Liam and Emily sat together at a table as they listened to Joe who was busy talking to the three of them at the dinner. There was Emily and Liam, the managing partner and Joe. Emily still hadn’t asked Joe if he knew about the whole thing with Tom. She decided to just let it go without having to ask him anything. She had been at fault discussing her relationship with him in the first place, she knew that such a mistake would never happen again.

The four of them were sitting at a single table and she was locking hands with Liam who was trying his best to calm her down. She was recklessly nervous.

Joe was talking about each of the nominees to the managing partner and was now talking about her.

“Emily is one of the most hardworking young women I have ever worked with. She is consistent, versatile and very determined to be successful. She knows what is important and knows how to make use of her time. She would never allow anyone to waste that time. I personally nominated her because of the zeal I found in her even though she lacks the experience that most of the nominees have, her zeal and passion are second to none. This is why I thought she should have a shot. Can we all drink to her?”

Liam smiled and lifted his glass like the everyone present as they toasted to Emily who couldn’t stop blushing.

Some minutes later, the managing partner cleared his throat. “Well, I am glad that we are here and I am really pleased with all the good work you have been doing here Emily. I must say, for someone as young as you, I am very impressed with all the qualities that have been found in you.”

Emily nodded, smiling as best as she could. She just wished they would tell her her fate and spare her the torture of having to wait.

Liam on the other hand already knew where this was going to end and he was already prepared for the night.

“However, Miss Emily, I am so sorry that we won’t be making you a partner.”

Emily swallowed as she heard this and she could have probably fainted but, Liam was with her, she was as strong as she needed to be.

“May I know why you won’t be making me a partner despite all the aforementioned qualities you found in me?”

The senior partner and Joe exchanged glances.

Joe started. “Emily, you are still young and you need more experience. If you keep working the way you have worked yourself up these last few months without knowing when to say ‘no’, you might collapse one day.”

Emily shut her eyes. She couldn’t believe this. “But you told me that I needed to prove myself...”

“Yes,” Joe retorted. “I said that, but, maybe you shouldn’t have listened to me. I am so sorry. Maybe in the future, but you won’t be made a partner this year. The reason we mentioned your name was to say a big thank you for all the hard work you put in this time.”

Liam smiled. “Well, thank you, gentlemen. We understand, have a great night,” he said and then stood up. “Baby, we need to go.”

Emily felt weak in the legs but she stood up and followed Liam. She couldn’t believe that this was happening.

“They didn’t make me a partner Liam,” she said, sadly, but Liam instead went on his knees.

“I know and that is why I am making you my life partner, you have all the qualities I need and believe me, it is going to be forever,” he said bringing out the ring he had kept all this while. Emily and the men couldn’t believe their eyes. She gasped in excitement while the men clapped.

“So, Emily, will you marry me?”

“Yes, yes, I will marry you.”

Liam slid the ring on her finger, stood up, and they embraced.

Some minutes later, they were strolling along the road, hand in hand, they were finally taking the walk they had been planning for a while. They stopped in front of a boutique.

“Just one pair of shoes, please.” She pleaded.

Liam smiled. “Well, I know that about you for sure. Come on, I will get you two pairs of shoes, my lady.” Emily screamed in excitement as they walked into the boutique together, she was more than happy, she didn’t need any other partnership, she was already in the best partnership she would ever find.