Mara turned quickly, covering her face with her hands. "Why-why are you trying to show me your nakedness?" she said while stammering. Mr. Warren III walked straight and faced her. Mara covered her face tightly without letting go. "I'm not trying to see your nakedness," she said again.
"Do you have no manners?" he repeated his words. "What are you doing in my office, you little miss messy?" he yelled angrily.
"I-I-I only came here to say sorry," she said and rushed out of the office. She entered hers and closed the door from behind. "What did I just see?" she said. "This man is truly what the media has been saying," she said to herself. "Glad I escaped before he had the best of me," she said and got stunned at what she had said, covering her skin as if she was being exposed...….
She resumed her search through the folders..…
Walking into the hallway of the company to deliver some documents to the registrar, her phone rang. She removed it from her pocket, and it was a video call. She answered eagerly as Paloma's face appeared on the screen.
"Hey, Mara," she said, bringing the camera closer to her face to get a clear view. "Wow, is that a robot moving behind you over there?" she asked, and Mara nodded. She pleaded, "Please show me around. I want to see it." Mara couldn't deny her friend and turned the back camera to show her friend around her new office.
"This is paradise!" Paloma shouted and exclaimed. Mara strolled around more to show her more of how the place looked. Paloma was pleasantly talking behind the phone, saying, "You're living our dream," she said.
"Yes, yes, straight the camera well. I want to watch the wall frames carefully. They look like they were customized, and it matches with the office," she said. Mara did as she asked and raised her phone to give her friend the view she was asking for. "Whoa!" Paloma yelled on the phone out of excitement. "Mr. Max Warren III," she said slowly while mentioning his name, which drew Mara's attention, and she realized he was around. She went back to going through the files.
Mr. Warren approached and stood in front of her. Paloma shouted again out of excitement. "Wow!" and he took the phone from Mara's grasp and turned the video call off when Paloma was about to say another word.
"What are you trying to do?" he asked, frantically staring at her. "I was just on a call with my friend," Mara said softly, lacking confidence as she knew what she did.
"Are you trying to sell my company?" Max asked and walked one step forward to her. Mara walked backward. "I am not trying to do anything," Mara smiled out of tension. "I was only on a call," she said with closed eyes.
"A call during working hours?" he asked again. Mara looked at him, feeling awkward. Her phone rang again, and it was Paloma on the call. "I'm sorry, Sir," she said and left his presence, trying to turn the video call off.
….............
"What do you mean I have a flight in the next 16 hours? I have no passport or money to cater for this trip," Mara said. "You don't have to worry; everything has been taken care of by the company," he said. "But why me, Mr. Mood? I'm a new worker here." "Well, Mr. Warren III asked me to inform you to get ready. He didn't give any specific reason, Ma'am."....
"Why do you want me to go to the conference meeting with you, Sir?" Mara said angrily when she stormed into Max's office. He sat comfortably in his chair, concentrating on what he was doing without even raising his head to listen to her.
"Are you trying to kidnap me?" Mara continued to talk. Max stood up and walked to her, looking at her slowly. "I think you should learn to close your mouth before it gets you into trouble," he said and walked out, Mara smirked at him…
"What?! You are going to Dubai for a work trip? Ahhhh!" Paloma screamed happily while fixing herself some plate of food Mara had brought. Mara collapsed on the bed, swinging her legs in the air and making small noises.
"I think he's going to use me for a sacrifice," Mara whispered as she sat on the bed with fear in her eyes.
"Come on, Mara, this is a great opportunity for you. Dubai is your dream country. Remember how you saved all your money for it last two years only for you to use it to pay for rent after the increment? At least you are going to Dubai," Paloma said. "Bring me the best makeup set in Dubai," she added.
"Well yeah, but not with him," Mara said. "And why is he choosing me and not the other colleagues?"
"You are thinking too much, Mara," Paloma exclaimed as she shoved a chip of potatoes into her mouth. "You need to start packing," she said and pulled her off the bed. "Dubai, Dubai, Dubai!" Paloma sang around Mara, who appeared drained….
Mara wore sweatpants, a jacket, and shoes, dragging her luggage along with a travel bag hanging on her shoulder. It was her first time at the airport, and she looked confused about where to go or which path to take.
She stood in the hallway with her things, observing the bustling scene as people rushed with their luggage. Some formed a queue, and suddenly, the crowd surrounded a gentleman with their phone trying to take pictures with him. He had bodyguards accompanying him, walking briskly by his side. Mara stretched her neck to see who it was and realized it was Mr. Warren III, with Mr. Mood struggling to catch up with his fast pace.
Hey,I'm here, Mara waved and shouted while running and pulling her heavy luggage trying to reach them for them to notice her present…
They stood in an area where the crowds were not allowed to go. Mara fought her way through the crowd to reach them while pushing herself in, she stood in the midst of the bustling scene and waved even more higher. Mr. Mood noticed her and instructed the guards to let her through. Struggling with her luggage, it fell to the ground, and she quickly picked it up.
"Where are you going with all those things?" Max asked her.
"To the business trip," Mara replied, attempting to balance her bags.
"With those things?" he questioned.
"Yes," Mara affirmed. "I will need them for the two weeks," she added...Max shook his head
Mr. Mood took the luggage from her to help her carry it.
As they started walking towards the jet which was a bit far from them…He led the way, Mara followed, walking hurriedly and admiring her surroundings.
"Where is Mr. Mood sending my bag?" she asked, moving closer to him.
He didn't say anything at first, but when Mara asked again, he responded, "They are trying to check if you don't have any drugs in it." Max said and continued walking, moving faster than before.
"Whattt!!" Mara stood there, shocked. "Are you calling me a drug dealer?" she said and ran after him since he was far ahead of her. He gently smiled and entered the jet...….
"Where am I to sit?" she asked politely when she entered the jet and realized that each seat had something on except for the one he sat on. "Where will I sit?" she asked again. And he crossed his legs without saying anything to her...
"You stand," he said while pressing his phone.
"You want me to stand in a flying jet, hahahah nice joke," she laughed and said. "How do you expect me to stand for this long flight?" she said, and Max placed his earpiece into his ears.
"Are you trying to tell me that I'm making noise in your ears?" she asked, looking around and realizing she was just wasting her energy on this arrogant dude who thinks he has made it in life. She leaned beside one of the seats and the jet set off, causing her to move forward and then backward and then forward again...
She gripped something tightly. Her eyes met Max's, and she smirked at him while he rolled his eyes while stealing glances at her as she struggled....
Mara stood still, slouching and dozing off in the jet. Slowly, her head moved from its position, and it fell onto Mr. Warren's shoulder. He glanced at her from the right side of his eye and used his hand to push her head, startling her. "Hey," she said, trying to wipe the sleep from her eyes. Max stood up and got down.
Mara looked around through the window. "Oh, we've arrived," she said and followed him out of the jet. Guards were already waiting for them at their arrival. One of them tried to take her luggage from her hands, and Max said, "Don't worry, she's strong enough to carry her luggage, even this jet," he said and walked away while chuckling at his own joke.