Beautiful Dreamer

46. Do It My Way

"Manager Ari, excuse me."

"What is it? Don't tell me she is still there."

"Yes, Manager Ari."

Ari frowned, slapping her palm on her forehead and then sliding it to cover her eyes. She shifted hwe gaze to the lunch box that Rey's sister had brought with her, then shut her eyes briefly and sighed. 'Seems she is hellbent on seeing me, huh?'

"Tell her to go home, or we shall call security."

"I did manager Ari, but she wouldn't budge. She maintains her stance at the lobby downstairs."

"What time is it now?" Ari raised her head to look at the wall clock. "Shouldn't you have gone home by now, or are you working overtime?"

Ari's assigned secretary, who was one of Ned's referrals, appeared timid, her expression showing concern. "I had to stay behind to wait on your guest, Manager Ari."

"Go home. I'll take care of it. Next time, don't stay too long. Just give me a heads up and clock out once your shift ends."

'But you're the one working overtime each day, Manager.'

"Is there something else you wish to say?"

"N-Not at all." The girl gave a timid bow. "I'll be heading home now, Manager."

Ari leaned back on her chair upon her departure, pondering over the pestering from her unwelcome visitor. 'Somehow, I don't feel good. Maybe I shouldn't have ignored him all this time despite my doubts. Either way, I've been busy with my startup, and I'm gradually acclimating to the oppressive nature of my new venture. Mun seems to think it's a prime time to move on, but I'm still not used to Ned's absence.'

"M-Manager Ari..."

"Yes..." Ari jumped up, almost startled off her seat. "I thought you left?"

"I-I just needed to inform you that Yummyyum Technologies have contacted us. Their representative reached us two hours ago, but you had been busy. I needed to let you know before I leave. I've equally left their proposal via mail to you as well as a hard copy filed and prepared for tomorrow's meeting inside the conference room."

'So meticulous.' "Thank you for your diligence."

"Thank you, too." The young woman smiled. 'Wow... Manager Ari is so committed to making this company lift off. She can appear intimidating at first, as rumoured for her nature, but it's the opposite, startling like the rest of us. I stay behind to have more time with her because I like her. Who is that stubborn girl anyway? What is their relationship? Is she some jilted relative? For her to have brought her lunch, which she barely touched, something sour must be going on between them.'

"Do you want me to order you to go home and get some rest?"

"My apologies for being too forward, Manager Ari, but you need rest equally."

"If there is a pressing matter, wouldn't it be better if I'm the one to handle it without procrastinating?"

'She is so blunt...or maybe she doesn't realize she is supposed to delegate some of the responsibilities to her secretary. Perhaps she is just an individual with an imposing nature. At this point, all the new recruits will be fearful of her or take advantage of her flawless work ethic.'

Ari felt relieved when he secretary left. She appeared to be holding back her words, but she thought she had no energy left to take in new information and suggestions. Closing her laptop shut, she pushed it aside and took a file with the shortlisted resumes for the new recruits. She'd outsourced a recruitment company to help her outsource new staff but hadn't yet reviewed their profiles. Despite the starting off, she still felt the need to do a traditional one-on-one interview with the candidates herself.