Page 73 of Finding the Forward: Part One
Rounding the corner, I saw most of the interns, along with several admins, petting tiny little cows. There were two, in sweaters, wearing flower crowns, and jingle bells.
“Why are you petting cows? Why are there even cows in the office? Don’t you have work to do?” I snapped, trying to figure out why there were tiny cows in a financial firm.
“Just taking a break, Mr. Zaman. Calista took the other one over to the assistant pool. I can bring them all to your office when we’re done,” one of our overly chirpy interns said.
Not even knowing how to answer, I shook my head and I entered my office. The wide glass walls gave me a good view of the assistant pool. They were gushing over another baby cow in a sweater, along with my assistant.
While I understood the jingle bells, why did they have sweaters and crowns? Why were there even...
My belly dipped. Oh shit. One. Two. Three.
Three cows.
“Calista,” I bellowed from my desk, anger and confusion brewing inside me.
A moment later, my beta assistant, a brunette in her early twenties, strolled into my office with a baby cow on a leash. She flashed a huge smile. “Mr. Zaman, you’re back. I trust your meeting went well?”
“Why are their cows in the office?” A sinking sensation coated me. No. It couldn’t be? Could it? She wouldn’t dare...
“The Happy Hills Cowtisserie delivered them for you while you were out,” she said, like all those words meant something.
I knew what a patisserie was, but what the fuck was a cowtisserie?
“They're forme?” I eyed the baby cow. The hot pink sparkly fairisle sweater matched the flower crown.
“I have the paperwork and card on my desk. I hope you don’t mind me letting people pet them until you came back and told me what to do with them. They’re so cute,” she gushed. “I’ll be right back.” Leaving the cowin my office, she darted out to her desk.
My belly twisted. There was only one reason there were three cows in my office.
“Here you go. Would you like all the cows in your office now?” Calista flounced over and handed me a foil and glitter accented folder with a picture of the fanciest little farm on it.Happy Hills Cowtisserie. Happy cows are our specialty.
“No, please, I’m happy to let everyone pet them. Animals in the workplace promote productivity.” Or something. If people were petting them, they wouldn’t bein my office.
I watched out the window as one of the assistants took a selfie with a cow in a blue Nordic patterned sweater. “Why are they wearing sweaters?”
“It’s November. It’s cold outside.” Taking the leash, she led the cow out of my office.
True. At least she wasn’t asking mewhysomeone gave me cows.
I opened the card.Dear AJ, thank you so much for making things right when I was unable and buying your sister cows for me. I appreciate it and am happy to finally repay your generosity. I hope you love them; they’re so cute. Best, Verity.
Fuck.
When I yelled at Verity after she’d pulled that doe-eyedwhat are you talking aboutactand told her she owed me cows, I hadn’t meant that she shouldsend them to my office.I hadn’t meant anything other than being angry.
How did she even end up beingthatVerity?
I called Jonas, hoping they weren’t on the plane to their away game yet.
“Hi AJ, what’s up?” Jonas answered.
“She hadcowsdelivered to my office,” I grumbled. I opened the folder and found the paperwork for three baby cows, all of some breed called a ‘cutista’ which might be a miniature variety. Bought and paid for by one Verity Thorne.
Jonas guffawed. “Are you telling me that there are cows in your office right now? How do you get a cow in an elevator?”
“They’re tiny cows. Wearing sweaters. I’m pretty sure an intern is feeding one of them chips. Why are they wearing sweaters? Why tiny? I sure as fuck bought full-sized cows for my sister.” I sighed as I looked out the window.
“It was probably what she could afford. She’s a student. Must have been a chunk of her savings,” Jonas replied.
