Henry stared at the watch adorned on his left wrist and darted his gaze to the door. It was ten minutes past the time Phil left his office to get the items he'll be presenting to Eve in his bid to apologise to her. He began hitting his left palm on the table, producing a rhythm. The door to his office was pulled open and the impatient Henry lifted his head and cast it at the door.He sighed in relief and sat up after Phil stepped in. Phil was clinging to a bouquet in his left hand while the box of chocolates was in his right hand.He strode to Henry and placed the items on the table. "I'm sorry sir, I took a lot of time. You specified that the chocolates must not have nuts in them so I had to look for plain chocolate.Henry flashed a quick smile. "It's okay Phil."He stared at the square-shaped box of chocolates and grabbed the bouquet of roses.The scent from the bouquet made its way into his nostrils and his brain quickly picked up a sweet sensation."Good job Phil."Phil slipped
Henry gave his forehead a delicate scrape and took steps to the table. "I chose Phil because...""Because you feel he's going to do a better job than me?" she fired with anger in her voice."That's not the bone of contention Eve. I want Phil to come with me because I don't want to stress you," replied Henry.Eve broke into a dry laugh. "Are you kidding me? Do I look stressed to you?" Henry sighed. "Trust me, Eve, I want the best for you." he maintained. "Take it from the boss Eve. He wants the best for you." Phil commented and cast his gaze to the floor. He knew the remark was going to attract another glare from Eve.She gave a long hiss and threw her back against the chair. "The best for me indeed.""It's a three-hour meeting Eve and judging by your condition, I'll advise you remain here while Phil attends the meeting."Eve sat up and raised a brow. "Condition?"She wondered why Henry was making it sound as if she was in a delicate condition and needed to be monitored."I came to w
Henry was taken aback by Eve's response. He arched a brow. "You can't leave?"She looked up at him and noticed that he was staring at her blankly. If she tells him that her legs were cramped, then he was surely going to yell at her for being disobedient."Why don't you leave? I'll just go through the notes I've taken down. I'll join you later." She said with a fake smile plastered across her face."Oka..y" Henry slowly replied. He could tell that Eve was lying to him. She wouldn't be going through any damn notes. She just wanted to dismiss him."I'll join you shortly in the office." She shooed him away.He gave repeated nods and marched out of the room still suspecting that there was a problem.Immediately after Henry stepped out of the hall, he strode to the back of the conference hall and stood beside a large window. From his chosen spot, he could see Eve by peeping through the window.He watched her rub her palms against one another vigorously. He noticed the pain in her eyes when
Phil stood before her with his palms wide open. "Do you need anything?"She said nothing but kept marveling at the level of his concern."I don't need anything," she replied and pulled her bag to herself."Okay!" Phil replied and moved to the table.Henry stood before her with a quirked brow. "Are you sure you don't need anything? Maybe some painkillers?""I'm good." she maintained."Are you sure?""My muscles are just cramped and soon, I'll regain my balance and besides, I'm feeling good already," Eve replied."Okay," Henry said and began rolling down his sleeve."Thank you," Eve said.Henry lifted his head and saw her smiling at him. "Thank you sir and thank you and Phil," Phil flashed a grin. "You're welcome." He wanted to taunt her for violating the boss's decision but he remained shut.Henry took the words out of Phil's mouth. "This was the reason why I insisted you remained in the office while Phil handles the report. It was a long meeting and I doubted whether you could cope.
"So maybe you'll come in the morning and work from 8 am to 12 pm then before the lunch break, Phil will also work for four hours. That's from 12 pm to 4 pm but you guys can switch. It's fine with me as long as the job is done." Henry explained.Both his hands were on the table and he was addressing Eve and Phil who stood before him. Eve had just learnt about the development while Phil was already been informed by Henry."And how long will this change last?" Eve demanded. Just because her legs got cramped, it doesn't mean that she couldn't handle the job.Henry cleared his throat loudly. He expected her not to argue because she had promised to do what was best for her the previous day."Till you are better and by the time you recover and can cover up the whole eight hours, you guys can maybe set a schedule with a day's internal.""I'm cool with whatever strategy is employed," Phil replied with his hands wide open before Henry. He wouldn't mind as long as he will get to keep his job."
Eve loitered around the hallway for several minutes before finally getting into her office. She had just returned from the cafeteria.It's been three hours since Henry's wife arrived at the company and she didn't see her leave the office.She fixed her gaze down the hallway, hoping to see the woman walk out of Henry's office but no one was forthcoming. With a frustrated sigh, she gave the door a push and walked in.She was certain that Henry didn't step out of his office from the moment she crossed paths with his wife. What were they up to? Having lunch or a quickie?She's his wife for heaven's sake Eve's mind reminded her. Why was she bothered by the fact that the couple was taking forever to come out and to crown to her agitation, Henry didn't send for either Phil or her.It meant he was busy with his wife.He must be so over the moon being with his wife that he didn't discharge any responsibilities to them throughout the day.Eve began collecting the items which she had littered on
Eve knew what Henry was about to do. He wanted to send Mira away as quickly as possible. She flashed an impish grin, turned to Mira and said. "You wanted us to hang out?"Mira was about to speak when again, Henry interrupted. "You don't want to be stuck in traffic Mira. It's Monday and you know how busy the street can get. So start leaving." he said in an authoritative tone.Mira agreed with a smile and Eve knew she'll have to wait for another chance to meet with the woman because it was evident that her husband was bent on sending her away."I'll walk you to the door," Henry told Mira with a bright smile.Eve turned away and cursed him in her mind. Son of a bitch."Bye Eve!" Mira waved at her, maintaining her illuminating smile.Eve forced a grin and waved back at her. "Bye Mira," she mumbled.Mira turned around and was led out of the office by Henry.Eve collapsed on the chair with her nostrils puffing hot air as Henry led the woman out of the office.The moment he walked back into
Eve went on nodding like a lizard. "I see"He tucked both his hands inside his pockets, looked Eve straight in the face and decided to go with the flow. "You see, Mira and I understand each other perfectly so there's nothing to worry about," he assured Eve.Eve gave her forehead a delicate scrape and felt that it was stupid of her to advise Henry on how to go about dealing with his wife.Henry read her gesture and decided to carry on. "People who don't understand the relationship I share with my wife think I'm the kind of husband that relegates his wife to the background and tries to suppress her but since we both understand each other, Mira complains about nothing." he lied.Eve lifted her head with a forced grin. She was convinced that she really stepped outside her line. "And you should see Mira dishing out instructions to me." he continued with his voice speaking of exuberance.Eve turned away with a sigh. Now he was going to tell her about his wife? Why did she even caution him