Morning news, “...It’s going to be a bright sunny day. Don’t forget to put sunscreen to protect your skin against skin cancer… For today’s news…” The sound of the FM radio as Adeline prepares for work. She took her handbag, with toasted bread in her mouth, when her mobile phone buzzed. She checked her phone with a big smile while reading the message. 

She replied with a smile when Betty had just arrived from her night shift duty. 

“Hey, off to work now?” Betty said while she took off her shoes and sanitized her hands. She noticed Adeline’s admiring face as she smiled at her. 

“Did something good happen?” Betty asked. She put her bag down. She went to the kitchen to grab a glass of water while she listened. 

“He just landed at the airport.” Adeline smiled with excitement. 

“What!? Is it this week?” Betty surprised face. She gulped.  

“Yeah, I mentioned that to you and Johnny. Don’t you remember?” 

“Ah, Dang! So, when can we meet him?” 

“He will let me know when he is free from the schedule. He will be here for two weeks. So, I’ll let you know and tell Johnny too. Now, I better run off. I don’t want to be late for the sales meeting.” Adeline rushed to the door and put her heels on. 

“Okay, I will see you later,” Betty shouted as she went to her room. 

**

Adeline presented to the higher-ups the sales for the last six months that will be used to give to their new client by the board of directors. She was not included in the important meeting, yet the Director entrusted her with the reports to ensure she organized everything. She handed in the folder with all the awe-inspiring details. She also handed in the other marketing and planning team request folder. Unfortunately, the Director again reduced the quantity of the books to be out in the market. 

The new client arrived without her seeing them. Everyone was attentive to their work as they believed the Director would show the new client around. Unfortunately, Fat Freddie is about to throw a tantrum again, forgetting about the unexpected visit to the department.  

He barged in so loud as he started nagging as he pointed the folder toward Adeline. The crowd begins to feel eerie. 

"Why did the higher-ups reduce the quantity of the books despite the increased sales we did in the last two months? Explain yourself, Adeline!" 

Adeline stood up from her desk and faced him head-to-head. The atmosphere becomes terrifying. 

"Do you have to do this, Freddie? Every time the higher-ups reduced the quantity, you barged into my department as if I had decided on this. What is your real deal here? Am I the one deciding this?" Adeline furrowed as her body boiled into a wave of complete anger, yet she tried to compose herself from doing so. 

"I don't care whether you make decisions or not. You are in the position to explain to them the quantity we need is according to the net profit we gain. Is it that hard to elaborate on such a request?" Freddie yelled out. 

The department should have noticed that behind the glass wall was the Director standing with the new client hearing their loud arguments. Maxim's eyes widened as he finally saw Adeline standing facing sideways, debating with the fat guy. He smirked at the unexpected coincidence, but the Director was not pleased. 

"First and foremost, the information I provided in that folder is detailed according to per month's sales, per outlet, and per onsite store visit that my team reports to me. Can you not read that I put my recommendation on that paper? You have to respect the final decision of the Director. As I told you before if you're unhappy with the reduced quantity, the Director's office is open for you to barge in. Don't come here in my department, making a scene, scaring my team with your lousy voice." Adeline's composed tone in dealing with Freddie professionally. 

Freddie got angrier but was interrupted by the Director and his client Maxim, who stunned Adeline. She was not expecting to see him in such an embarrassing scene. Maxim just looked at her with a calm face. 

"What seems to be the problem here, Freddie? I can hear your loud voice from outside. You are such an embarrassment. Don't you know we have an important client from Moscow who wants to check around, but this is what we will witness?" The Direction's displeasing and disappointed face. 

Freddie got anxious as he gulped himself from shame. "Ahm, boss – I - I - was just - eh."

"See me in my office in an hour Mr. Freddie." The Director cleared his throat for having such a shameful manager. Maxim again glanced at Adeline. Adeline looked at him in disbelief. She shook her head, trying to think it was not Maxim, but he was for real. 

"I can't believe it; why is he here? Is he the client of the Director? But how come?" Adeline was surprised as she leaned her back on the edge of her desk, which left her to ponder. 

She went back to her seat, and her phone buzzed.