Cynthia sat slumped at her table, her shoulders drooping, and her head heavy in her hands. The room was silent, except for the sound of her deep, heavy sighs that filled the air.
She couldn't believe that everything she had worked so hard for was now falling apart like a house of cards. It felt like her world was collapsing around her, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.
Cynthia felt a pang of disappointment as she whispered Jonah's name, her voice barely audible as she tried to keep it steady.
She felt so overwhelmed that it was hard to keep her emotions in check.
She let out another deep sigh and put her head back in her hands, feeling the weight of the situation crush down upon her.
Just when she thought things couldn't get any worse, it actually got worse.
Cynthia felt a lump form in her throat as she recalled the events of the day. She had been so sure that she was going to win that contract, but instead, she had lost it.
She had poured her heart and soul into the presentation, working long hours, and sacrificing her personal life for it. She had put everything on the line, and now she was left with nothing.
Taking a deep breath, Cynthia called on Jonah again. She knew that she needed his support now more than ever. However, she also knew that there was not much he could do to fix the situation.
She had two major setbacks in one day, and her company was going to suffer a big loss. It was a hard pill to swallow, but Cynthia knew that she had to face it head-on.
Feeling defeated, Cynthia leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. She didn't know what she was going to do next, but she knew that she couldn't give up.
She reminded herself that she had overcome obstacles before, and she would do it again. She would pick herself up and dust herself off, ready to face whatever challenges came her way.
Cynthia sat nervously on a plush chair at the party, trying to hide the worry lines etched into her forehead. She sipped her champagne, lost in thought as the chatter of the other guests filled the room.
"Hey, are you okay?" Jonah asked, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
Cynthia shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears. "No, I'm not. My company is going to meet a big loss," she said, her voice trembling.
“It is really sad” he said as he sat down next to her, his brows furrowed with concern.
"I'm sorry about everything. I also felt sad when I didn’t hear the Toluene company’s name on the list. Is there anything I can do to help?"
Cynthia gave him a small smile, grateful for his kindness. "Thank you, but I don't think of any way. It's just... it's hard to face the possibility of failure."
Jonah leaned in, his voice soft. "Hey, don't worry. I'll call my father, see if there's anything he can do to help you out. He's a pretty influential guy, you know."
Cynthia's eyes widened in surprise, and she couldn't help but feel grateful for Jonah's offer. "You would do that for me? That's incredibly kind of you," she said, smiling.
Jonah grinned, happy to see Cynthia's mood lifting. "Of course. We've got to look out for each other, right?"
Cynthia nodded, feeling a small glimmer of hope in her chest. "Thank you, Jonah. I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome, just let me know if you need my help."
Cynthia couldn't help but feel thankful for her friend's kindness. She knew that Jonah always had her back, and she felt lucky to have him as a friend.
Meanwhile, Gibson's phone rang, interrupting what he was doing.
He excused himself from the party and took the call in a quiet corner outside the building, his face growing increasingly grave as he listened to the news.
It was president Adams on the phone.
"All the orders have been canceled?" The president said.
“They have been cancelled?” Gibson asked again to be sure.
He was very softhearted and didn’t really want bad to befall his ex wife.
"Yes Sir, it has been done as you said. Also, there is something else you need to know,," the President continued.
“Go on,” Gibson muttered.
“The Toluene company wasn’t on the list of business partners with the Fernandez family.” The president said.
Gibson's mind raced as he thought of the implications of this news.
If the orders were canceled, that meant Cynthia's company was done for, owing to the fact that they had lost the opportunity to be a business partner of Lina also.
Cynthia's company would really really be done for.
He knew he had to do something to help. He thanked the President for the update and ended the call, feeling a sense of determination welling up inside him.
Gibson headed back to the party in search of Lina, his mind spinning with ideas on how to save Cynthia's company.
