Never in her life has Anita thought she would hear Tom say he wants to have a chat with her. The suddenness of his request hit her had so much coupled with the excitement. She quickly left what she was doing to attend to his needs without hesitation because if she pushes him off till she was done then he might say she shouldn’t bother about it anymore and that would be her loss.
“I got myself a girlfriend” he announced to her as they went to have their seat and she jumped off the chair as soon as her butt touched them. With her hand covering her mouth, she almost screamed “You got yourself a what?”
“A girlfriend” he said again, this time with a proud smile.
She was so happy beyond expression that the coldness in his heart was melting away, for him to have it opened up for love. Jumping back into her seat, she started her questioning session. “Who is she? Is she someone I know? When are you going to introduce her to me?” she kept bombarding him that he didn’t even know the one to answer first.
He had to signal for her to calm down with his hands and Anita finally got the message when she blew out two rounds of hot air from her lungs. “She’s someone you know and I will introduce her to you soon enough so just be calm” was the answer he gave to cover all her questions.
She clapped in happiness as if he had won a lottery but to her, the joy of Tom having a partner is more than winning a lottery. “Go on and have your bath. Although, I have prepared dinner but since today is such a happy day, I will prepare your favorite dishes” she announced and he nodded before heading inside.
***
Few weeks passed by and the surgery date for Amber’s mom was set. Everything was going fine between them both in the company and in their relationship, even though everyone now knew that Tom is the real Umbra, no one made any snide remark about it, they were even proud of the support they gave each other.
The promotional season for the mall rolled in and they all had a meeting to talk about the best programs to carry out in order to make the event a fun one.
“We sent an invitation to the RDW designer who is also good with spray paint designs. He will be painting on people’s denim jackets and jeans on that day with a discounted price, we also plan to have him issue out a special autograph to everyone who had bought his dress” Flora, the team leader for the clothes session explained her own part and everyone clapped for the brilliant idea before giving room for the next person to express herself.
“According to statistics, the rate of pregnant women went up a lot just this last month so the expectant mother’s session will be holding an event of playing games with the other pregnant women to earn coupon cards on their baby goods they get from our mall. For the specific games, it will be a question and answer session of things related to pregnancy and after giving birth” Cherish, the team leader for the session announced and another round of applause went through the roof.
The other team leaders also gave their own ideas with the cinema bringing in a popular actor, the karaoke bringing in a popular singer, the food session inviting a popular chef over. The accessories session also unveiled their plans of searching game where the players find the hidden cards and whatever they see in the cards is their gifts. Lastly, the games session also chipped in their ideas of introducing games in order for the winners to win the tickets to the game house for free session of games.
Tom was very impressed with what all of them had done, he didn’t even know that they had all prepared very interesting and heart fluttering events. “You have all done well, this is very awesome. That is why I am glad to have you all working together for the positive outcome of our dear company. I am very sure that we all have the best interest of this company at heart and I will make sure this faith you have in the company doesn’t dwindle” he assured them and they clapped in appreciation
Suddenly Amber suggested something before the meeting was drawn to an end, “How about you draw something as the ending part of the event? I am sure there are many people who wants to see you draw ever since they knew that you were Umbra” she said and everyone clapped so hard once again, leaving him with no choice but to agree.
“I have never drawn in front of people, do you think I will do well? Let’s just scrap it” he remarked but they hailed him the more instead to his surprise.
“You will do well sir, you are competent” Amber assured him and he countered with “on what basis” only for them to chorus “Because you are CEO Tom Holland” which was the last card. He finally gave in.
Throughout the day, he kept texting Amber about how he’s not sure about drawing in front of people but she assured him that he will do well just like every other time he draws. He even told Lawrence to help him persuade Amber but he only supported her and told him to get rid of his fear of people.
“Do this for a start and we will have an exhibition like we promised back then soon. I won’t wait forever so make up your mind and work hard because I will not be accepting anything that is not professional” Lawrence told him, adding to his burden.
“You both are ganging up on me right? You are supposed to side me as my friend you know” he whined to him but Lawrence would not have it. “I like you as a friend but you know I don’t tolerate laziness when it comes to work and you also don’t tolerate it too so don’t get upset too much. It will be fine, you should just imagine that you are in your studio, and everything will be fine” Lawrence concluded and he had no choice than to carry his cross.
***
Stephanie has been out of the country for the past two months on an official business so she was out of grid. Immediately she landed at the airport, she sent her goods forward to the house and went straight to Tom’s house where she met his mom alone at home.
“It’s been a while you came here or even called me, did something happen?” Anita questioned as soon as she saw her come in but she smiled and told her that everything was fine, she only traveled.
“Tom is not around now, do you want to wait for him?” Anita questioned further and she replied with a faint smile before answering, “I am only here to have your food, I have missed it badly so I dropped by to have some” with a broad smile this time around.
Anita quickly ushered her to a seat as she rushed to warm up all the food she had prepared in the refrigerator. As she was busy waiting for the foods to warm up, she had the deep urge to ask her if she was the girlfriend Tom told her about but she knew Tom enough not to try such. Although she was greatly curious, it was not enough to exchange it for the communication that was restored after sixteen years so she only swallowed her curiosity and served her the food she came for.
She started digging in immediately Anita served her the food while Anita watched her adorably. She was everything anything would ask for in a woman, although she is from a super-rich family, she is very humble and well-mannered unlike her older brother who is as arrogant as Joseph.
“Why do you always come here to eat? You have high class chefs who cook for you at home” Anita questioned her as she poured her a glass of water.
Stephanie smiled with her mouth filled with food sauce as she received the cup of water which she gulped down in a flash. “There are high class chefs like you have said but none of them match your food quality and taste. How should I put it? There is something about your food that makes me crave it every time. It relieves my stress and also boost my tired or exhausted self so I crave it very well when I am burnt out, just like now” she confessed and Anita could feel a certain surge of pride rise within her.
Ever since she had quitted the restaurant, she didn’t have the opportunity to hear anyone comment about her food anymore because she now cooks for just one set of people who doesn’t even appreciate her.
She was done with food and was chatting with Anita about how her business trip went before Tom came in. Anita excused herself on the note of having to clear out some things in the kitchen so she would give them privacy.
Tom only greeted them and went to his room but turned to close the door only to see her holding the handle.
“Can I come in?” she asked with a low but seductive voice, he just sighed.