Novelty

He looked at her intently for a second and then exclaimed, " You passed!" Anya exhaled rather loudly than intended and smiled. Of course I'd passed, phew. She wanted to smack his head for making her question her own sanity.

" Don't smile yet. I'm a man of perfection and I need to verify this." He said picking up the receiver from the desk phone. Of course you would, why didn't I see this coming? He didn't sound rude at all whereas this time he seemed amused.

" Hey Chasey."

There was a lot of playfulness in his voice.

Pause

" I'm doing great.. about the report you sent me, of a Ms.Anya." He looked at Anya for a second and whirled his chair around to the other side. Yes, it was a movable, rotating chair. Anya couldn't hear what he spoke to Dr.Chase after that most probably because he was whisper talking to her. Anya felt rage taking over her soft heart.

He whirled his chair again, facing Anya this time and said, " She said you're absolutely fine, no loose nerves or anything." He laughed. I know that, you dash. " So I guess welcome to the family." He extended his hand, she didn't take it, instead she smiled widely at him and stood up.

" Thank you. Can I have my card?" she was referring to the card with which every employer enters the office. He cleared his throat and dropped his hand that was hanging in mid air. She didn't mind shaking people's hands but it was his hand that she didn't want to touch. Maybe because he reminded her more of Rahul or he didn't deserve her respect.

" Yes, it was here." He said rummaging through one of the drawers until he picked up a tag, placed it on the desk and went back to staring at the computer screen. Anya raised her brows and picked up the card. He clearly looked frustrated and annoyed and she felt a strange sense of satisfaction. How's that for rudeness, you rudester. Wow nice word Anya, rudster. She virtually patted herself on the back.

She cleared her throat to get his attention. He looked up, confusion and rage written all over his face. " What?" he snapped .

" I don't think you noticed while you brushed but there's something sticking on your teeth and it's....well gross," she wasn't lying, there really was something black on his molars. His anger strewn face suddenly turned pale. He immediately got up from his chair and looked at the mirror that was fixed to the adjacent wall. His eyes widened and the next second, he dashed out the door. Ah, heading to the restroom, I suppose. She chuckled to herself and left the room.

There was no sight of him when she walked towards the reception. Sasha sat behind the desk with her microphone. She looked excited and surprised seeing Anya.

" Hey, Ann! Good to see you!"

Anya was surprised that she remembered her name. People usually forget her, especially her name. "Hey Sasha! Good to see you too. I was wondering if you could show me around, the manager had to leave so abruptly,in the middle of a meeting, with me because of an emergency." She said flashing the card in front of Sasha, looking totally amused. Sasha gave her a questioning glance.

" Emergency? For Ronan? I hope he's alright." She looked worried. Anya suddenly felt guilty for making her worry. Wait. Why should she worry?

"It's nothing. Just something on his tooth that needed cleansing. So about showing me," Anya was interrupted mid-sentence.

" Yeah sure. Why not? Please wait a second. " She raised her forefinger and went back to her computer screen. After a minute, she got up and said, " Let's go."

Sasha was wearing a velvet cream blouse with a grey skirt that dropped till her knee. She had long legs, that were gleaming without any flaws and was toppled with the effect of her high heels. Anya was not gay but she couldn't take her eyes off of Sasha's legs.

" Wow you must have become a model, Sasha." Anya blurted out.

Sasha looked surprised, " I am a model. I'm doing it part time." She smiled.

" That's great. You must be a versatile in the time managing department."

"What?" Sasha laughed. " I'm the receptionist. I don't have much work here, just answering calls and stuff." She answered warily as they were walking to the elevator.

The office was situated in the thirteenth floor of a twenty storey building. Sasha explained that they occupied the two top floors too and the thirteenth floor just had the lobby, the conference hall, cafeteria and a few cabins including the manager's. Anya had to work in the fourteenth floor.

Anya felt so relieved that at least she could avoid him for most of the time since they didn't share the same floor. They got out of the elevator and stopped in front of a door.

"This is an electronic door. It opens when you swipe your card here." Sasha said pointing to a narrow gap which resembled the one in a debit card machine. " It also records the time and date when you enter. So every time you enter."

"It is recorded. So there's no chance for foul play. " Anya continued.

" Exactly. There are security cameras too, so you can't tamper with your card. Now give me your card." Sasha extended her hand. Anya wondered why there was so much security like a bank for a workplace.

When Sasha swiped the card, the door opened automatically and they entered. Anya could see four rows of small open- box like cabins that extended till the other side of the wall. The place was buzzing with phones ringing and people talking over their microphones in their private cabins. She could also see a big desk at the left corner of the room where Patrick sat, who happened to be their supervisor.

Anya liked the whole setting, it made her feel comfortable. That longing desire of working here was finally met. She would gaze at the huge glass storeyed building every time she walked by it and yearned to be inside it. Sasha leaded her to an empty cabin in the third row.

" This is yours. This is slot number 24 which is mentioned in your card."

"Thank you, Sasha." Anya smiled not at Sasha but looking at her cabin. She gaped at it as if it was a delicious piece of cake.

" Okay, I'll leave you to it then." Sasha chuckled and left.

Anya sat in her very own chair and whirled round and round like a kid playing in a merry go round. She touched her table and grinned as her fingers felt the cool surface. She arranged her things carefully and looked around. She was excited and nervous as hell.

The cabin was closed on all three sides that were facing her with finely varnished cardboards. She started the computer and logged in using her new user id and password. She started working and she enjoyed it. Just when she was about to finish someone poked her right hand.

She jolted upright and saw a girl wearing large spectacles with a tiny ponytail on the top of her head. She grinned widely.

" Hey." Anya smiled not knowing how else to react.

" Name's Chloe but you can call me coal, like the others." she chuckled and her face suddenly turned grim. "You're not gay, are you? Cause I'm taken. I know I'm quite irresistible but what can you do? The good one's are always taken." She grinned again.

"You're gay?" was all Anya could say out of shock.

" What?" Chloe laughed loudly which was weird. " No." She said her face becoming serious again. This girl is definitely temperamental.

" Uh..okay." Anya said getting up.

" Oh.My.God. What is that your wearing?" Chloe gasped as if disgusted by the sight in front of her. Okay, this is really weird.

"I'm wearing a salwar khameez." Anya said with the most pleasing voice.

"You're wearing a shower come ease? What's that? Is that something you wear after a shower?" Chloe seemed curious. Anya sighed. This is going to be a long day.

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