Love Knows No Bounds

By Virginia Eriful Sigley

Emily, a young lady from the Philippines, immigrated to America to join her aunt. The only asset she had when she left home was her strong faith in God to carry her through the great world she was destined to conquer. Through God's grace, she found a job in a prestigious firm in Los Angeles. She's incredibly brilliant, courageous, and not intimidated by what's ahead of her. These are some of the tools which Emily used to reach her greatest success in becoming the chief quality technical consultant of the Finance Circuit Optimum Company. Luke, a very handsome and intelligent young man, was a general manager of the firm to which Emily reported for duty. His success in running his department is due to his never daunting leadership. He is greatly admired and respected by the people under his management. Because of his good judgment and influence, he eventually got promoted to executive vice president of the company. There was an instant connection between him and Emily ever since they met. Over the years of working together, they found strength in one another including lifting each other's spirit when things became grim at work. As time went on, their friendship developed into a romantic relationship. As their love for each other grew deeper, they relied more and more on the Lord's guidance. Luke's visit to Emily's home in the Philippines and meeting her family became the pivotal point in his quest for happiness and peace. Most of all, Emily's world may be as far away from Luke's world, but the world they live in is totally in God's hands. Although there is a disparity between Luke's and Emily's world, it really didn't matter to them for their deep love for each other will ultimately prevail because love knows no bounds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9781635257243

Book preview

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Love Knows

No Bounds

Virginia Eriful Sigley

ISBN 978-1-63525-723-6 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63525-724-3 (Digital)

Copyright © 2017 by Virginia Eriful Sigley

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

296 Chestnut Street

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Dedication

I thankfully dedicate this book first and foremost to God and to His glory.

Then to my loving husband, Paul David Sigley to whom I have derived the inspiration to write this book.  Thank you for your high compliment that it is an uplifting story.

I also thank my son, Christopher Sigley who lovingly guided me to use the guidelines in the computer so I can type my manuscript into a book format.

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

—James 1:12

Chapter 1

Emily sped up her gait to catch the elevator which was about to close. Luke, who just went in, held the door opened when he saw her coming.

What floor, miss? he asked, smiling.

Fifth please, she said. Her voice entered into his ears like a sonata. Oh, wow! Look at that beautiful dimple and those beautiful blue eyes, Emily thought.

She leaned her back on the elevator wall while her arms crossed over a thin binder on her chest and just stared at the floor, feeling very aware of his blue eyes focusing on her.

Then he asked, Are you new here?

First time. I’m here for a job interview, she said.

Hearing the elevator chime, she looked up and saw that it stopped at second floor where Luke was supposed to get off, but he didn’t. It opened but he decided to stay in, and while no one was waiting outside the door to come in, he pushed the close button, and up the elevator went to the fifth floor.

He held the door for her to exit and said, Good luck. I hope you get the job.

Looking back to acknowledge his remarks, she flipped her beautiful jet black wavy hair and said, Thanks.

The flipping of her hair and her smile caused him to feel something inside his chest that he never experienced before. He proceeded to the second floor where he was supposed to go originally, until Emily entered the elevator.

Her voice was like music to his ears, and he couldn’t get her image out of his mind all day. He hoped to come across her path again.

Emily got the job as a negotiating agent for the Finance Circuit Optimum Company. She underwent a rigorous four-month training before finding herself at the door of her future manager, Luke Montgomery.

Unbeknownst to Luke and Emily or perhaps by sheer fate, indeed, their paths crossed again. Both literally had their eyes and mouths opened wide when Emily knocked on his office door to report for duty.

After asking Emily to come in and sit down, he said, You’re Emily Sanchez, the new addition to my crew?

Yes, I am, sir. Reporting for duty, Emily said.

Luke stood and gave her a firm shake hand and said, Welcome aboard, Emily. My name is Luke.

Thank you, sir, Emily said.

Her working area was the first booth near Luke’s office. A typical place for a new arrival and convenient for the manager to monitor. Thus began Emily’s days at the Finance Circuit Optimum Company.

The Financial Circuit Optimum Company thrived very successfully and prolifically in the Los Angeles, California area. Its President and CEO, Mr. Brian Whitmore, was in his midsixties with magnificent thick silver hair on top of his towering six foot-four and well-built figure in which he stands out in the crowd everywhere he goes.

Two brilliant young men, Kevin Davidson and Luke Montgomery, were both general managers of the company’s major departments. Kevin managed the Electromagnetic Quantum Engineering while Luke heads the company’s main department. They had been the heads of these departments for almost six years. Both men were close to Brian’s heart, and he trusted and values their opinions concerning the well-being of the company.

