AUTHOR'S POV
Ranbir filled Parth's glass with wine. They were inside a fancy restaurant enjoying their second bottle.
"You were so nasty earlier huh? That boy looked terrified." Ranbir laughed.
Parth just curve his lips to a smile.
"He's handsome don't you think?" Ranbir sipped from his glass.
"Don't start RB. You know I just hate employees with attitude. To think it's only his second day." Parth sternly said.
"Mmmmm..." Ranbir took another sip. He just smiled.
"I saw Mahima yesterday." Parth opened up. He gulped the whole glass of wine and then filled it up again. "She's with her child."
Ranbir looked shocked. "After five years? And for real, she already has another child? Did she even ask about how's your daughter?"
"She moved away when she saw me. I don't think she cares for our daughter." Parth's aura turned gloomy. "I can't believe she will do something like that. Giving birth and leaving her newborn baby. I still can't believe it."
"It's been a while. You should have moved on. Besides, Moon is already 5 years old. She never really mentions his mother or looks for her. You should do the same thing." Ranbir uttered.
"It's easy to say that RB but it's not easy to do." Parth gulped another full glass and reached for the bottle again but Ranbir tapped his hand.
"Too much, Boss. We still need to go to the office tomorrow. Let's go. I'll bring you home." Ranbir stood up and grabbed Parth by the arm. He is quite drunk.
ROOP'S POV
I arrived early today. I woke up extra early to deliver Mamma's rice cakes. One hour earlier is the safest that I can do.
Niyon arrived 10 minutes before the time, "You're early huh?"
"I don't want my forehead to get poked again." I smiled.
Niyon giggled, "Here, I brought sandwich. Have you eaten your breakfast?"
I don't eat breakfast because all I can think of when I wake up is work, "You brought one for me?" I smiled. It's been a while since the last time I ate my breakfast. But before I can even take a bite, we heard a click from the door and we immediately hid our sandwich in the drawer.
"Good morning sir!" Everyone in the room stood up to bow to this stupid Monster Boss. As usual, he did not even take a look at us and just went straight to his office. Ranbir followed him. If you will ask me, I really do think this lunatic Ranbir is that Monster's boyfriend. But something looked weird about Mr. Monster today. He walks with his head bowed down and he's wearing an eyeglass.
*POP*
A window appeared on my laptop and I click READ.
OMKAR PARTH: Come into My Office.
I did not speak a word to Niyon. I saw him at the corner of my eye, peeking at the chat message. I remembered what Vivek said, big boss hates waiting.
I inhaled as much oxygen as I can. Behind this door is contaminated with toxic people. I need some clean air as a backup. I inhaled once more. I knocked and a click. I went in.
"Oh! You're not late huh?" Ranbir was smug as ever.
"Mr. Omkar asked me to come to his office." I fake a smile but the truth, actually I want to cry out of fear right now. Maybe my legs are trembling.
He gestured for me to knock on the door behind him and so I did. Another click. This office is crazy in my opinion. Everything is electronically locked as if someone will barge in to kidnap our Monster boss. How I wish.
As soon as I enter his white room, I saw him on his swivel chair. The back of his head is leaning on the headrest and his eyes are closed. I don't know if I will say Hi or if I'm here. I am too scared to even disturb his moment.
"Massage my head." His deep voice sounded like he is not feeling well. How did he even know that I'm here? I thought he was asleep.
I did not ask any more questions or confirm if I heard it right. I just followed his order. I went to the back of his chair and started massaging his temple. I know I am good at this as I always massage Mamma whenever she's feeling tired.
"Unnghhh.."
Did I just hear him moan? Okay, he must have a terrible headache. I continue to massage his temple going to his forehead. I imagine poking him there like what he did to me yesterday. But before I got lost again in my thoughts, someone pushed the door and yelled,
"Father I'm here!" A cute little girl just went in. I smiled at her but she just furrows her eyebrows at me.
"Manners Moon! Manners! I told you to knock first before you enter." Parth said, sternly.
"Sorry, Father." The little girl with the name Moon uttered. "And who are you?"
My eyes widened. She sounded just like her dad, grumpy.
"Oh! My name is R-R..."
"He's my new employee." Parth cut me out. "Get out!" He glared at me. So I stopped massaging and make my way to the door.
"What's your name?" The little girl asked again. Her voice is very authoritative.
I looked back and smiled, "My name is R..."
"Get out now!" Parth yelled at me. I jerked and hurried right through the door.
