16 – The News Leaks Out

At the Colossus Office, later that day:

The office was abuzz with gossip. Everyone was trying to figure out why the usually stern CEO Stone, who rarely cracked a smile, was in such a good mood.

"I heard she got a promotion," one worker said.

"No way, she just got a huge bonus," another worker said.

"Maybe she's in love," a third worker chimed in.

"I heard she just finished a big project and got a lot of praise from the board overseas," a fourth worker suggested.

"Well, she is the protégé of the President, after all," another employee said enviously.

"But it's a good thing that CEO Stone seems to be happy," one more person said. "It makes out life easier!"

"I am really curious, though," someone else muttered. "What on earth could it be that's made her visibly happy?"

Whatever it was, everyone agreed that it was great to see their CEO in such a positive mood. They all hoped it would last.

Hamir happened to chance upon this scene. "What's the gossip?" he asked casually.

Several young ladies immediately pounced upon him – on the surface, it was to push him for information, since he had spent the maximum amount of time with the CEO this morning, but actually, this young and handsome man was just too attractive! The HR department had already said that he was not married, so he was considered fair game in the office!

"Do you know why the icewoman's ice has melted a bit today?" a young man from the IT department asked Hamir with a rather lewd smile on his face. "She actually looks like a woman for once – and a really hot one, at that!" He whistled.

Hamir frowned at the man, annoyed at the disrespect he implied towards Qaya.

Several men laughed at his expression, and a few girls did, too.

"What? You're looking at me as if I'm talking about your wife, man!" the IT guy snickered and said to Hamir.

"Well, she's not my wife yet," Hamir said mildly. "But you are talking about my fiancée, so I'd rather that you kept a civil tongue in your mouth." He cast a glance at all the office workers around him, his eyes cold and his normally genial face stern. "Regardless of the fact that Qaya is my fiancée, she is the CEO of Colossus, and your superior, not to mention that she is the reason this company is doing so well and the reason all of you are so well-paid compared to your peers in other organisations. If you can't respect your CEO Stone, then perhaps it is time for you to look for another job," he said in a firm voice.

"Whoa, man, don't overreact! We were just kidding around!" the IT guy said, throwing up his hands in a gesture of surrender. He narrowed his eyes. "You sure move fast, don't you? You barely joined and already managed to climb into her bed?" he teased.

"It is an arranged marriage, and my father sent me to meet her first," Hamir said. "Of course, Qaya is just so wonderful that I…"

"An arranged marriage?!" a young woman squealed. "You don't need to force yourself to marry the icewoman, Hamir! You are such a wonderful person, you can get anyone you want!" She nudged a bit closer, and smiled brightly, clearly putting herself up as one of the potential candidates for Hamir.

"Yes, yes, even if CEO Stone is a powerful person, she won't be petty enough to force someone to marry her," another employee spoke up. "Just say no."

Hamir sighed. "Are you all idiots? Where on earth am I going to find a better woman than Qaya? She is smart, beautiful, successful and interesting – she's simply a goddess. I'm very grateful to my father that he arranged this!" he declared.

"You're not marrying her under pressure? Because she's using her position as the CEO of Colossus to force you and your family?" another person asked.

Hamir glared at the speaker. "Do you think Qaya even needs to force someone to marry her?" he demanded angrily.

The HR Head turned up before anyone else could say anything.

"Dr. Goldstein," the HR Head said in a flustered voice. "Your and CEO Stone's tickets to Z Country have been booked for tomorrow. Here are the prints. CEO Stone said that she will use her car and you can go to the airport together."

A pin drop silence reigned in the area for some time.

Then all eyes except Hamir's turned to the HR Head.

"Did you say Goldstein?" the IT guy asked. "As in the bigshot owner of the Goldstein Group, under which Colossus falls?"

The HR Head nodded silently.

Hamir smiled slightly. "Let me introduce myself properly this time," he said in a pleasant voice. "I am Hamir Goldstein, a cardiologist and the eldest son of President Goldstein."

Then he took the papers from the HR Head and walked off, leaving behind a stunned crowd.

The next day, in Z Country:

Hamir, dressed in his usual 'cardiologist' outfit, entered his father's hospital room, his face a mask of stern disapproval. His father was sitting up in bed, a book in his lap, but he put it aside as his son entered. Qaya trailed along behind Hamir with a small smile on her face.

Hamir had reviewed the President's reports, and there wasn't anything seriously wrong. It was just that President Goldstein had been gorging on fried food (secretly procured), and that played havoc with his recuperation.

Hamir crossed his arms and gave his father a stern look. "You were supposed to take better care of yourself, Papa," he said. "Your heart is weak; you need to stick to your diet and exercise plan, and stay away from the greasy food you like so much."

His father sighed. "I know," he said. "I'm sorry. I'll do better."

The cardiologist softened a bit, though his face still held a hint of his earlier disapproval. "I know it's hard," he said. "But it's important. Your health depends on it."

His father nodded. "I know," he said. "I'll do better, I promise."

Hamir nodded and patted his father's shoulder. "That's my boy," he said, with a small smile. "I know you can do it."

Qaya laughed at their interaction.