The next day, Arevik ran into the garden, out of breath. She found Grish immediately and, looking at him anxiously, blurted everything out in one breath:

  “Uncle Grish, tell me honestly… are we being dismissed from the institution? If that’s the case, I’ll go to him myself and explain that you have nothing to do with it. I’ll ask him not to punish you…”

  “Calm down, my child. Everything is fine,” Grish said with a warm smile.

  His calmness eased Arevik’s anxiety a little, but the worry still wouldn’t let go.

  “Was Hayk very angry?” she asked cautiously, then quickly corrected herself. “I mean… Mr. Shalunts?”

  “He wasn’t angry,” Grish replied and, after a brief pause, added, “Quite the opposite.”

  “The opposite?” Arevik was surprised. It felt to her as if Hayk had turned everything upside down.

  “The young master and I talked… we talked for a long time,” Grish said with a joyful, almost glowing smile. “And now everything is good. He was happy. You were right—he wanted the garden to be restored as well.”

  The light in Grish’s eyes touched Arevik’s soul, and tears welled up on their own.

  “There, there, my child, don’t cry. This is a time to rejoice,” Grish said gently, wiping her tears.

  “I’m so happy, Uncle Grish,” Arevik said, trying to stop the tears that refused to end. “Oh… it’s already late. I have to run. Let’s continue our conversation during the break.”

  “Of course. Go. We’ll talk later,” Grish nodded.

  Arevik had already turned to leave when she suddenly heard his voice:

  “Arevik!”

  She looked back. Grish smiled warmly and said softly:

  “Thank you. You are like the sun.”

  At first, Arevik didn’t fully grasp his words. But as she turned toward the exit, she saw the bright sun behind her—on that day it seemed larger and warmer than usual.

  At the entrance to the office, Arevik greeted her colleagues.

  “Dear Arevik, it’s good that you’re here. I need to talk to you,” Gayane said.

  “Of course, Mrs. Gayane. How can I help?” Arevik replied.

  “Next month we’ll have the annual meeting. We need to prepare a report.”

  “What kind of report?” Arevik asked.

  “A report on our department’s work over the past year. And since all of this year’s progress is directly connected to your project, it makes sense for you to prepare it. Before you, to be honest, nothing particularly remarkable was happening here.”

  “That’s a great responsibility,” Arevik said seriously.

  “I trust you completely,” Gayane said with an encouraging smile. “Describe all the work done by the archival department.”

  “Thank you very much, Mrs. Gayane. I’ll do everything properly.”

  — I have no doubt about it,” Gayane replied. “Now, get to work.”

  Arevik entered her office with a smile. She spent a long time observing the bustling activity in the archive and was already mentally outlining the structure of her upcoming report. The days flew by unnoticed. Now she could visit the garden without worry, and it filled her with quiet joy.

  Hayk had noticed several times how she hurried there during breaks.

  “How did I never see this before?” he wondered.

  Every day at the same time, Arevik ran into the garden, and Hayk watched her from the corridor window. The garden was awakening and quietly transforming. This no longer frightened Arevik—it brought him a rare sense of calm instead.

  The meeting was scheduled for just a few days later. Arevik had prepared a comprehensive report: all the reforms in the archive, analytical charts covering various areas of the institution’s work—from internal processes to financial statistics. She had been so absorbed in her work that she organized the data and presented it in clear, visual diagrams.

  “Here, Mrs. Gayane, you can review the report,” Arevik said, handing her the folder.

  “I don’t need to check it,” Gayane replied confidently. “I’m sure everything is done correctly. Take it to the main office; it’s time to submit it.”

  Arevik carried the folder. As usual, the secretary received it, placed it among the other folders on the desk, and Arevik cautiously looked around, hoping to spot Hayk. Not seeing him, she returned to her office with slight disappointment.

  The atmosphere in the institution was calm, but tension lingered in the air. It seemed like it would be a normal meeting…

  Yet for some reason, everyone knew: something was going to happen.

  On the day of the meeting, the institution operated as usual, but in the central office, heated debates had erupted. The discussion dragged on, and the workday was nearing its end.

  “What do you have to say, Meruzhan? What conclusions or theories can your department propose regarding the Chinese project?” Hayk asked directly. During the entire meeting, he hadn’t received a single clear answer.

