The sun shone brightly that morning. Back to the routine of the big city of Argent. The air was very hot even though it was still morning. The news on the radio filled the quiet of the young director's room.
"A heatwave is sweeping across the city of Argent and surrounding areas. It's recommended to avoid any activity outdoors for the time being. If you must go out, wear a hat and light, sweat-wicking clothing. Carry a water bottle and try to drink plenty of warm water to reduce dehydration."
Jason took his coffee to the window, the view outside rather dazzling. He was about to turn away when he saw some people walking towards a minivan parked by the roadside. Val and the others.
"Where are they going so early?" He was about to put down his coffee cup and go out when the door opened from the outside. Ria entered with the daily report, as usual.
"Boss, here's the waybill for the sample shipment from the factory. I've checked it and everything's in order. Which warehouse should we send it to, boss?" the young woman asked.
Jason hadn't seen Val since yesterday. That kid back to his apartment early morning, gone to his room, and being in there without being able to disturbed. And he happens to have his own business. This morning, he had a quick shower, and left for work without waiting for him. As if that kid avoiding him.
"Um, ask the warehouse managers in each area to check for space. We don't want one warehouse overflowing while others are empty."
Ria nodded. She placed the file on her boss's desk.
"Okay, boss. I've already requested data from the warehouse managers, and I recommend warehouse B5 in sector seven. They just done delivered salesmen samples to the supermarket last week, and part of the warehouse is already empty. I'll prepare a confirmation letter, boss."
Jason nodded. It wasn't surprising Ria was his secretary; she knew what he wanted before he even said it.
"Thanks, Ria." Jason sat down at his desk. He glanced at his phone and found no reply to the message he'd sent Val yesterday.
"Where are Val, Alex, and Anwar?" Jason asked.
Ria furrowed her brow.
"They're promoting health drinks downtown, boss. There's an event in the city center, and lots of booths are set up, but it's only for today, boss."
Jason nodded.
"Oh, it's so hot out there. They should have canceled it, or started later in the afternoon. What the rush on early?"
Ria smiled.
"Boss, I told them that already, but Anwar said there are a lot of potential customers at this event, so they're really eager to go, even though…"
Jason, who was seriously reviewing a report, looked up at Ria's use of "even though."
"Even though what?" he asked.
Ria pursed her lips.
"Well, Boss, Val looks a little pale. I was actually a bit worried about him and asked him not to go, but I looked away for a second and they were gone. I couldn't stop them, Boss."
Jason thought for a moment, then placed the papers on his desk.
"Where are they?" he asked, standing up.
Ria pointed outside, furrowing her brow at her boss's worried expression.
"Um, downtown near the sports park. They've got a booth and the sports drink mascot. It'll be hard to miss them, Boss."
Jason left his desk, went back for his car keys beside his laptop, and headed out.
"Those people… if they get sick, isn't that become the company's problem? This is such a hassle."
....
Meanwhile, downtown.
The hot, sunny weather didn't deter the young students and working adults from attending the sports event hosted by one of the city's best universities. A crowd had gathered along the rows of food and drink stalls as participants became tired and hungry. At one booth, Anwar, Alex, and the new guy, Roger, were busy handing out brochures and free samples to visitors who were willing to provide their information for registration. Meanwhile, in the middle of the street, a cute light blue water-shaped mascot was handing out brochures to passersby. Val, despite wearing a thick, hot costume that was twice as hot inside, smiled broadly.
Even so, he smiled widely, handing out pamphlets and free samples.
"Please have it try, thank you."
Anwar nudged Alex, pointing towards Val who was standing in the middle of the road, looking incredibly cheerful. "Isn't this crazy, Lex? It's scorching hot, why's he still insisting on wearing that costume? That kid's asking for trouble, is it?" Anwar whispered.
Alex shrugged.
"I don't know, he's nuts. You know Val, he won't listen to us. Let him be, we'll make him take a break soon."
He glanced at Roger, standing nearby. As if he had eyes in the back of his head, the younger man turned and shrugged.
"Don't look at me, I offered to help but he just grabbed it. You know how Val is," Roger said.
Anwar nodded.
"Yeah, he's stubborn. Let's hope the boss doesn't yell at us."
Anwar widened his eyes. Before he could finish his sentence, he nudged his friend again.
"Look, talk about long life, do you have to mentioned that name?"
Their boss's black car had pulled up to the curb. Jason impatiently got out.
"Val!" he shouted.
Anwar and Alex exchanged glances, quickly approaching Val before their boss could unleash his wrath.
"Come on," they urged.
But Jason had already grabbed Val's arm, pulling him around. Even from a distance, the boss's sharp eyes had spotted Val in the mascot costume, even though Val wasn't facing him.
"Boss," Val said, quite surprise to see his boss there and holding his hand.
"Are you crazy?! Who told you to take this stuff out and wear this ridiculously thick mascot costume in this heat? Are you trying to kill yourself?!" Jason yelled.
Val pulled his arm away.
"Boss," Jason's loud voice startled him, his boss looks furious.
Jason pulled Val to the shade, taking the stack of pamphlets from Val's hands and handing them to Anwar who had approached.
"Boss, it was only for a little while, it wasn't that hot."
Jason wouldn't listen; he pulled Val into the tent and helped him remove the mascot head. Val's face was drenched in sweat, and as he helped him out of the thick vest, Val's entire shirt was soaked through. "It's not that hot, look at this," Jason said, touching Val's skin. Val was burning up; Jason barely caught him before he fainted from the heat. "You're soaking wet! Are you trying to kill yourself?" Jason exclaimed.
Val glared at his boss, completely shocked by his boss's reaction. He pulled his hand away from Jason's grip. "Boss, it's just work! It's nothing unusual, is it? Everyone works like this."
Jason's eyes were so big as if they can popped out anytime. He grasp Val's wrist so tight afraid the kid will run away from him.
"Like this? Look at your face, you're pale as a ghost! Let's wrap this up, everyone back to the office now!" Jason yelled at his other employees. Anwar, Alex, and Roger exchanged glances and started packing up their things. "Yes, Boss."