Life gives questions, answers we seek.

When drawn in problem, solutions we meet,

The equation of life is nothing,

But a balance between these!

*~*

Time is money!

If this quote could come alive, I would have been a pauper by now.

Because I'm wasting the precious time of my life to find something which isn't willing to be found.

A simple folder containing the detailing of the project I was supposed to work upon.

I groaned in aggression, since one and a half long hours I'm trying to find that file but still in vain. Like hell has swallowed it, it's nowhere on earth. People around me are sending a blank yet weird glance at me, wondering which devil bit me to behave weirdly.

In frustration I claw my hair out from scalp, only anger and frustration were clouding my mind leaving me to ponder over the whereabouts of the hell eaten file.

I plopped upon my chair before hiding my eyes in my palms; my cubicle was mess with the tsunami I caused to search the file.

Where it could be?

"Um! Hey!" I rose my groaning heard to peep at the intruder in my groaning weeping moment.

It was the same unknown man from last time who was very much interested to make conversations with me when I was shivering with the late file in hand.

I gulped down my anger as I raised my brow at him, not wanting to scare him with a deceptive act of being possessed.

"Yes?"

"You look pissed." He commented obvious, and I felt a very strong urge to run off the cliff and kick him from there.

But keeping sanity in check I offered him a frown.

"Well, it was just a question, never mind. I was here to help you again." He smirked irking me again.

"Oh yeah! With what?"

"The California project must be completed and be on Mr. Deniz's desk by 6. He asked to inform you." He stated; posture almost falling as he leaned his body against the false wall of cubicles.

"That was very helpful. Thanks a lot."

"Always." He gave a smug look before scattering away. It took me almost a minute to stare at his vanished figure in cubicles before I averted my head back to my messy desk.

Another headache Amaira!

Like the bulb glow in darkness, the tube light of my brain lightened giving me the clue of its whereabouts.

The lost file!

"Of course, Mr. Edward." I gasp squealing.

My heart fluttered at the mention as the muscles of brain went back to work.

"Of course, it must be there since; it was to be signed from him." I murmured as my eyes twinkled in relief.

I dashed out of my cubicle toward the direction of his cabin, my excitement providing speed to my feet.

The time again I felt stares at me, apparently at my grinning like clown face. I shrugged them off, focusing solely upon the file in mind and destination in eyes.

Reaching outside his office I waited a moment to calm my racing heart before moving in.

Calm down, we do not want to look like bull flee from Field. Calm down!

I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart and accelerated pulse before placing my hand upon the cold golden knob.

I knocked before opening the door. The ambiance of his cabin was calm and soothing, depicting the nature of person who works here. I took a long whip of eccentric scent looming in the air before presenting my presence. I roamed my gaze around before it settled upon the man I have been came to meet.

Mr. Perfectionist was sitting on his desk concentrating only upon the screen of his desktop. His expressions were calm, only a faint line was marrying his forehead, explaining his concentration and focus on work he was doing on screen.

I cleared my throat before making my presence obvious, "Sir!"

"Here!" without averting his gaze, he flew his arm in air from the keyboard he was working over before picking a file from his desk and offering the same to me.

I stood frowning with sheer confusion before the file in his hand waved for me to take charge of realization and take it.

I blinked once in my scowl before taking the file from his awaiting hand. Without uttering a words I glanced at the file finding it the same hell swallowed file which I was searching all my life. My eyes widened glancing at the title before snapping back at his concentrated handsome face on the screen.

But how he came to know I was looking for it?

Perhaps he knew we had to send the quotations; that's why.

But this much sharpness?

No wonder he is the Mr. Perfectionist.

"Thank you Sir." I murmured as I clutched the file to my chest, unwilling to lose it before I send the quotations.

"Welcome Amaira." He answered; his gaze didn't waver from the screen.

I pursed my lips in thin line as bafflement clouded my mind.

I strode out of the cabin as being in same proximity than his; I felt the heaviness dominating the atmosphere.

I came back with apparently same pursed lips, since I was receiving frowns from people passing by. I sat on the desk before throwing the file on desk. Glaring it for almost three minutes I sighed before opening it, I continued to work.

*^*

The soft yet constant hammering inside my head was a constant reminder of how I was an outcast fool to ditch the morning Tea in hurry. Now that I felt unable to concentrate on the screen, I appreciated the tea that could have saved my day.

