The program went through with some key remarks from COO of NextGen and CTO First Consulting. There were rewards and recognition provided to key project team individuals who have shown focus and went extra mile towards achieving the project milestones on time.
A short video clip has been prepared by the communication team. It showed some snippets of project in action when it started up to last activity. Everybody was in high spirit; candid shots were taken showing people in both serious and fun moments.
There is one man who has been focused on looking at pictures where Pam is in. He could not help but see the difference from the start of Phase 1 to the end of Phase 2. The healthier Pam is obvious at the start of the project. She had the right amount of fat in the right body parts. Tim sighed at the sight of the difference. Not only is he concerned that she really lost weight for health reasons but for his own selfish motive. This did not escape Pam. She opened her mobile messenger app.
Pam: What is the big sigh all about?
Tim was focused on the video and did not notice the message that chimed in. Pam patted Tim and pointed on her mobile. Tim picked up the message and opened it up.
Before answering he gave her a look and half smile.
Tim: You have lost a lot of weight
Pam: I look good on clothes then
Tim: Yeah, clothes look good in you regardless.
Pam sent a heart icon too fast before reading the next set of messages from Tim.
Tim: But I like it best if you don't wear one. I can imagine how delightful it is to hold those body parts with more meat. Fatten up a bit!
Pam almost choked at what she read. There he goes again. Her face turned red with naughty message.
Tim: Your face is red…are you imagining things now?
Pam: …
Tim: Are we staying for the party? I just wanted to go home and do some other meaningful activity with you.
Pam: Tim!!!!!
Tim: We have less than 24 hours to be together before your flight.
Pam: You make me feel guilty. Stop it.
Tim: Let's do it 12 hours then so you won't feel guilty, I'll let you have rest 30 mins in between rounds.
Pam:
Their chat was stopped at the mention of Tim's name. It is his time to provide some closing message for the entire project team having chaired the steering committee.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome our dashing NextGen CTO and probably one of the hottest bachelors in the industry, Mr. Timothy Connor!"
There was a roar of laughter along with big applause. Indeed, Tim is one of the most sought-after executives in the Information and Communication Technology Industry in the country. Some knew he is exclusively dating. Internally in the organization a lot of people knew he is in a relationship, some even knew he is engaged to Lissy.
Tim standing in front of the crowd is a sight to behold. With his towering height and strikingly beautiful Asian features, he is a hunk.
"Thank you for that compliments, I think they were overstatement." There was another roar in the crowd with this line from Tim. He also laughed which made him all the more charming.
"Let me tell you why, I may be dashing as what some would think, but I am no longer a bachelor." There was another roar of laughter and buzz amongst the crowd. Everyone thinks he means that he is no longer a bachelor being engaged or in a relationship with Lissy.
He continued still with smile on his face, "Anyway Good Evening everyone. It is an honor to be standing in front of this fantastic project team who led us towards achieving our goals for NextGen. I thank everyone for the hard work and dedication. There is nothing more fulfilling than to meet project deadlines at cost and on budget. This team made it happen. Please give yourselves a round of applause."
There were cheers on the crowd. Pam had to contain her expression looking so proud of Tim speaking in front of them. It was not an overstatement that he looked dashing. Her heart flutters at the gaze of Tim, if there are 100 girls that have fallen for that, certainly she is 101st.
"Please enjoy the night of music, good food and drinks. Our project achievement is worth to be celebrated. The collaboration with First Consulting was the best, just like my marriage. Enjoy the night everyone, once again thank you very much team!"
The ending of Tim's speech was met with heavier applause and buzz. For Pam, it was an implied sharing of his happiness regarding their marriage this morning. It was a very blissful day for her. The crowd had their own thoughts and speculations.
The speech also had Jim and Ronna exchanging weird glances. At the mention of marriage by Tim they are now 90% sure these have something to do with Pam. The 10% is verbal confirmation from Pam. Vince did not capture this reaction as he was just going through the motion of clasping his hands. Today is definitely not a celebration for him.
The rumor that Tim is married to Lissy spread over socials and group chat. There are even video clips that were circulated, clipping the portion where he mentioned the collaboration with First Consulting was the best, just like his marriage. The messages floating is:
"NextGen CTO is married!"
"Huhuhu someone snatched my husband."
"Tim is married to ICT* goddess Lissy. Such as Perfect Pair"
"I ship these two what a combination! Congratulations Tim and Lissy!"
There were also rant on how unfair the world is.
"Tim deserves someone better, like me!"
"Yeah like you are prettier than Lissy, dream on!"
"Let's take a moment of silence and pray for the industry's loss of one god damn looking man.
"Another cross-culture marriage. I hate it!"
People expressed envy, happiness, jealousy or blessings to this news. Social media platforms made it easier for people to express themselves especially those with pseudo-names and nicks.
Tim returned to his seat like a God descending form heaven. Pam was floating in the air just looking at his lovely husband. Secret or not, he is proud of him from every angles.
Before taking his seat he made sure to had his face closer to Pam's ears to say, "you like what you see huh?!"
Pam was about to react when her phone chimed with a message from Ronna.
Ronna: Congratulations Tim and Pam?
There has to be some explaining tonight.
*Refer to Information, Communication and Technology industry or sector.