Don't lose your present to your past. -Anonymous

Many didn't expect the polite but aloof graphics designer to be all smiles.

But, alas, Tara strutted into the office with a grin and smiled at everything and anything she passed.

Even the office furniture and equipment were a recipient of her smile.

If anyone wondered the reason for her happiness, no one dared to ask.

"Tara!" a voice called out to her.

Tara faced her fast-approaching friend, who looked sleek in black pumps and a black pencil skirt with a purple silk button-down shirt.

"Phew! Why does it have to be Monday?" Alice groaned as she came up to her.

"Because the weekend is over," Tara said with sarcasm, and her eyes sparkled with mirth.

"Yeah, it had to be over." She rolled her eyes, then stopped, blinked, and gaped at Tara.

"Oh, my word! You cracked a joke," Alice shrieked, much to the awareness of the other staff.

Tara's smile couldn't have grown bigger than it was.

"It's a miracle. And you are grinning from ear to ear." Alice stared in shock. "Tell me the reason." Her voice rose in excitement and alerted the people around.

Tara smiled in amusement; she took her friend's hand and tugged her towards her office. She didn't want a third party to be privy to the news.

"Oh boy, I feel like my world will turn upside down with what you have to tell me," Alice remarked from behind.

Tara chuckled as they reached her office. She opened the door and breathed in the familiar fragrance of her citrus air freshener. Leaving her friend's hand, she proceeded to her desk and placed her tote handbag on it.

"Spill already. You know I don't like suspense." Alice huffed.

"What?! That's basically what you watch on Netflix." Her voice bubbled with laughter. "Anyway, take a guess."

Alice pondered for a minute and exclaimed, "You got a tattoo!"

Tara facepalmed."Really, Alice? Do you actually think that?" Tara gaped at her friend. "You have one more chance."

"Oh, well." She hummed as she thought. Her face lightened up. "Oh my gosh, you won a lottery!" She grinned at Tara.

Tara sighed and shook her head. "You are hopeless, Alice. For someone who claims to be knowledgeable, you are quite naïve." She gave a playful smirk.

Alice snorted and retorted, "See who is talking."

Tara giggled. "Anyway, let me tell you." She perched at the edge of her desk. "On Saturday, I went on a date with Philip."

Tara watched in amusement as her friend's mouth hung open.

"You did what?" Alice shrieked after a few moments of silence.

Tara's laughter rang out as she repeated her words. "I went on a date with Philip."

"Oh my gosh, finally!" Alice took a step closer to Tara. A huge smile spread across her face. "Oh my gosh, my friend has finally grown up," she squealed. "Where did he take you to?" Alice's voice bubbled with excitement.

"To an art gallery and museum," Tara said with sparkling eyes.

"Oh my gosh, you have always wanted to go there."

"I know, right? It was a beautiful surprise." Her smile seemed to grow wider.

After more series of questions, Tara stood up and took her handbag, and brought out a small gift bag.

She said with a smile, "And I got this for you." She stretched out the red and silver bag.

Alice grinned and collected the bag; she looked into it and gushed, "Aww, it's beautiful." She brought out the mug. "Born to shop," she read out the words. "You got that right." She smirked and placed the mug back.

Tara watched with a smile as her friend crossed over and hugged her. A hug Tara gladly reciprocated.

"Thank you, Tara. I am so happy for you. You deserve all the happiness in life."

"Thank you too, Ali. Your words opened my eyes to see things." She held her tighter.

Alice chuckled and stepped back with a mischievous grin. "Let's postpone our mushiness for the wedding." She winked and wiped the invisible tears away.

Tara smiled, and her cheeks turned red.

"Anyway, I gotta go. I have a meeting with the board of directors on how much revenue we have and need to generate."

"That's nice. Have fun." Tara smiled at her friend.

"I will try to." Alice returned her smile and ambled out the door.

Left alone, Tara went to work with a smile plastered on her face.

           ★★★★★★

The ringing of the intercom drew Tara's attention from the computer screen.

"Hello; good morning," she said as she pressed the answer button.

"Good Morning. This is Mr. James Angelo's PA. He is informing you he would like to have a word with you in his office."

Tara's heart skipped a beat. She swallowed and replied, "Okay, I'll be there. Thank you." The call ended.

Tara exhaled a breath. Why did Mr. Angelo wish to see her? She wondered. She stood up on shaking feet and strolled out of the office.

Her heart pounded as a thought crossed her mind.

Did he find out about her date with Philip?

Her palms began to sweat as she thought of how she would face him if he knew.

As she drew closer, she comforted herself with the fact that the last time she was in his office; it was for the news about her temporary promotion.

Staring up at the wide, intimidating door, she stiffly knocked.

"Come in," said a gruff voice from inside.

Tara took a deep breath and placed her hand on the cold metal of the doorknob. She pushed the door open and crossed over the threshold.

The space oozed with the same vibe. Cold and formidable.

She took tentative steps towards the figure sitting behind the enormous desk.

Blue eyes that were so familiar but different watched her as she proceeded.

Clasping her hands in front of her, Tara greeted as she reached him, "Good morning, Sir."

Mr. Angelo nodded in acknowledgment and gesticulated with his hand. "Please have a seat, Miss."

Tara nodded and sank into the padded and soft chair in front of the desk.