I groaned. Closing my eyes, I provided the rest to my eyes which felt tired and unable to concentrate on the bright screen.

"May I have your attention please?" The loud announcement came gaining my attention, apparently everyone's attention.

I raised my gaze to find three men in suit summoning our attention toward them. Faces: some familiar, one unknown.

It was Mr. Edward and Mr. Deniz who stood beside a man in his early fifty I suppose, a shrewd smile plastered on their faces with a determinant demeanor. The atmosphere which always a little buzz, fell in the embrace of silence where one can heart other's heart beat.

I frowned but waited for them to share the reason of the summoning us.

"Thank you everyone. My Jewels, you must be wondering why I am gracing you all with my presence." The unknown man spoke with a huge grin intact on his face.

Well actually I was wondering who you are?

My frown deepened as I concentrated on the man.

"Well, my Jewels, I need your attention." He continued and I almost scratched the back of my head.

I averted my eyes alertly toward the adjacent cubicle only to find Garcia sitting straight and attentive to listen. Sensing my gaze on her, she steals a glance at my way before raising her brow in query.

I let the Man continued with his announcement before gesturing toward him, I mouthed who is he?

The chairman. The response came and my eyes crossed the sockets widening.

Oh!

I nodded very softly at her not wanting to be in the eye of the three men of honor, she responded through her eyes before shifting her concentration back upon the man speaking. I followed the suit.

"Now, our Precious Edward will have a word with you." He said before taking a step back he turned with a smile to Mr. Edward who nodded with a ghost of smile of his own.

"Thank you sir." He thanked the man gracefully before meeting our eyes. His posture had grace, decency and command, a command of confidence. His presence demands attention and respect which I surely missed in Mr. Chairman's posture. When he speaks one can't sit sluggish, his presence asks vigilance.

"Good evening everyone. As Mr. Thomas has already announced, we have been presented here to brief you about the dream contract our company always wanted. A project which will bring us a huge opportunity to progress in corporate world. A significant crucial project for Claire and Co." His voice held a unique command which left the whole hall mesmerized and spellbound by his words. He wanted absolute attention, he received without any effort.

All he did was just paid his presence and spoke what he wanted.

Impressive!

He continued without any intervention, his face impassive, tone enjoining, eyes shrewd and demeanor determinant.

"The written details will be provided to you tomorrow morning along with instructions. If you encounter any query or problem, you know the route to my cabin. I must remind you again, this project is very important for our company. And it must be ours this time." He concluded with a determined look on his face; the voice gave away the strictness his words held.

 The whole crowd stood mesmerized along with Mr. Chairman who had his mouth slightly hanged open.

Out of nowhere, his gaze fell upon me, and I gasped, the lone reason was the small almost invisible to catch smile crossed his lips, a sign of amusement that I read before it went and his gaze lifted from me and went to catch the apparently air conditioners fixed on the wall behind us.

The crowd started distinct murmuring as the charm of his speech broke and I found him talking to the Chairman and Mr. Deniz, all three discussing and Mr. Thomas praising him.

Well that's lovely!

No one is immune from his charm! Why would they!

The man in suit dispersed and the crowd again engrossed themselves in their pre-assigned task while some went to cafeteria.

The hammering in my skull wasn't letting me to even peep at my now inactive screen. I huffed in pure annoyance before taking my purse I went to the lift, to search the cafeteria.

A piping hot tea is going to be the savior.

"It's going to be hectic." I heard someone, causing me to turn back over my shoulder. A soft smile crawled on my lips as the person was Veronica along with Garcia.

Looking at my way, Garcia waved and Veronica smiled.

"Hey!"

"Seriously, Mr. Chairman will go insane during this time." Garcia spoke almost like in a whisper. My frown deepened as I weighed her words, both girls came to stand beside me.

"Is this because of the project?" I asked with light suspicion and girls nodded with such a sad expression like a grave calamity is on our way.

I nodded looking down not knowing how to evaluate the situation.

"Let's go to cafeteria and talk." Veronica suggested and we board elevator.

The blissful cup of tea was unable to be my calming factor because of the tensed atmosphere people around me created as we settled in the cafeteria; the only buzz was the project announcement a few minutes earlier.

