Passion and pursuit

the courage

!" I asked with my voice trembling as I tried to sound

but looked up with a gentle sm

" She asked in a welcome voice,

happiness. As I settled into the chair in front of the s

reassuring me as she picked up her cell phone. With practiced ease,

oy surged within me at h

D HER ATTENTI

HER BOSS WAS

sitor here, Mistress Thompson, who would like to see

ression remained focused, conveying both respect and eage

ciate it, sir. I will

her conversation with her boss. My legs fidgeted under the secr

t. Mister Campbell is expecting you, ma. " Katherin

therine brushed past me, leaving me alone with the editor-in-chief. H

face before," he said, hi

weight of his stare. "Yes, your

lightly as he lowered his gaze, a

ew that, but I couldn'

eeping onto my face, war

e, can you help m

nearly a whisper. He pointed at me

ber now,"

he moment. I couldn't help but smile at his ev

ted out, and his eyes widened in rea

remember

ling a flutter

, a gentle smile rose

p for you,

ion with seriousness shini

an I do for

ting any tim

ablishment,"My voice was steady des

ked, eyebrows ra

oment of silence stretched between us, a

qualifications?"

llege." My eyes locked onto

le on his desk, glancing

e available for th

d, every word ha

e in two weeks," he added, and I nodded vi

erosity," I said, my voi

s if remembering so

rry. May I offer

his sleek, ergonomic chair, its metallic sheen catching the light as he walked t

ve thirty, and I quickly stood up to say goodbye to him. I also thanked him for

ighter. The evening air was refreshing, washing away the st

utes to six. Waiting for the bus felt like

, I thought

already late. This reminds me of Michelle because she usually advised me whenever

E'S NUMBER GONE THR

ety cr

YTHING WAS O

ed up. I climbed in, hop

h of relief when I didn't see Arthur's flashy Zonda Cinque,

ing it a standout in the super car category. But my relief vanis

DIANA

upstairs to my room, listening for any signs of Diana. The

gether. I quickly changed out of my work clothes and hurried

spotted Mary clea

e soft. "I was sorry for

e, her expressio

s just how Diana is" she r

teful for h

feeling a bit lighter as I

**************

my skin. My heart raced with worry, I hadn't been able to reach Michelle

the familiar aroma of fresh coffe

s uniform, darting between tables to greet the early custome

, my voice barely

chelle?" I learned

ser, her eyes w

ow," she replied softly, her

ed for secrecy. With a quick nod, I remembered the restaura

s racing as I signed my name. But when I stepp

e sliding door to enter the restaurant, her presence c

y staff member on duty

WOMAN DOING AGA

STERDAY AND

e hissed at me, her expression cold and dismissive. A chill ran down my spin

ned my head from the back to the front, I sighted Michelle whe

ers, but she managed to s

er chest, a silent gest

Don't let he

felt a bit of my tension

ingered in the restaurant, her presence hanging heavily in the air. I wiped down

SHE STI

Each clink of dishes echoed my unease as I continu

side. He had broad shoulders that filled his tailored

and his deep-set eyes sparkled with confidence,

g those around him. Caught up in his handsomeness, I felt an urge to w

uisine Restaurant. We're so glad to have

ing speeches. I kept silent and managed to stand in front of his table awkwardly

staurant lights. He swiped the screen, moving with a fluidity

YOU I

to make a good impression, an

anything. W

ot a wa

im waiting for him to

he finally set his phone

IGHT

ld pierce right through me. I felt a wave

HE STAR

I STA

ad to toe, but nothing seemed off. Still, hi

ming from the kitchen and her pre

the silence, his voice

sh served with golden fries, accompan

gain my composure as I headed off to fulfil his reques

ands as I walked to his table. Just as I was about to set it down,

SHE CAL

, the plate slipped from my grip and crashed to the floo

in shock, frozen as I real