At the gate of the party, Gibson was stopped by the guardians, who asked for his invitation and the number of the host. "I don't have an invitation, but I'm here with Lina, Lina Fernandez," Gibson said.
The guardians looked at each other and then at Gibson suspiciously. "Sorry, sir, but we can't let you in without an invitation or confirmation from the Fernandez," one of the guardians said firmly.
Gibson was furious. "What do you mean you can't let me in? I've been inside this party for some hours or more. I only came out to make a phone call, I need to see Lina," he said, his voice rising.
Just then, Lina walked out of the party. "Gibson!" she exclaimed, relieved to see him. The guardians looked terrified as they realized they had stopped someone important.
"It's alright," Lina said, smiling at Gibson. "He's with me." She said to the guards.
Gibson ignored the guardians and turned to Lina. "Listen, I know this isn't the right time or this might sound really weird, but I need to ask you something.
Is it possible to add my ex-wife's company back to our business partner list?" he said, looking serious.
Lina smiled and then nodded. "I'll make a call immediately and we'll get it sorted out," she said reassuringly as she dialed her phone.
The music was blaring inside the party, and the room was filled with the buzz of conversation and laughter.
Cynthia and Jonah walked out of the door, and the noise abruptly faded away. The cool night air hit their faces, and they both took deep breaths.
Cynthia looked uneasy, and her eyes darted around, scanning the street. "I don't like it here," she muttered under her breath.
"What's wrong with here?" Jonah asked, amused.
"It's just not my scene," Cynthia replied, shrugging.
Jonah chuckled. "You'll get used to it."
Cynthia forced a smile and glanced around again, searching for an escape. She spotted Gibson and Lina standing a few feet away, and her face changed immediately.
"There's Gibson and Lina," she said.
She didn’t want to have any conversation with them so she attempted to leave, Gibson glanced at them briefly before returning his gaze to the horizon. Lina forced a smile and nodded in acknowledgment.
Jonah, however, wasn't in the mood for pleasantries. He immediately started to mock Gibson and Lina. "Well, well, well, look who we have here. The rejected couple standing outside for hours," he said, grinning.
Gibson ignored him, still lost in thought.
Cynthia rolled her eyes, but Jonah continued to taunt Gibson and Lina. "What's wrong, guys? Can't find anywhere else to hang out? Are you two really that desperate?"
With his eyes locked on Jonah's face, Gibson couldn't help but notice the disdainful sneer that was etched onto Jonah's lips. As Jonah rolled his eyes with contempt, Gibson felt a pang of disappointment in the pit of his stomach. He knew all too well that Jonah held no respect for him, but he refused to let that deter him from helping his ex-wife Cynthia.Feeling the weight of the situation, Gibson took a deep breath before speaking. "Look, I had no idea that you were going to be removed from the business partner list. But I'm more than willing to assist you in any way I can," he said earnestly. Jonah's response was immediate and cutting."Who do you think you are, Gibson?" he spat, crossing his arms over his chest as he did so.Cynthia couldn't help but feel a surge of disappointment wash over her.She had always harbored doubts about Gibson's commitment to her business ventures, suspecting that he was more interested in spending her money than putting in the hard work that was nec
Cynthia's heart was filled with an array of emotions as she bowed her head in a gesture of gratitude towards Jonah. The warmth of his kind act was almost too much for her to bear. Her voice trembled as she expressed her sincere thanks to him, "Thank you so much, Jonah," she said, her words quivering with deep emotion. "I honestly don't know what I would have done without your help."Jonah was taken aback by Cynthia's show of gratitude. While he was pleased to be receiving those accolades, he knew deep down that he had nothing to do with how it all came about. Despite this, he tried to brush off her gratitude and responded hesitantly, "Uh, yeah, no problem. I'm glad I could help."Cynthia looked up at Jonah, and her eyes glistened with tears. She was grateful beyond words for Jonah's timely intervention, and she wanted him to know it. "You really came through for me when I needed it the most," she said, her voice choked with emotion. Her words were genuine, and the gratitude she f
