A few days later, at the office Anna did her round of bringing tea and coffee. She almost knew what all her colleagues preferred. With or without milk or sugar, espresso, cappuccino… She preferred simple earl grey tea with a bit of honey.

She brought Robert his usual drink and made a little conversation. "Did you bring John his coffee already?" he asked. "John? Oh, you mean Mr Bates?" Anna said.

"I should have introduced you to him, I'm so sorry I didn't at the party. There where so many people, it couldn't have gone any better".

Robert came behind his desk and invited Anna to walk with him. "Me and John go way back. We've known each other since college. We studied together but afterwards went in different directions. The last five years he's done some very good jobs and saved a few companies from crashing. When I asked him to help us out, he said yes right away. I couldn't have been happier."

Robert held open the door, leading to a big office. Mr. Bates was talking on the phone but signed them to come in. He stared at Anna a little to long when he tried to end the conversation he was having. "Hello" he finally said when he hung up is phone. Anna smiled and Robert introduced them. Robert had some work to do so he left Mr. Bates and Anna on their own. "So you bring round coffee and tea. Do you like your job?" asked.

"I do actually" Anna said. "It is a good job for a girl of my age and a situation. It is easy to combine with school and study. Robert is a good boss and gives me flexible hours.

The people working here are very nice too"

"That's true. Although, that colleague of yours …Thomas? I don't know about him. He brought me the wrong type of coffee and tea I asked him to. He didn't seem to bother. It was almost like he did it on purpose." Mr. Bates laughed. Anna smiled and said, "That just sounds like Thomas! You found out fast. I think he's just jealous. He would like to have an office of his own and tell people what to do. But he's only 'the coffee-guy'!"

They laughed together.

"So what tea or coffee do you prefer, ?"

"I like some earl grey tea in the morning, no sugar, no milk! After 2.00PM I like some black coffee. Just ordinary coffee, nothing fancy."

"That will be no problem at all" Anna said. "Can I do anything else for you today?"

Bates shook his head and smiled. "Unfortunately not."

The next morning Anna had an early shift. When she finished almost all her small tasks she made some hot water and walked to Mr. Bates office. She arrived in front of his door when she heard Robert yelling inside.

"I tried… I can't believe this, you…" Anna couldn't hear everything. "We worked together…. You have to….. how could this happen? I regret taking you on…."

Mr. Bates seemed to say nothing at all.

Anna was afraid Robert would find her eavesdropping, so she walked back into the hallway. Just in time! Robert slammed the door open and walked out furious. He didn't say anything to Anna and walked right past her.

Slowly Anna walked to the door and loudly cleared her throat . "Mr. Bates, can I come in?"

He didn't answer, but she stepped in anyway. He was standing, leaning with one hand on the window frame and his other hand in his hair. "I can come back later if you want?" Anna suggested.

"No, please come in. I can use a drink right now, although tea isn't really strong enough in this situation". Anna stepped closer, dropped the tea on his desk and added, "I can get you something stronger if you wish?"

Mr. Bates looked at her and shook his head. "No, it'll probably make things worse. But thank you for offering"

Anna felt she had to know and boldly asked "He's not going to fire you within a week is he?" Mr. Bates looked her straight in the eyes: "I actually don't know. It could happen. I'd rather like to stay, if I could say honestly"

Anna felt her stomach turn and looked back into his deep eyes. "I would be very sorry if you have to leave. Please don't go running of without saying goodbye."

"If you wish…. I will…. I don't want you to be upset." He joked a little.

Anna picked up her tray and gave him all the cookies she had left. "I hope you feel better soon" she laughed.

Mr. Bates looked at the floor and Anna walked out.