I Apologise

They all got back to work the following day. "I thought you'd be taking care of Katherine," Drey said after exchanging pleasantries. "Yes, I should but Katherine insisted that she is fine so here I am," Sophia said. "Is she at work today?" Miranda questioned. "I'm not sure she has arrived because I left her at home," Sophia replied. "Okay. I will just call her," Miranda said. "Sophia, we have a conference meeting in ten minutes. Please get ready," Henry said facing Sophia. "Why? Any meeting was not scheduled today," Sophia said. "Yes. The message just came in few minutes from the CEO's Secretary," Henry said. "Alright then," Sophia nodded.

"Good morning," Katherine was smiling warmly when she got to the office. "Morning, angel," Mr Olsen who was looking at a file looked up with a smile on his face. Katherine's smiling face turned to a frown when she saw Mr Olsen's face. He was back to using the mask. "What happened? Any problem? Did I offend you?" Mr Olsen quickly stood up from his chair and walked up to Katherine who by now was frowning and glaring hard at Mr Olsen. "Did I do something to wrong? Oh? I was suppose to hug you," Mr Olsen made to hug her but Katherine's question kept his hand midair. "Why are you on the mask again?" she questioned. "I...... Ok, I will take it off," Mr Olsen said and took off the mask, "Only when we are alone for now," he added in a low voice. "Why? I want the world to know I got the most handsome boyfriend," Katherine said. "How come? Didn't you say you want to keep it a secret until later? Why the sudden change of mind?" Mr Olsen was confused as well as surprised. "Shhh," Katherine made the shut up sign with her index finger on her lips, " It's mine to decide when and when not to make our relationship public," she said. "Okay ma'am," Mr Olsen nodded and bowed. "Good boy," Katherine patted him on his shoulder. Mr Olsen pulled her close to him by the waist and kissed her before she could react to his pull. "A proper morning should be spiced with a kiss especially when I get scolded also," Mr Olsen said and went back to his seat as if nothing just happened. Katherine clenched her fist and punched the air.

Everyone was already in the conference room before Mr Olsen and Katherine came to the room. The workers stood up and bowed as Mr Olsen sat on his designated chair. Katherine sat beside him. "We apologise if this impromptu meeting clashed with any of your department's activities," Katherine began, "Since we have little time, the boss will takeover from here and make the announcement," she said and placed a tab in front of Mr Olsen. Mr Olsen cleared his throat and smiled at the workers. The workers seeing him smile felt uncomfortable. "Is he going to lay off some workers? Did he find something fishy going on? What the hell is happening?" the workers began to think while trying to ally their fear of the worst.

"As some of you are aware, while some are not, our organization will be fifty years this year," Mr Olsen began. The workers clapped. "To celebrate the golden jubilee, the company will be hosting an anniversary by the end of next month. We will like everyone to become prepared as next month starts tomorrow. The welfare department will become more busy as from now. Is there anyone who has a question?" Mr Olsen concluded. One of the workers raised his hand. He was from the welfare department. "I'm from the welfare department. I'd like to know the number of guests we are to prepare for," he said. "Urmmm, about that, I will hold a meeting with the welfare department at the end of the day," Mr Olsen said. "Alright sir," the one who asked the question sat.

Katherine squeezed Mr Olsen's hand gently, nodded and smiled at him. Sophia saw this gesture, or maybe others or some also saw the gesture, but no one mentioned it. "Urrmmm, the main reason for this meeting is actually to apologize to you all in person," Mr Olsen said. "Apologise? Why? Sir, we didn't do anything neither did you," the workers began to murmur. "I know you guys are saying this because you are afraid of offending me again but the truth is I am the one who has always offended you. I have always been too self-centred to think about others. I sincerely apologise for all the trouble I might have caused you," Mr Olsen apologised. The workers had no other choice but to forgive him. After all, the first stage of asking for forgiveness is knowing you are wrong.

A phone began to ring when Katherine and Mr Olsen got back to the office. "Your phone," Mr Olsen pointed at Katherine's phone which was on the cushion. Katherine grabbed her phone, picked the call and put it on loud speaker while she went to get a cup of coffee from the coffee dispenser. "Katherine," the caller called and Katherine immediately recognised it was Ren. "Hi Ren. How are you? How have you been?" Katherine replied as she sat on the cushion and retrieved her phone from the table. "I'm very good and you?" Ren replied. "I'm alright too," Katherine responded. There was silence. "So?" Katherine was unsure of what to say. "This is the last time I will be calling you. I've learnt my lesson. Although I'm pained that I lost on both sides, I mean I couldn't have you and Mary's child wasn't mine, I'm now free from my mother. I can do things on my own now. It's only painful that I had to let go of a person I cherish to learn this. Anyway, bye," Ren said and was about to end the call when Katherine stopped him. "Stop Ren!" Katherine said almost shouting, " By this is the last time I will be calling you, do you want to commit suicide?" she asked. Ren laughed. "My life is too miserable to think of suicide. No, I am not. I just want to relocate and start afresh," he said. "Alright. Take care," Katherine said and ended the call.

Mr Olsen smiled when Katherine looked at him. "What is the smile about?" Katherine questioned as she sipped her coffee. "I feel like the most blessed man on earth for having you as mine," Mr Olsen said. "The mask," Katherine said and Mr Olsen took it off. "I just said some sweet words," Mr Olsen pouted when Katherine made no comment on his sweet talk. "The one who said it wasn't my Dylan; it was Mr Olsen," Katherine said. "I feel like the most blessed man on earth for having you as mine," Mr Olsen repeated himself. Katherine blushed. "Stop sweet talking me at work. I'm your personal assistant, Mr Olsen," Katherine said trying to stop smiling but her lips won't just concur with her. "Don't be bothered about that. I own my personal assistant and I own Katherine," Mr Olsen slipped himself beside her on the cushion and pulled her into his arms. Resting comfortably in his arms, Katherine said, "I think I will have to get a job in another company because I'm pretty sure I'll become lazy if I keep being your assistant." "I will also continue to pay you for being lazy," Mr Olsen said and inhaled her hair, "By the way, do you have any plan for tonight?" he asked. "No. I will just get home and sleep," Katherine said. "Well, I've got plans for us," Mr Olsen said. "Really? What is the plan?" Katherine asked excitedly. "People don't reveal surprise plans," Mr Olsen responded.