Gibson turned to Lina and flashed her a grateful smile. "Thanks for letting me hang out with you today, Lina. I had a lot of fun."Lina returned the smile. "No problem, Gibson. I enjoyed it too. It was great catching up after all these years."“I’d be going away now, goodbye,” Gibson said as he turned started to walk away.“You know it’s already late so you don’t have to go Gibson, you can stay at my place for the night,” Lina pleaded. Gibson paused and turned back to Lina. "No Lina, you’ve already done a lot for me today. I don’t want to burden you anymore. It's getting late, and I have to be going."Lina furrowed her brow in thought. "Hmmm.”Gibson shook his head and waved her goodbye. Lina waved him off with a grin. "Just promise me you'll be safe, okay?"Gibson chuckled. "I will. Thanks again, Lina. Take care."With that, Gibson walked away with his head raised high, feeling the cool calm breeze of the night. Gibson's exhausted feet carried him through the bustling streets of
With an abrupt change in his facial expression, Gibson's countenance appeared to contort into a displeased grimace. His eyebrows furrowed and he fixed an intense glare upon the middle-aged man standing before him, who coincidentally happened to be the designated manager of the establishment. "Pardon me, sir," Gibson interjected in a clear and steady voice, "but based on the information provided to me, I was led to believe that this was an accommodation facility of the utmost caliber, boasting a seven-star rating, if I'm not mistaken. However, given the manner in which you are presently conducting yourself, I find myself compelled to question the validity of that initial assumption." In response to Gibson's measured rebuke, the manager issued him a contemptuous once-over, accompanied by a sneering remark intended to belittle him: "A guest? You appear to resemble more of a beggar than a patron in my estimation."The manager, feeling displeased and agitated, gestured vigorously towar
Gibson hadn't seen President Adams for quite some time, and his face lit up with a genuine smile as he caught sight of the esteemed President approaching him. President Adams, known for his respectful demeanor, made his way over to Gibson, acknowledging who he was and with a hint of remorse in his eyes."I must apologize for everything that just transpired young Master," President Adams sincerely stated, understanding the gravity of the situation. Gibson, although not taken aback by the President's unexpected apology, managed to compose himself and respond."Thank you, Mr. President," Gibson replied with a calm yet disappointed tone. "It's disheartening how people tend to judge solely based on appearances, without getting to know the person behind them."Meanwhile, the onlookers in the reception area were left in a state of shock, witnessing the President's unexpected interaction with Gibson. They had always held a preconceived notion that Gibson was someone to be disregarded, and th
The manager's eyes widened, fear coursing through his veins as he mustered the courage to speak. "Who... who are you?" His voice quivered with apprehension, his hands trembling involuntarily.Gibson, wearing a mischievous grin, leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "No need to be afraid, my dear manager. You won't be losing your job," he reassured, his voice laced with a comforting tone.A wave of relief washed over the manager, visible in the way his tense shoulders relaxed and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He had dodged a bullet and learned his lesson well, feeling grateful for the lifeline he had been thrown.Meanwhile, President Adams, his expression etched with remorse, stood before Gibson, his gaze filled with genuine regret. "I deeply apologize for what transpired," he uttered, his voice carrying a heavy weight of guilt.Gibson, his humility shining through, simply waved it off with a dismissive gesture. "No need for apologies, Mr. President. It's
Israel sat down, his brow furrowed in confusion as he mulled over whether he should accept the tempting offer before him. "Should I really take the money?" he pondered aloud, his voice filled with uncertainty.As he weighed the pros and cons, vivid images of the consequences played out in his mind. He saw himself living a life of luxury, free from financial worries, but at the cost of compromising his values and integrity. Deep down, he knew that money wasn't worth sacrificing his principles."No," Israel finally declared firmly, his conviction overpowering the lingering temptation. "I won't let greed cloud my judgment. There are things more important than wealth."Gibson, who had been observing Israel's internal struggle from a distance, smiled knowingly. Understanding the battle Israel had just fought within himself, he approached and placed a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. "We would still get to talk again, Israel," Gibson said with admiration in his voice. "You might ha
