The Dream

Friend

-Zain Danial-

When Carla said the woman could wait, she meant it. 

It had been hours since our meeting had finished with approval from the board on the scheme and other matters. Carla continued on with her schedule as normal, attending her other meetings and checking up on some of the floors to make sure everything was running smoothly. It was only just before my scheduled meeting with her which was before lunch did she tell me to go get the woman for her. 

I went down to the reception to see who I assumed was the woman shouting angrily at our receptionist who sat with a calm smile and spoke with a soft tone, telling her to keep waiting since she didn't have an appointment. I was surprised she hadn't told her to shut the fuck up yet because I know I definitely would have. 

When our receptionist saw me she gave me a more relaxed smile, "Zain!" There was hope in her eyes and dread in mine. 

"I'm here to take her out of your hands," I tell her and she sighs in relief. 

"Thank God," I hear her mutter before she calls the woman, Henley, up and tells her to follow me up to the CEO's office. 

When Henley saw me she went from complaining about how it was about time to just being quiet and staring at me. It wasn't until we got to the lift where she started speaking to me. "You're quite handsome considering you work under her," She started which almost took me back a bit but it wasn't enough to have me react with anything other than a side glance.

"This company employs only the best. It'd make sense that I be here." I reply but she just scoffs at me. 

"Don't give me the corporate ideal bullshit. Everyone here has the same value which is close to none. I bet I could do your job just as well," I felt my eyebrow twitch and found myself glad that Carla said she wasn't her friend because fuck was she a pain to be around. I didn't care much for what she said about value but doing my job? I doubt anyone could have my position. It was probably why no one had my position before I came. In that sense, I was the best and this woman, well, she was just a joke. 

I let a smirk grow on my face as this thought popped into my head. I would have laughed but I didn't want to hear her reaction to it.  

As I led her out of the lift and towards the office I noticed her looking around at the art and architecture. She claimed to hate this place but she, like everyone else, admired its beauty. 

I knocked on Carla's door. "Come in," I heard her say and her voice instantly relaxed me, a complete contrast to this woman's voice. 

I opened the room's door to let Henley inside, watched as she walked in and was about to leave when "You can stay, Zain. She won't be here for long." I heard Carla say which made me smirk again but I hid it as I closed the door and walked round to her side. Henley, on the other hand, didn't look as happy hearing those words. 

"Insulting me again, Carla?-" She started already angry but,

"Not at all." Carla shut down immediately, looking her straight in the eye with a look the screamed, 'challenge me'.

"I waited for three and a half god damn hours! What the fuck? And you knew I was down there!" Henley started shouting which forced me to try and keep myself from any cringing. Carla, as always, looked unaffected. I wondered how many times this must have happened for her to be so indifferent about it. 

"You didn't have an appointment and I'm busy, I can't just make time for you." 

"You should fucking make time, I'm your friend!" 

"You're not my friend, Henley," I was shocked at how easily she was able to say it directly to her face. There was no holding back. Henley seemed shocked at this too before she put on a disgusted face.