Better Off With Whom?

Chapter-9: THE PROJECT

The following next day, Samuel was engrossed in his work when Evelyn knocked on the door of his cabin.
"Can I come in?", she said.

"Oh yes! Please do..", he responds acknowledging her.
"Have you called all the people we talked about yesterday?", he asks.

"Yes sir.", she replies.

"Okay! Sit down please.. I got the picture of the area we'll shoot at. Since it was your idea, could you approve if this is exactly what you wanted..", he insists.

"Oh okay..", she settles down and takes a wide look at the pictures shown.
Her spectacles were on the bridge of her nose. The tip of her pen interacted with her pouted glossy lips.

Samuel gazed at Evelyn in awe. He was spellbound. He felt his blood rushing into his ears and cheeks. The environment seemed suddenly so hot for him.
He couldn't handle the heat. He secretly cleared his throat in the silence.

"Perfect!", Evelyn exclaimed.

"WHAT?", Samuel widened his eyes, forgetting the reason she was sitting in his cabin.

"The place! It's perfect! Exactly how i imagined", she speaks smiling because work satisfaction makes her happy.

"I think we should call the people right now. I have already explained everything. If everyone's available, I don't think we should delay it.", she asked in way that seemed like it was an order.

Samuel was hesitant. He didn't want to finish the project too soon. The reason being Evelyn.

Still he says, "okay sure! Check in with other for their availability!"

"Doing it right now!", Evelyn spoke confidentiality.

She called everyone and to their surprise, everyone seemed to be available.
They decided on a time to reach and headed to the place in Samuel's car.

The car ride was silent. It was until finally Samuel uttered,
"How long have you been working here?"

"It's been over an year..", she replied.

"And do you like working here?", he asked.

"Yes I do actually..", she answered.

"How did you get into this field?"

"I wanted to try out new things, so I interviewed for this company through an online program for people who lived far away and here we are!", she answered.

"Oh I see. So you're not from LA?"

"No, my birthplace was New Jersey. Then I shifted to New York for University. And now currently life lead it's way to LA", she said.

"You must miss your friends huh?", he said keenly.

Evelyn paused for a moment. 'friends', she could only think of one. Gabriel. Missing him? She wasn't sure what to answer.
"I don't know.. life has gotten busier than ever. Mine and hi- theirs, both. I don't really have the time to miss anyone. And besides, I didn't have many friends to begin with.."
She sighed.

"I see..", he says.
'Did I hear it right?'
'Did she almost say, HIS?'
He thought to himself.
His mind conflicted.

Evelyn was left in deep thoughts. She has avoided them for a long time. She doesn't give the thought of her friendship with Gabriel a tiny chance to flood her mind.
But there she is, reminisced.

They finally reached the location, "we're here!", Samuel says.

They both get out of the car. Evelyn overcame her thoughts and brought back her workaholic personality that does not let sad emotion get into her mind.

They got inside. Everyone started to reach the place. The setup was done, the models had come in, the photographers were ready to shoot the subject.

The whole day eventually passed..
Finally when everything was winding down, Evelyn sat on a chair, exhausted.
Adele texted her,

ADELE: Hey! How was your day? Did everything go smoothly? I missed talking to you man!
EVELYN: It was okay. I missed you too here.
ADELE: How long will it take to finish?
EVELYN: It shall be finished by tomorrow..
ADELE: THANKGOD! I couldn't live without you in this workplace.
EVELYN: AW! I'll be back soon don't worry.
ADELE: When will you reach home? It must be tiring..
EVELYN: I am leaving just right now.. it shall take another 30 minutes I think.
ADELE: Okay. Get home safely.

Samuel came towards Evelyn.
"Good work today! You put up with everyone so nicely!"

"Thankyou sir!"

"How are you going to go?", he asked.

"I'll call a cab..", she answered.

"Don't bother! I'll drop you! You just navigate the way..", he insisted.

"Oh no don't wo-", Evelyn was interrupted in between.

"I'll drop you!", he said looking in her eyes as they glimmered assuring her that he would drop her and there's no point in disagreeing.

As everyone left, they both were ready to leave. They got in the car. And he started driving.

"Productive day it was!", Samuel said.

"Surely was.. with this rate, we shall be finished by tomorrow.", Evelyn spoke.

"That's good.. How do you feel about the project?", he asked.

"How do I feel?", she says in confusion.

"Yes! You had this idea. Do you think it's how you wanted?", he said.

"Yes sir, don't worry about my opinions if I don't feel right I would say so.", she said.

"That's how it should be. Many people don't utter a word against the working if they don't like it.", he said.

"Maybe because of working hierarchy?", she said.

"Possibly.. It's great that you don't abide by this hierarchy. The field we're in, we should always express our mind, too many opinions are helpful to accomplish a certain aim..",he voiced.

"Definitely!", she said and nodded in agreement.

It was another 20 minutes later, that they reached the house.

"Here you go! Have a good sleep, we need to work hard one more day!", he said to her.

"I will. Thankyou so much sir.", she said.

"I suggest you don't go to office tomorrow and directly head to the place.. it will be more convenient.", he says.

"Sure sir! Head home safely.", she said with a warm smile.

She standing outside when he left. And headed inside the house.