Cynthia took a long sip of the exquisite whiskey, her face flushing with a mixture of excitement and alcohol. Jonah, sitting beside her, had already indulged in three bottles of the finest wines, his laughter echoing throughout the VIP section. The waitstaff couldn't help but beam with delight as they observed the two friends immersed in their own world of merriment.As the night wore on, a group of strippers, enticed by the jovial atmosphere, joined Cynthia and Jonah at their table. Cynthia, now teetering on the edge of drunkenness, couldn't hide her disinterest. Slurring her words slightly, she managed to express her desire for privacy."I-I just want us to have some space," Cynthia mumbled, her speech slightly slurred. "These lovely ladies, they're... they're very kind, but we need a moment alone."Jonah, barely able to contain his laughter, chimed in, "Yeah, give us a breather, ladies! We'll catch up with you in a bit!"The strippers, understanding Cynthia's wish, graciously excus
Gibson sat beside his mother who came to drive him back from work. She was waiting for her husband when they got home from a long case which had taken up most of the afternoon. He’d finished at three and would be taking a nap. The day was hot but sunny, and he was glad that he didn’t have to stay in uniform. His dark brown suit and tie had seen better days, but he liked it well enough because it gave him a nice look, unlike other officers whose uniform made them feel like they were going to go postal. He felt relaxed as he sat in his truck with the AC blasting full blast. It was almost too hot out. Not that anything bad could happen to him, he knew there were a lot of things worse than being a policeman. In fact, the more dangerous jobs tended to fall into the hands of the very few people capable of doing the job right. They couldn’t afford someone else. That’s how it worked.His father worked undercover with some pretty scary looking characters. But that wasn’t unusual. People did
‘If I had been faster maybe he would still be alive’“Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you tell me that he’s part of this?” she asked angrily.He could feel his throat tightening again. He hadn't realised how badly he needed to talk to someone but he couldn’t bring himself to tell Abby the truth. The more he talked about what had happened the more convinced he became that he should tell her. She deserved to know the truth, no matter how painful and difficult it might be. And besides, it would probably help her work things out. It would probably help everyone if Abby knew the whole story. He sighed deeply, knowing it was going to hurt her but hoping she'd listen anyway."I didn't want to scare you" he admitted softly.She shook her head violently, getting angry
“Hi Gibbs! Have you seen Joseph? I've tried to get hold of him but he is ignoring my call!” She exclaimed, hurrying toward him.Jacob simply rolled his eyes. “Noticed. He has been acting strangely lately.” He replied, staring at his cellphone.Abby shrugged slightly. “Maybe he got a call and forgot to reply?” She suggested, wondering why the younger agent hadn't answered her message, although that couldn't have been it. They were both supposed to meet up together today and he clearly had no idea.“That doesn't seem like it. He said something about meeting me here at seven and yet he didn’t show up until nearly six thirty and we left the FBI Building at five forty five” he explained.Abby thought about what Jacob had said and made a mental note to ask Tim a
Gibson left his office very early that night and decided to go out to dinner with a friend. It was something he always did when the day started to drag on and it was still relatively new for him. He wasn't used to working long hours and so he enjoyed being able to go out without any work in tow. Plus, his friend could be a bit of an eccentric and they had never gotten along too well but they also understood each other. And since his best friend was a journalist and his own editor, their friendship worked like a magnet.He went to his usual restaurant and picked a spot near the window because it looked out over a small garden. There were few people milling around outside and most lights inside were off. This made it easy for him to sit with his back against the wall and enjoy his meal before heading home. As he ate he saw two young ladies approach one another and start talking animatedly while giggling about whatever. He smiled to himself as he continued chewing, watching them with amu
