Before the mini celebration arranged by Pam for her project managers, Jim had to make a quick route to Tim's office for some project acceptance documents to be signed. It's to formalize the closure date. Jim approached Tim's assistant, "Is Mr. Connor available?"
"He does not have a meeting but let me check if he is okay to meet, he seemed to be in bad mood earlier. One of the 3rd party contractor proposals was rejected in less than 5 minutes." The assistant warned Jim.
"These are not urgent documents; I can leave them with you, but it has to be signed by tomorrow." Jim explained to the assistant. He does not want to be part of the collateral damage.
"Alright then, that will work." The assistant checked on the document just to make sure she knows what she is receiving.
"Thanks," Jim quickly retorted however just as he is about to turn his back Tim suddenly popped out from his office. His eyebrows were knitted together however upon seeing Jim, he managed to straighten up his face.
"Hey Jim, do you need anything from me?" Tim actually has an agenda.
"I thought you were busy so I just left some of the acceptance documents for project closure to your assistant for signature."
Tim looked at her assistant with an expression of 'where is it?'
"Sir here are the documents."
"You want to go inside," Tim casually suggested to Jim. He can sign the documents and he can ask him some questions. Hitting two birds at the same time.
"Sure!"
Tim sat on his chair and browsed through the documents from his desk. Jim was still standing, and he has 2 reasons for doing so. One as courtesy and sign whether it's okay to talk he will wait for Tim to offer him to sit. Second, he does not want to stay that long for fear of the bad mood recurring and to prepare to leave as they have plans tonight.
Tim was just on cue, "Take you seat Jim!"
Tim actually is signing the document, but he intentionally looked at the documents as if reviewing them thoroughly to buy time and get into a conversation with Jim. There were four documents to sign as each party would keep an original signed copy.
Tim signed one of the documents and strike a conversation to begin his probe, "So Jim do you have a new project assignment already?"
"Yes, I have one in Thailand, but it will kick off by next month so in the meantime I will be reporting in the local office here." Jim is excited because it is in Thailand however he also felt a bit sad as there would be less interaction between him and Ronna.
"That's good, at least you get to rest for a month before going to into the battlefield once more. Seems that whole team are getting deployed outright on another project." Tim complimented so he can ask, "not to mention an advancement opportunity for Pamela." He tried to sound distant by using her full name.
"Yeah, I was eyeing for that assignment, but the management had it for Pam right at the very start. Maybe a change in environment will also help her advance in some aspects of her life." Jim smiled feeling that they are having a light talk.
"You mean the culture and quality of life?" Tim continued to probe.
"Well you can say that. She needs fresher air; it will make her a little healthier. Maybe she can find her future husband there. She is after all a wonderful woman." Jim is all praised of Pam even professionally and personally she is very likable but for some reasons he find Ronna more attractive.
Tim signed another document and continued, "the management must have liked her performance then. They may have bigger plans for her. Australia is good market. Nice country to live and work, very diverse I would say."
"She deserves it. "Jim was about to say something more when his phone rang. "Speaking, she is calling. I will take her call for a while Tim.
"Sure, go ahead." He pretended to once again look at the document, only 2 left for his signature.
Jim stood and stepped away from Tim's desk as courtesy while he spoke to Pam. "Hey Pam, I am just having the acceptance documents signed. Are we leaving now? Alright!" Jim returned to where he was seated. "Sorry for that, we have some plans for fun amongst project management."
While signing the papers Tim inquired, "having dinner or drinks?"
"I guess both, its rare for Pam to treat." He laughed, "I was just joking but she rarely plans for it. It is always the case of us asking her to take us out."
Tim handed over the signed documents, "enjoy your night out."
"Thank you, Tim! See you tomorrow at the celebration."
Tim wanted to have drinks too. If there was any mention of an invite from Jim, he would have jumped in. Earlier his bad mood was stemming from series of images and information from X. It appears to him that Lissy has started to get a little more intimate with Li Bin. He also learned that the news of their engagement break-up seemed to be a hot topic not just in Taipei but also in Shanghai. Li Bin was the gentleman to the rescue. Story in the office is that she is not yet ready and wanted to focus on engagement with Xin Technologies. This reminded him of the earlier conversation with Lissy, is this why she wanted to confirm they are no longer in a relationship? To clear herself before jumping to another one? Now thinking about it, he is pissed once again.
How can he be so blinded with another woman and this is worse than what had happened to him and Pam. Deep in his heart he longs for that feeling of being deeply in-love. He thought this will come to fruition with Lissy. Thinking about it, that relationship gave him the comfort and security with Lissy's personality, like the pure and innocent love that Pam had for him. The desire to hold her once more ignited. Is this feeling right? Tim just closed his eyes, he wanted to see Pam.