"Come in dear". The middle-aged woman sitting behind the mahogany table in an exquisite office said to the person knocking at the door.
A tall and slender lady opened the door and walked into the office. "May I?" She asked pointing towards the chair in front of the table.
"Yes, sit down". The middle aged woman replied with warm smiles.
"Thank you".
"So, you'll be representing the company at Saturn Enterprise today. I have reached out to the CEO and he asked us to meet with the Manager. An appointment has been booked already for 10am. It's just to discuss the business proposal with him. Give him highlights of what we're working on. It's a semi-formal meeting, nothing so serious. Any questions?"
"No ma. I should get going. It's almost time".
"Alright. Report to me immediately you come back".
"No problems ma. Thank you". The slender lady said as she stood up to leave the office. Her name was Leila. Mrs. Leila Johnson. She was in her mid thirties even though she looked younger; a tall woman with the perfect kind of face and body. A woman like her made heads turn wherever she went. Leila worked as a project manager for Luke&Queen Company and was good
at what she does. She was the ideal kind of woman; pretty, curvy, industrious, gentle and kind. Leila was married to Mark Johnson, they had a happy life together but had no child.
Even with her childless condition, their love for each other blossomed so much. Leila walked out of her boss's office, through the hallway and into her own office. She picked up important things she needed and left for Saturn Enterprise.
-Saturn Enterprise-
Leila walked majestically into the reception of the massive company building. She met with the young lady at the desk who flashed her the conventional receptionist smile while she talked.
"Good morning ma'am. Welcome to Saturn Enterprise. How may I help you?"
"Hello dear" She replied with her beautiful smile and voice "I want to meet with the Manager".
"Okay ma. Take the elevator up to the 7th floor, the 3rd door by your left is his office. You'll meet with his secretary there"
"Alright. Thank you".
Leila walked towards the elevator. Through the corner of her eyes she could see the receptionist gawk at her. She let out a little smile. She was used to it - people's mouth hanging open when she walked by. It was no big deal. She followed the direction the young girl gave her and arrived at an opened door. She went in and met the secretary at her desk.
"Good morning. I have an appointment with the Manager. Luke&Queen Company". Leila said in a more official but friendly tone.
"Oh! Welcome Ma. He's expecting you. Hold on a second please. You can sit down". The
secretary offered while she placed a call to her boss. Leila opted out of the sitting offer and remained standing.
"You can go in now Ma." The secretary said after few seconds on the telephone.
"Thank you". Leila walked away from the secretary's desk. She gently opened the door to the Manager's office and entered reminding herself to put on that compulsory 'client' smile. This was the aspect of her job that she hated. 'What if I'm not interested in smiling?' she alwaysasked herself.
"Good morning sir".
"Good morning". The man sitting behind the desk replied faced down on whatever he was
writing on the paper. "Please sit down".
"Thank you" She replied and took her seat. The young man kept scribbling on sheets on his table, not even sparing her a glance. Leila was so pissed 'what insolence' she thought. After what seemed like ages to Leila, he stopped writing.
"So, Luke&Queen yeah?" He asked and looked up to face her. That was when her whole mind became blank. 'My God! Is he an angel? He's so handsome. I hope I didn't say that out loud'
"Ma'am, are you still here?" The young man asked the woman sitting opposite him with concern. She looked like she had just seen a ghost.
"Uh...ummm....ye...yes. Satur- oh sorry, Luke&Queen Company. Yes, that is who I am". Leila replied incoherently with a rushed tone. 'What did I just blab?'
"Okay. I am Mr Toddley Jenga and you are?"
"Mrs- pardon me, Miss Leila Johnson". 'Did I just pronounce myself unmarried?'
"Nice to meet you Miss Johnson". Toddley said and extended his hand for a shake. Toddley Jenga was in his late twenties. He had accomplished much at his age while he worked at Saturn Enterprise. He was the current Managing Director of the branch at Salith State. He was a tall and huge man who could pass for a thirty something year old. He had the perfect male body with sturdy cheek bones and jaw, beautiful eyes and hair too. In general, he looked like a
demigod. '.... or demon' Leila thought because he was tempting her to sin. For one, she had lied already. She was used to being looked at this way and now the tables had turned. She was the one looking at a man that might be younger than her and has just official dealings with her like he was fresh meat to be eaten.
Leila took his hand and shook it. It took a lot of composure to keep it brief and she hoped he didn't notice it. 'Control yourself Leila' "Let's get to the proposal. You can start. I heard you're the project manager so you know everything about the deal at hand. I only want a little introduction to the deal so that I can discuss with my boss and get back to your Company. The floor is yours". Toddley said and sat back to watch her speak.
Leila gathered a lot of courage before she began her explanation. It was almost difficult for her to concentrate because of how he looked at her and how he looked from her view too. He looked at her with piercing eyes like he wanted to see through her soul. His eyes were a bit squinted and his pen was on his lips. He seemed to be focused on what she was saying and that messed with Leila's head even more. His squinted eyes and piercing gaze made him more
pretty. He looked like he was in control and that made him even appealing to Leila. After few minutes, she was done with her explanation.
"Hmm, impressive I must say. The basic part has been laid out and I must say, I like the odds". Toddley replied really impressed. "Thank you sir". Leila flushed. Thanks to heavens she didn't mess that up. Now that could be a plus her side she thought.
"Okay Miss Leila Johnson. I have heard you. In a short time Luke&Queen will be hearing from us. I hope the full proposal is as sweet as your introduction sounds". He said and smiled at her. He stood up. "Nice to meet you Miss Johnson. I'll see you soon".
"I hope so sir". Leila replied. She stood up, used a few seconds to gather her wits and walked out of the office.
She was on her way back to Luke&Queen where life was normal. She was going to forget this man. She had to. For her marriage's sake. For Mark's sake.