It was quite a view, so many people crowded around but they all had this tensed stance while speaking in hush tones, as if government raised taxes to multitude.

I averted my eyes from them to focus on my company whose demeanor wasn't any different.

"I just pray this time Mr. Edward take matters in hand." Veronica pleads earnestly closing her eyes and crossing her fingers. The restlessness in her demeanor was quite clear.

"True. Please it must be him." Garcia whispered, as she took another stressed sip from her coffee.

"I guess he is, since he said to contact him straight away when anyone encounter any problem." I provided a little skeptical, the warm cup of tea still clutched in my locked palms untouched. The heaviness in my head I had long forgotten in this new distress.

The girls blinked like reminiscing the event and his words before they took a sigh of relief. I sat witnessing their swinging mood while having the cold tea.

"Mr. Edward, working under him is quite stress-free. I have worked under him for a few projects and trust me this man knows how to lead. In that period neither he snapped, nor did he fire anyone and we ultimately got the project. Actually, working with him is a privilege." Garcia explained after we came back, Veronica left once she finished her coffee, said she needs to complete a file before leaving since we'll get new work from tomorrow.

I shifted my gaze to her face, a timid soft innocent face with abundance of shyness. I find her a comforting person since the first day. I wondered why she was smiling when she was talking about Edward, though the person deserves appreciation for what he seems like but Garcia had this unusual charm.

"Who was heading this project last time?" I asked, a little curious. From what I perceived the project is a long term wish of our Chairman, the agitation for not achieving it, was visible through his features while he spoke about it, the bitterness claimed through his words.

"The Chairman's son." My brows knitted as I heard her.

"Oh! So where is he?"

"After the project failure, he kicked him out of the company." This time I couldn't help but let a gasp escape me.

"What? Because of the project?"

"This specific project." She enunciated, correcting me; pressing the particular 'This'.

No wonder why people had this distress and fear plastered on their face.

"Oh!"

"So Mr. Edward—"

"He was asked to handle this by Chairman even last time, but his son insisted to handle it, call it over confidence and nuisance in corporate dealings, he lost it and was kicked out."

My goodness! How a project could be so significant? I wondered chewing my inner lip.

I shuddered. What if even this time we lose it? Will he kick us all?

Or will he kick Mr. Edward like his own son?

"Oh my god! What if we—"

"No I don't think so." She intervened before I would cry for assumptions my mind built on her information, her voice soft like always but cautious.

"This time Mr. Edward is taking things in hand, he is qualified, experienced and knows what to do. He'll get this project."

Better he do because if he won't the company would need new recruitments.

"You look pale."

"Just like you were." I countered looking at her face, which I witnessed in cafeteria.

"Anyone would be, if it comes to their job." She announced softly, looking down. Her face and features told me that this job is important for her.

"Yeah! If we get—" I too feared, the job is important for me as well.

"If Edward is into this, he would take care of things. As I told you, he is very professional yet he is a humble human being. He knows how to be gentle while working with people under pressure, unlike that brat Thomas Jr. who almost fired the complete department last year. It was our CEO who brought many back after he persuaded Chairman." She explained the whole matter, finally reaching somewhere on the matter.

I took a deep breath, taking every point she explained.

"He seems a nice guy." I murmured to self.

"Of course he is." Garcia exclaimed almost instantly. I shifted my eyes to her; a deep glow was shimmering on her cheeks.

Now the story was completely different, her rosy cheeks were pronouncing some hidden meaning.

"Oh! Amaira nothing." She shook her head as she walked smiling to her desk.

Mr. Edward, you have got a huge fan following.

Intriguing!

*^*

The day went well with work completed on time leaving one thought lingering in my mind, how he came to know what I was searching for without me uttering a single word.

I leaned my back to seek the comfort of my chair as I saw the screen of my computer was shutting off. Finally a hectic day found its end; I found peace when the screen finally went black. I turned off the electric supply before sweeping the scattered stuff and placing them on pre-assigned place, my eyes glaring at the culprit file in far imagination.

"Hey Amaira!" I raised my gaze at my name to find Veronica and Kevin standing together in front of me, smile adorning their faces and hands sharing warmth of other. I smiled looking at them.

Pair!

"Hey!"

"Coming?" she asked, a soft yet noticeable blush crawling on her cheeks looking at me, as she fidgeted to release her hand from his hold which he denied firmly.

