Talk Of The Town ✔️

4

Tom changed the radio channel from music to morning news. He gasped at the mention of a derailed goods truck. Sitting beside him, Anwar conversed about slick roads and reckless drivers.

"It's been raining cats and dogs all night, bound to happen if you speed."

"You can say that again, Sir."

Anya tucked some hair behind her ear. Her finger hovered over her phone. She couldn't go online. She couldn't check out those selfies she clicked yesterday. Taylor informed her that everyone was commenting, including the worst things. Sighing, she returned her phone to her handbag and leaned against the cold window.

It's a crisp day with a blue sky. Nature is a riot of yellow, orange, and red. People walked fast, huddled in their dark parkas or knee-length coats. Take away cups of coffee or chai latte in their hands.

Anya dusted some croissant crumbs off her midnight blue business suit. It's always been a decision left to her. To work or not to work in her father's office. She announced she would decide after her honeymoon.

Now that it's non-existent, it's about time she joined the nine-to-five workforce like her parents. It includes a few privileges, of course. That is until the universe alternated her plan.

An excited crowd of young men and women have grouped in front of her father's office. They cheered on noticing the SUV. Waving and calling out her name - talk about a déjà-vu

"What's going on there?" Anwar asked, glancing at Tom.

He speed-dialled the security guard and ordered, "Clear the path. Boss is here."

"Oh my God," Anya whispered.

They rushed to the car, banging their hands while smiling and chanting her name. Phone flashlights go one after the other as she raises her hand to her forehead. The silver ring with a stunning leaf glimmered. Tom honked incessantly, elbowing the window with cries of 'Get out of the way.'

The security guards closed the gate after the car moved down the ramp for the underground parking. Tom swerved left and headed straight toward the reserved one. He stopped and unbuckled his seatbelt.

"What was that, Anya?" Anwar demanded.

Both men have turned to look at her. She let out a breath she didn't know how long she's been holding. As Tom promised yesterday, he spoke nothing about the ambush at the homeless shelter. Anya shifted her gaze back to her father.

"I'm not sure."

"They were chanting your name and clicking pictures like you are an actress."

"I- I'm not sure why they behaved like that."

"Well, it's weird. Let's go inside. I'll have an emergency meeting."

Shit

Emergency meeting on her first day at work - Anya walked slower behind her scurrying father and thanked Tom.

"Of course, I wouldn't tell," he assured.

"How do I tell my father I've gone viral and these people are my fans - he's right. It is weird."

The elevator dinged on the sixth floor. Anya stepped out to the curious and judging eyes of the employees. The men paid no attention to her. The women observed her every move. Anya gulped, keeping her head high. She entered the boardroom, a high-ceilinged room with dark hardwood flooring and a large window offering a clear city view.