Happy New Year! I wish you all the best for 2019!

To answer a guest, this isn't a Eric and Tris story!

Hope you like it!

26th of december- 8am

I walk out the lift with a cup of coffee in hand. I was supposed to stay with Tobias last night but I was too stressed out by the meeting, so I stayed home. He told me more than a thousand times that everything would go well, he was probably right but I was too scared. He wasn't mad at me for that, however he made me promise to spend the evening with him tonight. Of course, I said yes.

The meeting is scheduled for 2pm, just enough time for me to be a shaking mess. On my way to my office, I greet every employee including Jane.

"Hello Jane, did you have a nice Christmas day?"

"Perfect. I invited my entire family at home for the first time. I wanted to thank you. You made it possible. "

"Me?"

"Yes, the bonus you gave me. I was able to buy presents for everyone."

She stands up to hug me. Surprised, I don't immediately react but then I return the embrace. She quickly lets me go, tears in her eyes.

"I am sorry. I shouldn't have…"

"Don't worry about that. I'm glad the bonus could help you."

She sits back down to work again while wiping her tears. I watch her for a few seconds before walking back to my office. I've only taken a few steps when I turn around.

"Jane, could you come with me in my office please?"

"Of course, madam."

I take my place and ask her to sit in front of me.

"How long have you been working for the Prior firm."

"Eight years, madam."

"Eight years… You've worked here before me."

"You were already working here."

"Thanks to my father. You, you are here because of your skills. You're always so polite with me and still call me madam, yet you are older than me. This stops now."

"Wh-What ? Are…are you firing me?"

"No! My God, no! I wanted to say that I want you to be more frank with me and I don't want to hear you call me madam anymore. I am Tris from now on."

"Alright madam…hum Tris. I will need some time to adapt."

"That's fine. But now, let's talk about the most important. I intend to raise your salary. 500 dollars per month."

She stays on the chair without talking. Her stance doesn't change, she doesn't even react.

"Jane?"

She bursts into tears and hides her face in her hands. I stand up to join her, taking a box of tissues on the corner of my desk and stays in front of her.

She jumps up into my arms, repeating "thank you" repeatedly.

"I don't know how to thank you, madam… Tris!"

"Do you know the motto 'work always pays?'"

"Mr Prior always said that."

"Indeed and he was right. You've always been here. Your work here has always been irreproachable. I have watched your file before. No sick leave. No additional leave. Countless extra hours. And a pathetic salary. You've deserved this more than anyone."

"It's too much. I can't accept it."

"I am not asking you. I'll change your contract today, you'll just have to sign it."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Well, I don't want to throw you out but I'm going to study the file again."

"Of course. Call me if you need me!"

"Thank you, Jane."

I only have the time to turn on my computer and open the file before she comes back.

"Yes?"

"A delivery man delivered something for you."

"What is it?"

She walks out to bring the present. I can't see her when she comes back as she is hidden by this huge bunch of flowers.

"But… where does that come from?"

She carefully puts it on the table then hands me a envelope I hadn't seen.

To remind you how much you you mean to me,

Even though these flowers are dull next to you.

To wish you good luck for the meeting,

You'll bewitch them just like you did to me.

Tobias

We are going out today. Be ready for noon.

I smile at the card, moved that he thought of me. I bring it to my pounding heart.

"Thank you, Jane."

She walks out smiling, she must have realized it came from someone special.

The next person passing by is Eric who brings me an important file.

"Hope you didn't forget the meeting at 2."

"Wouldn't miss it for anything!"

"Good. Did you study the file?"

"Of course."

"Gross sales in 2017?"

"963 millions dollars."

"Good. How many employees?"

"26. Including a permanent contract since November. You can ask me every single question about them, I know the answer."

"I am sorry. I am a little tense."

"Everything is going to be just fine. You know what, we're going to a nice restaurant today. I am paying."

"Thank you but I have to say no. Tobias has invited me first."

"Tobias, uh? Is there something between you and him?"

"Maybe."

"Now I understand where these flowers come from."

I eventually manage to get him out after that. He also has things that need to be done before the big meeting.

At noon sharp, I pick up my bag along with my coat to join Tobias. However, I didn't expect to see him speaking with Jane.

"I'll let her know you've just arrived."

"Thank you."

She bends toward the interphone.

