The rose and thorn, the treasure and dragon, joy and sorrow, all mingle into one.
- Saadi
'How can that be?' Serena demanded.
My head's going to burst, she thought.
'I have more responsibilities here. What would I do in Bahrain?' She was sitting in her boss' office. She has been working here since five years now and her boss, Garrett Kincaid, has demanded that she go to Bahrain to get a contract for the production line "Passion Heaven", which was working its way to the top of the fashion industry.
Her boss, Garrett Kincaid was in his fifties, well- built with intense grey eyes that gave one effect of being watched by a hunter. His otherwise black hair has turned grey from the sides, giving him the look of a man who has experienced everything. He was a divorcee and had a daughter who was presently studying in a boarding school.
'Look, Rena, you know how important it is to get this contract and it seems that the only way it's possible is to send you to Bahrain to negotiate it. I want my best employee to represent us.'
'But why not send Steve? He would love to take my place.'
'No doubt he would; but I want you to go.'
'Why?' she demanded, 'We are going to launch Sarah in just a few days.'
'I know. Steve can handle the launch. I want you to take some time off. Enjoy yourself and get me the contract.'
She stood there, searching for a valid reason for her to not go to this trip. She knew she didn't have a solid argument with the launch. Sarah was yet another designer and they were lucky to have her; as her designs were fabulous and would be very profitable for the company, but as important as it may be Steve can easily handle such events. Jess was back with Mike, so she couldn't use that as an excuse as well. How can she tell her boss what terrors she had faced in Bahrain a long time ago? How can she bring herself to tell him that it had happened there and she was scared to go back; scared to have those memories rushing down on her and burying her under their torment? Serena got up from the chair across her boss, walked over to the window and looked out.
'Rena, you have the future of our company in your hands. Do this for me. Think of it as a favour.'
'Oh! Alright, let me think about it,' Serena said as she walked towards the door.
'There's nothing to think about as I have already booked your flight for tomorrow night.'
Serena stood there, speechless for a moment, then turned and left the room.
'That went well,' said a man coming out of the adjoining conference room.
'I've done what you wanted. Now please leave my daughter alone,' said Kincaid to the man
'Not so soon. You'll get more instructions soon,' saying this, the man walked out of the room.
Kincaid sat down heavily in his chair, holding his head in his hands. He had planned to cancel Serena's travel plans as soon as he got his daughter back, but now realized how fruitless his efforts had been. He wiped the sweat from his brows and made the sign of a cross, asking for forgiveness from God for what he was about to do.