I reached the office by the usual time but Sarah wasn't there. I started my work by checking the emails that I had received and replied to the necessary ones. Then, my next task was to complete the presentation as that was important... I could clearly see that the next deal depends on this presentation; I tried my best to compile all the necessary details and made it simple to understand as well by mentioning the purpose of each and every point. Meanwhile, Sarah comes in.
"Hey there!"
"Morning Sarah!"
"I guess you are working on the presentation."
"Yes! I am."
"Okay then! Keep it ready by tomorrow as I have to discuss it with Damion."
I knew that it had to be soon but I was not even halfway of it and she was asking me to complete it by the end of the day. I was thinking what I should answer to her. But, as a professional I knew that I had to be positive in every situation and take the challenges.
"Yes! I will do that."
"Good."
She was quite satisfied with the positivity I showed to her. But, I was really afraid that I would be able to complete it or not? I was very clear about one thing that my mom always said to me that I am a dedicated child and whatever I do, I do it with complete dedication. I knew she has faith in me and so do I. I started working upon it with more sincerity. I collected the facts and figures, matched the data, and left the quotation part to be discussed with Damion, as instructed. Time passed by and I hadn't realized that it was half past 6. But, I was still left with the entire section. So, i decided to stay back and complete it. All of a sudden, I felt that someone just passed by. But, I was so engrossed in my work that I hardly noticed who he or she was. I finally wrapped up my work by 7. I was too tired as I had continuously worked upon the presentation. I just wanted to run out of the office and reach home. So, I gathered all my belongings and left from the office.
It was quite dark outside and bit drizzling. Everyone likes this weather but not me. I always thought that rain makes you sick, wet and cold. Clearly, I did not fit in the idea of Ashley's romantic weather. I boarded a cab as it was late and I was too tired to walk. Surprisingly, I didn't have the time to think about Damion the entire day as I was busy in my work. Everything was going as per the plan. Clearly, as I promised to myself. "In this way, I will be out of this phase very soon". I assured myself with the thought. I reached the apartment and Natalie was there to welcome me with Jake.
"Hi Natalie! Hi Jake!"
"Hey!" Both of them wished me back.
"You look exhausted. And, why you got so late?" Natalie's concerned maternally tone was quite evident there.
"I got stuck in my work. I had to complete this presentation for tomorrow. So, i had to stay back."
"Okay."
"Let's eat something. We have ordered Chinese."
"Okay! Let me freshen up and I will join you both in a while."
I took a shower as I needed that badly. And, I changed the clothes and slipped into something cosy and comfortable. After that, I headed towards joining the couple for the dinner.
"Here I am! Let's have the dinner." I was sleepy and hungry both at the same time.
"So, how was Damion today?"
I eyed Natalie so that she could stop talking about Damion in front of Jake. But, she didn't and she continued.
"Ah! Don't worry! Jake knows everything."
I rolled my eyes at Natalie and tried to be patient.
"It wasn't necessary to discuss Natalie."
"It was. It's big news for me. And, I share everything with Jake."
"Yeah! Of course!" I said exasperatingly.
"Tell us! Don't be shy."
"I don't know."
"You don't know? How is it possible?"
"I don't know because I was very busy with my work and I didn't saw him today. And, I have decided to live like this from now."
"I told you to not hide your feelings. Why are you doing this?"
"Natalie... I told you why."
She asked Jake to intervene and I could easily read his face that he has nothing to say about it. Even then, on the persistent insistence of Natalie he suggested that I should reconsider about showing my feelings to Damion. I had nothing to say on this. So, I kept quiet. We had dinner and we went to our rooms after wishing good night to each other. However, I have passed the day without thinking about him but the night was impossible to be passed. As I was tired, I thought I could easily sleep but the struggle was still there. Somehow, I felt asleep in the middle of the night. Again, he was in my dream. It was a big room and he was sitting on a couch wearing a black-coloured shirt that was unbuttoned till his belly revealing his bare chest and he was constantly looking at me while keeping his forefinger on his lips as if he wants something from me. But, I had no idea about what he was looking for. I was about to reach him and ask him about his perplexity. Suddenly, I was in consciousness. I tried to sleep again so that I could dream more of him and resolve the mystery of his constantly gazing eyes. But, all in vain! So, I got up from the bed and started getting ready for the office as it was a big day, Sarah will discuss my presentation with Damion and I hoped that he would like my efforts. I kept my fingers crossed.
