The workday was coming to an end. Aik Shalunts, the company’s director, almost always left the office last. Whenever an important contractual issue arose, he approached it with exceptional meticulousness, took full responsibility, and allowed no room for even the smallest oversight.

  Aik was attentive and intelligent, yet even he understood perfectly well that it was physically impossible to know everything. That was precisely why his assistant, Anna, was always by his side.

  Anna was a strikingly attractive young woman, nearly Aik’s age. Intelligent, composed, and possessing an impressively broad outlook— the longer people spoke with her, the more convinced they became of the depth of her knowledge. However, as often happens, while she was openly admired, behind her back she was quickly labeled “the director’s mistress.”

  Anna was well aware of the rumors. But she was so confident in herself that such gossip did not bother her in the slightest. She was not merely an assistant—she was Aik’s friend. The only person who allowed herself to address the director by his first name. Naturally, only when they were alone.

  “— What did you say, Aik? Are you even listening to me?” Anna asked, noticing his attention drifting away, trying to bring him back to the conversation.

  “Anna… did you see who was hugging Grish?” Aik asked, without taking his eyes off the window.

  “Which Grish?” she didn’t understand at once.

  “Our gardener,” Aik replied briefly.

  “Seriously?” Anna exhaled irritably. “I’m trying to finalize a contract here, and you’re interested in the gardener’s adventures?”

  “Calm down,” Aik said gently. “We’ve been discussing the contract for two hours. Everything is fine. I’m sure tomorrow we won’t be caught off guard.”

  He leaned closer and added more quietly:

  “But it really is strange.”

  “What exactly caught your attention so much?” Anna sighed. “Who is that girl?”

  “You don’t understand,” Aik finally turned away from the window. “Grish has been closed off for years, as if he shut himself away from the world. And with that girl… he seemed like his old self again. She hugs him. He smiles. And that is… very interesting.”

  “So are you interested in the girl or in Grish?” Anna frowned. “I’m already confused.”

  Aik smiled tiredly.

  “Anna, go home. You’re too tired today. You need rest.”

  “Let’s go over the contract points one more time,” she said stubbornly.

  “There’s no point anymore,” Aik replied, taking the folder from her hands. “I promise I’ll check everything before I leave. But you go. I’ll need you sharp tomorrow.”

  Anna looked at him for a second, then nodded.

  “Alright, you’ve convinced me. I’ll go rest so my brain works again tomorrow. Just don’t stay too late yourself.”

  “I promise,” Aik said, making it clear the conversation was over. “Go.”

  “I’m leaving,” Anna said and walked out.

  Aik placed the folder on the desk and once again approached the window. His gaze lingered on the spot where Grish and Arevik had been standing not long ago. There was no one there now, yet he looked as if his eyes were sliding through time itself.

  He remembered running through that courtyard as a child and falling straight into Grish’s arms.

  What kind of relationship do you have with each other? he thought.

  Allowing himself a few more seconds of memories, Aik shook himself, returned to work, and an hour later left the office as well.

  In the morning, Arevik was in a truly combative mood.

  Grish’s words had inspired her: today she was determined to clearly present her project to Mrs. Gayane and, if necessary, fight for it.

  But the closer she came to the office door, the more uneven her breathing became and the stronger her anxiety grew. Holding the door handle, Arevik took one last deep breath and stepped inside.

  “Good morning, everyone,” she said, glancing at the people seated around her in unusually tense postures.

  They’re probably waiting for me, a thought flashed through her mind.

  Trying to lighten the atmosphere, she added:

  “How are you feeling today?”

  “Good morning, Arevik,” Gayane replied for everyone, as she always did, and after a short pause continued, “I’ve reviewed your proposal.”

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  After a few seconds, she added:

  “In my opinion—”

  “I understand your concerns, Mrs. Gayane,” Arevik hurriedly began, not letting her finish. “The workload will increase, and at first it won’t be easy for all of us—”

  She abruptly stopped, noticing Gayane’s surprised look.

  “I’m sorry,” Arevik said embarrassed. “I’m a bit tense. I didn’t let you finish.”

  “I was just about to say,” Gayane calmly continued, “that in my opinion, your proposal is very good. However, after your explanations, I have quite a few questions.”

  “I can explain the digitization process in detail,” Arevik said enthusiastically. “I’ll prepare a small presentation and show everything.”

  “Alright,” Gayane nodded. “We’ll wait.”

  Then she added:

  “In the meantime, bring your proposal to its final stage so I can sign it.”

  “You… approve it?” Arevik asked in surprise.

  “I see no reason not to approve it,” Gayane replied.

  “Then after the break I’ll bring the presentation and we’ll discuss everything in detail,” Arevik said, now calmer.

  “Of course,” Gayane agreed.

  Returning to her office, Arevik enthusiastically began preparing the presentation. In the process, she recalled Grish’s words about the generational gap and simplified the language, abandoning complex terminology.

  During the break, she messaged Grish to let him know she was busy today so he wouldn’t worry, and with renewed enthusiasm headed back to present the project to her colleagues.

