Embrace My Heart

Chapter 06

CHAPTER 06

*ting*

"Madam, 4th floor," said the lift operator. I smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Uncle," I said as I got out. He looked surprised. Maybe no one called him uncle from a long time. "Mention not," he said happily. I paced through the floor and tried exploring. Fred told that every floor had a coffee machine. For today, he insisted me to visit some other floor and get acquainted with my colleagues. I chose 4th floor. My lucky number is four. I know this is a weird logic, but most of us consider it. I rested my eyes on this floor and felt magnificent. Lord, is everything here so beautiful? The walls here were painted with multiple colors and different designs like in spiral, blocks. This floor had no weird sections or partitions. Everyone had their own sufficient spaced cabin. As I walked I glanced at few cabins. Most of them had colorful and vibrant colored papers pinned on their small bulletin boards. This area was entitled with the name Central Express. This floor looked too informal yet so classy.

"Hey Ariana," I heard someone call my name. It felt so great that I was getting popular on my first day itself. I turned in response and felt a little disappointed. It was Lily. And I thought, it was someone else and I was growing popular. I am still miss-not-so-popular. "Hey Lily, what's up? I am happy to meet you again," I said as I gave her a toothy grin. Weirdly enough, I saw her frowning at me. Did I do something? "Why are you frowning Lily? Did I do something?" I asked in concern. "No, Ariana. It's not about you and yes, even, I am happy to meet you again," she said as she stretched her arms for a hug.
"As for my frowning face, it's nothing much babe. Feels like I am going to have a severe headache," she said as she pressed her temples with her palms. "Why are you here? You should get some rest. Should I bring a tea or a coffee for you?" I asked. She shook her head in refusal and replied, "You don't have to worry dear. I was up to fetch a warm tea for myself. What about you? What are you doing here?" she asked. I told her I was getting a cup of coffee for Fred.

She winked. "Ohhoooooo! You get to call your boss with his first name." I could see a shine in her eyes and I knew she was thinking about hundreds possibilities that aren't true. "No it's not how you think it is," I tried explaining her. She rolled her eyes and replied, "I am not a nursery kid, Ariana. I know why people go on first name basis in professional life. There are two reasons." She raised her index finger and said, "either you are close to him," she continued speaking as she raised her middle finger, "or you are just very comfortable with him but since this is your first day, I don't think these reasons work. I want to know what's really cooking between you two." This is why I wanted to avoid working in a big company. The people are way too straight-forward. "I guess we are comfortable. He played a prank on me and I narked him with questions. It was a fair deal," I said casually. "Oh! So you both have a connection?" she asked teasingly.

*ahem*

That made me laugh. "Lol no. It's just that..," before I could finish my sentence she started nudging at me. I started laughing like hyena. "Haha! Your laugh is so cute," she said as she continued poking me. I couldn't thank her for the compliment since I was busy laughing. What? I am ticklish at the sides of my stomach. She continued and I laughed even more. "Plea-se.. S-st-tto-pp....Lil," I made an attempt to tell her to stop. She continued poking me and asked in bewilderment, "How can anyone be so sensitive? I am just poking you. You are laughing as if I am using my fingers to tickle you." I punched her stomach lightly. "Ah! Stop it," I said as I poked her in defence. She immediately started giggling and I teased her more. "Now who is sensitive? Hmm? Lily, is that you?" I asked her in a childish tone. We forgot we were in our work place and we continued having fun. In the midst of our fun time, we heard someone clear throat.

*ahem*

We both looked into the direction the sound came from. "May I know for what reasons you both are disturbing me and my workers?" she asked as she tapped her right foot. Lily looked at me and I looked at her. I nudged her and murmured, "What's happening?" She pulled me closer and forced a smile at the lady as she hummed, "someone you should not mess with." I looked at her and scrunched my eyes. "Both of you stop murmuring. Is this how you behave in front of your senior?" she roared. I looked at Lily and shrugged my shoulders. It was like we were in college again, looking for reasons in order to escape from a crazy teacher. Lily wiggled her brows. I think she was asking me what to say. I raised my both brows for a long time indicating I don't know. She scrunched her nose. We both continued to look at each other and make faces. "Stop you both," she said and rolled her eyes. "Just leave. I don't want to get interrupted again. I am up for something big and I don't want anyone to disturb me or my team," she said in a bored tone. She gave us a look and went away.