The day was not so sunny and I really hoped for no rain. I boarded the bus and reached the office. My heart was thumping as I was hoping for a good reaction from him but I didn't know what it would be. I settled down on my seat and was waiting for Sarah. Suddenly, my phone rang, it was Sarah.
"Hello Sarah!"
"Hey Jessica! I will not be able to make it to the office today due to some personal emergency. So, you have to take care of the presentation and discuss it with Damion for further actions as well as quotations."
"But... I don't have any idea about what and how to discuss it with him. Can't we discuss it tomorrow?"
"No! Absolutely not! Damion is a very strict man. I have already told him about this presentation and I have also reserved his time for this meeting. He must be looking forward to it. It will be at 12. So, be ready for it."
"Okay. I will."
Oh my God! Now, I had to explain the presentation to the man from whom I was running away. That was not a good idea for me. I could not even dodge the situation as the presentation was really important and it was also my boss's order. I hold myself together and got ready for the meeting. I thought about the situation of standing in front of him and presenting the presentation a million times. The only thing I was thinking about at that time was "How I will be able to speak?" Hopefully, I don't get choke in front of him. I ran towards the washroom so that I could practice more on my conversational skills. I looked into the mirror and imagined of talking in front of him. I did that easily at the first go. So, I thought I am ready now. I checked my wrist watch, it was quarter to 12. It was for the first time I was feeling so nervous. I was much better than this when I was here for the interview. I tried to calm down and got ready for the meeting. I checked myself again in the mirror before leaving and I was looking average in that blue and white striped shirt. My hair was unmanageable as I washed them, so I thought of making a pony. After being settled down on my looks, I headed towards the cabin.
I was standing in front of his cabin while holding the presentation in my hand. I gathered a lot of courage and knocked the door.
"Come in." He said gently.
"Good Afternoon." I cleared my throat which obviously grabbed his attention and he immediately turned towards me.
"Sarah will not be able to attend this meeting. So, on her behalf I am providing you the insights of the presentation and will discuss on the course of action as well as the quotation." I cleared my throat again. And, he would probably think I got a cough disease or something.
"Please take a seat Miss Jones."
He remembers my surname! That was a surprise for me. I took the seat and tried to avoid the eye contact as it would be impossible for me to explain the presentation if I would have done that. He was quite and looking at me. I hesitatingly opened the folder and started explaining the points one by one without looking towards him. He was also listening to me very carefully and didn't interrupt me in between. When I finished explaining and looked up to see his reaction. He was constantly gazing at me. That scared me for a while.
"I must say that was a very nice and well-explained presentation Ms. Jones." He said admiringly.
I didn't believe my ears. I was quite as I was unable to speak.
"Shall we discuss the quotations and other course of actions now?"
"Yes! Sir!"
"Call me Damion." He ordered.
He discussed some of the major points, which I jotted down on my notepad. He asked me to put the quotation values after he will do the complete research. I was just following his instructions; I was quite all the time. He was looking so good while explaining the things in an authoritative manner. His face was bright, his eyes were intense, and his expressions were engaging. My lips stretched into a smile automatically when I was looking at him. I was thinking of those dreams I was having of this man the other night.
"Are you clear?" He asked with his raised brows.
"Yes."
"You can add all of these and get the final copy of it ready by tomorrow morning."
"Ok"
"You may leave now."
"Ok. Thank you!"
I was finally out of that cabin. This meeting was bliss. I was very happy and contended that everything went well. My next step was to add all those points in the presentation that Damion specified, to complete it as per his orders. Meanwhile, I got a call from him and he asked me to pick the quotations from his cabin. I went straight into his cabin and knocked. There was no response from the other side. So, I slightly open the door and went in. I called out his name but he wasn't there. I looked around and there were some papers on his table along with a note saying "Add this quotation in the final copy of this presentation". He can even order when he was not around. I wanted to see him but I thought that was all for the day.
