This Thing Called Love (ON HOLD INDEFINITELY)

chapter twenty two

AFTER

"What do you think?" I asked, beaming brightly.

I stood back and allowed Silas to view my poster for his trip to Asia. It included photographs of his past expeditions as well as quotes and praises from our past refugees. They included most pictures of Silas since it is his company, but there were photographs of my coworkers in here too.

"Like my opinion would matter," Silas said, rolling his eyes.

I could see a smile tugging at his lips, however, showing me he was just joking. Silas instead walked closer into my office to admire my handy work. This was out of my comfort zone and expertise if I was being honest. But when Silas asked if anyone wanted to take up the challenge during our employee meeting, I couldn't help but volunteer. It helped me stay busy, taking my mind off things especially my rocky relationship with Tobias.

"Wow," Silas exhaled, standing back to admire my work. "This is really something."

"You think?" I replied.

I held my hands in a prayer motion and placed them over my lips, praying he liked it as much as I did. I didn't really have a creative bone in my body, but fake it until you make it, right?

"I know. Why didn't you tell me you were good with graphic designing and such?"

"I'm not," I honestly replied. "My best friend, Noel, she's good with this. She's actually an architect so she knows how to use all those programs online. She helped me with almost all of this."

"I should hire her," Silas joked, flashing me a grin.

My heart skipped a beat. The thought of Noel working with me would be amazing. She's been looking for a job for forever. I knew she would fit right in here and love it.

"You would do that?" I asked, suddenly turning serious.

Silas smiled dropped a bit, not realizing where this conversation was leading. He relaxed, however, his shoulders no longer looking stiff. He placed his hands in his pockets and walked over to my desk so that he was closer to me.

"Well, you know I am always hiring new people."

"Mhm," I replied, looking up at him like a five year did when they see candy.

"And I was thinking of opening up a small refugee center in Syria, but I would need an architect for that..."

"Yes," I agreed, leaning over my desk, soaking in his words.

Silas smiled and released his hands from his pockets. He threw them up in defeat.

"So why the hell not?"

I squealed and bounced out of my seat. I was going to be working with my best friend! It was going to be like the senior year of high school all over again where we both worked at Ralph's, an Italian ice shop. Silas chuckled at my behavior, looking pleased with my reaction.

"You won't regret it! She's a hard worker and takes what she does very seriously," I explained.

"Just have her send me her resume and we'll set up an interview."