Flower on the ash

Penelope stood up from her seat and started representing her report. She continued for one hour straight. After she was done she bowed her head and walked back to her seat.

" I'm quite satisfied with this report. From tomorrow onwards the new project will start and Ms.Smith will be in charge for this." he said and Penelope nodded.

" What about the compensation procedure for the people who were injured in Country Z?" Alex asked Kelvin who was sitting beside him.

" Me and Ms.Smith have discussed on this matter. The procedure for compensation has already been started." he said and Alex nodded.

" Does anyone have any query?" Alex asked to all the members sitting there. They all shaked their head as no.

" Ok. Meeting dismissed." he said and stood up. Me and Alex exited the meeting room and were back to the cabin.

" Anna. I'll not be coming to office tomorrow. I have work so I will be going somewhere. You will have to handle my work tomorrow." he said and sat on his chair.

" Ok Sir." I said and walked up to my cabin. I started doing my work. As Alex was going tomorrow so I don't have time to waste or else I will have to do extra work.

After working for a few hours in my computer I stretched my body and yawned. My telephone rang and I picked it up.

" Come to my office Anna." Alex spoke through the call and hung up. I slowly got up from my chair and walked up to his cabin. He was sitting on the couch in the corner of his cabin. He saw me as I walked up to him.

" Yes?" I asked him who was staring at me.

" Come sit." he said and gestured me to sit beside him. I obediently sat on the couch.

" What is it?" I asked again when I sat.

" Don't you want to have lunch?" he asked me then I saw the time. It was already lunch time.

" You were so emerged in work that didn't even realise that it's already meal time." he said and I awkwardly smiled.

" Say. What do you want to eat today? I'll order it for you." he said and it really surprised me. 'Maybe Alex is in a good mood today.' I thought to myself.

" Let me think first." I said to him. It's not like I'm going to have meal with Alex everytime so I'll order something which we both like.

" Umm... Let's order braised pork balls in Gravy and shrimp with vermicelli and garlic." I said to him after thinking for a couple of minutes.

" Ok then." he said smiling and took out his phone from the pocket.

" Hello. Bring me braised pork balls in gravy and shrimp with vermicelli and garlic. Two plates... Thank you." he said on the phone and ended the call.

" Just wait for a few minutes. Your order will be coming soon." he said to me putting his phone back into his pocket. We were sitting there waiting for our food when suddenly my phone started to ring. I checked the caller ID. It was Alex's mom.

" Your Mom is calling me." I informed him.

" Really! Receive it and put it on speaker." he said and I did what I was told to do.

" Hello." Alex's mom said from the other end of the call.

" Hello mom. How are you?" I said, my phone on speaker.

" I'm fine Anna. What about you?" she asked me sweetly.

" Good. I hope Alex is taking care of you." she said and I looked towards Alex.

" Yeah. He takes good care of me." I said looking at him.

" Hm. I'm coming to Alex's house tomorrow." she said.

" Why?" It was Alex who said this.

" Oh. Alex is also there?" Alex's mom asked.

" Yes. But why are you coming here?" he asked again to his mom.

" Of course to meet both of you. I have to see whether you are taking good care of my daughter or not." she said annoyed.

" But~" he was trying to say something before his mother interrupted him.

" No buts. Give the phone back to Anna." she said sternly. A giggle escaped from my mouth and he gave me an annoyed look. He gave me my phone back.

" Yes, mom?" I said on the phone.

" Anna. I have heard that Alex is going out of station tomorrow and you will be working all day. How about taking a day off after tomorrow?" she asked me and looked towards Alex.

" Okay then. I'll take a leave." I said.

" Perfect. Ok bye." she said and I could sense that she was happy.

" Bye." I said and hung up.

" Can I take a leave for day after tomorrow?" I asked him.

" Yes." he said. I put my phone aside on table in front of us when the door was knocked. It was Alex's driver.

" Here's what you ordered sir." the man said and put the the box on the table.

" Thank you." we both said to him. He bowed and then left the cabin.