Canteen

The next day.

William prepared everything he deemed necessary when discussing with Melissa. He wanted to take into account everything the other might request from him so he made a business proposal. Once all his preparations were complete, he made a call to Melissa to confirm a schedule which they can both meet.

Sfx *ring ring*

After a couple of rings...

"Hello, Melissa. This is William." Before William could start their discussion.

Melissa cut her off. "You can send your proposition to my secretary. Just send the files to her and we'll talk from there." Their talk was so short that William wondered if he was talking to the same Melissa that he knew.

He did not know if this was a good or bad thing. Although he wanted to keep everything professional, he was surprised by how Melissa easily dismissed him. If this was something which could make the discussions move forward at a faster pace, then so be it. But he felt that something was amiss.

He was reminded of what his sister told him. This might be nothing but a mere plot to get to him.

William was sitting in front of his desk while tapping his fingers on the table to think. He was pondering what his next move would be if things did not go as planned.

In the end, he still decided to continue with the discussions till he gets a definitive answer from Melissa. He sent all the files that he had prepared to Melissa's e-mail. He did not bother looking for her secretary as he already has her information. If Melissa was willing to contact him and discuss things, then he should be hearing from her soon.

William stood up from his seat and looked at the time. It was past lunch time, ever since Melissa left he did not designate a secretary for himself. Instead, all the employees outside would bring him the files once in a while. At first, it was supposed to be handed to Mia but since she left the company, he decided to leave it open for the time being.

There were a lot of applicants but he did not have the motivation to look at them and find a replacement at the moment.

William went out of his office.

The employees have been more respectful to him after the events that happened with Mia and Melissa. The employees have kept a certain distance from him, it was unknown if they were afraid or they just did not want any trouble. Instead of greeting him, they preferred to bow their heads in silence.

The biggest change was the ladies who were worshipping William like a star before. They made sure not to make a single sound as he passes by. If they were gossiping, then they must have done it in secrecy because none of the ladies can be seen loitering around in groups at public places.

William took his time to look around the company. He walked leisurely while observing the staff and the production line.

As he walked pass the halls, he was reminded of all the hard-work their family did to achieve what they have right now. It was their family's effort that made them reach this height of success, especially his father. Once he thought of his father, his mother came to mind.

He wondered how one man can love a woman devotedly for such a long time without giving up.

If he was in the same situation as his father, would he be able to do the same for Mia?

As he was heading downwards, he did not notice that he had reached the company's canteen.

He reminisced at the first time he saw this place. It wasn't always that luxurious and free for everyone to eat to their heart's content. It was something he changed when he stepped in as the CEO of the company.

A couple of years ago, it was just a normal canteen that served regular food. It was not free at the time, though the company provided the food the employees could buy, they still had to pay for it. But William decided to change that, it was the first thing he decided to change when he got control of the company.

It was a large expense but he thought that well-feed employees are equivalent to more productive employees. However, that was not the only reason. It was a memory from his childhood that would forever be part of his life and way of thinking that triggered this change. He wanted to do something for his employees the same way Mia had done for him in the past.

Looking at the people eating to their heart's content reminded him of the simple times he was with Mia. He always hoped that the people in his company would be able to save more for their families through this simple act of kindness on his part.

Original novel by Chuchuwachuwa.