The silence in the office room helped Daniel to think peacefully. His legs kept shaking as he looked out of the window. "Anna…Anna…" The name slipped from his lips.
Yesterday, his mother asked if she could give Anna his phone number, saying she asked for it. He refused at first but then agreed, telling Diana to give his second number to her. He just didn't want this 'Anna' to bother him, especially since he didn't know her at all.
A knock on the door broke him from his thoughts. "Come in."
As the door opened, Anastasia's face appeared. "Sir…"
Daniel, recognizing the voice, turned his chair immediately but maintained a serious expression. "Yes?"
Anastasia took a deep breath before finally saying, "I would like to take a week off."
Immediately frowning, he asked, "Why?"
She was quiet for a few seconds, hesitating to answer. "Family matters."
"What family matters need to be solved that would take you a week?" Daniel's tone was sarcastic.
Biting her lip lightly, Anastasia thought hard for an answer. She didn't really want to reveal the real reason for her leave.
"Are you getting married or what?" Daniel scoffed.
Anastasia gulped and slightly frowned. The man in front of her could really change her mood. "No…sir," she answered with a hint of annoyance in her tone.
"Then what is it? A week off with an unsettled case sounds unprofessional," Daniel's words were sharp as they entered Anastasia's ears.
She looked down, "Then..." pausing as she looked straight into Daniel's eyes, she continued, "can I work from home? I mean..." She stuttered, seeing the disapproval in Daniel's eyes. "I will come immediately if there is an urgent matter."
Daniel crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. "How urgent is this 'urgent matter' that would make you come in immediately?"
Anastasia gritted her teeth. If she could smack him right then and there, she would. But she needed this job too badly. After what David had said the other day, she couldn't afford to lose it. She had to be the sole breadwinner until Flynn woke up. "Then, how many days would you allow me to take, sir?"
"None." Short and firm. Daniel didn't seem to want to negotiate.
"Sir…" Anastasia let out a silent sigh. "I really need to take a leave…"
"And why?" Daniel pulled his chair closer to his desk.
Desperate, Anastasia thought hard. "My dad is sick, and I need to take care of him as my mother is also not well," her voice gradually lowered as she told the truth.
A pang of guilt hit Daniel; it never crossed his mind that this could be the reason. "Oh… really." His eyes wandered here and there before he finally continued, "Hmm… then, apply on the system. I will approve it."
Finally relieved, Anastasia bowed slightly, "Thank you, sir. I will do it right away."
"Hmm… you can go now," he said, turning back to look out the window.
Walking out of the door, Anastasia stopped. "I will make sure to settle the issue with Clara and do contact me immediately if there is an urgent matter."
"Okay," he replied without even turning.
Sighing, Anastasia walked towards her chair. She needed to think more about how to settle things with Clara, as her company still hadn't replied after their meeting last week. She pulled out her chair, took a seat, and quickly moved her mouse to apply for leave before her rude boss changed his mind again.
"Are you okay?" Diya slid her chair closer to Anastasia.
She returned the question with a light nod and a smile. "I never knew asking for leave could be this hard." The previous manager was never like Daniel; he would agree right away.
"Why? Did he reject your leave?" Diya furrowed in concern.
Quickly shaking her head, Anastasia replied, "He allowed it, but yeah, you know how he is."
"I don't know. He hasn't called for me once since he started last week." Diya was telling the truth. She had never spoken a word to Daniel except for a slight bow when they crossed paths.
Anastasia gasped in surprise, "Ah, really?"
Diya nodded but then turned Anastasia's chair to face her. "The man you are arranged to marry. Have you contacted him?"
"Not yet…" Anastasia pouted. "I don't know what to say."
"Just tell him that you need to meet him to discuss your wedding," Diya suggested.
Humming, Anastasia whispered, "Isn't it too sudden?"
"What is too sudden? Your arranged marriage is already too sudden. Nothing is too sudden at this moment, Anna." When Anastasia told her about her family's arranged marriage, Diya was already in shock. But considering Anastasia's concern about her family's financial situation, Diya suggested she meet the man as soon as possible. The man she was going to marry might help her in the way she needed.
"Then…" Anastasia picked up her phone and wrote a message. "Will this be okay?" She showed the screen to Diya: "Hey Ethan, this is Anna. The person you are arranged to marry. Can we meet tonight as I need something to discuss."
Diya frowned. "Hmm…I…don't know." She herself wasn't sure what would be appropriate to send to a stranger you were told to marry.
"Ah…" Anastasia read the message one more time, then said, "I will just send it."
As Diya nodded, Anastasia pressed the send button.
Ten seconds later, Anastasia suddenly stood up from her chair. "He read it!" But then, as ten minutes passed without a reply, Diya already returned to her desk and Anastasia continued her unfinished tasks, thinking her suggestion might have been rejected by the man.
"Diya! Diya! Diya!" Anastasia rushed toward Diya's desk but then, realizing her actions were drawing attention from their colleagues, she covered her mouth and smiled awkwardly. "Sorry..."
Diya widened her eyes. "What? Did he reject your leave?"
"No!" Anastasia sighed, then pinched Diya's cheek. "Don't say things like that. Aishh…"
"Then what makes you this…excited?" Diya asked.
"Do you think if that rude boss rejected my leave I would be excited?" Anastasia shook her head and showed her phone screen to Diya. "He replied. He wants to meet tonight."