Everyone immediately turned pale. Frank Gibbons, the security chief, everyone knew as a very gentle and kind person. He, Tony and Greg were something like idols, superstars of the WGARM Corporation. Each of them even had their own fan club, which over the network exchanged new gossip and photos of their favorites.
Unlike Tony and Greg, whose fans were mostly girls, Frank had the admiration and respect from men, and older women adored him. He was the perfect image of a big brother. Always positive, calm as a rock, reliable and ready to support his subordinates. Seeing him in a bad mood was almost impossible. Therefore, the news that he was angry was like a thunderbolt from the blue sky.
"What have you done to make him angry?" - shrieked in horror that same arrogant waitress, jumping up from her seat.
"No, I did not do anything, he came already like this. He looked around at all the snack bars for breakfast and got pissed even more. He calls for Miss Benne." - All eyes were immediately fixed on Lana. In the stares of those present, it was clearly written: "Now she gonna get it!"
The arrogant young lady looked at Lana with triumph, as if a wave of malice emanated from her. Lana frowned, trying to figure out what she could have done and moved toward the door, ignoring the curious glances. The most courageous followed her at a distance.
Stepping into the hall, Lana immediately stumbled upon Franky's displeased look. Indeed, she had not seen him so furious for a long time. If it were Greg, she would not even pay attention. When he is not annoyed himself, he usually annoys everyone around. But Frank ...
"What happened? - Lana asked cautiously, coming closer. Franky looked at her from head to toe with a displeased gaze, then looked behind her.
There was a small crowd of onlookers had already gathered in anticipation of a new scene.
Frank's gaze swept over the slightly pale faces of the workers and settled on the very unlucky assistant. His curiosity already failed him once today. Although he didn't look unhappy now. Despite the tension of the situation, he continued to consume the buns brought by Lana, one by one. And even when Frank's eyes flashed with unkind fire, focusing on the assistant, he only slightly reduced the speed of chewing.
"It! What the hell is it?" - Frank growled, pointing the finger at the guy and looking at Lana. Assistant even slightly crouched down from such pressure.
"Frank, what are you talking about? If you're talking about the assistant chef - then this is Toby. He is a good guy, so you should not be so rude to him ..."
" Who the hell cares about your Toby!" - Frank cut her off in half a word. - "I'm talking about cakes! Why does he eat them, and I am not !? Where is my share?"
Lana finally understood what all the fuss was about, sighed and began to massage her temples.
"Frank, I brought them to the cafeteria workers. If you want, I will bake you some more in the evening ..."
"No! I want it now! I am the head of security who guards the cafe too. And that means I am also a cafe worker. Where is my share?" - Demanded Frank and put his hand forward palm up. On his large paw could easily fit three whole cakes. But after a moment's pause, he nevertheless decided to add a second one, just to be sure. Lana, watching this, only shook her head.
"What's going on here?" - Miss Bright's rasping voice made everyone shudders in sync, - "Why is nobody working?"
The woman appeared like a ghost, scaring everyone to hell. Lana opened her mouth to explain the situation, but Frank's expression at that moment changed to such an extent that she choked.
"Katherine! You are so beautiful on this lovely morning!" - He proclaimed with a wide smile. Everyone froze in confusion, turning their gaze from Frank, who was clearly overdoing it, to Miss Bright, whose level of annoyance rose a few more points.
"Frank was always ready to go to any extremes for food. He even took lessons from Anthony to charm Miss Bright ... It was such a disaster!" - Anita whispered in Lana's ear, appearing out of nowhere. Lana looked at the woman in surprise, ignoring the show that Frank was playing around her boss.
"You speak as if you already knew Frank for a long time ago," - she finally decided to ask. Anita shrugged.
"Greg, Tony, Michael, and of course Paul, always loved this nasty boy! For everyone else, they can be big wigs now. But Katherine and I still remember them, as students barely making ends meet, but at the same time full of ambition, ideas, dreams. They then, ten years ago, rented a shabby studio directly above the restaurant, which belonged to Mister Bright - the late husband of Miss Bright."
"Okay, it's time to save our boss. Or she'll get a heart attack from all Frank's charisma." - changing the topic Anita picked up two plates with pastry from the table; god only knows where they came from, and headed towards them.
" Here, calm down your pheromones, Frank! I managed to steal a couple just for you." - She said loudly to attract the attention of Frank, who was pilling up all the stored up compliments on the head of poor Ms. Bright. He immediately turned to her and grabbed a plate in one swift movement sending a treat in his mouth. It was done so fast and agile that no one even had time to blink, and he was already swallowing the last crumbs.
Meanwhile, Anita handed the second plate to Miss Bright.
"Miss Benne decided today to please us with her pastries." - Anita continued turning to Ms. Bright. The boss raised one eyebrow but still took the offered treat under the watchful eyes of her friend, who was as if sending her some signals with her gaze.
Miss Bright hesitantly took a sniff and bit a little. At that very moment, her gaze stopped and appeared to grow misty. She stood there, frozen for about two seconds, then turned sharply on her heels and walked over to Lana.
"I am expecting to have a full list of all needed ingredients from you till the lunch time!" - She ordered abruptly and went to her office without any explanation, taking with her a plate with a cake, as if by accident. Lana didn't know what to think and how to react.
"Mister Bright was a wonderful baker." - Anita whispered again approaching, - "Sometimes it is so difficult to surpass the warmest memories. But it seems you succeeded today. Well done!" - She said, and patting Lana on the shoulder, returned to the kitchen with a mysterious smile.
Lana stood, trying to digest what had happened. Frank had already retired, taking all the cakes he could find, without even saying goodbye. The others, too, began to return to their duties slowly. But one thought spun in Lana's head.
How did Frank find out about cakes in the first place?