  “The archive is a very important department,” Arevik began, repeating the words Gayane had spoken on her very first day.

  Gayane involuntarily smiled. She was touched that her words had been taken so seriously.

  “This will work on the principle of an online library,” Arevik explained clearly, giving examples. “Employees will submit requests, because despite the convenience, the archive will still require authorization for use.”

  “So,” Asmik asked cautiously, “since the workload increases, there won’t be any talk of layoffs?”

  “Asmik…” Gayane tried to stop her, but Arevik had already heard the question.

  “So you were afraid this would harm your work?” Arevik asked calmly.

  “That thought did cross my mind,” Astghik admitted honestly.

  “We simply didn’t fully understand what exactly you were proposing,” Gayane added, as if justifying herself.

  “Mrs. Gayane,” Arevik said gently, “I would never do anything that could harm the department. And still, I apologize for the additional workload.”

  “We’re not afraid of work,” Astghik replied dryly.

  “Have you completed the proposal?” Gayane asked.

  “Yes,” Arevik said, handing over the folder. “Here it is.”

  Gayane signed the documents and returned the folder.

  “Take it to the office tomorrow.”

  “I… should take it?” Arevik asked in surprise.

  That thought didn’t leave her until the end of the workday.

  In the evening, she shared the good news with Grish and went home.

  Maybe tomorrow I’ll see him, Arevik thought as she closed her eyes.

  The next morning, Arevik came to work more dressed up than usual, as if preparing for a date. Although she wanted to go straight to the office, she decided to act calmly—to think through a strategy and assess the likelihood of meeting him.

  “If I go now, it’ll be too hectic—he must have meetings and appointments,” Arevik said out loud.

  She stood in front of the garden door, as if speaking to it.

  “I think the end of the day would be better. He shouldn’t have any other meetings or business trips…” she added desperately, sitting down on a chair. “The chances are still slim, but the end of the day is the best option.”

  Throughout the day, Arevik kept herself busy with work so she wouldn’t think about the upcoming moment. Yet one thought refused to let her go: a strange, inexplicable desire to see the director.

  Just curiosity. Nothing more, she told herself.

  An hour remained until the end of the workday—the most suitable time, according to her calculations. Before heading upstairs, Arevik looked at herself in the mirror one last time. Almost nothing remained of her morning makeup—only anxiety and emotions unfamiliar even to herself.

  Gayane had explained in advance how to get to the director’s office. Nearly ten minutes later, Arevik was standing in front of a large glass door.

  She gently opened it and stepped inside. The space was spacious, with a soft carpet on the floor, creating a sense of complete soundproofing. The secretary was seated a little to the side.

  Arevik slowly approached her. Passing behind a partition that blocked the view, she saw several offices and, in the center, the director’s office.

  Her calculations were correct: the director was there. Beside him—his faithful assistant.

  “Hello, how can I help you?” the secretary distracted her.

  “Yes… of course,” Arevik caught herself. “I’m Arevik from the archive. I brought the proposal for participation in the efficiency improvement program.”

  “Please wait a few minutes while I check the documents.”

  “Yes, of course.”

  The secretary began reviewing the folder, and nothing prevented Arevik from discreetly shifting her gaze in the direction she needed.

  As the first time, she almost unconsciously looked toward the director’s office.

  The assistant was sitting at the desk, flipping through papers and saying something, while he stood by the window with his back to her, tossing a ball into the air and catching it.

  If the ball fits in his palm, it must be a tennis ball, flashed through Arevik’s mind.

  How confident do you have to be to throw it with the same force, to the same height, and catch it every single time without missing?

  The movement hypnotized her.

  The assistant said something, and the director, laughing, turned toward her. The end of the day had done its work: he had taken off his jacket, discarded his tie, and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. His hair was slightly tousled. From a strict business image, he had imperceptibly turned into a casually attractive man.

  They continued talking, and the ball kept rising and returning to his palm.

  When the director sat down in his chair, Arevik saw half of his face. That single smile was enough to freeze her in place.

  Suddenly, he turned sharply and looked straight at her.

  Tousled hair partially covered his eyes, and his gaze became even more piercing— as if it struck straight into her soul, leaving her unable to move.

  How long that gaze lasted, Arevik didn’t know. The secretary’s voice sounded like salvation.

  “Arevik, I’ve checked the documents. Everything is in order. You may go.”

  Arevik grabbed the folder and almost ran out.

  The archive was already empty—and that relieved her. She was in no condition to talk to anyone. Arevik sat down on a chair in her office, pressed a hand to her wildly beating heart, and tried to calm herself.

  But why am I even trying to calm myself? she suddenly thought.

  After sitting there for some time, Arevik headed toward the garden door.

  “I have a mission,” she said firmly, looking at the door. “Everything else doesn’t matter.”

  She closed her eyes—and once again the image of the director appeared before her.

  Arevik walked home at first feeling sad, but then she realized there was nothing to be sad about. The first stage had been completed. She had moved one step closer to her goal.

  She walked the rest of the way home with lifted spirits.