Recalling the memories she had with Tim, Pam is still grateful of the attention and momentary love and care that she received from him. She sometimes wished that she did not visit him that day or that she refused taking the keys. Maybe the event would be different.
"Pam I know it pains you to even think about it, but why didn't you try to talk to him? Maybe just maybe you were wrong then," Jenna cannot fully accept that Tim was like that.
"What for, will it change what happened? Will it do anyone good? You see he is happy now."
"But you are not!"
Pam was tongue tied. "I may not be happy but I am not necessarily sad."
Jenna just sighed at how hard headed Pam is. "Until probably I see you in a happy relationship that I can finally be relieved. Give love a second chance Pam...Tim is not the only guy."
The weekended with reopened wounds for Pam. To console herself, she keeps on thinking that they will cross path. It was bound to happen. It just that it was this soon. Facing things head on will free her from the shadows of a lonely first love.
God has ways of testing Pam. Monday morning, of all the people that to possibly meet, she shared the lift with Tim. Awkward as it may seem she gave him a short nod. Tim smiled at her. It was the same smile he used to shower her before. Those time when he said she is his sunshine. She slightly curled her lip up. On the way out he even asked, "how's weekend?
'Is he interested to know? Or is it one of those pleasantries?' She politely said, "not bad."
"Good! Good!"
Inside the project war room, Pam is in disbelief. 'Did he smiled at me a while ago? Even small talked.'
Come to think of it he talked about weekend and he most likely enjoyed spending with Lissy. This is why Pam doesn't see the need to put whatever closure Jenna is asking her to do. To her she had successfully escaped from the past.
Later that day...
"One more milestone and It's wrapping up!" Ronna stretched her back, she was finalizing her update. After the incident on the orders, she made sure that she is on top of the project progress. "I can finally breath and have good lunch."
"Good idea why don't we have a good lunch now? Your treat," Jim in game tone said.
Donna threw a balled up paper to Jim, "cheapskate!"
"Wow, do I really deserve to be called one? After burning midnight oil to help you." When Ronna was down, Jim cheered her up. It's out of his character but he did anyway.
In a regretful manner she managed to say, "Jim I am definitely getting you not lunch but a nice dinner when the data center is set up!"
"You two are like cats and dogs just that I am not sure sometimes who is the cat and who is the dog." This remark from Pam lightened up the mood. "Why don't we get our lunch together, my treat."
She decided to bring them in a Greek restaurant nearby. As they were about to be seated, her eyes was caught by couple opposite their table. It was too late to back out. 'When you try to avoid someone this happens.'
"Isn't that Timothy?" In a very low voice Ronna just stated what she is trying to avoid that they see. "And the lady opposite...ohh he just held her hand."
'Because she is his girlfriend!' Pam just gritted her teeth to avoid unnecessary facial reaction. She tried to actively talks to them of other topic to keep them engaged and avoids bringing any topic related to Tim and the couple's presence. She avoided looking their side.
When they took the bill and prepared to leave, their small group chanced upon the couple who is actually leaving as well.
'Oh darn! Murphy is certainly with her. Everything that could go wrong happened.'
"Hi Timothy!" It was Ronna who took the initiative to greet.
"Oh Hi! I didn't realize you guys are here as well. This is Lissy." By the way Tim is holding her hands one would understand the relationship. You can also gauge from the way he is smiling, he is proud with of her girlfriend. Facing Lissy and shifting to the small group He continued, " this is Pamela, Ronna and Jim. They are from First Consulting."
'I know...' Pam responded in her head.
Pam and Jim smiled back. The lady beside Tim is also smiling sweetly back at them. Up close Pam how beautiful she is. Her complexion, the perfect shaped nose and brows, her demeanor. They are perfect together.
"Even I will not notice anyone beside a fine lady." Jim in a polite manner complimented Lissy. Ronna slightly raised her brow.
"You are flattering me. Nice to meet you all." She then took turns in shaking their hands.
They went outside the restaurant together. Such an awkward moment.
"We shall walk ahead." Pam has politely excused the three of them so they can move farther from the couple.
"Hmmm"
It was that familiar response. Pam hated the familiarity all things happening now is like rubbing salt to an injury.
She walked a little faster than the usual. Couple would tend to walk slower than normal people. Pam is afraid these two people with her will spout something that will incidentally put her in hot water.
"Lissy is a beauty. They look like celebrity couple." Ronna paused thinking of something, "but don't you find it odd?"
"What?" Jim asked.
"Her eyes... her eyes is just like..."
They entered the elevator and Ronna exclaimed," just like Pam's!"
Ding~
The elevator reopened and Tim entered.
"Hmp..." she ako at got caught. "Isn't it the same?" Ronna said as they are taking about something else.
Pam quickly pulled her hand to quit talking. As soon as they enter the war room, "what non sense are you talking about?"
"You have wavy hair, she had straight hair!
You have just the right cute sized nose, she had the slightly high bridged nose than you.
You have thin lips and she had full lips.
But! The eyes are so alike!!!!!"
Jim was studying Pam's face and was slowly nodding his head in agreement. "That's right you have different facial features but your eyes yeah she's right." He said it like a conclusion to a scientific inference made.
"Even the lashes looks the same." Ronna reiterating further.
Pam just brushed the topic away and proceed with her work to avoid the chit chat. 'Whatever...his eyes no longer looks at me. This is where the difference is.'