Not Your Regular

Chapter Twenty-Four

Steve's POV

I alighted from the car and entered into the office building. I was just coming from the jewelry shop I had in mind before going to sleep. I tried to recall the shape and size of the diamond on the ring. The sight of the ring when the lady attendant had shown it to me made me believe it was just the right one for the love of my life.

I strolled down to my office smiling happily to myself distracted by the thoughts of my brooding proposal, I didn't even notice the receptionist greeting me.

Miranda was already in office. I was glad to see her. Not because of anything, but because I could get sometime to talk to her about planning the proposal at the first year anniversary.

"Good morning sir," she greeted as soon as she saw me.

"Good morning Miranda. Please can I get the plans for my first year anniversary?" I replied and entered into my office as she nodded.

She knocked and came into my office a few seconds later.

"Here is the order of programme and list of invitees sir," she placed a file on my table and waited for my reply.

"Oh alright, Miranda. Please sit down." I pointed to the chair in front of me and expected her to sit but she remained standing. Looking like she hadn't heard what I said. "Miranda, please sit down," I repeated myself, speaking much louder and she slowly sat down staring at me weirdly.

I scrolled through the order of programme and list. I took time scanning the list of people invited. After making sure I was satisfied, I looked up at Miranda who was watching me closely, or more like nervously.

"I need your help," I blurted out before I could control myself.

"Sir? You need my help?" she looked surprised and the look made me snort. I smacked myself mentally.

"I want to propose to Vanessa. On the day of the anniversary. And I want to do it right, perfectly with no mistakes."

"Oh, okay. I can be of help," she replied smiling sheepishly.

"Good, let's get down to business then," I dropped the file on the table that separated us in the middle. "I'm sure you've gone through the order of programme. When do you think would be the best time to do it?" My hands ran through my hair and I realized how nervous the thought of proposing made me feel. Somehow I liked the feeling and it made me anxious for the real deal.

She ran her hand through the order of programme for some milliseconds then stopped. Looking up at me, she said, "How about during the toast? It comes up just before the end. It won't disrupt the anniversary, it will only add a spice to the end."

I nodded in excitement, reasoning the brilliant idea my personal assistant had come up with. The idea of marriage excited me to the bones. Waiting for weekend began to seem like torture.

I dismissed Miranda and faced my schedule for the day, satisfied with the progress I had made.

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Weekend came so slow yet fast. Work that week wasn't so dreadful as I had thought it would be. But in that one week I realized a lot of things. I didn't have many personal relationships with the employees. If anything, they feared me and I was very distant from them. Just like me, they felt the absence of Vanessa from the office. I regretted that I only had a relationship with her, while neglecting those who worked for me.

I decided to start to make amends. At least, I was just one year old as the Chief Director. I still had many many more years. There would be plenty of time to get myself familiar with them.