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