Daphne had been running back and forth between the hospital, home, and the office for days, looking very gaunt.
Her mother’s condition had stabilized for now, but at work, the progress on the Ismark Fund pre-sales proposal had stalled at the product demonstration stage.
Daphne asked Engineer Jax from R&D for two programmers to rush a product prototype, but Jax refused to cooperate, citing that current projects were too demanding.
Daphne was just trying to put up with her at this point.
She just couldn’t understand what his beef with her was.
Daphne also proposed transferring staff from the delivery department to assist.
But worried that the delivery department would interfere with R&D work, Jax relented and assigned two new employees who had recently joined the company to Daphne.
The two new employees privately speculated that Daphne was a manager who had been parachuted in through connections, and they worried she would make their lives difficult.
After all, in the company, people had to rise through ranks, from the lowest to the highest but Daphne who had just being employed was already a manager and handling an important project.
The other employees seriously doubted if she was qualified or not.
When Daphne assigned tasks to the new staff under her, she marked the most difficult coding sections with her own name; the two were surprised to discover that Daphne actually understood coding.
At the Friday project meeting, the two new employees saw Daphne’s progress and were astonished by how quickly she was moving forward.
The two new employees reviewed the code Daphne submitted and found it to be of high quality with a clear structure.
They remarked that Daphne was a max-level veteran who somehow ended up in the newbie zone.
Because her managerial position was still low, compared to other managers.
Upon learning that Daphne majored in Financial Engineering at DN University, they admire her even more.
After helping the two resolve a bug, Daphne headed home.
In the elevator, she ran into Marco.
It seemed she was always running into him in elevators.
Daphne greeted him, politely and got into the elevator.
“You’re headed home?” Marco asked.
“No.
The hospital.” Daphne replied, curtly.
“Let me take you there.
It’s on the way to my destination.”
Just like last time, where she was going was also on the way.
“No need.
I’ll take a cab.” Daphne declined.
Last time, she felt they had chatted too comfortably which wasn’t exactly a bad thing but she really didn’t want to get involved with any man again, especially with her boss.
And so she wanted to keep her distance from him.
She felt relieved when he didn’t insist.
*********
Marco had his driver take him to the staff Quarter at DN University to find his uncle, Professor Alistair.
He happened to walk in on Professor Alistair and his wife having an argument, and Marco stepped in to smooth things over.
“Can you believe that woman?!
Warning me not to drink on my birthday or there would be trouble.” Alistair hissed after his wife had left.
Marco grimaced.
“She’s just looking out for you.”
“What?
Do you also believe I’m an old man who can’t handle his alcohol now?!”
Marco quickly lifted up his hands in surrender.
“Of course not, I think you’re a very agile, young man who can do anything.”
Alistair laughed.
“You’re right about that.”
“And as your birthday gift, Uncle.
I’ll continue to sponsor your lab.”
Alistair smiled with contentment.
“I can’t ask for a better gift.
Thank you.
So how’s work?”
“SG Tech has been keep me on my toes lately.
Did I mention that I recruited a talented young lady.
With how resourceful she is, I’m sure SG tech can soar to number 1 again.”
Alistair rubbed his cheeks.
“A talented young lady, huh?
And what’s with this look in your eyes.
Do you like the lady in question?”
Marco quickly shook his head.
“Not in the way you’re thinking.
I…simply admire her…for her work ethics.”
“Yeah, sure.” Alistair laughed.
“Oh, it’s the work ethics.”
“Oh, it’s almost time for your party.
Let me drive you there.” Marco offered, changing the topic.
***********
As the birthday party started, Bram, Daphne’s friend and also the person who had sent an invitation to her grew anxious after waiting for a while for Daphne.
Professor Alistair who had come with his wife didn’t intend to stay long as his wife had him on a strict curfew.
As he was about to leave, Bram pleaded with him to stay until Daphne arrived.
Alistair also wanted to see his best graduating student from years ago, the one lady who he was sure would do great things but ended up limiting herself.
Daphne had actually been at the venue all along but didn’t have the courage to go upstairs.
She didn’t want to face the disappointed look in his face when he sees her again.
He had such high hopes for her but she had chosen to help someone else build his dreams instead.
After contemplating, she decided to just face her professor once and for all.
Besides, he’d be even more disappointed if she still show up tonight.
So she summoned her courage and walked into the hall.
Upon seeing Professor Alistair, she greeted him, and she was surprised when he replied, warmly.
Bram quickly chimed in.
“Actually, Professor, Daphne is planning on applying for your past-time post graduate program.”
Alistair grimaced.
“Oh she is?
I thought she had ran off to start up a business with her boyfriend?” He teased, staring at Daphne.
Daphne winced, feeling like salt had been added to her wounds.
Well, she deserved it so all she could do was try and build her own life now.
“Well, that boyfriend and I broke up.” She announced.
“That’s good to know.
Someone who loves you would want you to fly freely instead of keeping you trapped.”
At that time, when Daphne had given up her dreams to support Trevor’s, she didn’t feel trapped.
She just thought that was what people do if you genuinely love someone.
But now; looking back, she wondered if she ever knew what love was to begin with.
“Do you still have my number?”
Daphne nodded.
“Send me a message some other day.” With that, Alistair walked off.
Bram excitedly moved closer to Daphne.
“I told you he wasn’t mad at you and you know what this means, right?!
He has already approved your application!”
Marco brought a glass of wine to his lips, as he had been observing the interaction between Daphne and Alistair.