"Good think that you know that I'm very busy yet your incompetence brought me here!" Vince's voice echoes making the employees and visitors stop what they're doing.
"Oh no! That receptionist is doomed."
"Who's the student?"
"Is she the president's daughter?"
"Stupid! She's too old. Remember the president has just got married."
"Isn't that the uniform of St. Michael's? I heard that the president's wife is a student there."
"Then she must be…."
A group of employees finish their gossips and with a curiosity to confirm their hunch, they walk and stay closer but not close enough for them to be reprimanded by their president.
"Mr. President, good afternoon!" The receptionist greets Vince without further acknowledging Yve's presence.
"It was supposed to be a good afternoon but you ruined it." Vince's responds without a care in the world.
"Vince…." Yve looks at her man who is emitting a dark aura. She moves closer to him and is only a few inches away. The latter wraps an arm around her waist closing the small gap between them.
"Did you wait long?" Vince asks her.
Yve decides not to answer yet. She takes a look at the frightened look on the face of the lady who was disrespecting her just a few minutes ago. However, instead of showing signs of apology towards her, the latter choose to stare at her like she's the main reason for Vince's anger; not that it's false though but Yve will not admit it in front of her.
"No but just enough to finish reading a chapter of my textbook?" Yve smile is facing Vince but her eyes are looking at the receptionist. Her stare is naughty yet fierce at the same time causing the latter to regret her actions earlier.
"What?!" Vince becomes totally angry and approaches the company front desk slowly.
Vince can't help but imagine how Yve looks like while waiting in the lounge along with the other visitors and how long she has been sitting because he usually knows how long it takes for Yve to finish a chapter because they read papers in the same room.
With full understanding that she's doomed, the lady falls down on her two knees in apology. However, Yve is not letting it slide that easily. It's part of her job description to be polite all the time. If she would have called the secretary office, in the first place, Yve will take the easy way out. Since it's Yve who experienced the whole thing, Vince decides to let her handle everything so he steps back to let his wife take over.
Yve appreciates the action and with her husband on her back, she confidently interrogates the lady.
"What are you apologizing for?"
"I failed to realize that you're someone special to our president."
"That's all?"
"Uhmm…. For not calling the office to inform them of your arrival and relay your message."
"What's else?"
"For not lashing out at you earlier."
Yve shows no response from the confession she just heard and just when everyone thought that the lady is finally forgiven, Vince speaks up.
"I'll leave her punishment on you. You're the victim and you're also the president's boss."
Their uninvited spectators heard Vince's statement loud and clear.
"She's really the Mr. Gray's wife!"
"That front desk lady can pray that Mrs. Gray is forgiving."
"Thanks, my dear." Yve is truly grateful that Vince gives her the final say on the issue at hand.
"You have enumerated what you did and failed to do. But can you tell us all what's your job description?" Yve continues the interrogation.
This question made the people realize that Mrs. Gray has no plan on forgiving the lady front desk staff. The person in limelight understands it too.
"Mr and Mrs. Gray, I'm really very sorry for my poor performance. I promise it won't happen again. All I need is a chance." She crawls her way to Yve's leg.
"To be frank, you're apologizing hardest at the moment because you know that you offended someone with a greater power than you."
"No, Mrs. Gray, that's not true."
"Are you calling me a liar now?"
"No, that's not what I meant Mrs. Gray…." The lady looks up at Yve to see the latter's face.
But Yve's reaction makes her total frustration. Yve isn't bothered to even look at her. It's like her punishment has been decided and no words are enough to retract it.
"Your work as a front desk officer is very important. Your actions will leave an impression about the company. " Yve speaks loud enough to make it sound like a speech.
"You should not apologize to me. Instead, you should ask forgiveness for not doing your job. You also need to remember that not all rich and prominent people like to announce who they are. If I was a potential business partner, your attitude might have cost millions or billions or worst a bad impression about your president." Yve continues to preach.
From an outsider's point of view, it may look that Yve is only pointing out the faults of the front desk but to the other employees listening, she's actually reminding all of them that impressions and attitude affect the business deals especially to a big corporation like Gray Group.
"I said my piece. As for your punishment, I'll let the HR decide. It's their jurisdiction after all. Please entertain them when they ask for your presence in their investigation." Yve bows at all directions.
Yve turns to Vince and wraps her arms around the latter.
"Are you done for the day?"
"Hmm… Let's get my things then let's leave the office together."
The couple leaves the commotion behind heading to the VIP elevator.
Yve's actions gave the employees an idea on her attitude. They can now say that she classy, smart, feisty yet respectful. She's also not abusive of her powers. Some of them are still neutral about her but most of them approve her for the position of Mrs. Gray.