Chapter 7

• I was already running late for my afternoon shift. I hurriedly walked into the bakery shop expecting the usual buzz of customers scrambling for their orders.
• It was too calm in the shop for a Wednesday afternoon.
• I walked past the counter into the bakery.
• “ Hey, what’s going on?” I asked Greg. He was in charge of coffee making.
• “ I honestly have no idea“ . He replied,
• “ Where is everyone?” I asked again.
• “ Came in and met the shop scanty” he continued as he kneaded the dough at his front. That was weird.
• “Thanks” I said as I headed for the boss’ office.
• I knocked thrice and entered when I heard his voice.
• “ Hello” I said as I watched him peer at me from his spectacles.
• “ Sophia, what’s the matter?” He asked me.
• “ That’s what I came to ask you“ I said to him as he looked at me with a confused expression.
• “ The shop is scanty“ I continued.
• “ Ahhh. Yes . You probably didn’t get the memo “he stated.
• “What memo?” I questioned.
• “ The shop has a new owner“ he stated with a smile.
• “ Since when ?” I asked.
• “ Yesterday “ he replied.
• “ Wait, hold up. I missed work for one day and all of a sudden the shop has a new owner “ I stated in confusion
• “ It’s not personal, Sophia “ he replied with a laugh.
• “ I didn’t even know you were planning on selling the bakery” I stated in confusion.
• “ Not the bakery, the shop” he corrected.
• “ I wasn’t planning on selling, but the offer was too good. Had to jump on it” he continued.
• “ Understandable” I stated with a nod.
• “ Opportunity does come but once, they say. I can’t miss this.” He stated.
• “ So no condition. The deal was sealed so easily?” I asked.
• “ Not really. There was a request to close the shop for a month.” He replied to my question.
• “A month ??!” I shrieked. No payment for a month. That will take us to the streets to live in. I realized
• “ Apparently they’ll need time to restructure. Personnel and all that“ he stated absentmindedly.
• “ What kind of condition is that and who buys a bakery shop without the bakery?” I asked with annoyance.
• “ Shiva Global” he said.
• “ Excuse me?”
• “ Shiva Global. That’s the name of the company. I was surprised when they made the offer, but I know a good business deal when I hear one”, he stated with a good smile.
• “ Who exactly made the offer?” I asked cautiously.
• “ A lady in a suit. I think she gave me her card” he replied as he searched his desk.
• “ Leave it. It doesn’t matter “, I told him.
• “ What’s going to happen to the workers ?” I asked him.
• “ It’s Shiva Global’s workers now, but I did ask for an increase in wages for the month spent away“ he replied.
• “ I know things are hard, but that’s really all I could offer” he continued.
• “ It’s cool. It’s your business after all” I said as I gave him a light smile after thanking him and walked out.
• I was feeling a mix of both frustration and anger. This was definitely Natasha’s doing. No . It was Leo. She works for him. Just a day off to take my mother to the clinic for her check up, all these happened and I didn’t even receive the memo.
• I pondered with annoyance as I scrolled through my email on my phone for the memo.
• It was there, the memo. I just didn’t get the chance to check my emails yesterday.
• I dashed out of the shop pissed and hailed a cab to Shiva Global.
• I did not know what I was going to do, but I was not about to stay put, doing nothing in frustration.
• The building was massive. Everyone looked professional in their corporate wear. My plain hoodie and cargo pants drew attention to me in such environment. I couldn’t care less. I paid the cab driver and headed to the receptionist.
• “ Shiva Global. How can I help you?” She said professionally.
• “ Hi. I am here to see Leo” I awkwardly stated as she scrutinized me.
• “ Leo?” She questioned,
• “ Yes , Leonard. Your boss “ I stated.
• “ Do you have an appointment ?” She asked.
• “No “
• “Were you ordered to be here?” She asked again.
• “ Err…no”
• “ The matter is it of an urgency?” She questioned again.
• “ Something like that “ I stated in annoyance.
• “ Look, I just want a word with him” I continued with a frown on my face.
• “ That’s good, but if he doesn’t want a word with you, I suggest you leave now before I call security “ she responded coldly.
• “ Natasha. I’d like to speak to her. She knows me” I stated with a frown.
• “ Ah. Natasha. I know her “she said to me.
• “ Yeah. So let me meet with her “ I said.
• “ Well you see, I know her and she knows me, but guess what?” She asked.
• “ What?”
• “ I’m at my desk performing my duties not going about people’s business and causing a nuisance” she stated rudely.
• “ Okay. That was rude “ I stated,
• “ Very unnecessary too” I continued as I sighed and walked towards the exit. My eyes caught the familiar face. I could definitely recognize that sleek blonde ponytail anywhere.
• “ Natasha!!” I shouted as I ran with no care, towards her.
• She stared at me like a dirty roach as I stood in her front panting.
• “ I want to speak with him” I stated as she sighed.
• She made some taps on her tablet and after few minutes she looked at me,
• “ Are you done breathing out loud now?” She asked me as I quietly tried to calm my breaths.
• “ Good. Follow me” she stated as she walked quickly towards the elevator while I tried to match her strides.
• I met the eyes of the receptionist with a smirk on my face as I stepped into the elevator with Natasha .
• We were going upwards. We finally stepped out and I followed her into a corridor leading to a secluded office.
• She paused and turned to face me,
• “ Knock twice and enter “ she said before walking away.
• My anxiety rushed in as she left me standing alone. I took deep breaths for approximately two minutes before following her command.
• “ Enter” I heard.
• With an anxious sigh , I stepped in.