"I'm here. "

Tobias turns his head ans smiles. I approach him slowly. I don't know what to expect from him given that we are in public but his sweet kiss on my lips isn't unwelcome.

"You ready?"

"Of course. Jane, could you come back for 1:30 exceptionally?"

"I'll be here. "

"Thank you. "

We walk out the building hand in hand but stop him outside to kiss him like he deserves.

"Thanks for the flowers. They are beautiful."

"I wanted to give you the best."

Our time together is tense because of me. I can't stop thinking of this meeting that is probably the biggest contract of the year.

He rubs my hand gently.

"Calm down. Stay relaxed and natural and everything is going to be just fine. I am sure it's only a formality for them."

"Yeah…maybe. "

He kisses my fingers and that only warms up my heart.

We make it back to the building at 1:30 and he even walks me to my office.

"Don't you have to work too?"

"I do but it can wait. I'm staying with you until the representatives arrive."

I hug him tightly to thank him. His scent is intoxicationg but quite relaxing and appeasing. I feel his hand massaging my neck slowly as the other is on my back.

Eventually, the hour of the meeting is close. I walk to the meeting room where the representatives are already sat. Tobias kisses me in front of the door.

"Be confident and shine! You can do this!"

I enter the room, everyone stands up to greet me.

"Good afternoon, it's an honor to welcome you here."

"Please forgive us Miss Prior but it seems like there is a latecomer."

"Oh, it's no problem. We will wait for him then."

"I am here."

I stare at the owner of the voice I know all too well. Tobias. He is working for the Johnson company? Why didn't he tell me? He knew from the beginning. Is this the reason why he wanted to be with me? To assure the contract and hope for a better price… No…Or maybe…

"Please, Mr Eaton, have a sit. Let's begin with the presentation." I reply coldly.

Eric stares at me with wide eyes along with Jane who is here to take notes. Around two hours later, we decide to stop for ten minutes. Janes left to bring coffees as Eric comes closer.

"Tris, a word, please?"

"Sure."

Tobias comes too.

"Can we talk? "

"I am sorry Mr Eaton but Eric and I must speak about an important issue. "

I leave him here without paying attention to him. Eric grabs my arm and leads me away from the group. He has only been here a few days but he knows how to lead at team.

"Do you mind telling me what you are doing here? This company is huge, it will bring us what we need."

"I don't want to sign this contract anymore. We'll have to do without it."

"Tris! If it is because of Tobias…"

"Yes, yes it is. I like to work with client I can trust and clearly, it will not be the case here."

"Be professional, Tris! You can't let your feelings have a say in your decision."

"I hate you, Eric!"

He smiles because he knows he has won. We need this contract. I return to the meeting room where the discussion resumes. An hour later, the Prior accounting firm signs the biggest contract of its history. I shake hands with every representative, giving the shortest to Tobias. He plans to talk to me again but I cut him off.

"Jane, do you mind leading these gentlemen and make sure they get safely to the entrance?"

"Of course. Please follow me. "

"Tris…"

"Please Mr Eaton. It would be infortunate if you were to get lost."

He sighs but follows the others nonetheless. As for Eric, he comes back with a bottle of champagne.

"I know I'm still the newbie but we have to celebrate the biggest contract properly."

He hands over flutes of champagne.

"In your honor, Tris! This is possible thanks to you. "

I put down my glass without touching it.

"I'm going home. Do celebrate it, you've all earned it. See you tomorrow."

Most of them don't respond, astonished by my refusal. I hurry home, I've had enough of this day.

Of course, Tobias doesn't share my state of mind. He opens his door when I walk out the lift.

"Tris, can we talk?"

"No, thanks." I reply while opening my door.

"I understand that you are angry but I didn't want to hurt you. I knew you would be even more stressed out if you knew the truth."

"So what? It doesn't explain anything! You chose to lie to me and now I choose to stop trusting you. Period. Now, leave me alone."

"Wait! And tonight? "

"You can dine alone. By the way, you can take back your flowers, like that you won't have to buy new ones to coax other firms. These were useless with me, you didn't need them for me…"

"Tris…"

"Bye."

I slam the door in his face. The stress of the day falls on my shoulders and I burst in tears against my door.

I throw my high heels next to me then move to the couch where I let myself fall. I move my fingers to attract the cat, fortunately he quickly approaches. He jumps on the couch next to me to snuggle with me.

"At least you're here."

I take a look at her paw. Happy to see that everything has healed perfectly, I caress her slowly.

