Kilam arrives at the company later than usual, an anomaly since becoming CEO. He meanders to the elevator, his face betraying the sleepless night. Exiting the elevator, he brushes past Margo’s smiling greeting without acknowledgment and proceeds to Arya’s office door, pausing to watch her engrossed in work.
"Do you need something, Mr. Pagano?" Arya asks, her surprise at seeing him lingering pulls him back to reality.
"Please bring me a double espresso; I had a rough night," he requests, then strides to his office without waiting for her response.
Arya finishes typing her sentence and heads to the small kitchen to prepare the coffee, only to be met by Margo.
"It’s the first time in years that I’ve seen Mr. Pagano come in after the staff, and he’s acting odd today, completely ignored me," she leans against the counter behind her.
"He stood in front of my office for a while; it’s like he was on another planet," Arya shares, the two share a laugh.
"If May were here, she'd surely know what’s up," Margo sips her water.
"Well, I can't promise anything, but I'll try to find out," Arya chuckles, moving toward her boss's office.
“Mr. Pagano, here is your coffee," she says, placing the drink on his desk as permitted.
"Arya, please call me Kilam; after all, you are the closest person to me. My own family doesn’t even spend as much time with me. And I don’t want to become a machine; I need someone to remind me that I am human," he rakes his hand through his hair.
"Is something wrong, Mr... Kilam? I know we're not close, but I'm here if you need to talk," she expresses concern.
"This engagement is killing me. Last night I invited her over, and the moment I saw her, I regretted it because she wasn’t who I wanted to be there," he admits carelessly.
"Are you in love with the girl I fired that day?" she inquires.
"No, it's a forbidden woman for me, one I should’ve stayed away from, yet something keeps pulling me in, and I can’t explain it," he admits, meeting her eyes.
"Is she married to a friend of yours?"
"No, it’s neither. It’s just a relationship I can't..." he struggles to clarify.
"Professional!" she finishes his sentence.
"Exactly, professional."
"And she’s an employee here at the company, right?" she gazes at him with a comforting smile.
"Yes, Arya, she is an employee; that’s why it’s forbidden," he speaks with downcast eyes.
"I don’t understand why it’s forbidden; office romances are normal, given you see each other every day," she simply states, sitting across from Kilam.
"Arya, please, I don’t even know if my feelings are reciprocated by her," he looks intently at her.
"Then find out, it’s that simple. If you want, I could subtly inquire, of course, only if you’re comfortable telling me who she is."
"Better not; I’ll keep it confidential. You should return to work now; you weren’t hired as a counselor but as my assistant. Forget our conversation and leave," his tone turns brusque.
Arya leaves his office with a sullen expression, caused by his harsh demeanor after seeking her aid. Margo approaches her, curious about the exchange, but Arya claims ignorance and retreats to her office.
Come lunch, Kilam calls her in to note his order. Once done, she arranges his and her own meals from their usual restaurant. She sets up the food on a plate, pours juice into a pitcher, arranges everything on a tray, and brings it to his office, laying it out on the table before she turns to leave, he calls out again.
"Yes, Mr. Pagano?" she reverts to formality.
"Have you finished the report I requested?" His voice is coarse.
"Not yet, sir, just one page left. I’ll bring it after lunch," her voice wavers slightly.
"Regretting letting May go early. I want it in thirty minutes, get a move on," he barks.
"Yes, Mr. Pagano, within thirty minutes," her response is through clenched teeth.
"What are you waiting for? Move quickly out of my sight," he marches to his desk and sits down.
Arya returns to her desk to finish the report. After delivering it to Kilam, she has lunch. As she eats, she works on documents to present to Kilam before the end of her shift, interspersing with kitchen clean-up to distract her mind, despite having a janitor. Focused on her tasks, she contacts her mother as her departure time nears.
"Mom, I've had a little setback and will be late; is that okay?" she seeks her mother’s approval.
"Of course not, Arya, I was about to pick up the kids and was planning to take them out anyway," her mother reassures with a smile.
"Thanks, mom, I must return to work now; don’t overindulge in sweets," the younger laughs.
"Don’t spoil our fun; a little candy occasionally doesn’t hurt; goodbye," her mother hangs up, leaving no room for debate.
Arya resumes her work, finishing the documents for Kilam. She sustains herself with several cups of coffee to ward off fatigue. Upon completion, she stretches, gathers everything, and heads to his office.
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