I just roamed around a bit to check out the entire cabin. The place was decorated sophistically and I could see mahogany everywhere. There was an entire wall of books at the back of his chair and some of the pictures on the shelf above the fireplace. He was looking charismatic in every picture. Some of them were of award ceremonies and some of them were with business associates, I guessed. There was one picture where he was posing very serious and he was next to an aged couple, might be his parents I guessed. I realized that I was in that office for quite long and I had to finish the presentation as well, so I quickly rush towards my work station. I compiled all the information together and kept the file ready for the next day.
I knew that the next day would be big for me as I have worked hard for the presentation and also it was the first time I have done something this huge. I got up early in the morning and reached the office. I was nervous when I handed over the file to Sarah. She checked it thoroughly and she believed that it was good and well prepared. I was just hoping that it would end up great for Damion. He and Sarah went out of the office after a while, probably for that meeting. I was back to my routine assigned work and waited eagerly for the outcome of the meeting. It was really getting hard to stay calm with every passing minute. They were not in the office even by afternoon and I was eagerly waiting for the result. I really hoped that he would have cracked the deal because I didn't want to let him down. I wasn't sure about anything that was going to come up but I was definite about one thing that I will hear the news today.
I bumped into Ashley while heading towards the cafeteria. She was waiting for me with her curious wide eyes.
"Hey!"
"Hi Ashley!"
"You just seem disappeared. You do need to hangout with us."
"Ahh! You know I got to work."
"Yes as always. But! I want you to meet someone."
"Who?"
She waved to this guy standing to the right corner at the end of the row. And, he came. I had no idea what she was up to. This guy was fair, tall and has a bit curly auburn hair.
"Hi!" He said with a wide smile on his face.
As i was still in a dilemma, I answered in bewilderment.
"Hi!"
"Jessica, its Chris and Chris its Jessica." She took the initiative to introduce us.
"I want that you should become a bit social. So, I thought of introducing you to some other people in the office who are actually interested in knowing you."
I know she is bit weird. But, I didn't get what she said.
"Alright! But?" My face was expressive enough to explain the perplexity hovering in mind but it was obvious she hadn't paid attention to it. And, she left the two of us alone.
"Okay guys. See you later!"
I tried to stop her but she was gone like wind. And, I had no idea about what to utter at that moment.
"Are you new to the town?" He initiated.
"Yes!"
"I have seen you many times in the office before but never got the chance to talk to you. You remain so occupied. I thought of not disturbing you."
"No. It's okay."
"You should join us for lunch sometime."
"Okay. I will." I just wanted to cut short the conversation so that I could get to my work station. I quickly and crisply answered to whatever he was babbling.
"So..."
"Okay! I should take your leave now. There is something very important that needs my attention."
"Okay! Good Day!"
"You too."
I was so nervous about the result and I just wanted to see Sarah and Damion at that moment. I reached my work station and look out for Sarah but neither of them showed up. So, I started doing my work. Just then, Sarah came in.
"Jessica!"
"Sarah!"
"There is something very important that Damion has to announce and you have to come along with me."
"Okay! Sarah how was that deal?"
"You will get to know soon. Come."
I was a lot anxious. I do not have a least idea about what he was going to announce in front of all. The suspense was killing me. We were in the common meeting room where everyone was gathered. Damion comes in and took his seat. My eyes were stuck on him for a while and my fingers were crossed.
"As you all know, we were preparing for a big contract and I am thankful to you all who have contributed in that. I am delighted to say that we got it and I must name the person who has dedicatedly worked on it and made it a success for the company. Miss Jessica Jones, can you please come over here?"
I was astonished. I have no words to say and a person like me can never say anything in front of so many people. I gathered the courage and stepped towards him and I stood next to him while trying to keep my heartbeat in control.
"Ms. Jones is a new member of the company and I am surprised to see how dedicatedly she works without considering the time. It's really appreciative."
"Thank You Sir!" I managed to say these three words only.
"And, for all of you! The rumours are confirmed, we are having a party for Christmas and New Year Celebrations."
The crowd seemed happy after listening to the party announcement. I thought of congratulating him for getting the contract.
"Congratulations! I was very anxious about this."
"Don't worry! I have noticed everything."
