FLASHBACK"I really need this job sir and I promise you, I'll ensure you don't regret hiring me." Phil had vowed during his interview.That was a week ago when Henry felt he needed an assistant because of the loads of work he was having in his hands.It was at that point that Henry got to ponder on the cliche 'YOU WON'T KNOW THE VALUE OF WHAT YOU HAVE UNTIL YOU LOSE IT.'Eve had been such a great assistant that he didn't get the chance to complain about the cumbersome nature of his job until she was confined in that hospital ward and to crown his woes, his secretary was on a week's leave.He could have gotten anyone to help him do the job in the company but Henry believes that everyone should do one job at a time to promote efficiency.Dane had advised that he gets an assistant hinting at the fact that Eve might not return since she declared her interest in pulling out from the contract and that was how he was linked up with Phil."The job is tasking. I work with professionals and don
It was obvious Henry was between the devil and the deep blue sea. There was Eve on one hand who was mad at him and now Phil. He shifted his gaze to the man kneeling before him.He sat and positioned both his hands on the table, staring down at Phil. "Listen, Phil, I need you to get off that floor.""Please don't take away the job from me." Phil cried out without moving an inch.Henry gave the table a tight slap and yelled. "I said get off that floor." Phil quickly rose to his feet and sat.Henry took his head into his hands. What was going on with him?He stared at Phil for a moment before darting his gaze to the wall. "I'm sorry Phil, I didn't mean to yell at you like that."Phil faked a smile. Henry can even go ahead and hurl insults at him. All he wanted was to keep the job and wouldn't mind rolling on the floor like a nagging child to remain employed."I don't even know what to do." Henry pondered out loud with his gaze fixed on the file before him. If he had known that things w
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