The rustling of papers breaks the long silence of The branch manager's personal cabin. Yet, the two occupants of the cabin remained unmoved.
One waits silently for other's reply and another didn't provide any reply.
The one who is turning the papers back and Forth is Oliver Barrer. Finance head of Fusion corporation.
Oliver Barrer joined Fusion corporation as a trainee seven years ago and made his position as Finance head through his hard work.
There are hardly any employees in this company who are as hardworking as him. He never says no to work. Yet, a sudden sense of rage crawls under his skin as he looks at the file in his hand.
"Olive , I need this file complete before this weekend. Try to understand. I can't risk the CEO's temper."
Another occupant of the cabin finally addresses the elephant in the room.
Oliver Barrer finally looks up from his file "This is the ninth time in one month. Why is CEO suddenly so focused in this branch perticularly ?"
"This is the main branch Olive."
"But that doesn't mean employees are obliged to do overtime without any pay." Oliver's deep voice echoes in the cabin. "Why these files are comming so last minute?"
"How would I know? It's CEO's order. As a branch manager, It's my job to follow his orders."
Oliver frowns "Isn't it also your job as a branch manager to represent us, Nick ? To be our voice ?"
"Olive, we are in office."
Oliver stands up from his seat "I know that. I am asking you to represent us as my boss. And if you can't, then I will contact the CEO as an employee."
He leaves the cabin without looking back. He heard a frantic Olive call from his back. But he didn't turn around. If he turns back, he wouldn't be able to control his emotions.
How could Nick do this to him ? Has he forgotten what day is tomorrow? It's their fifth year anniversary. Here he was planning a romantic gateway, a luxury dinner and movie date and what did Nick do in return?
New deadline and same excuse. CEO wanted this. Oliver sits on his chair and covers his face with his both palms. He is losing it. He knows that the last minute changes aren't Nick's fault.
But Nick is the branch manager for god's sake. Nick is the only one who has direct contact with the CEO. Shouldn't Nick at least try to negotiate?
Oliver takes in a sharp breath before pulling out a receipt from his pocket. He looks at the reservation ticket once again before dialing the contact number.
"Hello, Olive garden Bar & restaurant. How may I help you ?"
Oliver sighs "I want to cancel a reservation for tomorrow afternoon."
"Ok ! May I know your name & ticket no ?"
"Oliver Barrer. Ticket no C-O5."
"Ok sir ! Do you want to re-book for another time ?"
"No ... J..just cancel it."
"Ok then I will process your refund. The amount will be back in your account within twenty four hours. We will be glad to serve you next time."
Oliver cuts the call in frustration. It was just one day. Oliver and Nick kept their relationship secret because they didn't want to start any office rumour.
Even after working in same company They come to the office separately, have lunch separately and even go back separately. So, they barely get any time together. He was so excited for tomorrow.
He looks at his digital clock carefully. It's showing Friday , 1:45 pm. He picks up his mobile and re dials the number again.
"Hello, Olive Garden Bar & ....
"I just called you for cancellation of a reservation. Olive Barrer. Ticket no - C-O5."
"Yes sir ! How may I help you ?"
"If you haven't processed the refund, can you re- schedule it ?"
"Gladly sir ! What is the time you want to book ?"
Oliver thinks for a while before asking "is 9 pm too late ?"
"No sir absolutely not. But C-O5 is already booked at 9 pm and no other table is Available either."
Oliver's face almost fell when the voice adds.
"But our open rooftop is available and almost vacant at that time. Would you like one table there ?"
"Isn't it attached with the bar ?" Oliver doesn't really want to deal with loud music after his overtime.
"It is. But there is another booking who paid for the bar to be closed. That's why tables are available."
Oliver's face brightens a little "then please, book a table there at 9 pm."
"Ok sir, your new e-ticket will be send through the mail. Thank you & we will be waiting to receive you tomorrow."
Oliver sits on his chair straight with new excitement. Then he calls the emergency meeting with his team members.
***
Nick was playing games on his pc when Oliver entered the appartment tired. Nick doesn't look up.
Oliver puts down his office bag and slumps on the couch with a groan. "Almost done with the files."
Nick pauses the game this time "really ? That fast ?"
Oliver smiles tiredly "look at the time Nick. It's 11 : 30. Not fast at all."
Nick resumes his game. "Then can you take one more file tomorrow? I have it ...."
"Nick .. Do you remember what day is tomorrow?" Oliver sits on the couch with a hopeless anger.
"What ?" Nick shrugs "Saturday ? Half day ?"
"Tomorrow in 30 th May ! Our anniversary." Oliver reminds Nick with a serious expression. "I don't expect you to plan anything as you are terrible at it but can't you remember the date at least ?"
Nick pauses the game again "Oliver, have you seen the work load ? Do you really think I have time to remember dates except the deadlines ?"
"You remember to play your games !" Oliver almost shouts.
"Because that's the only thing that doesn't give me headache." Nick shouts back. "I have been nothing but patient with you and your lack of contribution in work. Now, if I lack in certain personal matters, shouldn't you have the same attitude towards me ?"
"Lack of contribution? Nick, you are giving me deadlines after deadlines for last six months. Not single weekend I could leave my work on time.. forget about weekend .. on regular days I am the one who is working extra shifts where you are leaving the office 5 pm sharp ! And I lack contribution?" Oliver's throat burns.
"Is that so ? Then do one thing. Go to the CEO and demand my position form him. Sit in my chair and you will know what I do in office." Nick scoffs. "If you don't want to take new files then just say so. I will give the files to another team leads."
"Give them. Really , I am tired." Oliver takes his bag to enter the bedroom. He feels strong urge to cancel all the reservations again.
He doesn't want to face tomorrow. He doesn't want Nick's half hearted apologies. all these are the CEO's fault. He himself doesn't come to the office and put everything on Nick's shoulder.
If the CEO gives anymore last minute file tomorrow, he is going to give the CEO Daniel Fox, a piece of his mind. No one can stop him tomorrow.
***
Daniel sips his late night black coffee as he watches the city lights from the glass door of his luxury hotel room.
"Um ?"
Daniel heard the call from his back but he didn't turn around "my PA will send you the payment. You can leave now."
For fifteen minutes the hotel room echoes with noise of someone getting dressed and collecting things, before getting silent.
Daniel only turns around when he hears the click sound of the lock. He yawns before dialing his PA's number.
He PA walks in the room after five more minutes "yes sir ?"
"Payment done ?"
"Yes sir...!"
Daniel nods "you can leave for the day but remember about the meeting tomorrow. Be prepared."
"Yes sir ! All prepared.. just .."
"Just what ?" Daniel's eyes shoot up.
"The weather forecast. They were talking about a potential rain. And the meeting venue is a open rooftop so .."
"Why did you book a open rooftop venue for a business meeting? Are we going to dance with our business files in hand ?" Daniel hisses.
"Sir, Mr. Brown choosed the venue."
Daniel closes his eyes to control his anger "You could've suggested a better place ?"
The PA lowers his head "sorry sir !"
Daniel shakes his head with a sigh "fine ! Just make sure to have some accomodations if it rains."
"Yes sir !"
Daniel lies on his bed with another yawn. Tomorrow is a big day. He made Fusion corporation from scratch all these years without any sponsor, without any bribe or corruption. And tomorrow he is going to have his first and the biggest sponsor of his company.
If he cracks the deal CEO Daniel Fox will enter the inner circle of the sharks of this business world.
No one can stop him tomorrow.
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