Title: passion and pursuit

unexpected incident

I summoned the courage to greet her.

" Well done, ma'am I’m here to see the editor-in-chief!" I asked with my voice trembling as I tried to sound confident, and my eyes widened, eager for her response.

She was absorbed in her laptop but looked up with a gentle smile that brightened her cheeks.

“Okay, ma’am. Your name, please? ” She asked in a welcome voice, and gestured for me to take a seat.

“Angel Thompson, ma’am,” I replied, my voice tinged with happiness. As I settled into the chair in front of the secretary’s desk, a sense of anticipation filled the air.

The secretary maintained a professional demeanor, her polite smile reassuring me as she picked up her cell phone. With practiced ease, she pressed a button and held the phone to her ear, dialing her boss.

A mix of surprise and joy surged within me at her reaction towards me.

DID I COMMAND HER ATTENTION? OR PERHAPS

SHE THOUGHT HER BOSS WAS EXPECTING ME.

“Hello, Mr. Campbell, this is Katherine. I have a visitor here, Mistress Thompson, who would like to see you, sir. May I have your permission to let her in? "

She listened intently, nodded as her boss spoke. Her expression remained focused, conveying both respect and eagerness to relay his response. After a moment, she replied,

“ Thank you, I appreciate it, sir. I will let her know, sir. "

I kept staring at her, trying to decipher the thoughts behind her conversation with her boss. My legs fidgeted under the secretary's table as I waited for the outcome of the conversation.

Turning to me, she smiled and said," You’re all set. Mister Campbell is expecting you, ma. ” Katherine stands up from her chair to lead me to the office.

As I stepped into the office, my heart raced at the sight of him. Katherine brushed past me, leaving me alone with the editor-in-chief. He leaned back in his chair, his intense gaze fixed on me, unblinking.

“I think I’ve seen this face before,” he said, his voice steady but curious.

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his stare. “Yes, your classmate at Kings High School.”

As I replied, his brow furrowed slightly as he lowered his gaze, a flicker of recognition in his eyes.

And he replied, “I knew that, but I couldn't remember the place.”

I could feel a smile creeping onto my face, warmth blooming in my chest.

He asked, “Please, can you help me with your name?”

“Angel Thompson,” I said, my voice nearly a whisper. He pointed at me, a grin spreading across his face.

“I remember now,” he said,

Still looking at me as if trying to capture the moment. I couldn’t help but smile at his every word. We had barely spoken back in school.

“Always beautiful as ever,” he blurted out, and his eyes widened in realization. He quickly shifted gears.

“Do you remember my name?”

I nodded, feeling a flutter of excitement.

“Yes.” As I responded, a gentle smile rose on his cheek and he said

“Thumbs up for you,” he joked.

He diverted the conversation with seriousness shining on his face. He asked,

“So what can I do for you, Angel?”

Without wasting any time, I replied,

" I wanted to be hired in your establishment,"My voice was steady despite the nervous tremor in my hands.

“Really?” he asked, eyebrows raised in surprise.

I nodded, my heart pounding louder. A moment of silence stretched between us, and I held my breath, hoping he’d break it.

“What are your qualifications?” he finally asked.

“I studied fine arts in college.” My eyes locked onto his, pleading for a chance.

He flipped through a file on his desk, glancing up at me before saying,

“Angel, I won’t be available for the next two weeks.”

I leaned forward, every word hanging in the air.

“You should come back exactly at this time in two weeks,” he added, and I nodded vigorously, a smile breaking across my face.

“Thank you for your generosity,” I said, my voice filled with gratitude.

He paused, then, as if remembering something, and said,

" Angel, I’m sorry. May I offer you a coffee? ”

I kept silent without giving him any response but a smile, he then stood up from his sleek, ergonomic chair, its metallic sheen catching the light as he walked to the coffee machine. He packed the coffee in two cups and handed one over to me.

After some minutes, I realized that the time on my phone's home screen said five thirty, and I quickly stood up to say goodbye to him. I also thanked him for taking the time to attend to me. He stood up from his seat and came to hug me.

I hugged him back and stepped out of his office, feeling lighter. The evening air was refreshing, washing away the sting of Mrs Hughes’s insults from earlier at the restaurant.

I checked my watch, and it was twenty minutes to six. Waiting for the bus felt like a waste of time, so I quickly called a cab.

As I waited, I thought about Diana.

I was thinking of what Diana would say to me when I returned home because I was already late. This reminds me of Michelle because she usually advised me whenever I was lost on what to do. I tried her number again, but still not going through.

WHY HASN'T MICHELLE’S NUMBER GONE THROUGH SINCE MORNING?

”Anxiety crept in.

I HOPE EVERYTHING WAS OKAY WITH HER.

Just then, the cab pulled up. I climbed in, hoping for a quick ride home.

When I arrived, I looked around the compound, feeling a rush of relief when I didn’t see Arthur’s flashy Zonda Cinque, which was worth around one point eighty-five million dollars.

Known for its unique design and high-performance abilities, making it a standout in the super car category. But my relief vanished when I spotted Diana’s sporty car tucked away in the corner.

WAS DIANA HOME?