Kevin and Luke were also best of friends but had a very special thing in common besides being managers. Both were very competitive and vying for the executive vice president position of the FCO Co. For some reason, their friendship was tighter than ever in spite of aiming for the same goal. Actually, it invigorated them to compete with each other, like playing a sport on opposite teams and it won’t matter to them who wins or loses. Both knew either of them were excellent pick for the position. So when Brian Whitmore chose Luke to represent him at the CEO meeting, he was elated.

On his way to his office, Luke stopped at Emily’s desk, smiling from ear to ear. Hi, Emily!

Hello to you too! answered Emily.

Luke whispered an exciting Yes! accompanied by a discrete single fist pump.

Emily whispered too and asked, What is it that you are so excited about?

Mr. Whitmore asked me to sit for him at the CEO meeting this afternoon. This is the second time he asked me to do this for him, Luke said.

Oh? Good for you! Emily said.

Talk to you later, he said, as he disappeared into his office.

After five years of working together, Emily and Luke developed a good working relationship by supporting and lifting each other’s spirit up when things did not go well at work. So just as Emily was getting ready to take her lunch break, her desk phone rang. It was Luke calling and requesting her to come to his office.

Sure! I’ll be right over, Emily said.

Luke was beside himself upon receiving an unpleasant memo from his boss. Normally, Brian Whitmore is not an ornery person. However, a report he received from his colleagues about Luke’s condescending behavior at the executive meeting yesterday afternoon got him peeved.

He was pacing back and forth in his office when Emily came in. Alarmed by his facial dismay, she asked, What can I do for you, Luke?

Thanks for coming. Please sit down, Luke said.

Claire happened to see Emily entering Luke’s office when she was leaving for her lunch break and immediately felt disappointed. She was always looking forward to chat with Luke during lunch time. Emily and Luke turned their heads toward the door when they heard the knock.

It was Claire. Aren’t you guys going to lunch? She was also wondering why Emily was sitting in Luke’s office at that time.

I’m in a meeting with Emily, Claire, Luke said, sounding annoyed.

Okay, I’ll see you guys later then. Without saying anything, Emily and Luke waved her good-bye. She reluctantly waved back and proceeded to the Café Room.

Emily asked Luke again when she saw the crumpled paper on his desk. What is it, Luke?

He smoothened the memo he crumpled few minutes ago, and without saying anything, he handed it to Emily to read. After reading the whole memo, she laid it down in front of him and said, Are you aware of this second paragraph? It says, ‘In spite of your condescending behavior at the meeting, I have no regrets sending you there to represent me. I admire your strong will but please consult me before discussing things at the meeting next time you have the opportunity to represent me again.’ Did you read this part?

Let me see that. This time, he read the whole memo and said, I was so irate and disappointed at the first few lines, and that’s why I didn’t bother reading any further before crumpling it. Thank you, my dear Emily, Luke said, as he stood and gave her a tight hug which startled her. Becoming conscious of what he just did, he apologized.

Okay, now we got that squared out, do you realize I lost twenty minutes of my lunch time? Emily said, smiling sweetly.

Oh! I’m so sorry, Luke said. Please go ahead with your lunch break, and I’ll give you the permission to extend it for another twenty minutes.

Emily thanked him and headed to the restaurant across the street.

When the elevator opened, Claire asked Emily what took her too long to come down at the Café Room. Before she could answer her first question, she already posted another one.

Where is Luke?

I left him in his office, answered Emily, who was becoming somewhat perplexed.

Claire hastily headed directly to Luke’s office. He almost bumped into her when he was leaving his office.

Oh, hi, Claire. Sorry, I didn’t see you coming, Luke said.

I didn’t see you at the Café Room, Claire said. I’m just wondering if you’re all right.

I’m fine, said Luke. I just had a semi-urgent meeting with Emily, that’s all. See you later. I’m going to lunch.

Bye, Claire said, disappointed. She wondered what could that semi-urgent meeting he had with Emily. Was she in trouble? Hmm, I’ll talk to her later.

At 1:20, Emily came in with a cup of soda in her hand and headed to her desk. She did not notice the sharp looks from her colleagues who were all back to their desk on time. They had no idea why she came in twenty minutes late. They also knew she rarely got back late from her lunch break.

At the end of the day, Emily was getting ready to leave when Luke approached her and said, Thanks again for staying and helping me see what I couldn’t see.

Emily smiled and said, No problem. That’s what friends are for. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Bye, Luke said.

