How can I face him after this!
Ann felt so embarrassed she never wanted to see him again.
After much thought, she decided she must go on as usual, follow her routine, and pretend that nothing happened.
That was the only solution left.
Ann was working on the reports when Linda came in.
"Darling, let's go. Today, Bryan and his friend will join us. Ooh... it'll be like a double date". She winked.
"No, dear. Sorry. Have lots to do today. Need to submit a report within two days. I will have a quick lunch from the cafeteria. You guys go ahead".
"Are you sure?", Linda pouted.
"I'll make it up to you guys". Ann kissed Linda's cheek and left immediately to the cafeteria.
After getting her chicken salad, Ann looked for an empty table. She found one at the centre, went there and started to dig in. After about two minutes she heard a voice beside her - "Is this seat taken?"
Ann looked up. It was Ted Davis, the Sales head, standing in front with a wide smile. Ann gave a half smile and shook her head, and gestured him to sit.
"Hello Ann. How are you doing?"
"Never better", she replied sarcastically, thinking of all that had happened today.
"Why are you alone? Where is Linda?" He inquired.
" She's meeting a friend".
"Oh ok. So...Are you working on any interesting projects right now?", Ted continued the conversation.
" Hmm.. Currently I'm doing the overseas project. By the way, can you send me last month's sales report? I needed to use that data too."
" Ok. I'll send it when I get back. Have you met the chairman personally?. I think he is calling all the "Head of departments" one by one. We had a meeting this morning. He was particularly cold, stern and above all unpleasantly logical." Ted rebuked.
What!..He was not so cold towards her. In fact, he was sexy, sweet and....Oh No!!! What the hell are you thinking, Ann???'. Ann shook her thoughts away.
"Are you here, Ann? It seems your mind took you somewhere else" Ted shook her hand, which was resting on the table.
Ann was snapped back to reality.
"Oo..I'm sorry Ted, what were you saying?" She didn't notice that he was still holding on to her hand.
"I was saying that our chairman is having lunch in the cafeteria. I think he wants to socialize and get familiar with our employees. But first he should lose that unapproachable look.", Ted sneered.
Ann was eating her chicken when she heard this. She suddenly looked up, turned her head both sides when suddenly her eyes met with his.
A cold chill crept up her spine, raising the hair on the back of her neck. His cold stare went down from her eyes to her hands. He clenched his fist.
Ann followed his gaze, looked at her hand and was startled to see Ted holding it. She suddenly wriggled her hand free and looked again. The cold stare was now replaced by a satisfied one. She also felt relieved.
After hastily finishing her lunch, Ann stood up.
" I'll be going now Ted. Please send the sales report". She bowed and walked hurriedly without looking anywhere.
Ted was a little taken back. He was hoping to continue the conversation and have a little private time with Ann and didn't expect it to be this short. He sighed.
After reaching her desk, Ann went on with her work. She was so immersed on the report that she hadn't noticed that it was already 7pm.
"Come, let's go...Wrap it up Ann." Linda tapped on the desk. "It's already 7 now. Do the rest tomorrow girl."
"What!! It's already 7?, I really need to finish this today Linda. Will take atleast one hour more. You go ahead."
"Are you sure Ann? No..I will wait for you then. We'll leave together."
"No Lindy, I'll be fine. Besides, Bryan will be waiting for you. Go on now.. Shoo...shoo". Ann gestured shooing Linda away.
"Ok Darling. See you tomorrow", Linda gave her a flying kiss and left.
Ann set an alarm for 8pm and continued her work. It was already 9pm when she finished.
'When did I turned off the Alarm? , she looked around.
The light was on in the chairman's office. He hadn't left?
Ann packed her bag. She closed the glass door gently keeping a wary eye on the chairman's door. She tiptoed to the elevator.
She pressed the 'G' button and waited for the elevator door to close.
It was about to when suddenly a hand appeared in between. The door opened.
"Leaving without saying goodbye, Ms.Stephen?", Michael stepped inside with a playful grin.
Ann was in a daze.
'Why should i tell you when I leave, you moron?' She silently thought, but the annoyance did not show on her face.
She put on a fake smile and said "I thought you were busy, Mr.Smith. I didn't want to disturb you".
"It's already late. How will you get home?", He asked.
"I already booked a cab." Ann lied.
The door opened with a ding.
" Very well, see you tomorrow Mr.Smith". Ann bowed and dashed out from his sight.
As she walked away, Michael kept gazing tenderly at her.
"You haven't changed, my dear wife", a longing smile crept across his face.