It is a lovely morning on Wednesday; the fresh air goes in and out through my nose as my lips curl up to form a smile. This day has started right: Felix was able to drive me to work, and we were able to eat breakfast together before leaving the house; the sun is out and shining upon me, which doubles the greatness that I am feeling; and lastly, I have had my morning coffee, and with my fiancé at that. Given the busy schedules of Felix and me, we rarely get some extra time to grab breakfast and go for a short morning drive through the town. Although yesterday was nerve-wracking, and I can barely stand on my own two feet, it was a relief that Felix had given my father a chance to address the issue that had been circling around the web. Polly West, on the other hand, is still hiding from the media. Perhaps her management did not want to engage any more in this nonsense rumor, and since my father had already explained everything to the public, they no longer felt the need to do anything.
"Good morning, Miss Yera." These are all people that I only know by face. I greeted them back with a smile and hopped on the elevator. The tablet in my left hand pings along with the doors closing. I slide across the screen; it is a notification from Vic Franco. He is reminding me about the coffee treat he asked of me yesterday via text message. I swipe up to exit. The elevator stops and the doors open. There stands Vic Franco, and in his right hand sits a cup of what I suppose is hot coffee. Vic follows my gaze as he quickly hides the paper cup behind his back. Vic smiles.
"Good morning." The guilt in his voice was present as he waved at me with a phone in his left hand.
"I guess I would not need to treat you to another cup, huh?" Vic enters with a snicker and nudges my arm in a playful manner.
"Come on, did you get up from the wrong side of the bed? Loosen up, boss! By the way, have you watched Mr. Yera's press conference last night? It sounded pretty convincing, no?"
"You sure love to talk about the affairs of another family, don't you?"
"I guess, if you don't have one." A pang of guilt struck me in my chest when Vic replied with that. I did not think he would be someone with no family. The pause and the tone in his voice made me feel awful; however, if he hadn't been trying to always discuss my family issues, I wouldn't have said something like that. The doors open, and I immediately walk out; Vic is following behind me. I am glad that he no longer tried to have a conversation with me, for I, too, do not know what I should say. Vic whistled, and I turned my head to look at him. "See you later, boss. Don't forget you'll be treating me to coffee today!" I could have refused, but he had already gone before a word could come out of my lips. I shake my head. I guess I'll just tell him later that I am not going to buy him any coffee.
"Miss Yera," said Daia, my secretary, snapping me out of my train of thought. "Mr. Lowen would like to have a word with you." Oh my goodness, it is only eight in the morning.
"Transfer the call to me."
"Yes, ma'am."
I threw the coat that was draping over my shoulders on the office table, then I picked up the phone. Mr. Lowen's relaxed breathing could be heard on the other end of the line; I spoke and confirmed that it was me that was on the phone. He then started to discuss the matters of the company and, finally, the project that Vic and I are currently working on. "It has been decided that this branch will be closed down on October 26th; we considered the project you're currently doing for this year. However, two days after the release of the new designs, this branch will be shut down."
"Are you serious? What about the people working here? You can't just do this to—"
"The sales have remained the same for three years, Tazanna. I have already lost all hope; this is the only thing left to do. I had faith in you; that was why I appointed you as this branch's General Manager. I will let you relay this information to your employees; let it be known to everyone that this will be the last time they will be working for LOWEN."
"Uncle—!" The call was cut there. I had thought that the thing about Felix coming back to life could be my worst nightmare, but today, my uncle proved me wrong. There are about a hundred people working here at LOWEN; how can I just tell them this'll be the last time they'll be working here? Some of them have even been here for years; my conscience will never let me sleep if they do get all laid off. Isn't there anything I can do to stop them from closing this down?
"You seem to be in really deep thought." Vic broke the ice. It is nine in the evening, and he has managed to make me buy him a cup of coffee tonight; this will be the last time I am going to treat him to anything. Work was done by seven; it was earlier than usual, but I could not function well because of the phone call I had with my uncle. I wanted to think of a way to make him change his mind. I really cannot stomach the thought that I'll be one of the reasons why these people will lose their jobs in less than a year. "Does this have something to do with your father?" I roll my eyes with a sigh.
"Why are you so concerned about my father, Franco? Are you related to him or something?"
"We're not related by blood, that's for sure; however, I know him more than you do."
"What?"
Vic smirks. "Come on, let's go. Thanks for the coffee!" I tugged on his coat. There is no way I am going to let him leave after saying something like that. "Oh, look at this. You're suddenly clinging on to me? Did it bother you?"
"What do you mean by knowing my father more than me?"
"You'll know soon enough, Tazanna." There was something in his voice that I could not decipher, but it was certain that he knows something about my family that I don't. That must be why he was always trying to talk to me about it. I must talk to my mother regarding this; I cannot be the only one left out. If it is about the Yera family, I should know about it, for I am their child. Vic pushed my hand off his coat, but his eyes had never left mine. There's definitely something that he wanted to say to me, but why couldn't he? What is stopping him?
"Watch out!"