FOOLISH SENTIMENT

THE UNINVITED GUEST

Things were back to normal at the office. Condolences were still heard here and there, but work was in full swing, and so was Ana.

In her office, she was, as usual, going through files on what had been happening and how to balance the funeral activities. "Should I reduce staff or cut salaries?" she wondered.

"Why do you want to? It's not like we don't have enough said Bella Ana’s secretary, sitting next to her.

Ana responded with a sharp look. Bella understood and shut up.

"Let's get back to business. We are trying to secure the populace contract. Where are we at?" Ana asked.

"Well, actually, we have the proposal drafted, and everything is set but…."

What but! Cut in Ana. I took it to the finance office, and I haven't gotten feedback from them," said Bella.

"What are they saying is the hold up? asked Ana.

"Mrs Lana hasn't approved it," Bella responded.

With a hand on her head, Ana ordered, "Go tell her. I want her done with it and on my desk before the end of the day."

"Yes, Ma'am," said Bella as she took her leave.

"I thought I told you to leave," said Ana, turning her chair.

To her surprise, a young man was standing in her office. This was someone she had never seen before.

"Who the hell are you?" she asked.

"I am what you need to secure your place," he replied.

She was taken aback and disgusted, but curious at the same time. Who was this person in front of her? she wondered.

He’s drop-dead gorgeous in that quiet, effortless way the kind that doesn’t beg for attention but somehow steals every bit of it anyway. Tall, well-built, not bulky, just perfectly balanced, like he knows his body and moves comfortably in it. His face? Sharp yet warm a strong jawline, defined cheekbones, and eyes that do dangerous things when he smiles.

His eyes are expressive, the kind that seem to notice everything and everyone. When he looks at you, it feels intentional, like you’re the only person in the room. His smile is slow and confident, not flashy one of those smiles that shows up at the right moment and completely ruins your composure.

He dresses clean and intentionally. Nothing loud, nothing forced—just well-fitted clothes that sit right on him, whether it’s a crisp shirt or something casual. And his presence? Calm, grounded, masculine. He doesn’t talk too much, but when he does, people listen.

The real killer, though, is the aura self-assured without arrogance, kind without softness being mistaken for weakness. The type of man who walks into a room and subtly shifts the atmosphere... and walks out leaving people thinking about him long after he’s gone.

Yeah. That kind of gorgeous.

"Let me tell you what you need to do” those words brought Ana back to life to the moment she blinked, as if her head had hit a wall. "I think you need to calm down. I'll ask again. Who the hell are you?" she said.

"My name is Mike, and I'll help you become the best of the best."

While she was smiling, she reached for the buzzer under the table. A few seconds later, security came in and escorted poor Mike away.

She then turned to the head of security, issuing a stern warning about allowing any Tom, d**k, and Harry to walk into her office.

"Sorry, Ma'am," he responded. "He is a reputable, known man, one of the company's guests. That's why he was allowed to move around. It won't happen again," said the security man, Ben. With that, he left.

Ana was angry, but also quite intrigued.

"The boss is in the office." "Really? Who is the woman next to him? Wow, she's beautiful."

Chris Jr. could hear the employees talking behind him as he walked in, hand-in-hand with Tiana, into the office, with broad smiles on their faces and heads held high, like royalty among commoners.

Well, all until they entered the office anyway. As soon as the door closed, it was as if they were in another world.

"Let go of me!" Tiana snapped.

"Come on. I've been begging you since yesterday," Chris Jr. pleaded.

"And so what? You left me hanging in a den of wolves," said Tiana. "I stood up for you, Chris. You just stood there and watched as they dragged me out. Is this how you plan to take care of me? Is this what it all boils down to? Is this where all your promises lie? I can't believe this," she said as she sat down, crying.

"I'm sorry. I really am," said Chris Jr.

"Why didn't you do something?" Tiana asked. "Why only say sorry now? You didn't even come get me after” asked, Tiana

"Tiana, I came out immediately. You were gone, and you wouldn't pick up my calls. I came to your house; you weren't there. You didn't come home either. I tried to apologize. Come on, honeybee," said Chris Jr.

Tiana looked up slowly. "You know I love you, right? That's why I sent you the message about coming to work. You know that you need to solidify your position. It's obvious that they don’t rate you in any way not at home not at work not anywhere love. Are you ready to listen to me? Are you ready to make this work? Let's work on this together. Promise me. You have to promise me. Promise me, my fire. If you don't, I don't know what I'm going to do," she said, sobbing again.

"Alright, alright. I promise. Stop crying. Come on. I'll do anything and everything for you. You know that right? I promise. Okay?" said Chris Jr.

Tiana wiped away her tears. "Okay, then, love. Okay, then, my fire." She stood up, arranged her dress, and pulled him up. "Let's get to work, then."

They both approached the desk and began to strategize.

"We need to strike while the iron is hot. There's a position to fill," Tiana said. "Our first chance is the populace project. It's currently with Ana, but Lana hasn't given the go-ahead. Lana is kind, so I think we should go through her said Tiana. But she wouldn't award it to me out of pity said Chris Jr.

"Yes, but she's also principled," Tiana added.

"We are both right but more importantly we need to show your capacity, I think we should still try her. She's a total softie, you know," said Tiana. "You know what? Let's just leave that to me. For now, we need to present you in a good light. Think power, pride. That's you."

"But how?" asked Chris Jr.

"Don't worry, I have a plan," said Tiana.

A knock on the door broke their concentration.

"Sorry to disturb you, sir, but I was told to inform you about an emergency meeting in the boardroom, sir," said Seth Chris Jr’s Secretary.

"An emergency meeting?" asked Tiana. "What's this about?"

"Sorry, Ma'am, I don't know," he said, excusing himself and leaving Tiana and Chris Jr. staring at each other.

"Is everyone confirmed?" Lana asked as she sat down.

"Word has been sent to everyone replied Amber, Lana's secretary.

"Good. Get all the awaiting documents. Let's head over there ourselves," said Lana.

“Mrs. Ana's secretary came by asking for an update on the populace project, Ma'am." Said Amber

Lana stopped in her tracks, thought for a while, and looked back. "Alright then, make sure you take that along as well," she instructed. "I don't want to be late. Let's go. Dad is waiting."

"An emergency meeting?" Ana asked. "Who initiated it?"

"I'm not sure, Ma'am, but it was Mrs. Lana's secretary who gave me the information to pass on," her secretary replied.

Ana let out a frustrated breath. "How about the project?"

"I was told it was still in the works, Ma'am."

With a bang on the table, Ana got up. "This is going to be interesting. I guess everyone will be there, then, since 'all-mighty, all-good Lana' is the one conducting it."

"Actually, Ma'am," said her secretary, "I heard your father is the one organizing it."

"What? Why didn't you say so before?" Ana snapped. "Let's go! You really are trying to lose your job," she said as she dashed out.