They were unaware of Claire spying on their every move and detesting Luke approaching Emily to say good-bye. She had also noticed he winked at her. Claire thought, What’s going on with these two?

Claire has a huge crush on her handsome boss. He is tall, six-foot three, beautiful perfectly shaped nose with a thick dark brown and wavy hair. He has deep blue eyes and a tiny shallow dimple on his right cheek that becomes very obvious every time he smiles or laughs. Sometimes, Emily finds herself mesmerized by his handsome features.

Emily asked Claire, Are you coming? Claire picked up her purse and got up to follow Emily at the elevator. They stood in the elevator without saying anything to one another until Emily broke the silence saying, What a busy day today, huh?

Claire immediately retorted, You came in twenty minutes late from your lunch break.

Gee! You sound like you’re my boss, Emily said, trying to put a laugh.

Seriously, that’s not fair! Claire said, sounding very irked.

What’s not fair, Claire? And may I ask, why you came back too early from your lunch break? Why are you so upset about me coming back late? The meeting with Luke was longer than we thought, so he told me to take twenty minutes extra time. If you have a problem with that, why don’t you ask him? Emily explained.

Maybe I will! Claire said wryly.

Claire rarely acknowledges when she’s wrong, but this time, perhaps after thinking about it, she apologized to Emily.

I don’t understand why you keep on berating me almost all the time you see me with Luke. I’ve always been honest and good to you. What have I done wrong that makes you talk to me like that, Claire? Emily said.

I guess I’m threatened by you, Claire said, quietly.

Well, you’ve got to stop feeling that way. You have no reason to be threatened by me. Let’s just be good friends and no matter who comes to our lives… Emily laughed before she continued, Whoever comes across our paths, I will always be happy for you and be behind you to back you up, and I hope you will do the same thing for me.

Claire smiled and gave Emily a hug and said, Thanks for being a faithful friend.

You’re welcome, dear, answered Emily.

Although Emily was feeling exasperated with Claire, she’s good at smoothing things up so they parted amicably.

Chapter 2

A monthly meeting is held on the last Thursday at the end of each month. There are six departmental managers within the company who alternately lead the meetings. The general manager of the Electromagnetic Quantum Engineering, Kevin Davidson, will lead this month’s meeting.

The seats in the meeting hall were arranged into semicircle. Emily took the seat at the far left of the first row while Luke took a seat at the far right of the first row, immediately across Emily and Claire has chosen to sit beside him to his left.

Kevin started the meeting with his flamboyant opening remarks. He is tall, handsome, with dark-toned skin, looking like he had been basking in the sun at the beach all summer long. His well-trimmed ash brown and slightly wavy hair was down to his forehead. He brushes it up once in a while with his right hand back to the top of his head. Emily thought of Robert Kennedy each time he brushes his hair like that. His green eyes are gorgeous and always mesmerized Emily.

Kevin’s introduction ended with praising everybody for their hard work and their commitment to keep the company up and running. With all that is said and done, I also would like to thank those who submitted their impressive reports. And to those who contributed great ideas to help our company to grow stronger, thank you for your valuable contributions, Kevin said, with all sincerity.

At the midst of the applauding, Emily directed her attention toward Luke, and their eyes met. He immediately gave her a smile while he was still clapping unconsciously. She stopped her applauding and opened the folder she was holding. In it was the report she placed on Luke’s desk two weeks ago. She was now wondering if her report was one of those Kevin had just mentioned.

Luke handed Emily’s report to Kevin a week ago before the meeting, and they both acknowledged her report as very informative, well organized, and well thought out.

Kevin told Luke, Remind Emily to get ready to talk about her report at the meeting.

I will, answered Luke.

Claire was still clapping at the same time grinning and trying to tell Luke how impressive Kevin was. Luke wasn’t paying attention to her because his focus was on Emily and couldn’t take his eyes from her. Suddenly, Emily noticed an abrupt change in his facial expression. He looked like he was hurting. She did not understand, and she became worried.

When Kevin called Emily to the podium, she did not hear him immediately. The young woman seated beside her gave her a nudge, and it was only then she looked up at Kevin’s direction. She stood and slowly walked toward the podium. Kevin and Luke were both alarmed. Luke became mad at himself for totally forgetting to remind her to talk about her report at the meeting. The only thing he could do now is to say a silent prayer for her. Oh, dear God! Help Emily to do a good job. I will never forgive myself if she did not prepare for this one. It’s all my fault.

