Another workday was coming to an end. Aik Shalunts was discussing an upcoming major project with his assistant in his office.

  “Do you think we’ll be able to handle the Chinese partners?” Anna asked without looking at Aik—she knew he was standing by the window.

  “There won’t be any problems with them. Our positions are aligned,” Aik replied, tossing a ball near the window. “What worries me is something else: our analytics department can’t find answers to the questions that concern me.”

  “I don’t think Meruzhan’s team will be able to gather that data,” Anna said thoughtfully.

  “I’m afraid Meruzhan won’t miss the opportunity to harm me, and as a result the entire project could collapse,” Aik added after a deep sigh. “He still hasn’t come to terms with the fact that I became the head of the company, while he remained just a department director.”

  “You deserve this, because your father also—” Anna began enthusiastically, but Aik interrupted her.

  “My father has nothing to do with it,” he said firmly. “My father and Meruzhan’s father founded this institution together.”

  After a brief pause, he added,

  “He simply failed to prove to the board that he was worthy. Now he heads a department I depend on, yet have no real influence over.”

  “Let’s install a camera and monitor his department remotely,” Arevik suggested.

  “You know that would be a violation of the agreement,” Aik replied. “I won’t give him a chance to find fault with me.”

  “Then let’s place it in the neighboring room, opposite the analytics department,” Anna suggested seriously.

  Aik laughed.

  “You’re very inventive, Anna,” he said, then added, “But I don’t need that. I just hope the project with the Chinese partners won’t face any obstacles—and that I won’t need his involvement.”

  “Stay calm. Everything will be fine,” Anna encouraged him.

  “You’re doing a great job. Everything is very well organized,” Aik said with a smile.

  “Say it again—I want to hear your words of praise directed at me,” Anna replied playfully.

  “I’m saying you’re doing great. You’re wonderful,” Aik repeated with a smile, then, after a few seconds of silence, asked,

  “At what stage is our annual professional development program?”

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  “Well, the projects are gradually coming together. I’ll start reviewing them in about a week.”

  “I hope there will be interesting ones, considering how many new people joined this year,” Aik said, looking at Anna, trying to understand what had caught her attention. “Anna?”

  “Oh—sorry, Aik,” she said quietly. “I got distracted. We have an observer.”

  Hearing this, Aik tilted his head toward where Arevik was standing. After a few seconds of that intense look, he saw Arevik suddenly turn around and almost run out of the office.

  — Aik, Aik, — Anna called out, sensing that his attention had drifted far away.

  — Sorry… what did you say? — Aik asked, trying to pull himself back into the conversation.

  — Relax, you didn’t miss anything, — Anna replied half-sarcastically. — Do you know her?

  — I’ve seen that girl with Grish, — he added. — She’s a very strange girl.

  — Strange? Where exactly did you notice her strangeness? — Anna asked, surprised and genuinely intrigued.

  — From the very first day she saw me, she’s been looking at me with those wide-open eyes, — Aik smirked. — It actually makes me flinch. If I’m not mistaken, she was hired in the archive department.

  — Another starry-eyed employee, — Anna said dryly.

  — You really think so? — Aik asked, a hint of disappointment in his voice. Then he added, — Please find out why she came to the office.

  Without asking any further questions, Anna stood up, walked over to the secretary, and returned a few minutes later with a folder in her hands.

  — The archive department is participating in the efficiency improvement program, — Anna said, handing the folder to Aik.

  — Really? — Aik asked in surprise as he took it. — Then let’s see what kind of program this is.

  — I can’t even imagine what they’re going to demand, — Anna said, leaning toward him to catch his reaction.

  — Not bad… not bad at all. Actually, this is interesting, — Aik murmured, studying the documents as if speaking to himself.

  — Do you think it’s worth giving them a chance? — Anna asked, trying to understand his position.

  — You know perfectly well that although I’m the sponsor, the final approval depends on you, — Aik said. — But I’d like you to pay special attention to this project.

  — So you liked it, — Anna said, taking the folder from his hands and beginning to read it herself.

  — It’s modern. And thoughtful, — Aik tried to explain.

  — I understand online systems and digitalization, — Anna said, — but tell me, why do they need so many pipes and different systems?

  — Most likely for storage facilities and document preservation, — Aik suggested.

  — And what does this mean — “allowed to use previously used equipment”? — Anna asked sharply.

  She didn’t like not understanding something. Aik’s quiet laugh only irritated her more. Noticing that he had hurt her pride, Aik immediately composed himself.

  — Am I right in assuming you didn’t like it? — he asked.

  — I’m tired, and I’m not going to approve or reject anything right now, — Anna said, setting the folder aside. — I’ll study it properly when the time comes.

  — That’s exactly why I value you so much, — Aik said, stepping closer and placing a hand on her shoulder. — You don’t make rushed decisions.

  — I really am exhausted, — Anna replied, clearly wanting to end the topic.

  — Of course. Go home and rest, — Aik said.

  — Goodbye. See you tomorrow, — Anna said.

  — Goodbye, — Aik replied, unsure whether she even heard him.

  He stayed a while longer, rereading the archive project in silence, filled with quiet astonishment.

  How can there be so many ideas in such a small head? he thought, smiling involuntarily as Arеvik’s gaze came back to him.

  Then he went home too — he was tired as well.