The one with all the apologies...

Anna was biting her lower lip as she was standing in the new Chairman's room. Although she had Alira standing by her side along with the entire production team, still she was feeling nervous. Her fingers were entwined and her gaze was fixed on the floor.

"And you are Miss Anna Carmeil" Jack introduced formally.

Anna quickly glanced at and bowed to greet the new Chairman. Before he could look directly in her eyes, she fixed her gaze on the floor again.

"She joined us recently and already proved to be one of the best we have on board." Jack articulated.

"Oh, Really! How come?" the intrigued Chairman questioned.

Anna's heart started to pound heavily in her chest while Jack answered the question. She pressed her eyes to calm herself down. "What is he up to? Is he going to fire me? But I didn't do anything! Or Did I do something embarrassing which I can't recall?" she was continuously debating in her thoughts. The Introductions ended up quickly and the new Chairman began catching up with the ongoing projects. Anna relaxed as the atmosphere became professional and everyone turned serious.

After a thorough discussion, the Chairman's lips twitched into a small smile. “I can tell you people have done great so far, I like the spirit." he acknowledged.

"Thank You so much!" Jack smiled proudly.

"You can now get back to your work everyone." the new Chairman commanded.

Everyone bowed and turned around to leave. Anna sighed and quickly turned to leave the room too.

"Miss Carmeil," the fruity voice called out.

Anna was stopped dead in her tracks. She gulped and turned around to face the man.

"I would like to have a word with you," he said with a straight face.

Anna's eyes enlarged due to shock. A shiver went down her spine. Hesitantly, she nodded. Alira looked at her and mouthed, "Don't be scared and don't start crying, okay?" Anna nodded in response. Everyone left the room.

The new Chairman got up from his cozy seat and came to the front. Anna was watching him with nervousness in her eyes.

"How are you feeling today, Two Shots?" He enquired.

Anna's brows got raised in surprise. She cleared her throat and answered, "Good, Sir!... Thanks for asking, Sir" she smiled hesitatingly.

"Archie," he mentioned.

"Sorry, what?"

"Call me Archie"

"Oh.. um, Okay. I guess." a small, formal smile got etched on her face.

"I never thought that I would get to meet you again so soon, Two Shots! You were completely wasted yesternight" he smiled and got back to his chair.

Anna pressed her eyes shut. Not because she disapproved of the name she was being called with, again and again, but at the mention of the crazy night. Taking a deep breath, she courageously uttered, “I want to apologize for yesterday.”

Archie got surprised at her words but his lips turned into an approving smile. “Okay, Go ahead" he leaned back in his chair.

Anna breathed out and continued, “I am really sorry for messing around like that. Whatever I said, I shouldn't have. I am really sorry.” she fixed her gaze on her fingers which she entwined again unknowingly. Just then, a thought jogged her mind and she looked up, “Also, thank you for letting my friend know where I was. That really was a great help.”

Archie's brows furrowed. “I didn't do anything...”

Anna's face scrunched up, “What?"

"I never informed anyone about you." He stated.

Anna's mouth dropped to the floor. She was stupefied, "Were you not the one who picked up my phone?”

“Why would I receive phone calls for strangers?" he raised his brows.

“Then who did?” Anna asked herself.

“Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that not everyone is as good as me,” he had a proud smirk on his lips. “So be extra careful the next time you decide to knock yourself out like that” he ended politely.

"I will keep that in mind” Anna smiled innocently. She then took his leave and came out of his room. She turned around to look at the door which was being closed, automatically, behind her.

Archie Dawson

CHAIRMAN

She shook her head as her eyes hovered over the name-plate. Turning on her heels, she started searching for Alira as she knew she would be somewhere near. Searching for Alira, her eyes met with Adam's, who was headed her way. "Oh No!" she muttered.

“Hey! Miss Carmeil, How are you?" He asked.

“Great sir. How about you?”, she was trying her best to stay calm.

“Great as well," he grinned for a second and then pulled up a poker face instantly. "Actually Miss Anna, I am sorry for yesterday," he uttered with utmost sincerity. Anna’s eyes went wide. She blinked to process what happened just now.

"Miss Anna?" he raised a brow suspiciously.

“Yeah, Um…" she quickly snapped out of her thoughts. "It was my mistake. I should be the one apologizing to you. I am really sorry for my-”

"We can do this all day, you know that? How about we call it even?" he passed an infectious smile.

Anna quickly relaxed and smiled back cheerfully.

"Amazing. So, will see you around Anna." he articulated. "Can I call you Anna?"

"Sure" she shook her head.

"Great!" a dazzling smile surfaced on his face. Anna couldn't help but smile back cheerfully.

"Bye," he mouthed and went inside the Chairman's room.

Anna was grinning continuously. "My Adam is a good man," someone whispered in her ear making her flinch.

"Geez! Ali, You scared me." Anna hit her on her arm.

"C’mon Anna, that’s not the point here." Alira pouted at her. "Point is that my Adam is a good man," she added with glittering eyes.

"You are drooling again, Ali. Get away from me." Anna shoved her aside and started walking away.

"You are just jealous." Alira pouted again and started following her. "Just accept the fact that MY man is a good man."

Anna stopped and turned around to face her, " Indeed, Adam is a good man but he ain’t your man." she said so as to tease her.

"Being so rude, Anna. You are dead meat now." Alira started hitting her.