During the lunch meeting, I chose to stay quiet because I didn't know how to talk to Isaac. Instead, I nodded, agreed, and only spoke up when they needed my input. It was easier for me to observe and listen, as I grappled with the uncertainty of engaging in conversation with him. Fortunately, the lunch unfolded with a surprising ease, much to my relief. The conversation revolved mostly around the intricate details of the upcoming launch, with Danna and Lily taking the lead in the discussion. I found myself silently observing, grateful that the focus wasn't entirely on me. As the meeting progressed, we collectively finalized the crucial details and expectations that Isaac had set forth. A part of me couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude that he had organized this gathering, as it allowed us to clarify and align our objectives. However, I couldn't ignore the other half of my emotions, the lingering unease that stemmed from the earlier awkward encounter. I indulged myself in the
As I approached the table, both men appeared visibly startled, their expressions filled with surprise and confusion. It was as if they were completely taken aback, unable to comprehend what was happening.The man accompanying Isaac glanced at him with a puzzled look, seemingly seeking clarification through subtle eye signals. I found myself similarly perplexed, unable to understand the situation at hand.There was something familiar about the man. It felt like I had encountered him before, though I couldn't recall where or when our paths had crossed. My memory failed me, leaving me grasping for answers.Before the man could utter a word, his sentence was abruptly cut off by the arrival of an elderly gentleman who entered the restaurant and greeted them. It became clear to me that this was the person Isaac had arranged to meet, serving as a signal that our departure was imminent.Lily and Danna, recognizing the cue, rose from their seats and bid farewell to Isaac. I couldn't help but n
He leaned forward, genuine curiosity lighting up his eyes as he asked while driving, "So, tell me about your latest venture."She leaned back, taking a moment to gather her thoughts before delving into the details of her ambitious project. With every word, her excitement grew palpable, her gestures animated as she described the innovative tech startup she was spearheading. The vision, the goals, and the cutting-edge software they were developing spilled from her lips, painting a picture of boundless potential.The admiration in his eyes was evident, mirroring the affection in his voice as he asked follow-up questions and offered insightful suggestions. They were in sync, their minds aligning in a harmonious dance of shared ideas and shared dreams.His interest piqued, he nodded attentively, captivated by her ideas. “How do you plan to tackle the market?"Leaning in, she shared her well-thought-out strategy, her words laced with confidence. She spoke of the extensive market research th
The weekend came to a close in a whirlwind of events, and now I found myself preparing to hand over the important documents to Isaac once again. Originally, Lily was tasked with this responsibility, but unforeseen circumstances arose, leaving me with no other option.Danna's out today, claiming she partied hard last night and woke up with a killer hangover. Talk about being responsible, huh?To make matters worse, it seems like the universe has conspired against me today. The toaster decided to go on strike, my car refused to start, and now I'm running late and rushing like a maniac. Just when I thought things couldn't get any better.I spotted the boss's secretary, Billy—or was it Billy? I can never remember names. He gave me a nod and opened the familiar office door that I've been in and out of countless times last week."Good morning, Sir," I greeted Isaac, the epitome of composure as he sipped from a cup of espresso and immersed himself in the contents of various documents spread
The ride home continued in silence. I shared my address with Isaac and chose to remain quiet, hesitant about initiating a conversation. The boundaries of our professional relationship made me question the appropriateness of starting a casual chat. Uncertainty lingered, keeping my thoughts locked away.As the car pulled up to my house, indicating the end of our journey, I unbuckled my seatbelt. With a newfound surge of courage, I turned my gaze towards Isaac, feeling a sudden impulse to extend a gesture of hospitality. "Uhm... do you want some coffee, sir?" The words spilled out before I could fully process them.Inwardly, I chide myself for the unexpected invitation. What had prompted me to make such an impulsive offer? Would it be perceived as an intrusion or an act of kindness? Doubt clouded my mind, questioning the appropriateness of my words. However, a part of me hoped it could be seen as a gesture of goodwill, a way to express gratitude for his unexpected act of driving me home.
