Two weeks after Haziq became the head of Malandre, the employees felt comfortable with him, and he felt the same way about them. Whenever one of his employees had a problem, he resolved it quickly and always remained firm.
On Mami Maria's forty-eighth birthday, she celebrated at the office. The celebration also served as a welcome for Haziq, who had become the leader of Malandre. The event was made especially grand. Haziq and his family wore matching navy-blue outfits. Haziq and Mr. Malandre wore navy-blue suits, while Mami Maria and Zizi wore luxurious navy-blue dresses.
Amid the crowds and commotion, Anna was still nowhere to be seen. A man around her age called her.
“An, where are you?” the man asked in an effeminate tone.
“Sean, I don't know what to wear! I don't have anything nice,” Anna complained.
Sean was Anna's friend at Malandre. He had been working at the company for a month. Sean seemed especially kind to Anna. He was known as a very friendly person—he treated people well when they treated him well, too. But he seemed like a pretty effeminate guy, if you know what I mean?! 😁 Even though he looked cool, fair-skinned, and tall. Too bad he was only half the package. Haha!
“An, you'd look beautiful in anything,” Sean complimented her while glancing toward Siska. “Hurry! Siska's checking on all the employees,” Sean said as he pulled a tissue from the table beside him.
“Yeah, yeah, I'm coming right over,” Anna replied as she haphazardly picked out a red dress.
A few minutes later, Anna arrived at the company building in her vintage red Toyota Crown.
“An!” Sean called loudly from the office entrance.
Anna got out of her car. She looked incredibly elegant in the red dress. Since she was wearing heels, she couldn't run very fast. She wasn't used to wearing them.
“Sean, am I late?” Anna asked.
“Almost,” Sean replied. He held Anna's hand as she struggled with her heels.
The security guard opened the door to the room where the event was being held. Anna was startled when she saw the huge crowd of guests, many of them wealthy.
“There are so many guests,” Anna said, feeling intimidated.
“Come on, let's just go in. I'm here to look after you,” Sean said sweetly.
Anna and Sean joined their coworkers. They chatted, ate, and drank together. Then the event began. Mr. Irsyad Malandre introduced Haziq Alqhifari Malandre as the company's newest CEO.
“Haziq Alqhifari Malandre will now replace me as the leader of this company, and I... will be retiring soon,” Mr. Malandre said. “But before I retire, I will continue to keep an eye on my son and every employee in this company,” he added firmly, his gaze cold.
“Oh, so Malandre is retiring after all,” all the invited guests murmured.
Mr. Malandre was a stern and strict man with his children, including the company's employees.
“I hope all of you will work together with our new boss to manage the company, help it advance and grow, and achieve even more satisfying profits,” Mr. Malandre said firmly before concluding his speech.
Now it was Haziq's turn to give his address at the podium, and all the guests were captivated by the new boss's appearance. Every eye was fixed on Haziq, including Anna's as she gazed at the handsome man.
“Wow, the Malandre genes are seriously perfect. I want to be his future husband,” Sean gushed flirtatiously in his over-the-top manner.
Anna was startled and pretended to be disgusted by Sean's words. “What is wrong with you? Do you really think he'd want you?!” Anna teased.
“Of course he'd want me,” Sean replied.
“You're unbelievable. Remember what kind of guy you are, Sean?!” Anna said, laughing at his antics.