Two days passed in a second, yet the tiredness felt like years had passed instead. Documents submerged Maria. Kilee's desk was full of completed documents, while hers was half full of the proposals yet to be approved. She felt overwhelmed, but still, she felt Kilee's hard work more, which made her empathize more with her.

A text on her phone suddenly came; it was Helena. "Want a coffee?" she asked. "I'm your loyal secretary," continued she, which made Maria laugh. "Yes, pls." She got herself a lovely person as an assistant. That was the joke she would say if it weren't for the worst encounter of the day or even the week!

Portia stopped Helena because Ioan's departure needed to be postponed for a week. Ioan was present with her, but she had to take them to Maria's office then. Only Maria could handle the situation; even though Helena disliked the idea, she had no choice.

She called Tara so that she could deliver the coffee in the office as a favor while she got up with Portia and Ioan.

She knocked at the door, and after hearing Maria's invitation, she barked in, asking for permission.

"Excuse me, there is a major problem," said Helena, indicating two more people were present.

"What is that?" Maria asked, putting the pen down. She was calculating false prospects. From Helena's back, Portia and Ioan came out. Ioan was speechless seeing Maria in such a prominent position, while Portia was annoyed.

"Sir, Ioan has to postpone his leaving. He needs a one-week prologue." Hearing Helena say so, Ioan put the paper on Maria's desk. She took it and read it off in utmost silence. "Why isn't the proposal done?" asked her, putting down the proposal.

"There were some major problems with the equipment," said Portia. They were right; that week, computers caused a lot of problems.

"Alright, you may have one week to complete the task." Ioan was excited to hear that. "But I can't give you more," Maria continued.

"That will be enough," said Ioan, confident seeing Maria endorse the paper.

While she was reviewing the papers out of their sight, a knock on the door broke the strange silence. "Come in," said Maria, inviting the person outside to enter without knowing it would start an imminent crisis.

"Excuse me, I'm here to deliver the coffee," said the woman entering the room. Just a few seconds later, her jaw dropped. That room was like a horror movie. Her actual job partner, her enemy, and the man she followed were all in the same room.

Her heartbeat was so loud that everyone could notice she was uncomfortable in that situation. Maria smiled while indicating where to put the coffee; that was indeed something she loved.

The last time she, Ioan, and Irina were in the same room, they were making her miserable, but now things have reversed, and Maria enjoyed it.

The thing she loved most was Ioan's shock, seeing Irina coming in like it was nothing. Of all probability, that was the worst place ever.

Irina looked at Portia, then lighting with her gaze, Ioan, who suddenly turned toward Maria as he wanted to explain, but she was faster.

"You may go," said Maria to Ioan, handing him the signed paper and telling Helena to accompany everyone.

"Thanks," said Ioan before getting outside. After him, Irina followed almost immediately, with Portia right after them. That scene made Portia giggle. It was like a soap opera, but there was someone even more amused.

Once they all got out, Maria remained alone with Helena, who was confused seeing her trying to keep in her laugh; that was just too much for them. Seeing her giving them orders was, for sure, their biggest regret.

"I cannot understand." Maria tried to get some clues about the situation, but she fell into a loud laugh.

At the exact moment, Irina was in the elevator with Portia, and Ioan looked at Portia; she understood immediately. "Ioan, go get me a coffee while I register the papers," said Portia, taking the paper from Ioan's hands and exiting the elevator.

The elevator doors closed behind her, leaving Ioan no chance to say anything, but he knew he also needed that moment to solve the situation.

"What is it? are you so shocked?" asked Irina, sighing while crossing her hands.

"Why are you here?" Ioan said, grumping his forehead; he couldn't believe what that woman was thinking. They broke up, and that mistake got messed up all his life. Now, she dared to follow him here, too.

Irina looked at him, a bit annoyed. It felt nostalgic; she had finally found him, yet he was not so happy to meet her after all that trip she had made to follow him.

"Aren't you happy? This is just like our old times!" she said, smiling at him before glaring at her shoes. It always made him feel a bit guilty. He tried to comfort her, and she was right; she knew him well. He placed a hand on her shoulder, just like he always did. That gesture meant he cared for her but was still too obsessed with Maria.

"I'm sorry, but we cannot be like old times." He said that right before the elevator door opened, and Ioan stepped outside, leaving her in shock.