Go to the reception

The lobby is huge. It often reminds Katya of hotels in Dubai, a spacious glass lobby with nothing in the center except for the reception desk and two gigantic ponds with small waterfalls. The only two solid walls are found on the far left and far right of the dome-like structure. The walls on the right are covered with expensive and exquisite masterpieces, merging contemporary and classic art hanging on Arabic carpets and surrounded by fine arabesque decorations. The far left of the lobby is completely different, more European with some Nordic appearance; it has a large inbuilt library with thousands of books and exposed beams, oak paneling wood and stone flooring. Katya has seen this lobby so many times before and yet it always dazzles her as if for the first time. This blend of middle-eastern and eastern-European style might seem odd to many and yet it holds a primary purpose, making the company’s biggest and oldest clients feel at home. The main customers of the company are very rich Arab sheiks and millionaire Swedish and Russian businessmen living in Eastern Europe or the states and Mr. Robinson made it clear last year at the annual customer gala where his loyalties lie.

Katya walks over to the reception but finds it empty, which is very unusual. Samantha, the reception secretary never leaves her post.

She checks her wrist watch, it is only 14.05. Very odd indeed.

She passes the desk and goes straight on. She is now in a wide corridor which her husband often calls the dragon’s lair. Actually, this name is very fitting as on the right is Mr.Robinson’s office followed by that of the Financial director, Mr. Toping. On the left are three doors on which Katya can read:

IT department

Accounts department

Finance department

Mr. Toping’s door is ajar and she can hear him speak over the phone as she passes his door.