When I went out of Parth's office, all eyes went straight to me. They were staring at me and I suddenly felt conscious. I inspect my clothes, it's definitely clean and tidy.
"What happened? Did he scold you again?" Vivek asked.
I shook my head, "No.. he just asked me to massage his head."
I was surprised when they sigh right after my answer. I sat down beside Niyon as I scan the documents in front of me. Ranbir has asked me to make a presentation of that report as Mr. Omkar will have a Board meeting on Friday, two days from now.
Niyon said he should be the one doing that but I told him it was fine. At the back of my head, I knew that Ranbir just want to give me too much work. I am very good at making presentations that's why this is a brainer for me.
"Did you see his daughter, Roop?" Niyon asked while typing some reports.
"Yes. She's very cute." I answered smiling.
"She's very grumpy. She once scolded my officemate, because he bought the wrong ice cream flavor." Niyon said while giggling.
"She's just a kid. Of course, kids always want to get what they want." I smiled.
*POP*
OMKAR PARTH: Come into my office.
I laughed once I read the chat. Niyon got curious and looked at the chat message.
"Why are you laughing? You should hurry now." Niyon taps my arm to go.
"It's just funny that he has nothing else to say on chat but Come into my office," I said giggling while I head to his office.
I found myself walking in the central business district of Viom with a card in my hand. I stopped in front of an ice cream parlor looking stumped.
"Buy me ice cream." I can still remember Moon's commanding voice. I was startled and forgot to ask what flavor she wants. And now I'm here looking dumbfounded. If I will go back, she will get irritated and her father would probably throw a chair at me. He said that he hates stupid people in his company and that if I will go back, I might get fired just because I forgot to ask what Ice cream flavor Moon wants. I must teach this Partha to behave like a sensible fool if my God permits.
"Scolding will not kill me," I mutter to myself as I push the door of the ice cream parlor. There are too many flavors to choose from and it just made it harder for me.
"I want to order Cookies and Cream," I said to the lady behind the ice cream bar. She glanced at the card that I was holding.
"You're buying ice cream for Mr. Omkar Parth's daughter, aren't you?" The lady smiled.
"Yes ma'am, how did you know?" I smiled back.
"The card you're holding." The lady pointed at the card in my hand.
"Oh..hehehe..." I smiled. I forgot that the card I am holding is a company card with the PTH logo.
"And this is her favorite flavor." The lady said and I was surprised.
"Really? I mean... I actually forgot to ask her. I just follow my instinct because this is my si..." My words failed me. I wasn't able to continue as I felt something wrench my heart. "Thank you, ma'am." I just said. I tapped the card, pick the ice cream from the lady's hand, and went out.
PARTH'S POV
Moon requested ice cream. She said she did well on her piano recital so as a reward, she wants ice cream.
I asked the clerk to buy ice cream for my daughter but that foolish did not even ask what flavor my daughter wants. He wanted to be praised for being so proactive but he is just showing me that his brain is too small that can fit into my pores.
I slouched on the sofa as I lean my head on the backrest. My hangover is taking over me and my headache is worst. I remembered Roop massaging my head, I hate to admit that but it felt great. I don't know, it's...it was extraordinary.
*DING*
END OF PARTH'S POV
Roop'S POV
I arrived at Mr. Kim's office looking a little exhausted. I was in such a hurry because I'm afraid that the ice cream will melt on the way.
Parth sir is glaring at me. His eyes filled with anger. I am actually wondering what's wrong with this Monster to look at me that way.
"Hi, Princess. This is your ice cream." I smiled while I handed the tub to Moon.
Moon's eyes widened and a big smile formed on her face, "Wow! My favorite! Thank you!" As she opened the tub and started eating like a baby.
Parth sir was perplexed as soon as he saw her daughter smile. Probably wondering how I got the flavor right when I forgot to ask Moon. Thanks to my instinct.
I felt someone pulling me from my sleeve. When I looked, I saw a small hand with a spoon.
"Here sir. Let's eat." Moon handed me a Spoon.
"Thank you princess but I am still full." I suddenly remember the sandwich inside my drawer. "I bought mine and ate it on the way here." I winked at her.
"Next time, you eat ice cream with me, okay sir?" She said in a very cute voice.
"Yes princess, I will." I smiled at her.
"Get out now." The voice was too deep and just startled me.
I bowed to Parth sir and Moon and headed to the door when I hear Moon called, "Sir!" I looked back. "Thank you for calling me princess."
I smiled at her and waved goodbye.