Could It Be You? |✓

(23) New Loves, Old Loves - part 1

When all of the office clears for lunch, Tess remains glued to her screen, typing line after line for her report. This girl is acting real peculiar these few days, but today simply tops it off. She has put in extra thought to both her outfit and make up today, and there is no question that she is seeing someone. She didn't even do this much when she was fooling around with Parker, the guy she was with on New Year's Eve. Emma guesses that he was really just a snog partner after all.

"Not going to eat?" Emma asks with concern.

Tess spares her just one glance before returning to her screen, her fingers never once pausing for a break. "Nah. Gotta finish this so I can leave on time later!"

"Whoa whoa whoa. I've never seen you this hardworking. What's up?" 

Tess gives her a coy smile. "I'll let you know when something's on, I promise, Em."

"So this isn't something on?" Emma teases.

"Shut up!" Tess whines, which prompts Emma to let out a laugh.

"Alright then, all the best!"

Tess lifts her hands and forms a heart. "Thanks!"

How cute! She has never seen her this smitten before, for all the years she's known her. She wonders who this mysterious person is, and what powers he must have to capture her heart like that.

She loiters just for a little while more, before she picks up her purse and gets ready to leave. Unfortunately for her, she has to skip lunch today too, but for a different reason altogether. She has to make her way to Joshua's company again, for yet another meeting. Clutching the revised contract in her hands, she walks out, but halts her steps only a few seconds later when she recalls something. She retraces her steps to her desk, where Tess continues to work diligently and doesn't even do so much as to acknowledge her. She pulls the drawer open, where an umbrella sits snug amidst her stationary. Emma grabs it and places it into her bag, knowing it's a good opportunity to return it today.

* * *

Emma goes through the drill again - get her Visitor pass, go up the elevator, and let the reception lady lead her to Joshua. As always, she is surprised and impressed at the same time by the neatness of his office. This time, a hot cup of coffee awaits her, complete with a silver spoon and napkin. She lets out a small gasp of surprise.

"Hello," he greets politely and gestures for her to sit.

Once settled into the cushy arm chair, she reaches into her bag and retrieves the umbrella first. She pushes it to him. "Thanks for this."

He darts a look at the object. "I told you we have plenty."

"Well, I have plenty too," she replies.

He eyes her for a moment, then relents. He pushes the umbrella aside and folds his hands, a signal for her to get started on the real business. Their interactions have all been so cold and hostile thus far, though that isn't a cause of concern for her. Emma produces the contract and passes it into his hands.

"I'm afraid you'll have to come by again, Emma. The company wants to increase leverage, so we'd have to amend the numbers. This is what I wanna talk about mainly today."

Emma looks at him in surprise. "Okay, tell me about it."

They launch into a lengthy discussion of the amendment as the hour ticks by. Even though it isn't as long-winded as the previous, it's going to entail a lot of back-end work for her when she gets back. She scribbles down plenty of notes, forgetting about the legibility, something she'll have to sort out later. Such a discussion always saps a huge amount of energy from her, with all its mundane details and the many things to look after. Thankfully, he keeps it within the time, and ends it punctually.