Chapter 5 Who Ate My Lunch ?

I am sitting in my cabin, the files lying open in front of me, yet my mind is stuck somewhere else. Just then, there is a soft knock on the cabin door. In a deep, authoritative voice, I say, “Come in.”

The door opens, and the woman walks in, holding her tiny daughter in her arms. Her eyes are lowered, a faint tear glistening on her cheek. The automatic door closes softly behind her, and the cabin sinks back into silence.

The little girl clutches her mother’s clothes tightly, hiding her face in her neck, as if she is trying to shield herself from the world. Leaning back in my chair, I ask in a deep voice, “What is your name?”

In a slightly nervous tone, she replies, “Kiara Desouza.” I come straight to the point. “Don’t you know that an office is a workplace? Babies are not allowed here.”

Her eyes fill with tears. In a heavy voice, she says, “I know, sir but there is no one I can leave my daughter with.” Even after hearing her words, my face remains expressionless.

Firmly, I say, “I can’t break office rules because of your personal problems.” She stands silently with her head lowered, as if she has already accepted defeat.

After a few seconds of silence, I make a decision. I say, “Do one thing. If you can prove your capability to me, then you may bring your daughter here.”

She suddenly looks up at me. I continue, “I don’t do anything without benefit. I need proof that this company actually needs you.”

My voice hardens further. “If you fail to prove yourself, you will have a transfer letter in your hand within two days.” Anxiously, she asks, “What do I have to do, sir? Please tell me.”

Calmly, I reply, “The current deal that is going on you will handle it. If your presentation is strong and the project gets approved, you may bring your daughter here.”

A new spark of hope shines in her eyes. She immediately says, “Yes, sir, I will do it. When is the presentation?”

Without any emotion, I answer, “The presentation is tomorrow. You don’t have much time.”

She quickly turns to leave, as if every second now matters to her. I stop her in a deep voice, “Wait.” She freezes.

I say, “Until the presentation is complete, you will have to leave your daughter here.” She looks at me in surprise but doesn’t ask any questions.

Slowly, she lowers her tiny daughter from her arms. The surprising part is the child doesn’t cry at all.

The little girl looks at her mother, and Kiara gently says, “Ria stay calm here, okay? Mumma will come to pick you up in the evening.”

Ria nods her chubby little head in agreement.

And Kiara, without looking back, walks out of the cabin. Now, in the entire room, there are only two of us me, and little Ria.

I don’t know why, but a strange feeling settles inside me, as if I have known this child from somewhere before. Ria quietly moves to a corner of the cabin.

I return to my king chair and start reading the files again, but my eyes keep drifting toward her. Sometimes she spins around holding her frock, sometimes she claps her tiny hands, sometimes she starts counting the teeth of the lion statue placed beside the table.

Without wanting to, a faint smile appears on my lips. Just then, there’s a knock on the door, “Come in,” I say.

A peon enters, holding a tray. On it are my sandwiches and coffee. He places the tray on the table and leaves silently.

I get up and go to wash my hands. A few minutes later, when I return, what I see makes my eyes widen in shock.

Ria is standing on my king chair. Her mouth is completely full, and the last piece of sandwich is in her hand.

I stand there, utterly stunned. She looks at me, chews hurriedly, and then stuffs the final piece into her mouth.

Rage surges through me in an instant, My jaw tightens, my fists clench, and before I can stop myself, my voice echoes through the cabin.

“What are you doing?” I shout furiously.

The sudden loudness makes Ria flinch. Her eyes widen in fear, her lower lip trembles, and within seconds, she bursts into loud, helpless sobs. Tears stream down her chubby cheeks as she slips down from the king chair, crying uncontrollably.

Her cries only fuel my anger further.

I slam my palm down on the table, “This is absolutely unacceptable!” I snap.

Just then, the cabin door opens hurriedly, and my manager rushes in, clearly startled by the noise.

“Sir… is everything alright?” he asks cautiously, his eyes falling on the crying child.

I glare at him, my anger sharp and unforgiving.

“Call her mother. Right now,” I bark.

“This child is extremely ill-mannered. She has no sense of discipline. This kind of behavior is not tolerated in my office.”

Ria continues crying, her tiny hands wiping her tears clumsily, her sobs echoing painfully in the otherwise luxurious cabin.

My manager hesitates for a second, then nods quickly, “Yes, sir. I’ll call her immediately.”

He turns and rushes out, I pace the cabin restlessly, my frustration boiling over. My mind screams about broken rules, lack of control, chaos everything I despise. Ria’s cries grow softer but don’t stop, and for some reason, the sound unsettles me more than I want to admit.

A few moments later, hurried footsteps approach the cabin, The door swings open, Kiara rushes in, breathless, her face pale with panic. Her eyes immediately find Ria, crying near the chair, and then shift to me.

I turn sharply toward her, My gaze is cold. Furious. Unforgiving, She freezes mid-step, fear flashing across her face as she looks at me, The room falls silent except for Ria’s broken sobs.

I stare at Kiara with pure anger burning in my eyes.

TO BE COUNTINUE...!!!

Will I be able to keep her in the job now?