Chapter 9

"You're right. That is why I called this emergency meeting. Not many people are interested in getting magazines anymore, which is why I need you guys to go and brainstorm on what would be the most suitable team for this year's edition of the Times Magazine.''

"Why don't we leave it to Gerald and Amanda to submit a proposal? Whatever comes out best would be used as the theme for the magazine," Rebecca, the head of Publicity suggested.

"That's a terrible idea,“ I countered.

"Why?" Leslie questioned. 

 "If you haven't noticed we both have different theories on what is meant to be in a magazine." 

"This is exactly why both of you are best suited for this project. You guys are filled with lots of ideas,“ Damon chipped in. 

"True“ Leslie considered. “I need both of you to submit different proposals to me three weeks from now. You don't have to limit yourself to your Department." 

Now, why do I feel like she is giving Gerald the go-ahead to encroach into my field? The things women do for love. 

“Expect a proposal in two weeks,” Gerald boasted, making me roll my eyes. 

Men and their egos. 

“Meeting is adjourned See you guys in three weeks," Leslie announced as she stood up from her chair and exited the conference room. The rest of us followed behind her. 

I got back to my office to meet a curious Cassie waiting for me. 

“How was the meeting?“ She asked as soon as I stepped in. 

“Depends on your definition of ‘went well' and ‘it was terrible," I replied as I sat down on my chair. 

"I'm speculating it was a combination of both," she concluded 

"Yeah. Gerald was being his usual self all through.“ 

"I need to castrate that excuse of a man. Just give me the go-ahead Ama,“ Cassie raged.

“Stand down soldier. Gerald isn't our top priority right now. We've more pressing issues at hand." 

“Oh, what's up? Has Lorenzo finally accepted our request to interview him?"

Lorenzo Delonte was an Artist. Some call him the magician of music. He is a man recognized around the world for his talents, but on the title page of the pamphlet of all his concerts, no references to him could ever be seen. He didn't do interviews and his fans knew nothing about him apart from his name. We have been trying to secure an interview with him, and he was still yet to answer us. 

"Unfortunately, no. We have three weeks to think of a theme for the fiftieth edition of the Times Magazine." 

“What! That's a huge project.“ 

‘Yeah, it is. And we aren't the only ones expected to submit a proposal. Gerald was also given the task. It all depends on who gives the best idea, I sighed as I explained the whole situation to Cassie. 

Cassie thought for a while before she answered me, ‘Then, we just have to do some research and come up with the best. Idea“ 

I rolled my eyes, ‘Easier said than done“ 

"Don't just start with that attitude," she reprimanded me “There are numerous ideas out there, and we just have to find the one that fits best.’ 

“And what do you propose? Talk about the lifestyle of Artists. We've been doing that. We need to think of something unique that hasn't been delved into. Something that both the young, middle-aged and old people would be interested in,“ I rambled on. 

“Wow, that's a great task. All this brainstorming is making me hungry already. I need to go to the pantry,‘ Cassie whined 

“Speaking of food I forgot to thank you for your help yesterday. You made me have a wonderful breakfast this morning,“ I beamed happily. 

“What are you talking about?“ Cassie asked me looking confused. Perhaps she has forgotten about making me a new pancake batter yesterday. 

"I meant thanks for your help with the pancake batter yesterday. It came out beautiful and—“ 

“Sorry, are you sure all this brainstorming hasn't affected your head?“ Cassie cut me short. 

"I don't understand. Didn't you stop by my place yesterday?" 

“Nope I said I would but I had to go see Martins."

Martins was Cassie's boyfriend who was in the Army. Whenever he was around, Cassie always spent time with him Her excuse was that he wasn't always around, and she could never tell if he would ever come back after every deployment. I wasn't surprised that she felt that way; being a soldier was a risky job. Those men and women sacrificed their lives for their country, and I respect them a lot. 

“Oh, so you didn't drop by my place at all?“ I asked her again. 

“Ama, I just said no. Do you need me to whip you a cup of coffee from the pantry?" She asked as she walked towards the door. 

"Yeah, that would be lovely,“ I forced out as I watched her leave my office. 

What the hell is happening? 

If it wasn't Cassie who helped me in making amends to the batter, then who did? Did someone break into my house? That was the stupidest idea I could come up with. Who would go through the effort of breaking into someone's house just to help them rectify their excuse of a batter? 

Cassie came back into the office holding two cups of coffee in both hands. 

"Here you go she said to me as she handed the cup in her right hand to me 

There's nothing like coffee on a cold morning. And it's best taken with whipped cream and little sugar. 

"I love you, Cassie. You know exactly what I need,“ I mumbled as we both burst into laughter. 

"I'm heading to my office. If you need anything, I'm just a phone call away," she said to me as she walked out of the office. 

“Alright, talk to you later“ I shouted after her before she closed the door. 

I relaxed back into my chair as I savoured the taste of my coffee and thought of the incident with the batter this morning. 

Guess I would have to be more careful and vigilant from now on. I might have done something to the batter without knowing it. Probably that was why it came out better. 

Anyway, I put my laptop on and began making research for the upcoming project. The incidents of this morning were placed at the back of my mind and long forgotten.