C261 Consider Today Your Special Day

At Wood IT Company, lunchtime finally arrived as well. Unlike the past few days, Chris felt much more relaxed. The morning board meeting had ended successfully, and everyone had returned to their departments. Although there was still plenty of work waiting for him, he found himself smiling for no particular reason. He leaned back in his chair before turning his gaze toward the secretary's desk.

Amanda was busy organizing several documents that had arrived from different departments. Ever since becoming Chris's secretary, she had gradually adapted to the pace of the Vice Director's office. Though she was still shy around him, she was becoming more confident with each passing day. Chris smiled before calling out, "Amanda." She immediately stood up and hurried into the office. "Yes, Vice Director?" Chris glanced at the clock. "It's already lunchtime." Amanda nodded. "Yes, sir."

He smiled. "As my secretary, you should already know one of your important responsibilities." Amanda looked confused. "What responsibility, sir?" Chris folded his arms with a completely serious expression. "Making sure your boss doesn't starve." Amanda blinked twice before bursting into laughter. "So that's what you're worried about?" Chris nodded confidently. "Of course." He pretended to sigh dramatically. "If I collapse from hunger, who's going to sign all these documents?"

Amanda covered her mouth as she laughed. "Vice Director, you're exaggerating." "Am I?" He pointed at the mountain of files on his desk. "Look at these. They won't finish themselves." Amanda shook her head helplessly. "So... what would you like me to buy for lunch, sir?" Chris thought for a moment before smiling. "I already know what I want." Amanda waited patiently. Chris continued, "Go to Director Sarah's office first."

Amanda looked surprised. "The Director?" He nodded. "Ask her what she'd like for lunch." Amanda blinked again. "And then?" Chris smiled. "Tell her I'll be joining her." Amanda stared at him for several seconds. "You... want to have lunch with the Director?" Chris nodded as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "That's right." Amanda hesitated. "But... wouldn't it be better if you asked her yourself?" Chris laughed. "If I do that, then what kind of secretary would you be?"

Amanda immediately became embarrassed. "I... I understand." Chris handed her his bank card. "Use this." She accepted it respectfully. "Yes, Vice Director." "Don't forget." "What, sir?" "Ask exactly what she wants." Amanda nodded before leaving the office. A few moments later, she stood outside Sarah's office. Even though she had entered the Director's office several times before, she still felt nervous every single time. She straightened her clothes, took a deep breath and knocked gently. Knock... Knock... "Come in."Amanda slowly opened the door.

Sarah looked up from the documents she was reading. "Oh?" A small smile appeared on her face. "Amanda, right? Chris's secretary." Amanda immediately bowed slightly. "Good afternoon, Director." Sarah returned the greeting warmly. "Good afternoon." She placed her pen down. "What can I do for you?" Amanda suddenly forgot every word she had rehearsed while walking here. Her heart began beating faster. Sarah noticed her nervousness and smiled reassuringly. "Relax."

Amanda forced herself to calm down. "Director..." "Yes?" "The Vice Director..." She stopped again. Sarah waited patiently. Amanda took another deep breath before finally blurting everything out. "The Vice Director asked me to ask what you'd like to eat for lunch. He also said... he will be joining you." For a second, Sarah simply stared at her. Then she suddenly laughed. "Hehehe..." Amanda blinked. Sarah covered her mouth while laughing. "So that's what he decided today."

She shook her head with an amused smile. "Chris really is something." Amanda stood there awkwardly, unsure whether she should laugh as well. After calming herself, Sarah smiled. "Alright." She began listing several dishes. "I'd like grilled salmon, steamed vegetables, mushroom soup, fresh fruit, and orange juice." Amanda quickly took out a notebook and wrote everything down carefully. "Anything else, Director?" Sarah thought for a moment. "That's enough."

Amanda nodded before preparing to leave. Just as she reached the door, Sarah called out again. "Amanda." She turned around immediately. "Yes, Director?" Sarah glanced at the bank card still in Amanda's hand. "When you place the order..." Amanda waited. "Tell the restaurant that the Director ordered it." Amanda looked confused. "But..." She held up Chris's bank card. "The Vice Director already gave me his card." Sarah smiled knowingly. "You don't need it."

Amanda blinked. "Director?" Sarah laughed softly. "Put everything on my account." Amanda hesitated. "But Vice Director specifically told me to use his card." Sarah shook her head. "Today, lunch is my treat." Amanda didn't know what to say. Sarah continued with a gentle smile. "Besides..." Her eyes softened. "You've been working hard lately." Amanda was stunned. Sarah added, "So order something for yourself too."

Amanda pointed at herself in disbelief. "M-Me?" Sarah nodded. "Yes." "Anything you want." Amanda immediately shook her head. "No, Director. I couldn't possibly..." Sarah interrupted her. "That's an order." Amanda became speechless. Sarah smiled warmly. "Consider today your special day." Amanda's eyes widened. She had never expected the company's Director to treat her with such kindness. Emotion welled up inside her. She bowed deeply. "Thank you very much, Director." Sarah smiled. "You're welcome."

Amanda clutched her notebook tightly. "I'll go place the order immediately." "Go ahead." Amanda nodded enthusiastically before hurrying out of the office. Amanda carefully closed the director's office door behind her before letting out a long breath she had been holding. "Director Sarah is even more intimidating than Vice Director Chris," she muttered under her breath. "No wonder everyone in the company is afraid of her." Even so, she couldn't deny that Sarah had treated her kindly.

Still smiling from ear to ear, she hurried toward the restaurant to place everyone's lunch order. When she arrived, one of the waiters greeted her warmly. "Good afternoon, Miss Amanda. Ordering lunch?" Amanda nodded. "Yes." She took out her small notebook before reading through the list Sarah had given her. "I'll need these dishes."

She slowly read every item aloud. The waiter wrote everything down before smiling. "Anything else?" Amanda nodded again. "Yes. I also need lunch for Vice Director Chris..." She added Chris's favourite dishes before pausing. "And..." she said hesitantly, "I'd also like one meal for myself."