Taking a deep breath, I entered the house quietly. I dashed upstairs to my room, listening for any signs of Diana. The house was eerily quiet. I peeked into her room. It was empty.

A sense of relief washed over me; maybe they had gone out together. I quickly changed out of my work clothes and hurried downstairs to prepare dinner and breakfast for the next day.

In the kitchen, I spotted Mary cleaning the counters.

“Mary,” I said, my voice soft. “I was sorry for what happened on Sunday.”

She turned to me, her expression understanding.

" It's okay, Angel. That’s just how Diana is" she replied with a gentle smile.

I felt grateful for her kindness.

“I appreciate it,” I said, feeling a bit lighter as I began to prepare the food.

*****************************************

I left home at six in the morning, the air still cool and crisp against my skin. My heart raced with worry, I hadn’t been able to reach Michelle since yesterday, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

As I stepped into the restaurant, the familiar aroma of fresh coffee and sizzling bacon enveloped me.

My eyes quickly found Michelle, already wearing her waitress uniform, darting between tables to greet the early customers. Relief flooded through me. She was here, safe and sound.

I approached her, my voice barely above a whisper.

“What happened, Michelle?” I learned urgency in my tone.

She leaned closer, her eyes wide and serious.

“I will tell you later, go now,” she replied softly, her gaze darting around the room.

I could feel the weight of her words and understood the need for secrecy. With a quick nod, I remembered the restaurant’s rules, sign in when you arrive, sign out when you leave.

I hurried to the manager’s office, my thoughts racing as I signed my name. But when I stepped back into the dining area, my heart dropped.

When I stepped in, I sighted Mrs Hughes waiting by the sliding door to enter the restaurant, her presence casting a shadow over the cheerful morning atmosphere.

Upon her arrival, every staff member on duty hesitated to greet her.

WHAT WAS THIS WOMAN DOING AGAIN THIS MORNING?

SHE CAME YESTERDAY AND AGAIN TODAY!

I took a breath and forced a smile as she spotted me. I greeted her, but she hissed at me, her expression cold and dismissive. A chill ran down my spine, and I froze, feeling a wave of confusion and disappointment wash over me.

I turned back to imagine what had happened to her. When I turned my head from the back to the front, I sighted Michelle where our eyes met across the room, and her expression softened.

She was welcoming customers, but she managed to send me a reassuring signal.

She placed a hand on her chest, a silent gesture that seemed to say,

Stay calm. Don’t let her bother you.

With her encouragement, I felt a bit of my tension ease. I took a deep breath.

I started my duty, as usual, the clock ticking towards two o'clock Mrs. Hughes lingered in the restaurant, her presence hanging heavily in the air. I wiped down the table, glancing nervously in her direction, wondering why she hadn’t left yet.

WHY WAS SHE STILL HERE?

I thought, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. Each clink of dishes echoed my unease as I continued my work, hoping she would finally decide to go.

Just then, the door swung open, and a man stepped inside. He had broad shoulders that filled his tailored shirt perfectly, radiating an aura of quiet strength.

His well-groomed beard framed a chiseled jaw, and his deep-set eyes sparkled with confidence, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

He walked with purpose, his magnetic presence effortlessly captivating those around him. Caught up in his handsomeness, I felt an urge to welcome him. I hurried over, trying to sound cheerful and professional.

“ Good afternoon, sir! Welcome to Apex Cuisine Restaurant. We're so glad to have you here. Let me show you to your table. "

As he sat down on the chair, to my surprise, he didn’t respond to all my welcoming speeches. I kept silent and managed to stand in front of his table awkwardly, feeling like a statue as he pulled out a sleek phone from his tailored jacket.

The phone’s surface gleamed like polished glass under the restaurant lights. He swiped the screen, moving with a fluidity that spoke of luxury, completely absorbed in his conversation.

CAN YOU IMAGINE?

I thought. Here I was, trying to make a good impression, and he was completely indifferent.

I won't say anything. Why would I?

Am I not a waitress?

I stood in front of him waiting for him to finish his conversation.

After almost ten minutes, he finally set his phone down and looked up at me.

ALMIGHTY GOD!

His gaze was intense, almost as if it could pierce right through me. I felt a wave of confusion and insecurity wash over me.

WHY WAS HE STARING AT ME?

AM I STAINED?

I bent slightly to check my uniform from head to toe, but nothing seemed off. Still, his unwavering gaze made me want to disappear.

Just then, I noticed Michelle coming from the kitchen and her presence provided a sense of relief.

When he finally broke the silence, his voice dripped with arrogance.

“I would like the crispy battered fish served with golden fries, accompanied by tartar sauce and malt vinegar.”

His order hung in the air, and I nodded, trying to regain my composure as I headed off to fulfil his request, still feeling the weight of his gaze lingering on me.

I picked up the order from the kitchen, the hot plate warming my hands as I walked to his table. Just as I was about to set it down, I heard Mrs. Hughes calling my name, her voice sharp and frustrated.

WHY WAS SHE CALLING ME?

My heart raced, and my hands started to shake. Suddenly, the plate slipped from my grip and crashed to the floor. Food splattered all over the man’s expensive navy suit.

I stood there, eyes wide in shock, frozen as I realized what had just happened.