CHAPTER 2

'EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY

'EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY

'EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY

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As I reached Mrs Gill's office, I heard an unfamiliar deep accent from inside.

'I think the delegates are inside.'

*Knock knock*

'Everyone became silent.' I open the door slightly.

"May I come in?" I swallow my own saliva because in front of me two expensive, well-dressed men were sitting opposite Mrs Gill, one was sitting on a one-seater, and he makes the chair look baby bamboo seat😨...

'Giant'

"Yes, yes please come in." Mrs Gill's voice broke my chain of thought. Luckily both men are facing Mrs Gill otherwise they can see my world's most expressive face and within a second, I was out of the chance to get funding again.

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"Please take a seat Ziva" No doubt ma'am is always sweet to me but she is being extra sweet right now. I looked at her, she is giving me funny looks as she is forcefully smiling and glaring at me.

'oopsie'

I think I get caught staring at the giant man's frame. It's not my fault, I have only seen people this huge, wearing mawashi fighting in the ring. I shyly smile at her in embarrassment and seated on an empty chair.

'Gawd, they so are perfect.' was the only thought that came to my mind. I smiled politely toward them, which they tried to return with genuine visible efforts.

'Don't they usually smile?' I took my time taking a good look at them. Being so young, drop-dead gorgeous, I was expecting an old man at this high position though. They are oozing out perfectionist vibes with their perfect-fit suits, styled hair, and strong perfume fragrance, I feel self-conscious. They have different coloured eyes; one has green and the giant one has grey. their watches are, so so pretty. I can't help but look at it for a while as I have soft spot for luxurious watches. it's the first time I am meeting foreign delegates, who especially came to see my work. I have to make their stay meaningful with all the efforts I have put into my work for the past 13 months.

" Ziva meet Mr Orlov, Assistant Director of Russian Research and Development Firm in Moscow" Mrs Gill introduced us, and he smiled at me with a nod of the head.

"Hello, sir." I greeted him politely with a smile.

"and Mr Vlad, Manager of RRDF" Mrs Gill pointed towards the Giant.

"Hello, sir." I greeted him but the way he is looking at me, it gives me goosebumps.

He seems to notice my discomfort and pass a big smile. But I know better, he seems hard to convince.

"Ziva, Mr Orlov liked the proposal we send him and want to discuss more with you in person" she smiles toward me, I know she knows what's going on inside me. I nodded my head in gratitude, it's a proud moment when internationally people acknowledge your hard work, I can dance right now but, they will think I need medical attention, so I restricted myself in my chair and simply smile at them.

We all proceeded toward the conference room, but on the way, Mrs Gill got the call from the Dean and had to leave, now I am alone with Russian delegates.

'I am NERVOUS but confident too. I have done it and can do it again with ease. It's just a presentation'

Once settled in the conference room, I started my presentation

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It took me 30 minutes to complete the presentation and showed them some analyzed samples. Later we discussed the raw material, techniques, and basic requirements like equipment and environmental conditions for this work. To explain them completely, I offer them a tour of my lab to which they agree instantly. Mrs Gill also joined us on tour and She has a proud smile on her face the whole time.

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*After 1 hour*

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We all were back in Mrs Gill's cabin. The presentation is over, Tour is over and they seem happy about it. Mrs Gill has satisfaction on her face too, but I have a gut feeling that something is not right as their doubts regarding my work were really vague, nothing particular and expected they asked. If they were interested, at least they would have asked the expected questions. I am in doubt a little bit even though I am confident enough that they are completely satisfied with the project.

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"Excuse me, ma'am" Ruby's voice brings me back to the present.

'ahhh... I was overthinking again.' This bad habit probably will never leave me ever in my entire life.

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"Come in Ruby. Have a seat." and She changed her clothes, wowww she looks sexy. She comes and sits beside me. I take a close look at her face, she applied makeup perfectly. I am the only one who can't put on eyeliner properly, Joe always helps me.

"Ruby meet Mr. Orlov and Mr. Vald, from RRDF. And Ruby is another scholar working under me." Mrs Gill introduced them they exchanged their greetings.