I was by my thoughts in the cemetery as I watched the sunset paint the sky with warm shades of orange and pink. My focus had been centered on the dying sun. I found myself encircled by gravestones, which marked the last resting places of a vast number of individuals.My attention, however, was drawn to the two graves that were by my side and contained the remains of my parents. I went there often in the hopes of finding consolation and support in the recollections of my closest companions and family.I am always able to find serenity in the serene environment that the broad field of the cemetery provides me with. I covered my face behind the palms of my hands as I felt the chill of the air on my face and the warmth of the sun on my chest. I let the sensations wash over me before closing my eyes.The silence was broken as I heard someone from behind. I turned around quickly as I thought I heard footsteps coming up behind me.When I turned around, I saw a lady standing there, her eyes
I kept my voice calm and responded, "I'll quit, sir," despite the fact that knots were beginning to form in my stomach. Before handing in my resignation letter, I took a moment to compose myself and felt an overwhelming sense of relief wash over me. Mr. Crimson raised his eyebrows as he read the letter's contents and stared at me in disbelief. He frowned, and his usually friendly gaze did the same. He opened his mouth to reply but swiftly closed it again. He stumbled, looking up at me with a combination of confusion and uncertainty in his eyes. "I...I don't understand," he said. "Do you find anything that is upsetting you lately? Simply explain the situation to me, and I will take appropriate action." he added. I shook my head, my determination unwavering. My tone became a little more kind as I addressed Mr. Crimson and said, "I am grateful for everything you and the company have done for me." I paused. "However, I have come to a decision that it is time for me to pursue new opportu
After opening the trunk of my car, I proceeded to place the things that I had earlier packed up from my office in a careful way. With a heavy heart, I realized that this would be the last time I would be doing so. After all, I had just resigned from my job and had no obligations to return.As I settled into the driver's seat, I contemplated how I would break the news to my best friend, Farrah. She was my go-to person for everything and I knew that she would be the perfect sounding board for my decision. With a deep breath, I took out my phone from my bag and dialed her number."Hey girl," Farrah's high-pitched voice chimed through the receiver. "Why did you call at this hour? It's not so common from a devotional worker like you."I chuckled at her greeting, feeling grateful for her light-heartedness. "Are you busy right now?" I asked, not wanting to interrupt her during a hectic time at her coffee shop.Farrah was a successful entrepreneur who ran a popular coffee shop near a universi
The ride home continued in silence. I shared my address with Isaac and chose to remain quiet, hesitant about initiating a conversation. The boundaries of our professional relationship made me question the appropriateness of starting a casual chat. Uncertainty lingered, keeping my thoughts locked away.As the car pulled up to my house, indicating the end of our journey, I unbuckled my seatbelt. With a newfound surge of courage, I turned my gaze towards Isaac, feeling a sudden impulse to extend a gesture of hospitality. "Uhm... do you want some coffee, sir?" The words spilled out before I could fully process them.Inwardly, I chide myself for the unexpected invitation. What had prompted me to make such an impulsive offer? Would it be perceived as an intrusion or an act of kindness? Doubt clouded my mind, questioning the appropriateness of my words. However, a part of me hoped it could be seen as a gesture of goodwill, a way to express gratitude for his unexpected act of driving me home.
The weekend came to a close in a whirlwind of events, and now I found myself preparing to hand over the important documents to Isaac once again. Originally, Lily was tasked with this responsibility, but unforeseen circumstances arose, leaving me with no other option.Danna's out today, claiming she partied hard last night and woke up with a killer hangover. Talk about being responsible, huh?To make matters worse, it seems like the universe has conspired against me today. The toaster decided to go on strike, my car refused to start, and now I'm running late and rushing like a maniac. Just when I thought things couldn't get any better.I spotted the boss's secretary, Billy—or was it Billy? I can never remember names. He gave me a nod and opened the familiar office door that I've been in and out of countless times last week."Good morning, Sir," I greeted Isaac, the epitome of composure as he sipped from a cup of espresso and immersed himself in the contents of various documents spread
He leaned forward, genuine curiosity lighting up his eyes as he asked while driving, "So, tell me about your latest venture."She leaned back, taking a moment to gather her thoughts before delving into the details of her ambitious project. With every word, her excitement grew palpable, her gestures animated as she described the innovative tech startup she was spearheading. The vision, the goals, and the cutting-edge software they were developing spilled from her lips, painting a picture of boundless potential.The admiration in his eyes was evident, mirroring the affection in his voice as he asked follow-up questions and offered insightful suggestions. They were in sync, their minds aligning in a harmonious dance of shared ideas and shared dreams.His interest piqued, he nodded attentively, captivated by her ideas. “How do you plan to tackle the market?"Leaning in, she shared her well-thought-out strategy, her words laced with confidence. She spoke of the extensive market research th