  “I have nothing to add,” Meruzhan replied coldly. “My department has no data on this matter.”

  “That’s… the worst-case scenario,” Hayk said wearily, running a hand over his forehead.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “Excuse me?” Meruzhan protested. “Are you dissatisfied with my work?”

  “I am not dissatisfied,” Hayk answered calmly. “I just needed information, and I was hoping to get it from your department.”

  “And why on earth would you assume my department should help you?” Meruzhan remarked sarcastically.

  Hayk took a deep breath.

  “Gentlemen, it has been a difficult day. Thank you all for the reports. We’ll meet at the event tomorrow,” he said, clearly trying to bring the meeting to a close.

  “I’m not finished yet,” Meruzhan said sharply, standing up.

  “Meruzhan, that’s enough,” Hayk said calmly but firmly. “We’re all tired. We’ll discuss this another time.”

  “No, I want to discuss this now,” Meruzhan insisted. “You practically claimed my department is useless, and you expect me to take that quietly?”

  “I never said your department is useless,” Hayk replied, struggling to maintain his composure. “I repeat: I just needed information.”

  “Perhaps your knowledge is simply insufficient to manage the institution,” Meruzhan smirked. “So here you are, seeking support here and there.”

  “What do you think you’re doing?!” Anna could not hold back.

  “And you, shut up, bitch,” Meruzhan snapped, pointing at her.

  In the next instant, Hayk struck him.

  Meruzhan fell but immediately got up, intending to argue. However, faced with the disapproving looks of the other meeting participants, he fell silent and stormed out of the office in anger. As he passed the secretary’s desk, he angrily knocked over some folders. One slid to the floor and stopped at Hayk’s feet, who had followed right behind.

  Accidentally nudging the folder with his foot, Hayk revealed its contents—the papers spilled across the floor. He bent down to gather them, and at that moment his eyes caught the charts and statistical calculations on the institution’s activities.

  Hayk quickly collected the documents, ignoring the commotion around him, and returned to his office. He immediately began studying the data.

  After a while, Anna entered.

  “Hayk, I’m sorry…” she said quietly. “I knew he was looking for a reason to cause conflict. I just couldn’t hold back.”

  “That’s no longer important…” Hayk

  — Anna, these are the answers to my questions, — Hayk said with enthusiasm. — Take a look.

  — I don’t understand anything, — she admitted, examining the charts.

  — This is the performance statistics of our oil and gas wells over the years, — Hayk explained. — See? Growth alternates with decline.

  — And?

  — Right now we are here, — he pointed at the graph. — And if we trust this data, we’re heading toward a decrease.

  — And that makes you happy? — Anna asked, puzzled.

  — When I understand that we are approaching a decline, it means I have time to gather the necessary resources in the storage. Then, when the supply stage for the Chinese project arrives, we won’t face a shortage, — Hayk explained.

  — Ah… now I understand, — Anna nodded. — You’re right. This is a very strong document. By the way… — she looked at the label on the folder. — This is an archival report.

  — Archival? — Hayk said in surprise. — Anna, please call Ms. Gayane.

  — Of course. And what are you going to do? — Anna asked.

  — I will convene a follow-up meeting and present the situation. The sooner we start acting, the better for us, — Hayk said confidently.

  While Anna called Ms. Gayane on the internal line and asked her to come to the central office, Hayk received preliminary approval to launch the project after reviewing the key data.

  At that moment, Gayane hurried into Arevik’s office.

  — Arevik, what did you write in the report? — she asked, anxious. — I’m being called.

  — I assure you, Ms. Gayane, I didn’t write anything unnecessary, — Arevik quickly replied.

  — I’m just… a little nervous. This is the first time I’ve been called for a report of this level, — Gayane admitted.

  — Would you like me to go with you and clarify anything if needed? — Arevik offered.

  — I hope that won’t be necessary, — Gayane replied. — If I feel I can’t handle it, I’ll call you.

  With that, she headed to the central office.

  Arevik, gripped by anxiety, didn’t know what to do and went to the garden. It had become an oasis of peace and calm for her.

  — Hayk, Ms. Gayane is waiting, — Anna informed him.