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I checked my watch, it was 4:45 pm. I am tired and hungry. I missed all my meals today. Joe would have had me as her dinner today for missing all the meals but she understands, I was helpless. After it's over, I am going to have something delicious.

"Mr Orlov... would you like some tea?" Ruby asked in a fake sweet voice, I wonder why she is hitting on Mr Orlov. What's going inside her head? what will she gain from this?

'Stupid girl.' They are delegates for gaawd sakes. There is this thing called professionalism which I am sure she has no idea of. If because of her I face the consequences…... I probably can't do anything as she knows the vice-chancellor.

I looked toward the delegates and caught them looking at her legs, I laughed inside my head because indeed she is a beauty who maintains herself very well. I turn to look at Mrs Gill, she is as usual smiling. I probably believe she is on cloud nine today.

"Yes please, and Miss Ziva you?"

I looked at him with big eyes then at Ruby... I can see she turned her face other side and trying not to squeeze the life out of the phone in her hand...I want to laugh at the situation but unfortunately, I can't.

"Aahh... No thank you, sir. I am ok" I replied even though I am dying of hunger, tea is the last thing I would want. I don't like its taste so, I decline politely and went to help Ruby.

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'Help?' Why did she offer them tea when she doesn't even know how to make one ...so, instead she did what she is best at doing, Miss Ruby just stand there and sulked... as Mr Orlov probably didn't get that she is interested in him?

'Gawddddd please give me the patience to deal with people' I arranged the cup in the tray and was about to serve the delegates first but Ruby took it forcefully from my hand and served it.

'This girl >_<'

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"Ziva is very talented... Her work will do wonders but I have some issues to discuss with you, Mrs Gill" Mr Orlov seems to be very serious

' I am feeling nervous. will that be related to funding? can they not do it? but what about my work? .... There I go overthinking again. Stay calm Zi'

"Yes yes, Mr Orlov. Why not?" she looked at me and ruby" you both can go back to work" she passed a reassuring smile toward me.

" Thank you, Mr Orlov and Mr Vald, for your precious time...". I sincerely thanked them.

"Miss Ziva, why don't you come to Russia... and work with us" the deep voice of Mr Vald holds me in my place and his eyes have a different type of determination.

"Mmmm ...." I looked toward Mrs Gill unsure of what should I reply to Mr Vald. Noticing my uneasiness, he laughed.

"You don't have to say anything... focus on your work right now..." Mr Orlov suggested. God bless his soul. A genuine offer like this can leave anyone shocked.

"Yes sir" I smiled toward them last time and left Mrs Gill's cabin.

'Oooooooooooooooo ... I need to tell Joe about it all...'I run towards her department.... and search from my cell phone to call her outside of the department.

*ring ring*

"Hello Zi" she picked up the call in two rings,

'my girllllll'

"Hayy comes out ... I am outside of your department."

"Oh, but I was in the cafeteria... you come here... I am sure you haven't eaten anything since morning" And she knows everything.

"Okayyyy, I am coming" I cut the call and take the U-turn toward the cafeteria. As I entered the cafeteria, the food fragrance hit me like a bulldozer and my stomach roared like an angry whale.

'Oooooo where is she?... I am hungry' I look around and found her sitting in the corner. It's hard to find small human beings, but she can't hide from my eyes. I ran toward her n sat in front of her...

" You won't believe what happened Joe" I couldn't hold my excitement inside me any longer.

"You look so happy... something good has happened... tell me ...hurry uppp" she started jumping in her seat. This is the reason, why I can't digest anything without telling her. She is happy when I'm happy, Always.

"Hehe ... after the presentation, those Russian Delegates ... they ask me to work with them in Russia, I guess they were serious about it but I am not sure. I believe they were impressed by my presentation but they wanted to talk to Mrs Gill about something in private. I am kind of worried and excited as well. Above all I am hungry" babbling it all in front of her is my daily job I guess

"Oh, mi gawddd.... oh, mi gawdddd.... woooooo hooooooooo m sooooo damnnnn happyyyy for you. Everything will be okay. Trust me." she hugged me

She hugged me and we start doing our little happy dance including EATING as well😁😁