Emily patted at the sweat trickling down her face. She had been trying to reach Banjo all day to no avail. It was either a busy signal or no response at all. She listened as the phone rang out for the umpteenth time that day.
She began to gather her things together from her desk. It was almost time to call it a day anyway. She would go by his house. If she saw him face to face, he would be unable to avoid her.
She had just made it to the door when it swung inwards to reveal her father with a thundercloud expression on his face.
“Good evening dad.” She greeted. “You don’t look at all happy.”
Her dad huffed and stormed past her into her office. She had no option than to shut the door and go back to her desk.
“Where you on your way somewhere?” he asked.
“Yes I was…going to go by Banjo’s place.”
“Oh. I had no idea you had a date today.” Her dad commented.
“No I don’t.” Emily replied “And you don’t always know when I have plans for the evening dad!”
“Says who?” her dad chided. “Believe what you may Emily but that’s not why I came to your office.” He slammed a bunch of files he had been holding in his hand on top of her desk. “Nobleson.” He announced with all the angst he could summon.
“Nobleson?” Emily asked as she came forward to pick the files from her desk. “What’s the problem with them?”
“None at all.” Her father said wryly. “They want these papers sent over to their office pronto.” He said.
“Why is that a problem? A dispatch rider can go deliver it.” Emily said as she browsed through the documents.
“Ordinarily, yes, however, this young man, the CEO, didn’t get to look over the contract before and so, he wants to review it now, when he has barely forty eight hours to do so.”
“This is for the petroleum deal they are entering into with the Asian company right?” Emily asked as she snapped the file she held in her hand shut.
“Yes it is.”
She looked up at her dad, a sly smile playing on her lips. “Aannnndd…?”
“Don’t sass me young lady! That young man gets on my nerves. I don’t know what he thinks he is, something precious apparently but I have had as much of him as I can handle for the week.” He complained.
“Daddy, you want me to go meet with him instead because you have a date.” Emily chided.
“Young lady, is this how you talk to your dad?!” her father’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline as he tried on a stern expression for size.
“Dad, I’ll go have this meeting for you but I really would need to go by Banjo’s today.”
“Has he been avoiding you again?” her father asked sympathetically.
Emily sighed. “I don’t know what to think.” She raised her hands up in bewilderment. “We…everything seemed fine! All of a sudden…I just don’t know!” she turned to look at her dad “Perhaps he’s just extra busy.” She said quietly, her voice clearly unconvinced.
Her dad shrugged and opened his arms to her for a hug and she walked into them for the comfort she knew will be waiting for her there.
“Never chase after a man Emily. We don’t respond well to being idolized.” He said even as he ruffled her hair.
“Aww daddy!” Emily shrieked. “Now I have to take the time to straighten it out.” She checked her watch as she hurriedly fumbled in her bag for a comb. “And it’s almost close of business!” she whined.
“Pfft!” her father dismissed. “Young man is a workaholic. He’ll probably be waiting still if you even took an hour.”
Emily checked that she had straightened her hair properly before replying. “We are professionals! We do….”
“Spare me the lecture.” Her dad said as he walked towards the door. “I trust that you’ll handle it excellently.” He paused at the door and looked back at her. “If I did not believe that, you can be sure that you wouldn’t be representing us at Nobleson.” He smiled as he stepped out of her office shutting the door behind him.
When she recovered from the surprise of that compliment, Emily danced a small jig to the thrill of satisfaction racing through her. ‘Legal Luminary, here I come!’ she thought as she walked briskly out of her office, battle ready.