Chapter 6 : Silly Dumb Heart

The Speaker

Paul and Chris were already there and, also few other team members. The meeting was about the demonstration of a new software application and to discuss the project related issues. All of them were waiting for the speaker and the rest of the team members to come. Paul and Chris were discussing different possibilities to sort out few issues relating to the project; and Susan began doodling, with her eyes fixed, on the notepad.

Slowly the others started to come in and, the room whirred with conversation. While they all were still waiting, Susan heard someone pull the door open and walk past the row. Paul and Chris were sitting in the first row and, Susan was in the fourth row; as the other rows were already occupied. She couldn’t catch a glimpse of the person's face as their seats were facing the white screen opposite. When she looked up to see who it was, she saw a guy walking with his back to her. He was wearing a classic black suit, perfectly fitting; and was holding a notebook. He looked quite young. He walked straight toward Chris, who was sitting close to the screen. They both had some discussion and then he headed toward the screen. Before he could start the presentation, he turned to face the audience. Susan’s eyes narrowed with surprise when she looked at him. He was the same guy who she never wished to see again and, there he was right in front of her. She couldn’t believe that he was the speaker. Of course, he had not done anything wrong for her to feel so, but he became such an easy distraction that she just wanted to stay away from him. Susan had no way, but to look at him throughout the meeting; it was such an embarrassment for her.


“Hello All, I am Jonathan.” He addressed everyone in the room and started with his demonstration.

She tried to be wary in order to concentrate on the presentation and the demo; though there were instances when she couldn’t help staring at his glorious face. As soon as the meeting was over, she hurried out of the door and headed straight in the direction of Ladies room. She went in and stood in front of the mirror wondering what was wrong with her. She was annoyed at her that she couldn’t come up with any ideas and, was there like a dumb doll during the whole discussion. Then she resolved that, at any rate, she must focus on the project. She came out of the room composed and walked to the lunch room to join Paul for lunch. She tried to keep herself busy the rest of the day without giving in to any kind of thoughts.

Chapter 5 : Silly Dumb Heart

Stupidity

Trains in London would always be crowded and getting a seat is quite difficult. Sometimes you have to be quick enough to judge which coach you would get on. Though it looks like a little tricky thing in the beginning, getting used to the crowd and rush is definitely not as hard as rocket science.

Luckily Susan got a seat in the train that day and Paul stood next to her seat, leaning against it. For a while, her thoughts flickered to last night’s awful dream. She wished the dream could have lasted little longer, so that she'd had a chance to glance the stranger’s face. While she was still musing about it, Paul interrupted her. She was so much engrossed in her thoughts that she barely could realise the train had almost made it to the station where she was supposed to get down. As soon as the train halted at the station, they both got down and rushed out of the subway toward the office building.

It was her second day at work and, Susan looked quite comfortable with the surroundings. The team members were all so welcoming and friendly which made it easy for Susan to settle down quickly, at the new work place; even the head of the team, Chris, was very supportive and encouraging. They had a nice custom in the team where in one of the team members would get coffee to rest of the team, every morning. They would take turns daily on this practice and, that day Susan volunteered herself to get the coffee. As she was about to make a move, Chris announced an unexpected team meeting all of a sudden and, he wanted all the team members to be present at the meeting in the conference room by eleven thirty morning. It was ten thirty, and she still had an hour for the meeting.

In the meantime, she wanted to go get coffee for all the team members, so she headed to the pantry. As she walked in the room, her eyes flashed on the guy who was at the vending machine trying to pick something. She soon figured that he was the same guy who was talking to Chris the other day. There was something about him that was very appealing and, Susan couldn’t help staring at him like an idiot. But before he noticed her, realising her idiocy, Susan dropped her head immediately. As soon as he left, she quickly grabbed the coffee mugs, filled them with coffee and walked out of the room. When she came back to her desk, she gave out the coffee mugs to everyone in the team. Then she sat down and cursed herself for acting so stupid in the pantry. She wished she would never see him again and, began to work.

While she was busy working, she heard a beep sound. A little window popped up at one corner of the screen; It was a reminder about the meeting that was going to be held in sometime. Chris had also sent an email about the meeting after he made the announcement. She held up the work, turned off the monitor and looked for a notepad and pen. There was a notepad at one corner of the desk which she picked up and grabbed a pen from the pen stand and then headed upstairs toward conference room.

Chapter 4 : Silly Dumb Heart

Stranger in Dreams

After reaching the Hotel room, she took a shower and made herself fried eggs for dinner. As she was extremely exhausted, she quickly had it and went to bed early. But she was waking often in between unable to get a sound sleep and fell asleep only in the early hours of the morning.

“Susan….wait” a strange, magical, male voice calling out of nowhere and everything around was foggy and unclear. She could barely see the person calling her, but she knew someone was definitely there standing afar off. She squeezed her eyes closed to figure out a way to reach him.

“Open your eyes…Susan.” The voice was sharp and closer now.

Her eyes flew open anxiously and soon realized she was dreaming. Then she flashed a quick glare on the clock: it was six in the morning. It was time to get up and get ready for work. She got herself ready as soon as she could and rushed to the elevator. Paul was already waiting for her at the reception.

“Hey, Miss Williams.” Paul greeted cheerfully.

“How do you know my last name?” Susan asked befuddled with her eyebrows knit together.

“Where there is a will, there is a way.” Paul seemed amused.

“Oh…really?” Susan grinned playfully, walking out of the reception.

“Yes, really.” He smirked and handed Susan a rectangular shaped card.

“Aww….it is my ID card! How did you get it?” Susan wondered.

“Apparently, you dropped it at the reception yesterday while you were complaining about the dead phone, in your room; and the receptionist gave it to me this morning thinking that I am your...”

“Your…what?” She sounded wary.

“You know she thinks I am your…..colleague, and we work together at the same place.”

“She knows that already.” She snapped.

“Of course, and I am telling you the same.” He smiled wickedly and his voice amused.

Paul Stevenson is a very charming guy, who she came to know only after coming to London. He is quite handsome, cheerful, generous, and a little cryptic sometimes.