"Yep! Just a minute." I called as I quickly grabbed my bag from the chair and went toward them.

"So what happened to you today, sending weird faces to people around?" Kevin asked as we made our way out through the door toward the floor.

I cringed, recalling the day and turned crimson in embarrassment.

Blast it!

Dear lord! People had to notice, why?

"Well, actually—" I fidgeting with words stuttering in nervousness.

"It was kind of Cute, you know." Kevin grinned and instantly snapped my gaze at him, his eyes dangling in amusement. Beside him Veronica laughed followed by him at my expenses while I chuckled looking at them shaking my head.

"So you two together?" I asked drifting my gaze between their faces and their intertwined hands as we entered the lift.

The place was fairly vacant; we were the one of the last bunch leaving late at around 9 in evening.

The whole building was fairly illuminated with light dim bulbs radiating from ceiling providing us sufficient lights to follow the path in dark. The absence of people made it a little spooky lately.

I muffled my amusement at my preposterous thoughts.

I have to work here, better stop making stories in mind!

"Yes, we are." Veronica blushed looking down. I turned toward her only to find a serene smile plastered on her lips to visualize her happiness to announce their relationship which I felt deeply.

"Since three years." Kevin raised their hands and kissed the back of her hand in their joined hands making her blush more.

"Great" I cheered feeling happy from them.

I had a few interactions with Veronica from the first day and found her a very lovely personality with the combination of wits and intelligence. Same I could perceive about Kevin through his comfortable company, but it's only been four days and I don't want to judge a book by its cover.

We made our way out and they headed toward the parking area while turned to the entrance, walking or taking a cab was my only option to reach home.

"Hey, come we'll drop you." Kevin's gruff voice caught my attention as I turned.

"No, that's fin—" I tried to deny, they must be having their quality time and I don't want to be the intruder.

"Don't be. Come." Kevin waved his arm that was resting upon Veronica's shoulder; snuggling closer to him Veronica closed her eyes.

I cringed mentally being uncomfortable at the display of affection. Although it was cute but they deserve time together.

"Amaira! Just come!" it was Veronica and I found a glimpse of pleading in her tone. Whether it was a gesture to comfort me or her actual pleading, I couldn't comprehend. I just took a deep breath before I turned on my axis and went to them.

The smile on their faces could be taken as genuine which eventually made me smile.

"Let's get going." Kevin spoke sang as he opened the door for Veronica and she hopped in. I took the back seat settling myself and snuggling to my bag.

"Please keep formality away from us. You're a teammate also now a friend." Kevin grumbled as he settled on his seat. I merely nodded with a sheepish smile.

"Yes, Sir."

"So, what exactly was the reason of your lunatic act since afternoon?" Kevin again initiated the topic which I was dreading the most.

I took a deep exasperated breath, before finally revealing.

"Um! actually I was searching a file, the file that we are working over. The fund details must be sent to the client but unfortunately I failed to find it," I found wide eyes from Kevin from the rear view mirror.

Now who is making faces?

"But eventually I found it, in Mr. Edward's Cabin—n. I mean—I went there and he gave me." I explained lost in my own musing. Again the same question raised in my mind.

How he came to know that I went for that exact file?

"Phew! You scared me for a moment there." Kevin released a breath in rush resuming driving at ease.

"Let's have some dinner, I'm starving." Veronica suggested.

"Sure Sweetheart." Kevin moaned, drawing an 'adorable' from me and smack on arm from Veronica.

"You both are so cute." I cooed chuckling which earned me a wink from Kevin and glare from Veronica.

The ride to the restaurant was comfortable with occasional teasing which Kevin and I directed. In the small ride, they came close to me and I finally attested the fact that they are a close friend material.

We entered the restaurant, a simple spacious place with dim lights and peaceful ambiance.

We took the window seats, as per Veronica's request which Kevin took as order.

The constant smile or chuckles were my companion in their company which I was adorning at the moment.

"You know why this girl is so obsessed with the windows?" Kevin suddenly stated, I averted my eyes from the serene night to meet his wriggling brow face.

Squinting, I asked, "Why?"

The common sense in me was warning that he is going to spill something which won't be appreciated by Veronica and my assumption was sealed when I caught a glimpse of Veronica's narrowed eyes shooting daggers at him.