Attending meetings was never boring to Emily. As the company’s negotiating agent, she reports her collected data from travelling all over the country more often than not. She enjoys sharing her knowledge, ideas, and experiences meeting with other people from the different branches all over the country. She also welcomes any suggestions which will help improve her job performance.

While Emily was speaking, Luke’s eyes were glued on her. She prepared for this report even without him reminding her. Realizing she was well prepared, he took a deep breath of relief and placed his right hand on his chest and said to himself, Good job, Emily. What a perfect report. Thank God! Claire tried so hard to distract his thoughts away from Emily by carrying a conversation with him but to no avail. After Emily finished with her report, Kevin asked two more people to speak before adjourning the meeting at exactly five o’clock. The meeting took an hour and a half.

Kevin approached Luke when everyone started leaving the meeting room. While heading out the door, Emily saw Luke and Kevin shaking hands and talking, and then she heard Luke calling her name. She almost collided with him when she turned around to acknowledge his call.

Kevin is inviting us to dinner, and I was wondering if you want to join us. Please say yes! Claire wants to go too.

Of course! said Emily. I would love to. Thanks for inviting me.

By the way, I really enjoyed listening to your excellent report, Luke said, being careful not to mention that he had forgotten to tell her to prepare a report speech at the meeting.

Thank you, she said. I appreciate you and Kevin to have thought my report was worth sharing.

Are you kidding? Kevin and I both acknowledged you’ve written an excellent report.

You think so? she asked.

I know so! added Luke.

Kevin and Claire joined them while they’re still talking by the door.

Well? inquired Kevin.

Let’s go, Luke said, as he gestured Emily to walk ahead of him inside the elevator.

Good job on your report, Emily, Kevin said.

Thanks, answered Emily.

Not wanting to be excluded on the conversation, Claire said, Anyone can put up a good report. I can too, if only I travel like you do. I mean, how hard is it to collect data and then write a report?

Emily did not respond to Claire’s uncharacteristic comment, but she noticed Kevin and Luke look at each other and roll their eyes.

Emily heard the ding sound of the elevator indicating they’ve reached the ground floor. They went out of the building and decided to hop in their own cars.

Kevin said, We will meet at the Roma Italy Restaurant.

Okay! Luke said.

Claire and Emily waved Kevin good-bye. Claire was about to get into her car when she saw Luke and Emily walked together heading to her car. She called out, Hey, guys! Are you riding together? I would like to ride with you too, Claire said, almost in a demanding tone.

Emily said, No, we’re not riding together.

Luke faced Emily and said in a little bit of a hush voice, I really don’t mind giving you a ride to the restaurant. We will just come back for your car later.

Thanks for the offer, but that’s silly. It will totally get us out of our way home. We better be going, otherwise Kevin will think we got lost, Emily said.

All right, I’ll see you ladies there, Luke said.

Claire reluctantly got into her car and drove to the restaurant.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, Kevin was waiting for them at the lobby. The usher led them to the table for four. Luke was behind Emily while they were walking toward their table. He pulled the chair for Emily to sit her down and then took the chair next to her. While Kevin, Luke, and Emily took their seats and started to get comfortable, Claire was still standing beside the empty chair and kind of just staring blankly at the table. It did not occur to them that she was waiting for the gentlemen to pull the chair to sit her down.

Luke quickly got up and said, Pardon me, Claire. Where are my manners? Here, sit down.

Well, thank you, Claire said, without any smile on her face.

She was also disappointed when she did not get to sit beside Luke as she was hoping for. Instead, she sat beside Kevin and opposite Luke.

While they were waiting to be served, Luke said, By the way, Claire, I need you to submit your report for the next month’s meeting. Would you be able to make it in three weeks?

Three weeks? she said, echoing Luke. That’s not going to give me enough time to put together a good report!

Oh? Kevin said. I thought you said while we were in the elevator that writing a report is no sweat for you.

Emily noticed Kevin throwing a quick glance at Luke’s direction. She did not say a word.

All right, I will have it on your desk in three weeks, Luke, Claire said, with a twinkle in her eyes.

The waiter came to take their orders. Luke and Kevin ordered beer for their drinks, and Claire ordered a glass of sangria while Emily ordered a glass or decaffeinated raspberry iced tea and a glass of water. They were enjoying their dinner and each other’s company until Claire started acting up and had her voice raised as a result of the alcohol now metabolizing in her body and then to her brain. Her wry jokes did not make sense, and because her tone was becoming louder, all eyes were pointed at their table. Kevin waved for the waiter. He asked for a strong hot coffee.

Kevin thanked the waiter for the coffee, then offered it to Claire. Here, Claire. Drink this. It will make you feel better.

