"That's true! I wonder why I didn't notice it sooner." Junior exclaimed, looking around to see if he may have missed them."I wonder if they changed their mind. Maybe they decided not to show up." Elise suggested.Junior scoffed, "Not to show up? That's impossible. In fact, you have to be joking.""They aren't here yet, what do you expect me to think?" Elise asked."Jasmine would rather die than not show up to this party, I'm sure her parents too. You needed to have seen her. She was way too excited when I invited her to miss it." Junior explained.Elise was about to reply when their attention was drawn to the door.It wasn't just them, everyone's attention was drawn as well.Amidst the lively atmosphere, a hush fell over the crowd as Mr and Mrs Bank, along with their impeccably dressed daughter, Jasmine, gilded towards the group like characters from another era.Dressed in evening gowns and suit that might have been more appropriate for a red carpet event, the Banks stood out like a
Extending a hand, Junior helped Micah get back on his feet. Thankfully, not many people witnessed what had happened."I'm sorry, I didn't know it was you." Janet said."It's fine, Janet. I'm sorry for bumping into you too." Micah replied."Pardon me, but, what exactly are you doing here?" She asked.Micah was hesitant to answer, so Elise spoke on his behalf."He works for Junior.""Interesting." Janet replied, one eyebrow raised. "What exactly do you do for him?" She asked.""I... uh, I'm actually his driver." Micah answered, his voice softened and his shoulders slumped slightly. His gaze seemed to drop, and he avoided making direct eye contact with Janet."Oh my! What a shame. I heard about it, but I refused to believe it was true." She replied.She then leaned forward, her voice tinged with a mix of frustration and disappointment. "Micah," she began, her tone cutting through the air, "I just can't understand how you've let yourself end up like this. Your father's company collapsed,
"Before I forget, how did the interview go?" Junior asked.Micah's eyes shifted slightly, and he cleared his throat before responding, "Uh, well, you know, it was... it was okay, I guess." His fingers nervously tapped against his trouser, a telltale sign of his unease.Junior's eyebrows raised as he detected Micah's hesitation. "Just 'okay'? How did it really go?"Micah's cheeks flushed, and he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "Well, when I first mentioned it to you, you seemed pretty nonchalant about the whole thing," he stammered. "So, I guess I was kind of, um, surprised. But, yeah, the interview went... decently. They asked about my experience and all."Junior's playful expression shifted into a look of realization, and he straightened up. "Wait, you thought I didn't care? Micah, I was just trying to play it cool, man! I'm actually really interested in how it went."Micah's shoulders relaxed slightly, and a sheepish smile tugged at his lips. "Oh, I see. Well, in that
"I beg your pardon?" Micah asked."If you get this job, you're free to leave. Our business is over." Junior repeated.Micah's eyes widened in astonishment, his heart skipping a beat as Junior's words hung in the air like a sudden thunderclap on a clear day. His jaw went slack, and he struggled to find his voice, his thoughts racing to catch up with the unexpected turn of events.A myriad of emotions played across Micah's features like a rapid slideshow, disbelief, shock, and a touch of vulnerability. He had been asking for those words for months, staying up late many nights. Now, hearing that he could go, it felt unreal. He looked confused as he tried to understand what Junior really meant, thinking hard to figure out the deeper messages.Micah's stance changed a bit, his shoulders loosening as if the burden of time lifted for a moment. A cautious smile appeared at the edge of his mouth, showing both relief and uncertainty. It was like a door he hadn't dared to open had suddenly open
However, their moment was interrupted by a voice from behind."What's going on here?" Jasmine asked.Both men untangled themselves from each other and turned to look at her."Nothing." Junior replied."That didn't look like nothing to me." Jasmine commented."It was just a hug." Micah said."A hug? Since when did drivers hug their bosses?" She inquired."Micah and I are more than boss and driver. We're friends." Junior answered.Micah's heart warmed as he heard Junior's words. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and his eyes lit up with genuine happiness."I wasn't aware that the both of you are now friends." Jasmine said."You're not aware of a lot of things, Jasmine" Changing the topic, he asked "Do you need something?""Actually, I do. I need you." She answered in a flirtatious tone.With one last knowing look and nod in Micah's direction, Junior asked Jasmine to lead the way. Jasmine spurned in her heels and walked back into the party with Junior behind her.Jasmine's voice
"Darling?" Elise repeated with an eyebrow raised, "Since when?""I'm equally as surprised as you are." Junior replied."Well, we'll soon show her how much of a darling you can." Elise said with a smirk. "And now, to the reason I'm here…" However, before she could finish that sentence, Junior gently placed a finger on her lips, his playful eyes locking onto hers. A puzzled smile crept onto Elise's lips as she raised an eyebrow."What are you doing?" she asked, her voice soft and curious.Junior's gaze held a mischievous glint as he replied, "Have I told you how ravishing you look?" A faint blush spread across Elise's cheeks, the unexpected compliment catching her off guard.She let out a light chuckle, feigning nonchalance. "Oh, come on, Junior. You're just being silly."But he wasn't about to let her off the hook that easily. With a grin, he continued, "No, really. Your smile could outshine the sun, and those eyes... they hold galaxies within them."Elise bit her lip, struggling to h
It was Janet Banks. "Mrs Banks. How lovely it is to see you. Would you like to join the interview?" Greg asked. "That's if Mr Miller wouldn't mind.""It's fine, she can join us." Junior said.Janet then moved over to join them with Jasmine right behind her."Without asking, I can tell you're having a wonderful time, Mrs Banks." Greg said."Sure, the party is simply delightful." Janet replied."If I may ask though, what was it you and your daughter found so hilarious? Care to fill me in?" Greg asked."Oh, it's nothing serious. We overheard your question and it made us chuckle." Janet answered."Why's that?" Greg inquired."Oh, Greg, I must start by saying that I am absolutely bursting with pride when it comes to my dear Junior," Janet began, her eyes sparkling with a mix of genuine affection and well-practiced charm. "From his early days, he showed such promise, and look at him now, the esteemed CEO of D'Miller brand, the jewel of our city's business landscape."Greg nodded, captiva
Jasmine was surprised by Greg's sudden question. Her eyes got bigger, like ripples in water, and her hazel irises looked lively. She was caught off guard, and her breath stopped briefly. Her face turned a little red, starting from her neck up to her cheeks. She looked confused, with her eyebrows coming together. In that still moment, her whole expression showed how mixed up she felt, surprised and a bit exposed.However, she quickly regained her composure. "I'm sorry, Greg, could you repeat your question?" She asked."I said, If you encouraged, loved and believed him so much, why then did you divorce him?" Greg repeated.Jasmine gazed into the distance, "You see," she began, "loving someone isn't always about holding onto them tightly. It's about understanding that sometimes, the best way to show your love is by letting them go. When I encouraged, loved, and believed in him, it wasn't with the intention of chaining him to me, but rather to see him thrive, even if it meant apart from