"How are you, Miss Tara?" He asked, much to her surprise.

Tara sat up straight as she wrung her hands together. "I am fine. Thank you, Sir."

"That's good." His eyes flickered to the open file placed in front of him. He looked back at her and declared, "Let's get to business, shall we?" He shifted in his seat.

Tara's heart pounded as she waited for him to speak.

"First, Miss Tara—" A knock interrupted his speech. "Come in," he called out.

Tara turned back and her eyes widened as she faced Philip in all his glory.

As he walked over to the duo, he sent Tara a cheeky grin. "It is good to see you here, Miss Tara."

Tara's cheeks warmed, and she looked down.

"Good morning, Uncle," Philip greeted his uncle as he plopped on the chair beside Tara.

Tara watched in amazement as a fond smile crossed Mr. Angelo's face.

"It is good to have you here, son."

Philip beamed at his uncle." I am glad to be here." His eyes averted to Tara, who struggled not to make eye contact with him. He looked back at his uncle and said, "But I believe I walked in on a meeting. So I guess I should take my leave." He rose.

"Oh, no, dear. You are welcome to stay. It would be a short one."

Tara breathed a sigh of relief as Philip returned to his seat. Glad washed through her. She believed his presence would lessen the blow if Mr. Angelo were to give her bad news.

Mr. Angelo faced her. "As I was saying, Miss Tara, I must commend you for doing a good job in the absence of Mrs. Dara. There have been no issues, and you have been doing our company proud."

Tara inwardly squealed and relaxed a bit. "Thank you, sir. It is the Lord's doing." She smiled slightly.

Another smile crossed Mr. Angelo's face, and he resumed talking, "Second, because of the accident, Mrs. Dara has unfortunately still not healed and will have to undergo physiotherapy before she can walk properly."

Tara frowned, and sadness coursed through her. She decided to give Mrs. Dara a call after work.

"She also informed us that after her full recovery, she won't be returning here." He placed his hands on the file and went on. "So, Miss Tara, I am informing you we are permanently promoting you to be the head graphics designer of our company."

The words hit Tara, and she gaped at him in bewilderment.

Oh Lord, am I dreaming?

"Oh, my word! That's wonderful news. Congratulations, Tara." Philip beamed from behind her.

Tara stared at him with wide eyes as she struggled to gather her words. Mr. Angelo's words rang in her head and she didn't know what to do with that information.

Snippets of the conversation between the two men drifted through her dazed mind.

"Ah, uncle, you seem to have put her in a state of shock." His laughter rang out.

Mr. Angelo chuckled. "I was helpless."

A snap of someone's fingers startled her. "Huh?" She asked absently.

Philip chortled as he shook her. "Please come back to earth, Tara."

She blinked rapidly as her eyes cleared and she noticed her surrounding. Her eyes flickered between the two men, who gazed at her with amusement.

Her cheeks turned red, and she gave an embarrassed smile. She toyed with her fingers. She looked up at Mr. Angelo. "Thank you so much, sir, for the opportunity. It is an honor."

He nodded. "You are welcome. Your hard work paid off."

"Congratulations again, Tara," Philip said and sent m her one of his dazzling smiles.

"Thank you, Philip." They gazed into each other's eyes.

Mr. Angelo cleared his throat. They faced him and blushed as he gazed at them with an unreadable expression.

He picked up the open file and handed it over to Tara.

"Here is your contract. Read it and sign in the spaces provided."

She and Philip reached out for the pen on the table at the same time. Their hands brushed as Philip got it first and handed it over to her.

As she redrew her hand, the spot where Philip's hand touched tingled with a new sensation. Something she wished to feel again.

She read and signed where she was supposed to. She closed the file and handed it over to the senior Angelo.

Mr. Angelo slipped it into his office drawer. And looked back at Tara. "Thank you for your time. Let me not keep you waiting."

Tara nodded. "Thank you so much, Sir." She rose to her feet.

She raised a brow when Philip got up as well.

"Sorry, Uncle. Please excuse me, I will love to—" A knock on the door cut him off.

Mr. Angelo called out to the person.

Three pairs of eyes waited for the person to announce their entrance.

The trio grimaced as the daunting figure of Martinez sauntered into the office.

"Oh my, pardon me. I seemed to have walked into a purported family reunion." He grinned with a glint in his eyes.

"What do you want, Martinez?" Mr. Angelo asked with a tight jaw.

Martinez chuckled, strolled to the couch, sat down, and crossed his legs. "Can't I visit my old man partner when I feel like it?" He smirked.

"Martinez, watch it!" Philip yelled from beside her.

Martinez disregarded him and continued. "Unlike many," his eyes flickered to Tara, "I have a right to be here and anywhere else I like."

Philip made a fist and glared daggers at Martinez.

Tara's legs quaked as she stared at the scene. A breath got stuck in her throat. She looked from a fuming Philip to a smirking Martinez. And she realized something.

Her past and present were clashing. And she didn't know what to do.

                  ★★★★★★★

Oof Martinez just had to ruin our mood.

Press the star in the corner to give Philip accolades for not totally losing his temper ⭐

Anyway, moving on to our...

Question Of The Chapter: What are some talents you have?

Well, I believe I have a talent for dancing, singing, and writing. XD.

Nothing more to say😂

Thank you for reading ❤

Until next time. Discover your talents and implement them. XD