Chapter 4 A Bonus

Friya was almost done with her work. Half of the co-workers already left leaving only few behind. She could already see a huge crowd outside the lifts. She felt disgusted looking at the crowd. She picked up her phone while she switched off her system just to find an sms with money credited to her account.

She remember seeing an email from the payroll department of HR and she marked it spam reporting to IT department of fraud. She did not believe that she receiving an email confirming a bonus credit to her account could be real. She read the message again and again and even logged in to her bank account for confirmation. A bonus amount is actually credited to her account and the creditor mentions her company name.

Little did she realise that she was already inside an elevator. A male voice from behind told her while she was still numb in shock, "You are not supposed to use this lift."

She was distracted and wondered if there has to be someone in her life ruining her happy moments compulsorily. She didn't care to turn back, she replied, "Do you own this lift? A lift is a lift." She presses level 0 noisily. The man behind frowned but kept quiet. He already forgot to call his grandfather and received a text that he needs to get to his mansion quickly. He has no time for people like her.

As the lift stopped at the ground floor, she turned towards the man behind her, "Thank you." She walked away hurriedly without even caring for a reply or reaction. The man who owns the lift is Junes and he just stood inside the lift like as if he was just a subordinate of the woman who just walked out. As the elevator door closed, he tried to take one last look at the girl.

He felt confused about not arguing or kicking her out of the lift. She was pretty and he has several pretty girls around him including Mona. He does not even know her name but he felt eerie to some extent that he already knows her. He walked out lost in thoughts and the guts she had to question him and not even care for a reply. He found the lady boss and he surely knows the girl does not know who he was.

He drove to his grandfather's mansion and the screaming from the hall room, he could already guess he is angry. He entered the gates just to find a grumpy old man standing in front of him. He hoped he didn't notice him coming through.

"My child, I am not important to you right? You said you would call me."

"I am sorry. I was so stuck hunting for the associate director. Ever since my brother left the company for a girl, I could hardly think through."

"Find the best. Your brother is gone. Although he has the potential, he did not realise the importance of being an associate director." Mr. Old Cleveward spoke angrily.

"Let's go inside grandpa. It's cold outside."

"What is the progress? Since you didn't bother to call me, you better give me good news to feel better."

"I found two candidates. The interview is tomorrow."

"Really? Mona deserves a hike for sure. I am proud of her."

"Well it was not Mona who found them."

"Who did?"

"Some new employee in office but gave the CVs some fifteen to twenty minutes late."

"Worth the delay then. Stop complaining. You better get the right candidate this time. Make sure he is not related to our family."

"Yes I will. Our family member becoming an AD would mean that no one will do any work but enjoy the money."

"You know child, I am glad you became like me. Your father is useless. He cannot take care of business. He is always busy with his songwriting."

"People grow up to become different. We never know how one turns out to be. I love being rich and a boss."

"You won't stay a boss for long if you don't find a wife for yourself."

"I am trying. I am waiting for an ideal woman."

"Mona is not the ideal one?"

"I would fall for someone who will not try to impress me. It would be fun winning over such a lady."

"I see. You should know that you don't have much time."

"Yes I am aware."

"I better sleep for the day. Dinner is ready for you at the table. I didn't know you would really come and so, I had my share already. I got to sleep."

"I know you are still angry at me but I will find a wife soon."

Mr. Old Cleveward nodded and gave him a hug. He then left for his room leaving Junes behind. He could hardly think of any solution. Mona is too clingy according to him and she hardly works. According to him, he is too dumb to do any work. It was just because of grandpa that she had to be given this position. He would otherwise keep female employees away.

He silently sat at the dinner table playing with his phone. Lost in thoughts, he started wondering if he could actually find someone for a short term fake marriage. He dropped a text to his brother who is helping him on this mission for an update on the same. At the end if he fails, he would have to start going on blind dates to find someone.

Friya on the other hand carried a large size pizza into her home. She quickly freshens up and grabs a slice enjoying every bite. Her day started badly with the salary deduction and her encounter with Mona, but all is well that ends well. The bonus got her happy and as she was thinking of just instant noodles, it was worth celebrating the bonus with a delicious good night snack. She lazily munches while taking sips of coke in between.