"I'm lucky to have you. At least, you can't lie to me."

I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I take it out to read the message.

"I heard from Jane that you've had a bad day. Get the ice-cream ready, I am coming."

I smile at my phone. She's always known what I need.

I trade my suit for my pajamas to be comfier. Only a few seconds later, the front door opens. My best friend is the only one to have the keys. She leaves her bag and coat in the entrance then comes to sit next to me. She hugs me tightly without a word to let me calm down.

"Tell me what's wrong." She mutters. "Did you miss the contract?"

"No… They signed it."

"What's the problem then?"

"Tobias…"

"Did he break up with you?"

"No. I did. He lied to me."

"Oh… okay… about what?"

"He is the CEO of the Johnson company. He hid it until the meeting. Said he didn't want to stress me more but it is exactly what happened."

She doesn't say anything else. A few minutes later, I pull away from her.

"Please, say something!"

"You are a crazy and dumb woman."

"What?"

"You broke up because of that?"

"I've already been lied to. It can't happen again!"

"Tris, you can't compare your ex who cheated on you to hurt you and the man who loves you and wanted to protect you."

"You're taking his side? "

"Of course. Now, get up and apologize."

"What? "

"You heard me! Apologize! I am not going home until I've seen you knock at his door. I hope the poor guy will want to see you. I wouldn't blame him if doesn't want to."

"You…I…arh!"

"I know but you'll insult me tomorrow along with a detailed report."

She kisses my check, wipes the smeared mascara and pushes me outside. She locks my door behind us and walks to the lift.

"Go on!"

I ring fastly before I change my mind. She smiles and walks in the lift. She gives me two thumbs-up when the doors close en her. I could go home now but it's too late, he opens the door. I also realize what I am wearing. Whatever, if he's angry he won't see it before slamming the door in my face. Like I did to him. He stares at me for a few seconds then opens the door wider to let me in. Without saying a word. Now that I see him, I know Christina was right.

I walk in quietly. When I turn around to apologize, he catches my face in his hands and kisses me roughly. I don't think and kiss him back. I stop us when my back hits the wall and I know we might get lost.

"I am so sorry, Tobias. I shouldn't have said that."

"It's forgotten."

"I was so stressed and I was terrified… and…"

He puts his finger on my lips.

"It's forgotten. The only thing that matters is that you are here now."

"Really?"

"I was ready to give up on the contract if it meant I could be with you again."

"I'm not worth it. It's too important."

"You are more important to me."

I hug him tightly and rest my head on his chest. His heart his racing.

"I didn't tell how good you look dressed like that. Really brings out your curves."

I hit him gently on the chest with a smirk.

"Laugh as much as you want. We're talking about your slippers next."

"They are trendy, alright? And I wasn't laughing at you. You're still gorgeous. No matter what!"

"I love you."

Suddenly, his grip on me is tighter and I curse myself for having said those words. It's too soon! Dumb! Dumb! Dumb!

"Do you really believe what you said?"

"I am sorry, it came out like that. But it doesn't make it any less true."

"I wanted to talk to you about that… I thought it was too soon, well I was mostly scared that you find it too soon in our relationship…"

"Do you love me?"

"More than anything. "

I jump in his arms, my legs around his hips. He tries to kiss me but I stop him.

"If this ever happens again or something similar, you better put me right back in my place and yell at me if I ever talk to you like that again."

"Now that I have you, I won't let you go."

He emphasizes his words with a small pressure on my waist.

"However, you'll have to get changed if you want to go to the restaurant."

"Are we still going? "

"Of course! We still have to talk about the contract, don't we? "

"Do you really want that? A business diner?"

"And why not? "

"We'll have to split up at the end of the meal. "

"Um yeah, that's expected…eventually."

"You could come back home with me. But only if you forget about that business diner. I don't bring clients back at home."

His gaze darkens and his pupils dilate.

"Forget the diner. And the restaurant too. You're staying here with me."

He lays us both on the couch with a laugh. I fall on top of him, smiling. He pulls back a strand of hair out of my face. This small gesture lights up an inferno in my body, only fed by his flirtatious stare.

Meeting him was the best thing that ever happened in my life. It was a true miracle.

This story was a translation of a story in french I wrote. It's finished for now but I still don't know if I'm going to write more chapters. Of course, if you'd like to see more of them, don't hesitate to ask!