As I approached the table, both men appeared visibly startled, their expressions filled with surprise and confusion. It was as if they were completely taken aback, unable to comprehend what was happening.The man accompanying Isaac glanced at him with a puzzled look, seemingly seeking clarification through subtle eye signals. I found myself similarly perplexed, unable to understand the situation at hand.There was something familiar about the man. It felt like I had encountered him before, though I couldn't recall where or when our paths had crossed. My memory failed me, leaving me grasping for answers.Before the man could utter a word, his sentence was abruptly cut off by the arrival of an elderly gentleman who entered the restaurant and greeted them. It became clear to me that this was the person Isaac had arranged to meet, serving as a signal that our departure was imminent.Lily and Danna, recognizing the cue, rose from their seats and bid farewell to Isaac. I couldn't help but n
During the lunch meeting, I chose to stay quiet because I didn't know how to talk to Isaac. Instead, I nodded, agreed, and only spoke up when they needed my input. It was easier for me to observe and listen, as I grappled with the uncertainty of engaging in conversation with him. Fortunately, the lunch unfolded with a surprising ease, much to my relief. The conversation revolved mostly around the intricate details of the upcoming launch, with Danna and Lily taking the lead in the discussion. I found myself silently observing, grateful that the focus wasn't entirely on me. As the meeting progressed, we collectively finalized the crucial details and expectations that Isaac had set forth. A part of me couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude that he had organized this gathering, as it allowed us to clarify and align our objectives. However, I couldn't ignore the other half of my emotions, the lingering unease that stemmed from the earlier awkward encounter. I indulged myself in the
Sitting across from Isaac at the high-end restaurant, I couldn't help but feel like a fish out of water among the sophisticated crowd. As the waiter handed us the menu, instructing us to call him when ready to order, I stole a glance at Isaac. Avoiding direct eye contact with Isaac, I surreptitiously stole glances at him. But the moment his gaze turned towards me, I quickly averted my eyes, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks.The awkwardness of the situation was unbearable, and I wished, like a sci-fi fantasy, that the ground would swallow me whole. As I sat there, squirming in my seat and feeling the embarrassment creeping in, I couldn't help but imagine the roof of the building opening up and a spaceship abducting me, rescuing me from this awkwardness.But alas, it was only a fantasy, and I was stuck there, sitting across from Isaac, feeling like a complete fool.Suddenly, a discreet yet unabashed laugh reached my ears from the person seated beside me. It was audible enough for me
The days that followed were incredibly hell. Each day, I would visit Isaac's office and seek his approval, only to be met with constant requests for changes.Before showing my work to Isaac, I would always consult Lily—she told me to call her Lily, the head of the marketing department, to ensure its quality. However, despite our efforts, Isaac consistently rejected it and asked for further modifications.Feeling exhausted, I leaned back in my office chair, hoping to relieve the strain on my back. I had been sitting in front of my computer all morning, making the requested "changes." It seemed like a never-ending process. Closing my eyes briefly, I tried to relax for a moment. My eyes felt tired and strained from staring at the screen for hours, carefully examining every detail to meet Isaac's ever-evolving expectations.Startled by the sensation of something being placed on my desk, I slowly opened my eyes to find Danna standing there. She had brought me a cup of coffee, a gesture of
"Hey, everything's going to be alright." I consoled Farrah as she cried into my arms. After hearing the news, my heart sank, and I immediately rushed to her condo, knowing she needed someone to lean on. The room was filled with scattered papers and knocked over appliances. It was chaos. I found her in the corner of her room with a pregnancy test on her hand. I gently held her, allowing her tears to flow freely. In that moment, the weight of her sorrow transferred onto me, and I willingly carried it, determined to lighten her burden. If I only could. We stayed like that for an hour. I didn’t say anything. I let her cry until she couldn’t. It hurts me seeing her like this. She’s always been strong. The last time I saw her cry was when her mom left them. We were just middle schoolers at that time. “Zara, I’m not ready,” that was the first thing she told me. Farrah is old enough to have a child. We’re both in our late 20’s that’s why I know there’s something deeper why she is no
I got busy with work these past few days. I feel so tired but maybe it's just because I haven't touched any paper works for a while now. I was preparing the whole week for the presentation. Mrs. Daniels picked me and Danna to do the presentation. She originally picked Danna and I was so shocked when she asked Mrs. Daniels if it is okay for me to help her. To our surprise she agreed. Danna and I made sure that everything will be smooth and there'll be no hindrance to our presentation. Big people will attend the meeting so we couldn't afford to mess this up. "Is everything ready?" Danna asked as she entered the meeting room. I was busy preparing the projector while she's doing some final touches. "Yup, it's all set," I said and gave her a thumbs up. It's been a few weeks since I started to work here. I didn't have a hard time adjusting because everyone was so professional and friendly. Plus the fact that Danna is always by my side to guide me, everything is just perfect. A few