I gulped as he opened his mouth, silently praying she won't create a fuss in public place.

Call it my instinct!

"Because I—" he glanced at her and gulped himself before meeting my gaze, he continued, "Because I—I proposed her."

I heaved a sigh of relief, it was clear it certainly changed the track but relief wasn't sufficient here, "On the window?"

"No! I—I proposed her on the very seat beside this one on a rainy day after office." He explained and there I realized why the eyes were cast toward the table behind this one.

I smiled at Veronica who returned it drenched in blush.

"This place must be very special for both of you."

"Yes, we are the regular customers." Veronica, this time answered.

I nodded, as we all were interrupted by the waiter came with our order.

We waited to let him settle before he cast a smile at their way and left.

Definitely a regular customer.

"So tell us something about you?" Veronica asked as she poked her fork in her pasta.

My munching on food stopped for a second before I continued, swallowing it, I raised my face at them.

Plastering a smile, I said, "There isn't anything to tell, much. I shifted here after leaving my job."

"What was the reason of shifting?" Kevin asked with a mouth stuffed with rice.

"Basically, I—" for I moment I opted to repeat the reason I told to Mr. HR but for some reason I chose to go with truth.

"Six months back, I lost my grandfather, who was my family. After him, I felt suffocated there. To manage business employees are there, I wanted to—I just couldn't stay there, alone. It was strangling every moment. So I just flew." I concluded with a mournful smile. Tears glistered in my eyes but I pushed them back holding a strong face.

Veronica's hand came on mine, over the table, gave a light squeeze, offering condolence, Kevin did the same with my other arm. I smiled at their kind gestures before we resumed eating.

"What do you meant when you said Business?" Kevin asked; a little hesitation to scratch my tender wound.

I smiled before answering, "My father has a business which was until now I along with my grandfather were maintaining, since I had my job to manage, he used to hold the responsibility. Now that he is gone, the responsibility is of mine, the sole heir. I do the regular check and audit of accounts but it's been maintained by the honest employee dad had worked with."

Kevin's mouth hung open wide as I gave explanation making me chuckle.

"It must be hard, right?" he asked.

"Maintaining different responsibilities at once, no, not at all. Living alone and with memories of family, yes, very. But I'm trying." I answered honestly, playing with the potato in my plate.

"You're very strong." Veronica whispered and I offered her a tight smile.

The dinner concluded almost silently. I cursed myself for revealing my past but it was necessity to bridge the foundation of new friendship.

We left, the treat was on Kevin and I offered them an ice cream treat which they both hopped on with a grin.

The night was almost reaching the hours of midnight.

The soft twilight was spread everywhere. I glanced at the sky with a smile, at the beauty it showered on us.

"Come on, we must go home now. Or let's get back to office and sleep. It's just few hours." Kevin suggested lazily making us roll our eyes and chuckle.

Shaking my head I sat on the respective seat in his car, he followed earning a smack on his head this time.

He gets a lot of smacks! I pointed out in mind.

"You're enjoying work, right?" Veronica asked as the car wheels rolled on the concrete road.

"Yup! A lot actually! It's challenging and interesting. Just the way I would like It." she seems satisfied by my answer; keeping a grin she turned her attention toward the music player, switching the channel of radio station for which Kevin smacked her hand away with a scowl.

I turned my head outside not wanting to be a witness of their romantic bickering. The breeze was serene soft and cool, kissing my face softly, my lips quivered automatically as I started to enjoy the calmness in nature, but it was all short-lived.

In the darkness, there was speed in car, scenery was leaving behind, the trees saying bye, I found a figure black, reaching our height, far lost shifting to us. Like legs running in mist equal speed to ours.

From the bushes away, it came closer, as my mouth hung open, the people beside me were too engross to see this eccentric element before it came too closer that I could finally figure out.

A human faster than the cheetah, black, clothes, shoes, a huge pullover hiding his face. Nothing could be seen apart of black.

Terrified, amazement or petrified, were the expressions that I experienced before a screech escaped my mouth as I witnessed it coming toward out car.

"NO!"

*^*

In dark night, knights are born,

One that brings murk, other fights light,

Everyone is a character,

Whether to be a hero or villain is your choice!

***

Amaira Flair

July 14, 2018