REMARKABLE

10

'With the increasing gearing ratio, we need to cut down the liabilities. Get me a report on that ASAP, Aziz.' Armineh told the man with a bald head and a goatee as he quickly scribbled something on his notepad.

Armineh turned to her PA, nodding at something she didn't verbalize as she said, 'Sahir, schedule a meeting on Wednesday with the board and get the marketing to release a CEO statement to the press before they get a whiff of this. I am thinking something about winning that $5M subcontract with MGA to support NC. It's substantial.' Armineh closed, the projector as the began to scurry away from the meeting room.

'Okay, anything else, Ma'am?' Sahir asked, rising to his feet from the twirling chair, holding the laptop under his arm as Armineh disconnected hers from the projector.

'No and please, don't forget to email me tomorrow's schedule.' Armineh's lips thinned into a straight line on her oval face and her forehead creased with fake concern as she watched the boy flush, an adorable shade of red tainted the tips of his ears.

'I swear, I won't. That was a one time mistake.' Sahir grumbled, walking out of the meeting room. She didn't a received a single email of her schedule before ten on a weekday for a month after he had started which had cost her precious sleep and had missed a day because he had been partying late at night consequently Armineh had to threaten him with his job and since then, he had taken care of everything down to a T, always on time, more punctual then she had ever been.

'Yeah, Yeah. We'll see.' Armineh mumbled, teasingly.

Sahir was fresh out of college with business major which did her a world of good in comparison to her former secretary who had liberal arts. He had taken a gap year, interning at NC when Armineh's secretary had resigned. She was going to pursue higher studies in Turkey and Armineh had HR hire Sahir. He was a good kid. Intelligent, efficient when he wanted to and a major procrastinator. Wouldn't do something unless he needed to. He had taken the job because- well he needed money, in his words. The salary was his pocket money where it might have been enough to run a household. Armineh sometimes thought if she had wronged someone far more deserving of the position than Sahir.

Armineh walked out of the room only to be stopped by a hand to her forearm and turned to find Behroze, a close family friend and now, a colleague looking at her with a face-splitting grin. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, why was he so happy but then he never needed a reason, he had been a happy baby and now, a happy adult.

'I just learned you got married. Why wasn't I invited? Why didn't I know this, before and from someone else, entirely? Really? Why didn't you tell me? How long has it been? Is he good to you? Do I need to beat him up for you?' Behroze bombed one question after another and Armineh could barely answer any. Her twinkling laughter resonated in the corridor at his last suggestion. She hushed him,'Breathe.'

'Sorry. Got a little carried away.' Behroze uttered, sheepishly.

'Walk with me.' Armineh said and Behroze fell into step with her. They had a little time before she would reach her cabin.

'It's been a month since my wedding. You were invited but you weren't in the country, left without contacting. There was no way I could have traced you. I didn't tell you before, just because...' Armineh's eyes glazed over and she shrugged as she recalled her wedding day, it wasn't good and it was for the best that Behroze hadn't been there, realizing she had been silent for far too long as Behroze's suspicious eyes were fixed on her so she continued, 'Also I am taking you up on your offer and I'll call you first and foremost if I ever want him beaten to pulp.' Armineh smiled at Behroze, her eyes glittering with mirth as her shoulders shook with silent laughter.