In His Eyes

09|The Other Woman

      “I want those columns here and these plasma screens...over here—” she said, gesturing animatedly. “—just to emphasized the whole view” Tanya said to the event organizers, pointing towards the east, next to the giant, glass podium that was deemes as the center stage

     “Tom? Any thoughts”

     Tom returned from his trance when a small smile crept on his lips. His eyes wondered over to Carlton as there eyes connected, amidst of all the work that has been done, they locked into each others direction like they were the last human beings on earth.

     “None, I'm sure it'll be great” Tom replied, not bothering to look at Tanya's direction as his cheeks burned bright red.

     A skeptical look was plastered over her face, her eyebrows furrowed as Tom overlooked something from behind her, he smiled cheekily and then again, his face began to redden. It was so obvious that It was so painful to watch.

     “Why are you so flushed?”

     Tom shrugged nonchalantly and waved meaninglessly as he grimaced, all while deceiving Tanya into something she was never really buying. She looked from behind and found Carlton standing with his other adviser, with eyes locked to the person behind her, Tom. She caught Carlton winked at Tom from afar as he smiled cheekily, face red and changing.
     Tanya smiled thinly as she rolled her eyes at the childishness they were showing, Carlton, who was down and uninterested this past few days, suddenly became awake and lively.

     Tanya then told the event organizers to finish what they were doing as a light bulb lithe above her head at the idea she conceived. She faced Tom and laid a hand on his shoulders, one look at his eyes and Tom immediately followed her as they took a stroll around the venue.

     “Tom?”

     “Yeah, Boss?” Tanya smiled inwardly at the pseudonym he used, knowing inside her that in some part, she was a boss, just not the boss.,“I need you to do something for me, urgently, quickly and responsibly”

     It took him a moment to decide, wondering what that may be. His eyes asked a million question, but he faced the fact. He could never really say no to her. “What is it?”

     Tanya turned to the right hallway, towing along Tom away from Carlton's view.

     “Things must be really paying off?—You and Carlton?” She diverted, placing her hands behind her as they walked.

     Tom smiled shyly at the memories from last night. “I guess, I kinda took your advice to get to know him better—It's been good”

     “Good, make sure it stays that way. It's been better working with him this way. He's easier to control—” She told in a solicitous manner, thought transitory.

     “—he's a very doltish person, Tom” She mused, Tom noticed her contemplating.

     Tanya stayed silent for a second, taking a large breath. “I want you to do everything and anything in your power to make him happy, Tom" She admonished, looking at him intently. But at the end, the smile she had on her face gave an ominous feeling to him and he can’t help but wonder.

     “If you really love him, that is” He thought about it. Did he love him? Or was all this some irrational, misguided feeling of emotions.

     “You do love him, right?” She questioned, raising a brow at him. Hoping he’ll say the words.

     “I do, it's just...He's a little—”He didn't finished when Tanya interrupted.

     “—overbearing, I know. You'd get use to it. I know I have” she replied shortly “Just give him a chance, Tom. I know he has a lot of baggage but, he's worth it” Her voice sounded so sweet and soft it was intoxicating, somewhat manipulative for Tom's opinion.