A Worthy Endeavor

Chapter 1: Warm Welcome

The problem with being punctual is that everything and everyone else is usually late.

At least, that was Alisa Miranda's opinion. After more than half an hour of waiting for the plane, she was more than a little annoyed.

She fastidiously smoothed imaginary creases down her fitted gray pants, and dusted off her perfectly clean, white cotton blouse. She wasn't too comfortable wearing her rarely used heels, but she wanted to look a little more polished than usual today.

Their visiting guest would be expecting to meet the head of the public relations team, and here she was, a rookie on her first field assignment. She hoped to make a good impression.

I can do this, she reminded herself. 

The task wasn't too complicated. All she had to do was welcome the VIP, accompany him to his hotel, discuss the week's schedule, and make sure he knew the itinerary up to their fundraising event.

Easy peasy.

She sighed and drank a bottle of cold mineral water all at once, before tossing it into a receptacle. The weather had grown exceptionally humid, and her nervousness added to her discomfort.

What if I messed up?

She closed her eyes and counted to ten, breathing in and out to calm herself. When she opened them, she caught sight of her reflection on a glass panel.

Her hands shook a little as she adjusted her black framed glasses on top of her nose, tucking a few wayward strands behind her ear. At least, her makeup up was still on point despite the weather.

She only hoped her face wouldn't betray her sudden lack of confidence when she finally came face-to-face with the VIP.

The PA system chose that moment to blare an announcement. There was some delay in deplaning the passengers due to tarmac traffic. Almost immediately, people started complaining, their voices blending into a chorus of slowly escalating rants.

A loud argument broke out between a couple behind Alisa, and she decided to find another spot to wait things out. Too late, she realized all the other seats were occupied, and hers was taken as soon as she had stood up.

She ruefully shuffled off to lean against the nearest post next to an ad that declared how much more fun it was in the Philippines. Then she groaned in dismay as her godawful fancy shoes started pinching her feet.

Crap. There had better be a good reason for the delay.

She was so close to reconsidering her  decision to take her boss's place at the airport. 

Not that she had the choice anyway. She could never say no to Sheryl.

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She wormed her way through the crush of bodies and got to the front, right where she could see a tall, broad-shouldered man right through the clear glass panel. He was right in the middle of the arrival bay, surveying his surroundings, towering over everyone else.

A baseball cap was on his head, a pair of Ray-Bans shading his eyes, and a white shirt, black denims, plus black boots for his nondescript ensemble. A brown leather satchel was slung over his  shoulder, while a gray sports jacket hung on his arm.

If she didn't know any better, she would have mistaken him for a random traveller, tired and sullen like everyone else who just got off a long flight. Someone unremarkable.

Although it was odd how people gave him a wide berth as he stood there, even avoiding coming too close. As if they sensed some threat in his proximity.