Days had passed and everything seemed like it was getting back to normal or so did Leila think. She had made conscious efforts to forget Toddley Jenga and it was working until yesterday morning when her boss called her up to her office to inform her that Saturn Enterprise had considered their introductory proposal and would like to discuss further on the deal. Today was
the day for the slide presentation and of course Saturn Enterprise will be represented by few of their employees including the Manager - Toddley Jenga. 'Just wow' Leila thought. She knew
today would come eventually so long as she impressed Saturn Enterprise during her
introductory proposal, but the thought of meeting Toddley again was making her nervous. All her efforts could go to waste in the blink of an eye.
She was uneasy after her boss told her the news up until this morning. Mark kept asking her what the problem was and she insisted she was fine. She gave the excuse that it was the stress at work concerning the deal she had to seal with Saturn Enterprise. He told her that if the work was being so stressful, she could quit and try something else but she refused. She tried to mask her feelings from him to avoid further questions. This morning she had arrived her workplace. She forced herself to concentrate on the finishing touches of the presentation as she would be the presenter.
By 11am, representatives of Saturn Enterprise and Luke&Queen Company were all seated in the large conference room at Luke&Queen Company. After exchanging pleasantries amongst themselves, they all sat down to get down to business.
Leila stood up and began her presentation. She spoke so confidently and fluently too. Everyone seated at the conference
room were intrigued with how she explained stuffs. Only herself knew the type of bravery it took for her to look so smart in front of all of them. Whenever she met Toddley's eyes, she was carried away for a nano second. He had that focused look again, listening attentively to every detail. She somehow felt disappointed that he was so interested in the business she had to offer than in herself. 'Am I not attractive enough? Oh get a hold on yourself Leila'.
Leila did her part of the presentation well. The risk analyst of Saturn Enterprise had some questions which she answered confidently. After much deliberation, Saturn Enterprise agreed to work with Luke&Queen and the deal was signed and sealed. Leila was very happy and proud of herself. She had done it again although this was a bigger contract. Everyone shook hands of partnership with hearty smiles in the conference room. Leila shook hands with people too and proceeded to Mr. Toddley Jenga who seemed to be packing his documents. 'Too business minded' she thought as she made her way to him.
"I guess congratulations are in order". She said with a genuine warm smile.
"Oh yeah. But I should be the one congratulating you". Toddley said smiling too.
"Maybe. But Saturn Enterprise is lucky to have closed this deal with Luke&Queen. I promise you, you won't regret this".
"I pray so. By the way, you did well". He said and flashed her a grin that made her heart melt. 'He probably knows what his grin does to people cos what's all this beauty'
"Thank you Mr. Toddley Jenga". Leila replied well pleased. A compliment from him was a plus one to her.
She was just about to say something else when he walked away from her side heading towards the door. She felt embarrassed and un-important. Her facial expression was that of shame. She thought the little conversation they just shared would lead them- or rather her, somewhere but he seemed not to care. Everything was all business to him. Maybe she was putting herself out too much and he had observed it. 'God dammit, this is so embarrassing'. Why the hell was she even interested in him?'
Leila greeted other people in the conference room and left after that. The thought of the
rejection she was getting from this man was messing with her brain. 'Leila you're married, what else do you want?' She was angrier with herself for wanting a man that didn't want her. That has never been her style. Plus she was married to a handsome husband.
Maybe all she wanted was friendship. She could almost see her inner self laugh at her for thinking that way. She was well aware that it was more than that. She wanted something more. Not intimacy but something. But of course, everything had to start from somewhere. So friendship it is. She was going to have to get him into a non-business conversation with her somehow. And from there she'd see how it goes. 'I might end up not liking him as I think I do, who knows'.
Now here comes the hard part, where would she see him again without looking like a total creep. She couldn't just show up at his office or call him out of nowhere. That would be stalking. She kept thinking of a possible means to see him but nothing came up. Throughout work, Leila kept thinking of how and what to do. Her mind was really blank. Every idea she came up with made her look like an obsessed fan.
She closed from work and went home. Fortunately for her, her husband wasn't home yet. She wouldn't want him to see her in that state of mind. She prepared a warm bath for herself and slipped her slender body into the tub. She dipped her head few times into the water and suddenly a light bulb flashed in her mind. She had gotten the answer, the perfect answer.
-The Next Day At Luke&Queen Company- Leila was seated in her boss's office looking all bright. She was so proud of the solution she came up with yesterday.
"I hope there's no problem Leila. You asked to see me" The older woman said. "Everything is fine ma. I was just thinking about our newly signed contract with Saturn
Enterprise" Leila said in a serious but friendly tone.
"What about it?" Her boss seemed to be apprehensive now. She couldn't afford to let anything go wrong at this point.
"Don't be scared ma, it's no big deal. I was just thinking, for the sake of acquaintance and more trust, I suggest we should hold a business party, kind of a dinner with Saturn Enterprise. Our staffs get to meet theirs and theirs get to meet ours. That way, we would foster solidarity among the two institutions" Leila said hiding any trace of selfishness in her tone.
"Hmmmmm. I think I like that. It could be helpful. Nice one Leila. You know this company has attained certain heights because of you. I am happy to have you here". Her boss replied, very pleased.
"Thankyou so much ma. I am grateful too".
"You're welcome. I'd relay this to the HR department and everything will be planned out sooner than later. Just get prepared".
"Alright madam. I'll leave now". Leila stood up and left her boss's office.
She was very happy. First, her plans on meeting Toddley Jenga again was paying off and she wasn't going to misuse this chance.
Secondly, her boss had acknowledged her relevance to the company and she was happy. Now she was sure her promotion would come soonest. She felt indispensable.
Now, she was thinking of how to go for this dinner without her husband. They have both
supported each other in things like this. He took her to gatherings of his company and she did too. What excuse could she give this time?.