It was a quiet evening, but outside the apartment building, there were different train sounds, bus horns, people shouting on the road, and other noises you could hear. Betty is about to go to her nightshift duty at the aged care rest home when she sees Adeline quietly texting Maxim on the phone. Betty just smiled, looking at her best friend, who looked happy of looking forward to meeting the guy after more than two years. Adeline does not have a clear view of what Maxim does in Moscow. Maxim said he would prefer to tell her in person rather than on the phone which she agreed. 

As her face turned into a peony. Maxim, on the other side, gently smirked as he looked forward to seeing Adeline. He bought gifts for her, put them in a luxury bag his aide had prepared before the flight, and placed them on the table in his room. 

• Conversation in Russian  - 

Alexie (Aide) knocked on his door as he entered, and Maxim put the phone away. “Sir, your father wants to see you.” 

Standing, facing his back on Alexie [sideways], “Okay, seems like Father is reluctant to send me to Sydney,” Maxim said as he put on a shirt. 

“Your father is just concerned about you, Sir, and it’s your first time dealing with a very important client. He wants to make sure that you will not fail him.” Alexei explained. 

“Right... Let’s go then,” with a serious expression as they left his room. 

**

“Adeline! Adeline!” Maddy called out in haste. Adeline just arrived from her meeting with the higher-ups. 

“Can you not shout?” Adeline gentle tone holding a thick folder in her left hand. “What is it?”

“It’s Freddie, and he’s nagging the new intern for failing to send him the important document he requested.” Maddy tense tone. Adeline furrowed looked as she walked into her department. 

She saw Freddie still scolding the new intern in front of everyone else. The intern looks scared as he can’t say anything but apologize.

“Ya! Freddie, what are you doing with my intern?” Adeline sterned look, crossed-arm while still holding the folder. 

“You’re stupid intern failed to send me the portfolio due today for our marketing plan. Now, all my work is on hold because of him. I asked him why, but he kept apologizing. What a nightmare!” Freddie angrily shouted.

“And, this is how you portray yourself as a role model of this company? By scolding? An intern? Why did you ask the intern instead of asking me directly or Maddy? You know interns are not allowed to touch clients’ portfolios.” Adeline cold tone with a fierce look as Freddie cleared his throat. 

“The next time, you will make such a stupid fuss in my department. I have no choice but to put a complaint on your misconduct to the higher-ups, Freddie.” Adeline went closer to him and slide-handed the folder on his fatty belly. “Here is the portfolio you’re looking for. The higher-ups asked for it, and they approved it. So, get the heck out of my department.” Adeline coldly said sarcastically, and Freddie ended up speechless as everyone looked at him displeased. 

Adeline talked to the intern and apologized on behalf of Freddie. The intern calmed down as Maddy took him for data entry training. It was not a pleasant day for Adeline. Freddie is a bully with a big fat belly and a fishy smell when he sweats. 

During her lunch break, she sent a message to Maxim. Although there’s a big time difference between the two countries, Adeline and Maxim never fail to reply whenever they can. The mutual relationship they have is calming within their hearts. They both smile as they reply as if they are having a face-to-face conversation. They never do video calls as they respect each other preferences until they meet in person. Where their hearts flutter as the days to come. 

After work, she returned home, carrying a Pad Thai food takeaway for her and Betty. Their favorite food. When the elevator opened, she saw Loren pulling a large 4-wheel luggage. 

They both greeted each other before she went to the elevator. 

“Are you going on a trip?” Adeline asked as the elevator closed and had a little chat with Loren

“Yeah, for tattoo work. Got a call from my friend.” Loren said as she held the handle of her luggage. 

“That’s great; whereabouts?” 

“Seoul,” Loren said with a soft smile. 

“Wow, Seoul is such a nice place. I hope I can go there with Betty one day. Oh well, I’m not going to hold you up. You enjoy your trip, Loren.” Adeline smiled. 

“Yeah, thanks,” Loren said as they parted.