nevertheless~

prologue

Tessa's POV

"Landon, look. I know you want the best for the department but do you think that I should be coming on the trip with you guys?", I try to explain to my friend and senior as we sit in the dining hall of our office, across from each other on the table and the topic we are discussing.

"Yes Tessa, you need to come besides you have a whole team under you. Your team. Wasn't that what you wanted", he looks up from the subway he is right now digging in.

"It is, trust me, I am really happy that you assigned me this team to work with, but I just...I can't travel, I t want you to choose someone else. This is a huge opportunity for the firm and the people in my team. I can't let everyone have a fall out because of me"

"They will have a fallout if you don't come. See, you are the smartest person working in your position, we need someone who is a quick learner, you are that which is why Jonathan has asked me to appoint you. Fight that dragon if you want to but it is what has been delegated to me.", and I facepalm my head, rubbing the nerves away from it.

"I know, it's just that Dad is in a really critical condition right now, and if I leave for France for the extension of the branch, I will be putting him at a risk", I try to explain my pathetic condition when he risk", I try to explain my pathetic condition when he makes eye contact with me.

"Can't you just put Hardin for this? He can be the head. I will be working under him; I don't mind that. He anyway has a personal vendetta for me", I chew into the base of my own sandwich.

"I would. But he wanted to work for you this time than have you work for him. I don't understand this stupid chase you two have going on for each other's throats, but what I do understand is your dad's condition. I'll ask Jonathan if he can get Nora on your team as the head but you need to be the brains of it. All idea is yours, but the face will be Nora". finally!!

"We have a deal. Can I get you another sandwich or just order the whole menu?", I stare with a big smile at my friend, the one man who understands all my problems and doesn't slip a word out to anyone.

"Speaking of Nora? How is it going between you and her, please tell me Candace didn't find out about you two in the printer room?", I ask the same moment Landon chokes on his bite.

"She didn't find out about the printer room, but how do you know?"

"Nora told me over the last week's wine and cheese party. So, did you go ahead from there?"

"We are together, but where like to keep the PDA down while at work. It's best if Jonathan doesn't find out and I think we might be ready for the next step", he explains as I work on a bite. They have been the cutest, most notorious couple I would have ever witnessed. I always catch them giving each other small sticky notes and going to each other's table for something as an excuse. It's heartwarming to see that just between 3 months, they have knitted so closely, unlike me who is single as a pringle.

"You want to move in with her? Already. LANDON GIBSON", I whisper yell and have a few juniors turn their head on me.