Forever And Always ~ OS/TS Series ?

5. Monster Loves Orchids

“Do what you need to, but this needs to be ready by 12 PM tomorrow for Manik’s review so he can present it to potential clients for a 2 PM meeting,” said Cabir.

OK, I guess I am living in my cubicle from now on.

I worked till 8 PM and decided to wrap up. I noticed the elevator door open right after it closed. Mr. Monster stepped in. I greeted without being greeted back. There was an awkward silence. I knew very well now what not to do.

I knew not to ask “Which floor?” and press the button for him. So I stood there in silence, wondering what he was thinking. There was this raw energy about him. His unshaved look, intense eyes, strong masculine scent, reserved disposition, and sturdy build made him irresistible to look at. But his rude nature probably kept women miles away. I, for sure, would never want to be around a man like him. I felt sorry for him being with a plaster on his arm, but somehow his behavior took over my sympathy and all I could feel for him was aversion. Rumor had it, he had fallen down the stairs in his house and ended up on having plaster few weeks back.

We parted that night without saying goodbyes.

Next morning, I came super early and resumed work. I got a call from Manik.

“Get me a glazed donut and a hazelnut coffee, no cream,” and off went the line.

Did he call me by mistake? Since when did my job involve room service?

Annoyed at his order and for disrupting my work, I rushed to the cafeteria and came back with his order. I waited for him to say thanks and to give me money for the food. I was an unpaid intern after all.

“You may leave,” he said. I stood there, shocked.

What a jerk.

I went to Jeff and asked her if this was part of my job. She smiled and responded, “When Manik Sir asks for something, it is probably part of your job”

“But that’s not right. I wasn’t hired as a secretary. I am an advertising intern”

“Fine, tell your boss that or you can file a complaint if you wish,” she said and handed me a form.

I knew where this was going so I returned to my desk. If I wanted to stay here, I had to keep shut. But knowing me, I wondered when my patience would give up.

I handed him the files at 11.50 AM. He looked over it briefly and pointed 15 mistakes and asked me to fix them in the next 30 minutes. I did and then I was asked again to fix 10 more issues.

Mr. Monster is unstoppable, isn’t he?

His meeting didn’t go well. Apparently the data had flaws. Though not my fault, I had to bear the brunt of it.  It was pretty humiliating.

So my first project failed to impress him. The next few weeks were even worse. He would assign me tasks that would keep me in office late and require working on the weekends. I had no social life; parties, pubs, and movies, sounded like a dream. My friends were extremely worried for me, but I reassured them that this won’t last forever so they left me alone for some time. Manik would randomly order donuts through me. I was saving all the bills but didn’t dare to show them to him yet.

One day I was caught off-guard when I stole a few minutes away from work to look at my emails on my iPhone. He snuck up on me and stood in the back watching me. He was back on his feet a few weeks back. When I turned back, I was startled.