CHAPTER EIGHT: SAD LARRY

"Mr Cornor..."

"Ma'am feel free to call me Larry" he said with a bow.

Larry Connor is one of D-foundation's best staff. He is also one of Melissa's favorite. Although the guy is in his early thirties, he doesn't have the look at all. He is so humble and hard working. Ever since he lost his beloved wife two years ago, he have devoted his like to his work to the extent that his colleagues do beg him to take things easy so that he won't break down some day.

If not for his son, Larry might have even packed his things and come to leave at work. It was obvious that he is still hurting real bad for the death of his wife.

"I want you yo attend a meeting on my behalf".

Although Larry wasn't a cheerful type but Melissa could still fish out that there's something wrong with his mood today. He looks gaunt.

"Sorry ma, I can't fit in today" he apologized palely.

Now she was sure that her instinct is right because Larry never for once give excuse of not been able to do a thing.

"You are not looking good Mr Connor. What's wrong?" She asked with concern.

"It's zilch. Not too serious" he replied casually.

Melissa shook her head telling him that she is not buying his words neither did she agree.

"You can talk to me you know. I'll feel guilty if I realise something is wrong with you and I didn't bother to ask" she said calmly.

He sighed. "Today makes it to years that I lost my wife" he said with so much sadness that he couldn't hide anymore showing in his eyes.

"Oh my goodness!" She exclaimed softly. "I'm so sorry for your loss" she sympathized.

"Thanks ma'am" he swallowed painfully.

"You shouldn't be here today then".

She looked at him feeling his pain. Been that she also know the feeling of losing some so dear.

"I just don't want to stay at home sulking up" he said giving her a pale grin.

"I do understand your pain Mr Connor. I know you love her but God loves you more and He will surely make it up to you, trust me" she encouraged with a crispy smile.

Unknown to her, the guy she was trying to encourage doesn't like God talk more of love. He detest the sound of the name God.

Larry gave her a mocking sad smile. "If God loves me, He wouldn't have taken my joy" he said bitterly.

Melissa knew to convince such heart will be a difficult one which will take patience and hard work.

"When it comes to the matter of God, He can't be questioned" she said calmly.

"Why? Because He is God? That seems unfair to me" he said in a ride voice as if Melissa is God.

Melissa still gave him a pacifying smile. "You know the scripture says 'all things works together for good to them that love God and to them that work according to His purpose. Are you really for God?"

Melissa got him there. Larry doesn't in any way care about God or church. It's only his wife that attends once a while and that's the reason he thought God is been unfair.

"I know I don't do the God thing but my wife does but what came out" he complained.

She shook her head. "Mr Connor, God didn't take your wife. It was an accident and He doesn't create accident. The scripture also says every good and perfect gift comes from the father of light in whom there is no variableness neither shadow of turning. God speaks to us concerning this things but since we don't recognise His voice, we tend to lose out and then put the blame on Him" she said smiling forcefully at him.

He gave her a plain look not wanting to drag thing with her. He wasn't at all convinced at what she said but he wasn't ready to be pestered and she is also her boss so he won't dare argue too much.

"Just accept my sympathy Mr Connor" she added sweetly.

"Thanks ma'am for your concern" he said with a weak smile.

"You are welcome".

Melissa picked up her table phone calling her secretary to reach Anderson of HR department.

Anderson Peter is one if the confident guys that asked Melissa out boldly not minding that he was her junior. He was really persistent about it but hpshe refused him every time. Melissa made sure she avoid being alone with him and that is the reason she called him while Larry was still spitted. She wouldn't have called for him, if Larry was fine today and she had no choice because Anderson and Larry were the only head of department that worked with her on this particular project.

Anderson arrived quickly since it is seldom for Melissa to call for him. He strolled majestically into her office but as he met Larry there his countenance changed. He and Larry doesn't get along at all because Larry seems to cold to him.

Melissa didn't hesitate to tell him his purpose for coming and as usual he proved stubborn.

"Why me?" He said arrogantly forgetting that Larry was right there.

Larry looked at him sternly.

It wasn't a fresh new to the upper level that Anderson wants the vice president of D-foundation. Some even think he is too audacious, while some hails him as a genius.