Gibson's voice echoed through the office as he stared at his mother, a mix of surprise and confusion on his face. Colleagues turned to see what the commotion was about, creating an awkward silence. His mother, wearing a hesitant smile, approached him, breaking the tension in the air. "Surprise, dear. I thought I'd drop by and see where you spend your days," she said, trying to lighten the mood. Gibson, still processing the unexpected encounter, struggled to find words in the midst of the curious gazes around him.Gibson, still grappling with the shock, managed to stammer out a response, "I... What are you doing here, Mom? I didn't expect you to visit my workplace."His mother, a middle-aged woman with a warm demeanor, chuckled nervously. "Well, I wanted to surprise you, dear. Your father and I thought it would be nice to see where our hardworking son spends most of his time."Gibson's mind raced as he tried to comprehend the situation. He never imagined his mother would appear unannou
Gibson couldn’t feel his arms again as he had over used them at the his workplace earlier that day. He had tried to carry a huge amount of paperwork for his boss’s office when he had gotten home, but it had been too much, and had dropped everything. The paper had made little to no dent in his overall mass, so he’d put on a shirt to protect it from the cold of the night. When it started to rain while he was on his way back to the office, however, he had lost all hope of getting the papers back to his boss before the storm began. So here he was again. He sighed and walked around the corner of an apartment building with no door visible, trying to get some cover from the rain by leaning against one of its walls. It seemed like the right decision, however, as he could see that the entrance to the apartment building was only five feet away, so it was just about possible for him to get inside without the water being wet through. He pushed off from the wall and started walking towards the ent
“I want to speak to Gibson,” the light skinned lady said sternly as she entered the office, her voice low and dangerous. It was not a question, it was an order, and the man at the desk knew better than to disobey it. He quickly picked up his phone and dialed Gibson’s number. The woman waited impatiently as he tried to connect the two calls, and when that failed, she turned to face him expectantly. Her face was hard and determined and made her eyes look darker than they normally would. She had dark circles under her eyes that made them seem bruised. Her lips were pressed tightly together, her hands clasped behind her back. She looked like someone who was about to get her way, which was probably true. She stood there looking intimidating until Gibson answered his cell, “Yes? Is everything alright?” His voice sounded worried and confused, and the woman felt a pang of guilt for scaring him with what she had been going to say earlier. “Hi Gibson, it’s me. I just... need a little help to
Gibson read through the book he found on his office desk and grimaced at it. There was no reason to be upset about it, really, but he couldn’t help himself - he had been doing so well with this one! He had made a decent dent in his stack of files, he even had written half of what he needed for the article, which meant that he had to do something else soon! It wasn’t like him to let things drag out like this, but after last night - well, if there was anything that could get the better of him, it was stress, and stress sucked. He should have known better than to get distracted by that guy’s phone number, though! He didn’t deserve the chance, not when Gibson was just beginning to work his way up. But it was all gone now. He had forgotten the date, and he could barely remember any details from before he went home last night, and the only time he had remembered them was during the day. And then, well, then there were all those people who were still in his head - the ones who kept talking
Gibson was forced to sing along at his business tea party. The woman he was with was a big fan and the song seemed appropriate enough that she started humming it loudly as they talked about her latest book. He couldn’t help but be envious of this person, this girl who knew so many interesting things and had such an exciting life, yet he was stuck here in the boring office of a company that made no money. He wasn’t complaining though - the pay sucked ass and being alone in the room with his boss all day was probably worse - but that didn’t mean he was happy about it. The woman continued to hum and sing, which annoyed him even more, and eventually she looked up and smiled when she realized what she was doing. “Oh, sorry! I keep singing! I do this sometimes to help myself think. I have trouble not singing if I can't talk to someone. It helps my brain to get away from reality.” She paused for a second, seemingly lost in thought before she shook herself out of it. “Sorry you have to list