handed the documents I carried to another staff member before turning my attention back to Hayley.

"What gives you the right to address me by my name? You should be calling me 'Ma'am.' I am the daughter of your boss, and you must respect me!" Hayley's face twisted in anger, her nostrils flaring and eyes blazing. But I remained unfazed, maintaining my calm composure as I responded with an almost serene smile.

"And why would I do that? You have no authority over me, as you are not employed here. As far as I'm concerned, you are an outsider. And I don't address strangers as 'Ma'am' or 'Sir.'"

"YOU!" Hayley tried to speak, but I cut her off, speaking firmly.

"If you have nothing else to say, please leave. We have an urgent meeting to attend, and I'd like to discuss it with my colleagues. Now, please go."

Hayley stormed out of the room, the echo of her heels reverberating through the office. A few employees chuckled, exchanging knowing glances. They had witnessed this spectacle many times before. After Hayley's failed attempt to assert her dominance, she always resorted to pushing people around, thinking she could get her way. But this time, it didn't work. As soon as the door slammed shut behind her, everyone returned to their work.

I marched into the cabin, my heels clicking purposefully against the hardwood floor. Mouths dropped open, and nervous eyes shifted as the department tried to decipher my thoughts. There was something about the way I looked at people that made them feel exposed, as if I could see through their very souls. My boss often boasted about how quickly I had risen in the company, attributing it to my excellence. The room fell silent as I began to speak, my voice low and even, resonating with authority. No one dared challenge me, not just out of fear of my sharp tongue, but also due to a certain level of admiration for my precision, dedication, and confidence.

After gathering everything I needed, I headed to my boss's office to accompany him to the meeting. The journey took half an hour, and upon arrival, the meeting began promptly. I explained the entire presentation to the investors, my eyes scanning the room. A few people stood on the stage, dressed in suits and ties. They wore calm yet apprehensive expressions as they looked at me. The room was adorned with exquisite carvings and luxurious fabrics. It was round, with six long oak tables and eight chairs placed in front of each. On the other side of these tables, people sat attentively.

When the deal was finalised, the room erupted in cheers and congratulatory gestures. I smiled, my cheeks flushing a rosy pink as I shook hands with my colleagues. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the investor's son approaching me. He stood tall and confident, extending his hand towards me.

"Aren't you excited that we got the deal?"

"Oh, yes, I'm absolutely thrilled," I replied, furrowing my brows in confusion.

"But you don't look at it," he remarked. Before I could respond, my boss interjected.

"She's always like this," he said. "She doesn't show her emotions on her face. You'll get used to it once you work with her. She's actually one of my favourite employees, the best in every way."

My boss beamed with pride, gesturing with both hands as he praised my work. I simply nodded and managed a small smile in acknowledgment, although a wave of emptiness still enveloped me.

The investor's son gave me a sly grin and said, "I'm looking forward to working with you, Ms. Ivana."

I shook his hand, my voice trembling slightly as I replied, "Absolutely! I feel the same way." I did my best to ignore his smirk, determined to maintain my composure.

The meeting dragged on endlessly, but finally, the boss announced our deal had been finalised and gave me a surprise half-day off. Before I could escape, he thrust an embossed invitation card into my hand. "You're the star of this weekend's party," he declared with a smile.

I sighed inwardly as I left the office building, grateful for the break but dreading the upcoming event. All I wanted was to go home and sleep. As I walked through the parking lot, my phone started ringing frantically in my purse. It took me a minute or two to find it among all the clutter.

My little sister's name flashed on the caller ID screen twice in quick succession. Worried it might be something important, I hastily answered.

"Freya, is everything alright??? Did you also do something like Rowan??"

"No, Eve. How can you think like that about me??? I'm way better than Rowan. OKK!! Don't dare to compare me with him again." She snapped at me.

"OHH!! Then why did you call me???"

"Cause' my presentation got selected. Everyone liked it very much." She replied with excitement in her tone.

"Ohh, really!! Good." It thrilled me. She really worked hard for it.

"Can't you show a bit of happiness for your little cute sis?? Government hasn't put taxes on it, thankfully." She said with sarcasm.

I rolled my eyes and sighed inwardly. Here we go again with the melodrama. Was she really in her twenties, or had she forged her birth certificate? Her behaviour often made it seem like she was still stuck in her teenage years. Keeping my thoughts to myself, I asked her,

"What do you want to do then?? Cause' you didn't call me to inform me about it only. There would be some other reason. As you could tell me this at home as well. So, speak!!!"

"Eve, you know sometimes it feels like you are my stepmother or I am your business client. As you have to come straight to the point. I'm your sister. Let me feel it as well sometimes."

"Cause it's my default setting. I don't like to talk much. And if you don't feel like my sister, fine. I won't save you again. OKK!!" I said with a smirk.

"Eve," she cried and continued, "I want to go out with you. We will watch a movie and do some shopping after that. And have dinner outside. We'll call Hamdan as well. We haven't gone to our sibling's weekend dinner for two weeks. As we were all busy with our work. Let's do it tonight. I know it's not the weekend, but still. There's a restaurant my friend suggested to me. It's quite famous nowadays. Its food is really outstanding. We can go there. And I promise we won't watch any romantic movies. We will watch something else. What do you think??" She spoke all this in one go. Without giving me a chance to speak in between.

I shook my head, crossing my arms in front of me. "No, I don't want to. I'm too busy." I said firmly. Going out when it wasn't needed had been on my hate list for years, and nothing could convince me to do it unless absolutely necessary. And watching a movie in a crowded theatre, unable to pick and choose which parts I wanted to watch, was my least favourite activity. 

"Eve, I know you are not in the office. So, please!" Her voice peppered with desperation as she begged me for something, and I wondered how she knew I wasn't in the office. Before I could ask her, she answered my unvoiced query; "I figured if you were in the office, your phone would be on silent mode. So, I thought I'd take a chance and luckily you picked up. Please, come."

"Fine. Wait at your college only. I'm coming to pick you." I agreed with her to save myself from her further pleading.

I went there and picked her up. We spent the entire day, according to her. We called Rowan and told him about her plan. He immediately accepts it. Sometimes, I feel if I am their actual sister or not. I am nothing like them. We reached the restaurant at 8. 30 pm. I called Rowan to ask where he is?? He said he'd be here in 15 minutes. We ordered food for ourselves and waited for him. As 10 minutes passed, he called me again.

"Eve, I need your help." He said nervously. I understood, oh boyy, he did something serious this time. I didn't give my brain much stress and straightaway asked him,

"What the hell did you do this time??" I try to keep my voice as low as possible. We were at the restaurant. I can't shout at him here.

"I mistakenly hit someone's bike. And he wants to compensate for it."

"Wait, what??" I smashed the phone against my ear. "Did I hear you say you hit someone's bike??"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before I heard the quiet reply, "Yes." I gripped the phone hard and swallowed the panic threatening to climb up my chest.

"I need you to gather all your working brain cells right now that aren't infected by your stupidity. And tell me where the hell are you??" I said gritting my teeth to suppress the anger.

“Just outside the restaurant." I hung up the call and ran out. Praying God to give me strength to clear up his mess without smashing his head against the wall.