In that regard, he do act a bit rude to her especially when they are alone. Melissa was a bit nonchalant about it because she feels he won't dare refuse her orders. All his arrogance hides when Drew is around. He would behave himself whenever he hears that Drew is around.

"Anderson I don't want your question just do as I say" she said firmly.

"See Melly, you can't just come all of a sudden to intrude my schedules" he said impertinently confident.

Melissa expected this. He loves to prove what is not so as to be able to get her rattled up.

Melissa looked at him sternly. "What then are you trying to say?" She asked ready to lambast him.

"I'm busy too. Get another replacement" he replies rudely.

Melissa would have exploded but Drew cuts in.

"You must be out of your mind!" He bawled.

"Hey! Mean man, um not here for you" he snapped.

Larry eyed him. "You won't dare talk to me. I don't even know why ma'am allowed you this idiot to grow such wings as talking to her like that. She gave you an order not an opinion and you still have the audacity to question her?" He retorted.

"Hey watch it man" he replied in same manner.

The two eyed eachother with hot hostile look. Anderson has always been careful of Larry because he is also a boss to him and Larry isn't someone to toil with he can deal with him in anyway both physical and work wise.

"I'll talk to you the way you deserve. You know I'm not in anyway as cool as ma'am. I'll deal with you" he blasted.

"Anderson must you act anyhow?" Melissa asked.

Since he knows Larry's words isn't just empty threats, he kept quiet.

"I'm not if the nature of querying, or reporting anyone because of my own issues but if you push me to the wall Anderson, I won't hesitate to get you straight to Dr Kmetko, since what you are doing is already affecting your job" she inserted vehemently, letting her words sink to him.

Melissa has never said that to him before so he became scared and he wore a calm look immediately.

"Here is the file you are taking along. Make sure you GE it all signed before returning it back to !e" she handed him tg file which he took reluctantly.

He didn't even bother to open it to see if it was the right file.

"One more thing, immediately it is signed, get it scanned and send it to my mail. I have to forward it to the president. Do you get that?"

"Yes" he grumbled and left without another word.

"Another thing" Melissa called.

He stopped and grumbled, "what again?"

Melissa ignored his attitude. "Don't get there late" she said blankly

He left without a reply. As he left, Larry began to pour out his displeasure.

"Ma'am, you gave that stupid boy so much change. What he won't dare do to his operational boss, he is doing yo you and you are complaisant about it" he said with an unhappy look.

Melissa exhaled. "I'm not complaisant about his rude behavior. I've corrected him so many times but he won't listen" she explained.

Larry still didn't agree with her. "If you've not taken his jest with levity, he won't have grown so !such wings. Look at how he just talked to you like his mates. If you can't handle him, you should just report him a nd all his foolish ego will drop" he said ferociously.

Melissa smiled. "Reporting him will only cost him his job and I don't want to be a reason someone would be sad. Dr Kmetko will sure dismiss his work immediately if he hears of such thing and what is my gain if I cause such uproar in the company?"

Larry frowned. "You are just too calm" he murmured.

She smiled at him.

"Don't let me keep you waiting. You may leave now. I mean if you wish to go home. You are free to take a day or two off. I'll just explain to your boss. OK?"

Larry smiled at her generosity but he still shook his head.

"What will I be doing at home. I prefer to come to work. It's lonely at home"

Melissa gave him an understanding pitiful look. "Staying at work won't ease the pain either. Try to go out. You can go with your boy. Go to places he would love to go ro catch fun. Bet it with me, it will really lit up your boring day" she advised

Larry apsaw sense in what she said.

"Thanks ma'am. I think that's what I need. It's been long I've got time for my little boy. I should start focusing on him" he nod his head as if to approve what he said.

"Yeah you really need to" she agreed.

"Thanks for the advice".

"You're welcome and don't forget what I told you about God" she smiled sweetly at him.

"I won't" he replied even though he already forgot.

"Accept my sympathy once again" she smiled.

"Thanks ma'am I'm really grateful for your care" he returned her smile.

"So enjoy your day".

"Yes ma'am" he then averted.

Melissa was glad that she could help brighten his mood a bit and he even smiled evenbthough his smiles wasn't well fertilized with happiness. It wasn't dark to her that he is skeptic about her words but she also knew that he is a work in process not a sudden work.