Pam returned to her the project team area as if nothing happened. While everything inside her is in chaos, she needed to put up a front. At this point the least thing that she would like to do is answer questions like 'what happened?' 'are you okay?'
She immersed with the project management team and some key project team members. They need to quickly adjust the project plan and ensure no other task becomes at risk of delay. The focus is to keep the project out of another delay and provide a concrete plan. They agreed to go back in their respective stations for further assessments and clarification on the task and regroup to finalize.
"Pam I am sorry for the mess I created." Ronna was too apologetic that her usual bubbly outlook has disappeared in her face.
Even Jim who habitually teased her understood the need to comfort Ronna hence he just silently gazed at Ronna. "Let's work together to ensure we got the interdependencies tracked and managed." Collaboration and teamwork are more important today. Its an opportunity to advance himself but Jim seems to have lost it looking at how sad Ronna is. He is someone aloof but some how this case made him want to comfort Ronna. 'Ah what's wrong with me. This is helping the team, this is for the project, for the company.' he said to himself justifying what he feels.
The huge room feel into deep silence with only the tapping of the keyboard heard. The set up of their project war room is a long table in the middle which can be disconnected to form smaller table for mini huddle. Anyone can just grab a seat and work or break away with small table for focused discussion. It is easier to communicate this way. The room is also in full glass as if they are in an aquarium if you look at it from the outside. Such glass wall serves as board to write or illustrate something over discussions.
No one seems to have noticed the time, it's past 1PM. Lunch time is over but not a single person in the room intends to go on break. Even Tim who was about to go for lunch break passed by the project war room noticed this. When he came back it was the same set up, not even a single person has moved.
Tim listening to his assistant's reminder on what is on his schedule when he noticed Vince entered the room holding paper bags of what seems to be sandwiches. As the room was glass, even at this distance he could see how Pam smiled to Vince appearing to thank him for the food.
"Hey even if we have deadlines to beat, you need food ok? " Vince was handing over sandwiches and stopped beside Pam giving her the last piece. "Ms. Program Manager, you need to take care of the team."
"We were so engrossed with what we are doing. Sorry guys I pulled you in to this bad habit of mine. Thanks for this Vince." She was looking up giving him a smile while opening the sandwich. "It would have been better if there were drinks too." A burst of laughter filled the room, this at least made their day lighter.
"I will go get some juice from the pantry." Ronna volunteered.
"I will go with you." Jim stood to walk with Ronna. With this Vince, Pam, project coordinator and another staff was left in the war room.
Vince pulled a chair to sit beside Pam. "Have you figured out the game plan?"
"Yup! Some work needs to be confirmed and clarified so the rest of the team is doing that now. We will regroup later. Are you joining or will your primary architect be representing you?"
"I'd be joining. The meeting on the other project is done. I spoke to Dean who is leading, it's not as big as this integration so I think we are clear with what needs to be done." Vince flashed his smile looking charming as ever. He is a nice good-looking guy, clean face with white complexion that even girls would be envious. Pam always joked that he has better skin that her. He is the kind of guy who looks to obedient, someone your mom will be happy to meet. However, to Pam's eye he is just another guy that she likes working with and to some extent a friend she can rely on.
"I heard what happened during the meeting. It's just one of those sagas yeah?" Vince reassuring himself that Pam is okay. "You know how western people talks."
These kind of discussions or argument is nothing new to Pam. It's normal for projects to have cases like this. Someone needs to call out if things are not happening as planned or expected. This is better than being surprised for a now turning back moment. What really caused her to feel heavy on her heart is the way Tim spoke to her. She was not expecting her to treat him best but at least be considerate.
"I probably need some drink after this to relieve stress." She downplayed it by making it appear like its all just work stress.
"Why not? Later after work should be good. Dreams is just a block away." Vince was referring to the bar near the office that serves wines, cocktails and beers. It is a decent bar that plays jazz music which is suitable for business crowd.
The team regrouped at around 6PM. Pam sent out to their group chat to be back in the project war room. Series if 'ding!' sound is heard as reply came in from the chat members. One of the members joked,' I deserve a cold beer after this.'
Pam typed-in and send to the group 'you are getting your beer later,' followed by a wink.
A crying in happiness emoticon popped to the chat room.
People around the office are slowly going out one by one leaving the project team on the floor. The clock strike 8PM, the team was wrapping up preparing to leave. Coincidentally, Tim is just about to leave his office, his assistant went 10 minutes ahead of him.
Everyone is heading towards the elevator, there were discussion here and there with the Project Coordinator asking, "are you feeling better now Pam?" She looks up to Pam and cares about her. She knows how hardworking Pam is being a project coordinator for the past year.
"Why is anyone feeling bad?" She wanted to lift everyone else's spirit. "I just needed a drink and tomorrow is a brand new day!" They chuckled in agreement.
As the floor is near empty, this was clearly heard by Tim. He sneered, 'exactly how you just decided to leave me then.' He thinks its within Pam's character to just move ahead. It was foolish of him to be mesmerized by this naïve girl back then. It was a blessing that she left him, otherwise he will not have met Lissy.
Just before the elevator closes a 'ding' is head. The door reopened bring the group into fading sound of chuckles and discussion. Tim entered in his half stoic half smiling face. Everyone gave him a smile.
Vince broke the ice. He was the best person to speak since he was not in the steering committee meeting. "Hey Tim, its late. We are grabbing some drinks. If you have time it would be our pleasure if you can join."
"Thanks maybe next time," the sound of his phone buzzing cut what he was bout to say. He nodded at Vince with his lips curved up. This allowed him to glance at Pam whose eyes were fixed at the floor number.
"Hey honey, I am leaving. See you." Tim voice was soft but was still heard in the tight elevator space. This is the sweet voice that Pam was acquainted before. For some reasons, her heart started to ache. He is perfectly fine not feeling a bit sorry about her. She does really need a drink tonight.