During breakfast, Pam going MIA* was the topic. They were expecting her to be in the party. Her in the office were also looking for her and surprised that she was a no show. Having been in a project, she knows that this kind of activities help boost the team's spirit.
Vince somehow helped provide reason on behalf of Pam, she was not feeling well yesterday." Having witnessed what happened he thought she was just embarrassed to face him and Tim.
The work week started at B Telecoms with the project team missing Pam.
"Have you seen the message from the group chat? So, she is back in Singapore?"
"There must be some emergency from the headquarters."
"She never gets to enjoy the celebration, she was sick then she had to report back to HQ," Ronna let out a big sigh.
The week passed and Tim got to know that Pam has not reported to the project office since they returned. The steering committee session is having its first meeting this week. He called Jim to his office.
"Mr. Connor, Jim is here." The assistant led Jim inside, "please have a seat sir."
"Will you take care of the steering committee session this week?" Tim asked.
"Yes, I got it covered Tim. I will send the Project Status Update and Risk Register within the day."
Tim would like to get more information about her without being too obvious. "I see, I just know that Pamela has been called back to First Consulting HQ in Singapore. Is she coming back anytime soon or will you be in this role for time being?"
"I have been requested to cover for this week, I will continue to assume this until I get confirmation. I will reach out to HQ and let you know."
"Good, thanks Jim!"
'Is she leaving again?' Tim thought about what happened at the villa. Deep in his heart, that moment touched him. It brought back the good times he spent with Pam. The joy she brings to him with her pureness and silliness. He was deeply in love with Pam, he even had thoughts of marrying her. However, his feelings were trampled by her sudden disappearance. He only got a note few days later saying, 'I am sorry for leaving abruptly. I cannot go on with you, please be happy.'
'How can I be happy, was it logical?' He was so mad with that note.
In one fine evening, Tim had the chance to go out for dinner with Lissy. Its been a month. She was sent to China for business meeting. Though she is no longer country manager for Meridian, she remained to be the head for this business unit under the new organization. The position is VP for Sales and Business.
Inside one of the posh Italian restaurants in the business district, Tim was sitting side by side Lissy. "Honey, will you be back in China anytime soon?" Tim knew that Lissy is working with big partnership in a tech company in China.
"Likely, we are still in the middle of negotiation. The contract is yet to be drafted."
"Should I join you when you in a day or two when you are back?" Her business travel lasts for a minimum of one week he misses her.
"Is that a good idea?" Lissy smiled at him sweetly as she sipped her wine.
"You don't seem to miss me honey…"
Lissy chuckled, Tim acting like a kid amuses her. "Well first you are busy with the project."
Tim cut her, "A day or 3 will not hurt the project."
"Come on! We can video call and it's not like I will stay there for a month. Second, you know the rules." Lissy smiled at him. They were together for nearly two years; they were never alone in a room far more than an overnight sleep over. They can kiss and hug, nothing more than that. Lissy is one smart woman. She came from a struggling family. She dreams of marrying someone keeping herself pure. This is what she has always told Tim. In this modern time, Tim thinks that such kind of woman is too precious -- smart, good-natured, responsible and lovely.
"Why don't we get married then…"
Lissy's face straightened. She loves Tim however she is not ready to get married. She believes that she can still take her career to the next level. However, she cannot say this openly to Tim. He is too previous to let go but marriage will lessen her bargaining chip in this industry which is dominated by men.
"Hey…Honey what are you thinking?"
Lissy: '...'
"Is marrying me such a bad idea?" Tim played the cute card.
Lissy sighed and face him, "Is this a proposal? If yes I am saying no." She is not ready, but she is smart enough to turn the table to guilt trip Tim.
"Why?"
"Ok fine, if this is how you really intend to do it it's a no."
Tim then realized; proposal is a big thing for ladies. How fool of him not to consider. "I love you Honey…" he pulled Lissy closer to him and whispered in her ear, "I will work hard to get your yes."
Lissy knows what he meant. She knows how to work on Tim. As he treated her like a treasure that is hard to keep, she will not let Tim dominate this relationship even if she appears to be the weaker one.
Tim just kissed Lissy when someone called him out.
"Tim, Bro!"
He recognized that voice. It was Mark, one of his best buddies. They used to work in the same company until they took separate path. Mark was assigned overseas. They kept in touch and remained close.
"What's up Bro!" Tim stood and gave him a man hug. He shifted his look into the lady behind Mark, "are you…two…" hinting if they are together.
"Casually together!" Jenna extended her hand to Tim, "nice to meet you again Timothy."
Tim did not show any signs of awkwardness of the situation. He knew that Mark was into Jenna before, but he did not know they were seeing together or were having sex to put it bluntly.
Mark pulled Jenna's waist to stand closer to him, "this lady took me round the globe trip to find her." Initially Mark was having casual sex with her but slowly he learned that he truly loves Jenna. He loves that she is a no non-sense kind of girl.
Tim quickly introduced Lissy to couple and requested them to join their table.
"Oh, so you are Lissy," Mark was all smiles with her "So, you were the one who broke the 5-year winter season."
Jenna was startled but was quick enough to hide it. 'Does that mean he never was in a relationship after Pam?'
Lissy was giggling and teasingly said, "tell me about it? He never told me his past relationships."
Tim looked at Lissy in questioning mode. He told her! Not in details but she had an idea of his past relationships even the first one.
"Does he call you names? Mark continued in his tease.
"Is honey considered?" Lissy responded with sweet smile on her face. Honey is intimate.
"Hmmm, good then. the last woman she weirdly named Pim run away…"
"Shut up Mark!" Tim threw his table napkin to him.
Mark continued to laugh, "I love it when he is this mad, just pay the bill for me to stop."
Jenna was just observing pretending to enjoy the fun. He told Mark that he never met Pam after she resigned from their previous company. She promised Pam not to tell Tim of her whereabouts.
"Cheapskate!"
The evening was filled with light and some business conversation. It was like a double date.