See, that’s how different this hamper is from the others. He can’t even be mad now that he knows Miss Reed has sent this, Tom thought with glee.

“Sonia sent this?” Toby’s fingers tightened around his pen as a pleased look flashed in his eyes.

 

Tom noticed it and he quickly carried the hamper across the room to Toby. Then, Tom feigned innocence as he asked, “Do you still want this, President Fuller? I could always take it down to the finance department if you don’t.” I don’t think you’d say no, President Fuller.

“Just put it aside for now,” Toby instructed coolly, jerking his chin in some vague direction.

As expected, Tom stifled a laugh as he nodded and responded, “Yes, sir.” So, I was right when I guessed that President Fuller would keep the hamper. More to the point, he could tell how happy Toby was and he found the man’s efforts to maintain a straight face rather pointless.

Tom set the hamper down without another word. He was just about to leave when his phone rang in his pocket. As he took it out, he glanced at the screen to see that it was the receptionist calling. “I need to get this, President Fuller.”

 

Toby hummed distractedly in response as his gentle gaze lingered on the hamper.

Taken aback by how enamored Toby was with the gift, Tom mused, I bet he’d have torn into the hamper if I wasn’t here. Nonetheless, he looked away from his boss and simply answered the phone.

 

Barely two minutes had passed when he drew the phone away and informed plainly, “President Fuller, Miss Gray has arrived.”

When Toby heard this, he frowned. “What is she doing here?”

“I’m not sure, but she has probably caught the news of your injury.” Tom’s eyes fell upon the wheelchair in which Toby was sitting.

space between his

once more and relayed instructions to

for Tina to come up to the presidential office and as soon as she entered the room, she

took a tentative sip of coffee. “It was

was etched on her face. “What kind of an accident

cup down and answered stoically, “It’s

I not? I was practically scared witless when I heard about your injury. This won’t do; I need to know how badly injured you are.” With that, she

sight of this and immediately

brace herself for the fall. She tipped backward and landed on her rump unceremoniously. Her eyes were wide with disbelief as she stared up at him from where she had fallen

Biting on her lip, she regarded him with

that his gesture had been uncalled for. A twinge of guilt worked its way into his heart as he pulled her up to her feet. “Sorry, Tina, I didn’t mean to push you.

why did you allow Miss Reed to lift your pant leg last night? I don’t see you pushing her away and telling her to keep her hands

to himself. He would much rather be on the sidelines quietly watching the show

my boundaries. I was so anxious to see your injury

acknowledgement. “Don’t worry, it wasn’t your fault anyway. Besides, it’s just a sprain and I’ll be

shot a discreet look at Tom, who immediately understood that the show was over. With a dry cough, Tom interjected, “That’s right, Miss Gray. The doctor said that

mind is eased.”

going now, President Fuller,” he

“Go

shall leave you and Miss Gray to your conversation.” With that, Tom turned and headed out the door,

fell upon a box on

interest passed over her face as she picked

before he

set by Clovis!” She stared at the watches—one slightly bigger than the other to denote its masculine outline—and asked in surprise, “When did you get these, Toby? I’ve had my eyes on them for a while now and I was hoping that I could get them as a couple’s gift for us, but other buyers have beaten me

placed the box down and gingerly picked up the women’s watch. However, just as she was about

smile on Tina’s face froze and disappeared as she watched him return the watch to the box. A menacing grimace twisted her features, albeit only for a second. “If it isn’t for me, then

formed in Toby’s mind like a restless phantom,

the danger Sonia had braved through alongside him, which was the sole reason why they even received watches in the first place. Surely, it would not be strange for him to give

his gaze, he explained, “You shouldn’t wear it because I bought the

took his word for it. She broke into a smile as the anger that seized

moment there, she thought he had

and whined unhappily, “You really ought to have bought a set for us as well, Toby. Yet, you

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