RACHEL’S POV
“Are you sure he will do as we planned? That boy seemed chicken hearted.” She said to Max over the phone.
“I can’t tell for now, but with the look in his eyes, I have no doubt he will do like he was told.”
“Good. I can’t wait for everything to unfold and for things to go as planned.”
“Yo! I have to go now.” Max said and ended the call.
She smiled wryly as she got up and walked out of her office for Shawn’s.
“Hi, Shawny,” She said, as she walked inside.
“Hey, Rachel. How may I help you?” He replied, momentarily looking up from his laptop.
“Can you drop the formalities already?”
“Why? This is a formal setting.”
“I know, but our relationship is not formal.”
“Well, as long as we are at work, our relationship is.”
“C’mon. What have I done to deserve this cold treatment? Tell me and I will apologize. I promise.”
“You did nothing, Rachel. I just feel that henceforth, we should stop mixing work with pleasure.”
“But you know that is not possible. We don’t just work in the same company, we are best friends.”
“That I know, but we should know when to draw the line especially when it has to do with work.”
“Is this all about that little girl? I mean, look at you. You suddenly changed after you got engaged to her. You never turned down my requests or said no to me. What’s going on, Shawn?”
“Nothing is going on, Rachel. I think you should go back to work. You are working on the Adolphus project, right?”
“Yes, I am. Why?”
“I think you should get back to work. I will see you at closing time.”
“Closing time? Not even lunch?”
“No. Have a nice day.” He said and returned his attention fully to the laptop.
Seeing that talking to him was a lost battle, she walked out of the office.
She got to her office and couldn’t concentrate on anything. Not even the project she had at hand.
Shawn was gradually slipping out of her grasp and she had to do something, anything, to get him back in place.
Reluctantly, she returned to work, and kept zoning out intermittently.
She was almost tempted to abandon the work at hand and go back home, but she knew better. The Adolphus project was important to the company and they couldn’t afford to lose them.
She kept hissing in frustration as she got on her laptop to start working.
Then she remembered she had some paperwork to modify. She reached out for the intercom to call her secretary.
“I want you to modify the Jameson contract and bring it to my office in an hour’s time.”
“But, ma. I’m not done with the other contract.”
“Do you now argue with me?”
“I’m sorry, ma.”
“You had better be. I’m waiting and don’t exceed the time I gave.” And with that, she dropped the call.
She sighed for the umpteenth time and went back to her laptop.
It was going to be a long day and she hoped nobody would step on her toes because hell would freeze.
SHAWN’S POV
He heaved a sigh of relief as she walked out of the office.
He was sick and tired of her clinginess. He wished she could be transferred to a different branch where she would never disturb him again.
The intercom rang and he picked it up.
“Your father is on the line. Should I let him on?” Leslie asked.
“Yes.”
“Hey, son.”
“Dad. Good day.”
“Good day, my son. I have good news for you today.”
“Shoot, dad.”
“You have been considered to be made chairman. Your public inauguration has not been decided yet, but they are deliberating on it. Congratulations, son. I’m proud of you.”
Shawn sat up, to be sure he heard him clearly. “Are you being serious, Dad?”
“Why will an old man like me joke about something as serious as this? Of course I’m dead serious.”
“This is good news!”
“You can say that again. You can as well start preparing your inauguration speech. Congratulations once again.”
“Thank you.”
“I will leave you to get back to work. Your mother says hello.”
“Say hello to her too. Bye.” And the call ended.
He stood up and walked around the office in excitement. It felt surreal that he was about to be made chairman. His years-long dream was finally coming to reality and he could not hide his excitement.
He was tempted to call Bryan and break the news to him but thought against it. He would practice delayed gratification and wait until he was finally made chairman.
He was overwhelmed with excitement and didn’t feel like going back to work, but he had to.
He got back to work and a few minutes later, he was totally immersed in it.
Soon, it was lunch break and he decided to go out and eat. He put the paperwork away and stepped out of the office.
To his disappointment, he met Rachel in the hallway.
“Hey, Shawn. Where are you headed?”
Knowing that he can’t lie he reluctantly replied, “I’m going to have lunch.”
“Really? Let’s go together then. I’m also going to have lunch. And guess what? A new eatery has been opened just opposite Urban’s delight.”
“Sure. Let’s go.”
She made to hold his arms but he rebuked her. “Do not forget where you are, Rachel. Do not give the workers the wrong impression.”
“Fine. Let’s just go and have lunch, Mr uptight.”
He ignored her and walked ahead, into the elevator.
Soon, they got to the new eatery as Rachel had insisted they try them out.
“This place is so cozy. I love their interior design. They are better than Urban’s delight.”
“Don’t be quick to judge. You have not tasted their meal yet.”
“Well, from the Outlook, I can tell their meal will be nice.” A waitress suddenly interrupted them. “What would you love to have ma and sir?”
“Can I see your menu?” Rachel asked, and the menu was handed over to her.
“I will have Chicken and waffles.” She said and handed the menu to Shawn.
“Let me have Clam chowder and a glass of smoothie.”
“Ummm…I changed my mind. I will have the same thing as him.” Rachel blurted.
Shawn gave her a puzzled look before returning the menu to the Waitress.
“What was that for?” He asked, after the waitress left.
“Nothing of course. I just wanted us to have the same thing.”
“I see.”
The waitress returned with their orders and he stayed mute all through the meal, despite Rachel’s attempts to start a conversation.