I smiled on the fact that he finally noticed. Our eyes met for a while and he had a light brown colour, which was really very attractive. As soon as we could exchange any conversation, Sarah interrupted.
"Excuse me! I am sorry there is something very urgent that needs your attention Damion."
He left with a slight smile as a wish of good bye to me. Everything was like a dream to me at that moment. I had a least idea that he would praise me in front of the entire office. I was smiling all the way to my workstation with this very thought in mind. When i was still in my own world, Ashley came to me along with Chris.
"Hey dear! Congratulations! We are so happy that Damion had done this for you. He has never done such thing as far as I know."
"Congratulations!" Chris thanked me as well.
"Thank you! This all came as a surprise for me as well."
"And, the best part is that we are going to have a party and you have to come as promised. I will not listen to any excuses." She was extremely happy with that party thought. So, I agreed.
"Okay. Count me in."
However, I'm not a party person but I guessed it would be fun to be at the same place with Damion apart from office. This was probably a good day for me. I started my work and got involved in it soon. Sarah came into the cabin.
"Hey Jessica!"
"Hey! I wasn't expecting all of this at all."
"I know, I know. But, Damion said that he wanted to do this as he thought it would be a great idea to share your efforts with everyone. He thought it would be inspirational for everyone."
"It was very thoughtful."
"Yes! Indeed. And also, I have mailed you some importing tasks to do by the end of the day and yes, one more thing... happy weekend!"
"Happy weekend!" I greeted her with a smile.
After completing all my work, I packed my belongings and left for home. It was raining outside. I thought this was the best day I had but this rain would spoil the things. Suddenly, Chris showed up.
"Hey Jessica! Can I drop you home?"
"No, Thanks. I will manage."
"There is no formality I mean. I can drop you home."
"No! I mean, I will manage for sure. I will take a taxi."
"You will probably not be able to get a taxi in this rain."
"It's ok. I will manage. Thank you so much for your concern. Good bye."
I wasn't sure about getting a taxi but i was sure that I have to turn down Chris's offer. However, the rain was started pouring heavy and I wasn't able to see a taxi anywhere. Suddenly, a black-coloured BMW was in front of me. The glass of the back seat rolled down and Damion was inside.
"Ms. Jones. Can I drop you somewhere?"
"I was just waiting for a taxi. I would probably get it."
"You know what? You should never say no to your boss." His tone was serious.
"That's probably true!"
"So, hop in." He ordered.
I didn't have a least idea what to say more so without uttering a word, I just sat inside with him. It was all like dream. I have never enjoyed so much happiness in one single day. He offered me a ride with him. This was more than anything else I could ever imagined getting from the season I don't like.
"Where do you stay Ms. Jones?"
"Redmond" I answered meekly.
My heartbeat was almost out of control as I was sitting next to him. I have no idea what to say and how to strike a conversation with him.
"You know, you don't have to do this. You might be getting late because of me. I could have managed."
"Do you always think this much Ms. Jones?"
"Almost!"
"Great! I always do what I want to do. So, don't take too much stress."
I really didn't want to bother him but after what he said I guess nothing could stop him from doing what he wants. So, it would be useless to say anything. But, the only thought that stroked my mind at that time was why he wanted to drop me home?
"Because of the presentation, we got that project and everything was clearly mentioned. I am impressed." He said convincingly.
"Thank you so much! And, that was very thoughtful what you did today. Thank you!"
"It's ok Ms. Jones. Appreciating the efforts of the team always leads to the success of the organization. I believe in this."
He looked towards me while saying all this and our eyes met again. I was again feeling chocked and cleared my throat.
"Is something wrong?"
"No! I am okay."
I wanted to make this ride long but soon I reached my destination. After stepping out of the car, I turned to see his face one more time so that I could capture his image in my eyes.
"Thank you so much for the ride!"
"It's completely fine Ms. Jones."
I thought it would be inappropriate if I didn't invite him but I was in a dilemma that should I do it or not as he was after all my boss.
"Would you like to have a cup of coffee or something?"
He smiled and said "some other time. Good bye!"
"Good bye!"
I took a deep breath and thought about what all had just happened. The entire day was amazing and the end was fabulous. This was definitely the best day I ever had since I have been here. And, I started liking the rain as well...