No escape from you (Taken Down For Polishing)

5: Smiles make the world go round

" Hey, good afternoon", Zhulfah greeted the receptionist behind the high desk.

The receptionist raised her head and beamed.

" Oh it's you again! Good afternoon."

Zhulfah returned her smile. " Yes, me again", Then under her breath, she added, " Unfortunately."

" You want to see Mr. Adebiyi, right?" She asked, already ringing him up.

" Yup, unfortunately."

" Any appointment?"

" Nope, just came to return...something of his."

The receptionist nodded, the ringing of the phone going on without anyone picking it on the other end.

" You know what? He's less busy now, why don't you go on inside?" She told Zhulfah. " You'll just go down this way, turn left, past the cubicles and then last door by the right."

Zhulfah felt skeptical about just going in without notice, but still thanked the young lady. She followed her directions and made her way past the cubicles. They were a few workers in each of them, and she gave a polite smile and a 'hello' as she passed by them.

On getting to the office, she met the door wide open. She read the name plate to be certain, before craning her neck in to see if he was inside. Sure enough, he was there, clad in a dress shirt and pants, and sure enough, on the phone again.

" Uhm...", She cleared her throat.

" Come in, come in", He said, without turning back to look at her.

She stepped in hesitantly, taking in the view of his office. There were dark brown couches situated at one end, with a beautiful rug underneath it that looked so fluffy and warm she was tempted to put her feet on to feel. Right at the other end of his office was a large white polished desk with a laptop and files organized on top of it. The soft rays of sunlight danced in the room, making everything look impeccable and shinier. Her eyes rested on a painting on the wall, colourful swirls and scribbles, and she knew if she looked well enough, she could get some meaning behind it.

Her eyes darted back to Fauzan who stood before a floor to ceiling window, sounding annoyed and tired as he spoke on the phone.

" Listen, I need them over here today", He said. " The Chairman himself demanded to look at it", He took a pause. " No more excuses, I'm going to have a look at your resume again after today, I've received enough complaints as it is already about you, you wouldn't want to disappoint today again, would you?" Another pause. " I thought so, have a good day."

With that, he ended the call. She heard him sigh, relaxing his tensed broad shoulders. He then cradled his forehead on his palm, massaging it slowly.

" Uhm..", Zhulfah cleared her throat again to signify her presence.

" A minute please", He said. She stood there, waiting for him to turn and see her.

" Yes, about that meet...", He stopped once he turned and noticed her. He looked surprised at first, then folded his arms over his chest.

" Oh, Salam alaikum." He greeted first.

" Walaikum salam", Zhulfah responded and walked closer to his desk. " You asked me to come in so....I did."

" I thought it was my receptionist ", He said.

" Yeah, well, too bad it's me", She said. Then quickly, just to kill her curiosity, she asked, " I thought you were the boss? "

" Pardon?"

" No on the phone, you said you had a boss, I thought you were the CEO", She explained. " I dont mean to pry or anything."