“As I was saying, hard work comes with lots of benefits apart from a fat amount of money and of course, incentives. This can be seen in the life of Emily here, who attended the ball of fame last weekend.”

There was a loud grumble of envy, jealousy and also surprise from everyone in the room. Emily couldn’t stop herself from blushing, she knew if she had been in their shoes she would have felt the same way. They were having a board meeting and Joe was addressing them.

Joe continued to address the staff, saying, “she met so many people and I am sure she must have one or two lessons to teach us. Emily, over to you.”

Emily smiled and stood up to address all the staff, including Liam, who was looking at her proudly.

“Well, thanks Joe and well, yea. It was really a great experience meeting so many successful people that we have read so much about. I was able to ask questions, exchange business cards with top bosses… believe me, it was really a ball, of fame. I had so much fun. And made some important connections.”

Later, they discussed other things before they ended the meeting. While everyone left the room one after the other, Joe moved closer to her.

“Tom said you two met?”

Emily looked surprised. “Oh, you two know each other? ...I mean, of course, why won’t you? Yea, we met. It was to him I had so much fun.”

Joe smiled. “Yea, he said the same about you too. If you must know, your pictures were taken, on page three of today’s reports. You should check it, you both look so cute together,” Joe replied and he stood up. “Well, have a nice day Emily and good work.”

She smiled pleasantly and picked up her bag. What the hell was that all about? She wondered, and stood up. Quickly, she went to her office, her own copy would be waiting for her in the office and she needed to see what Joe was talking about so as to know the best explanation to give Liam when he saw it.

As she opened her door, she swallowed, it was too late, Liam was in her office and in his hand was the report.

Quickly, she adjusted, whatever was on the page should not be anything incriminating. She hadn’t done anything wrong, except that she hadn’t told Liam about Tom specifically. But it was nothing special so why would she?

“Hi, baby,” she said as she entered, moving to her seat.

“Hi, baby,” Liam replied, still looking at the page.

“What’s that?” she asked, trying to ask as indifferent as she could while taking her seat.

“Well, this is today’s report... is it just me or am I seeing the head of HR holding my girlfriend by the waist?”

Emily frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, by all means, check it out,” Liam replied, passing her the report.

It was a collage of pictures of people at the Ball of fame and Emily gulped as she sighted herself standing so close to Tom. Liam was right, he was holding her by the waist and she seemed to be ... she leaned closer ... she seemed to be smiling, like she was enjoying it.

Okay, this was wrong. She couldn’t have been that drunk, could she?

She acted indifferent and closed the report.

“This was nothing Liam. It was just a picture and I never even realized that he was holding me by the waist.”

Liam chuckled. “Really, cos it seems you knew, and if we won’t be deceiving ourselves, I could swear that you seem to be enjoying it.”

Emily took a deep breath. “It was nothing . It was just for pictures.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about him, Emily?”

“Because he doesn’t matter!” she replied, throwing her arms wide. “Look, it was nothing, okay?”

Liam nodded. “I trust you baby, I just don’t trust him. I hope you two don’t have to see each other again. Tom has a reputation with ladies and I would hate if your name were included.”

Emily stood up, leaned forward, and kissed him on the lips. “There is no problem Liam. I am all yours.”

Just as he was about to respond, the telephone rang and Emily had to lean back to pick it.

“Hello…oh…now? Okay I’ll be there.”

“Who was that?” Liam asked.

“A reminder that I need to get back to work and so should you. Joe just called, he needs me.”

Liam grimaced. “I don’t know why I think that old man is getting in between us baby. I don’t like him anymore. You are not the only one nominated, he could call other people right?”

Emily smiled and reached for his hand. “You should be happy for me, he likes me and he knows that I am quite capable. He alone can make this whole thing happen for me,” Emily replied. “To put you at ease, why don’t we have some ‘us’ time later?” she walked closer to him while he sat and embraced him from the back, blowing soft air into his ear. “You know, just the two of us, by the pool, in the moonlight, naked...?”

Liam chuckled. “Okay, okay, I accept the bribery,” he replied and she laughed, pulling away.

“You should go,” he said to her, and after blowing him a kiss, Emily left hurriedly.

Liam stood up and left too, for his office. As he settled, his phone rang. It was Charlotte. He winced, he completely forgot to call her back after the birthday.

He picked it-

“Hi beautiful...”

“Hmm..trying to bribe me right away right? Well, that was ten years ago, compliments don’t work anymore.”

He smiled. “How are you?”

“I’m good. I was thinking perhaps you lost my number since yesterday was my birthday and you didn’t call me.”

Liam gasped. Of course. Her birthday was a day after his, always had been! How could he have forgotten after all she did for him.

“Oh my God! I don’t know what to say,” he started, feeling terrible.

“Well, I heard ‘sorry’ works like magic,” she replied.

“I am so sorry Char. I got caught up in personal stuff, it was so unfair.”

“It’s okay. I could think of a million ways you can make it up to me.”

“Okay, I will, I promise.”

She laughed, “well, how about a movie tonight, you get to buy the tickets...”

Liam sighed.

“Why? Is tonight a bad idea?”

“Yea, sorry, I have plans with ...”

“Oh! Crap! I forgot. Emily, yea, sure. My bad. Well, don’t worry, it’s forgotten, Some other time then, bye.”

The call ended abruptly. Okay, that was awkward.

“What? You forgot her birthday?”

He nodded.

“How could you ,dude?” Daniel shouted at him.

He’d called Daniel immediately after Charlotte hung up and had told him everything that had happened.

“Sincerely, I just got so carried away you know?” he explained.

“Well, you need to find a way to make it up .” Daniel said.

“Yea, she said something about a movie so since I can’t take her, how about you take her?”

Daniel grinned. “Really?”

“Yea. I’ll call her now if that’s okay?”

“Oh man! I would be so happy if you really can do this for me. I think I’m honestly in love with her.”

Liam ignored him and went ahead to dial her number, but she didn’t pick. Not either time he called.

“That was strange. Anyway, once she approves, I’ll give you a call,” Liam explained to his friend who was now on his feet.

“No problem, dude. You’re my man,” Daniel said before leaving the office.

Liam made up his mind to call her later in the day.