  — Invite her in, Anna, — Hayk said, taking on his usual, authoritative director’s posture.

  — Hello, Mr. Shalunts, — Gayane said as she entered the office.

  — Hello, Ms. Gayane. I wanted to discuss your annual report, — Hayk began, but she immediately interrupted him.

  — Mr. Shalunts, I take full responsibility, — she quickly said. — If there’s a mistake in the report, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have allowed Arevik to submit it without an extra check.

  — The report… was written by Arevik? — Hayk asked in surprise.

  — Yes, — Gayane replied briefly.

  Hayk froze. For a moment, he lost his words. Realizing the awkwardness of the situation, he composed himself and calmly continued:

  — Alright… — he paused. — Actually, I wanted to thank your department for the work done. Moreover, I’m informing you that your department will receive an award.

  — How wonderful! — Gayane exclaimed genuinely. — Thank you, Mr. Shalunts.

  — You’ve done an excellent job. This report is very important for the future of the institution, — Hayk said, glancing at the clock.

  — Then I’ll go. Thank you once again, — Gayane understood the hint. — Goodbye.

  — Goodbye, — Hayk replied.

  When the door closed, he sank into his chair, covered his face with his hands, and whispered quietly:

  — And again, you…

  — What award are you talking about, Hayk? — Anna asked in surprise as she entered the office.

  — You know, Anna… I was momentarily flustered, and the award was the first thing that came to mind, — Hayk admitted honestly.

  — You were flustered? — Anna raised her eyebrows. — That’s new.

  — I didn’t expect Gayane to mention Arevik’s name as the author of the report.

  Anna smirked.

  — Don’t make me laugh, Hayk. What does Arevik have to do with your flustered state?

  Or… — she paused, squinting — tell me, what does she have to do with it?

  — This girl amazes me, — Hayk answered evasively.

  — So much that you lost your composure? — Anna teased.

  — Don’t say it like that, — Hayk sighed. — Your words make me feel like an idiot.

  I don’t know… maybe it’s the stress of the day, but the information she provided really helped me.

  — I think the award is a perfect solution, — Anna said gently, trying to support him. — But, Hayk, be honest: what’s really bothering you? I know you too well. You’ve handled tougher tasks before. And the fact that her name threw you off balance — that’s a surprise to me.

  Hayk paused for a moment.

  — You’re right. I really did lose my balance, — he said slowly. —

  It seems I’m more grateful to her than I should be. She’s started taking a place in my daily life… and that worries me.

  Anna was silent for a moment, then said calmly:

  — Don’t go too far. Soon your entire focus will be on the project. You’ll simply have no time to think about anything else.

  — Perhaps you’re right, — Hayk smiled, as if finding his footing. — I’ll focus on work.

  — Then let’s go, — Anna suggested.

  — But, Anna, please, organize this award, — Hayk added. — Make it something special.

  — Of course. How much are you planning to allocate? — she asked practically.

  — You decide. But whatever you choose — Arevik will get twice as much, — Hayk said firmly.

  — Twice as much? — Anna asked, surprised, but noticing his gaze, she nodded. — Fine. I’ll do as you wish.

  — Anna, you’re amazing, — Hayk said.

  — I know, — she smirked. — Goodbye.

  When Anna left, Hayk was alone.

  You never cease to amaze me, Arevik.

  So much diligence in that fragile body, and so many ideas in that small mind…

  I am amazed by you. And I hope these thoughts won’t haunt me too long — otherwise, I won’t be able to focus on my work.

  Oh, Arevik… where did you come from in my life?

  — Ms. Gayane, what did they say? — Arevik asked when Gayane returned to the office.

  — Relax, everything is fine, — Gayane smiled. — Mr. Shalunts praised your report and announced that our department will receive an award this year.

  — He… praised my report? — Arevik asked, confused.

  — Yes. He said your work has greatly helped the institution.

  — He praised my report… — Arevik repeated almost in a whisper, as if she couldn’t believe it.

  — Exactly, — Gayane nodded. — And we are very grateful to you for it.

  — It’s not necessary, Ms. Gayane, — Arevik said softly. — I do all of this gladly.

  With a gentle smile, she left the office and headed to her workspace, repeatedly telling herself:

  — He liked my report…