Claire became argumentative. Emily wanted to protect her friend’s dignity, so she quickly excused herself from Luke and Kevin and gently asked Claire to come with her to the ladies’ room. Claire protested a little bit but went with Emily anyway. The gentlemen both stood as a courtesy to the ladies as they left the table.

Emily applied a cool wet paper towel on Claire’s nape and on to her forehead. Claire shook her head a little bit and then give her hair a little combing.

Are you feeling better? Emily asked.

Yes, I do. I think they put too much alcohol in my drink, Claire said. Thank you for helping me before I totally made a fool of myself.

That’s what friends are for. Whenever you’re ready, we can go back to our table, Emily said.

Kevin has a beautiful, tall, brunette girlfriend whom he loves very much. Yet, he secretly admired Emily’s elegance and sweet, as well as selfless, caring nature. He thought she was just the opposite of Claire.

What do you think of Emily? Luke asked Kevin while he was still looking at the girls’ direction.

Well, let me tell you. She’s poised, caring, elegant, very pretty, and boy, she and Claire are like night and day, I might say.

While Emily was only five foot and three inches tall yet, she always looked taller because the way she presented herself. She dressed up so neatly and knew how to put her wardrobe together. Claire was definitely taller than Emily by three inches, and although her attires had brand names and looked expensive, she did not wear them as good as Emily wore hers. She always talked louder than the soft-spoken Emily and loved attention and strutting her stuff most of the time. In other words, she loved to be the center of attention.

When the girls came back to their table, Claire apologized to Luke and Kevin and said, I think I will take the coffee now, Kevin. Thanks for ordering it for me.

While she was calmly sipping her cup of coffee, Kevin asked Emily if she was born and raised in the U.S. but before Emily had the chance to answer Kevin, Claire blurted out and said, What made you think she was born and raised in the States?

Kevin was obviously irritated with her out front and obnoxious attitude. He said, Claire, I believe that question is addressed to Emily.

Emily has replied before Claire had the chance to rebut, No, Kevin. I was not born nor raised in the U.S. What made you asked that? Emily said, unintentionally echoing Claire.

Well, for one thing, you act like a regular Westerner, and in spite of your cute accent, your syntax is totally Americana.

Thank you for your kind compliment, Emily said. Sometimes, I’m concerned about my accent because I’m afraid I will get rebuffed, especially when dealing with my clients. Sorry, I can’t lose the accent.

I hope you won’t lose that cute accent of yours, Emily. It’s one of your distinct and unique attributes, and I like it, Luke said.

If you say so. It’s there for keeps, Emily answered Luke with a cute smile.

A lot of times, my friends said I hardly have any accent at all, Claire said.

Emily noticed Kevin and Luke looked at each other but said nothing. On the contrary, she has an obvious and noticeable accent, and her English is like a translated Tagalog word by word, which is harder for Americans to understand. However, Emily does not have any problem understanding her because she knows exactly what Claire’s talking about.

Emily looked at her watch and said, Hey, guys, it is past nine o’clock, and I need to go home. I have curfew hours. She giggled. Thanks a lot for the dinner, Kevin, and for the lovely evening everybody.

They all got up and headed outside. Luke and Kevin walked Emily and Claire to their cars. Kevin asked Claire if she felt all right driving, and she said, Of course I’m all right.

She turned to Luke and wrapped her arms around his neck, almost kissing him. Luke got startled.

He grabbed her arms and pulled himself away from Claire and said, Whoa! Okay, Claire, good night. Get in your car, and I will see you tomorrow.

Emily put her arm around her friend’s shoulders and calmly said, I’ll call you as soon as I’ll arrive home.

Claire reluctantly got into her car. After Luke closed her door, he waved good-bye, and Kevin did the same. Claire gunned her engine when she pulled out of the parking lot and made a screeching turn round the bend, which caused Emily to cringe.

Before Emily got into her car, she apologized to Kevin and Luke for her friend’s behavior.

Kevin said, You don’t have to apologize for Claire’s actions. As a matter of fact, I admire your patience and gracefulness for her sake.

Anyway, thanks for your kind words, and thanks again for the nice dinner. Have a good night.

Kevin gave Emily a hug, shook hands with Luke, and said good night.

Luke and Emily found themselves alone at the parking lot. Thank you for joining us to dinner, said Luke.

You’re welcome. I enjoyed it very much, Emily said as she unlocked her car. Luke reached out to open the door for her. She thanked him and entered her car.

As soon as Luke closed the door, Emily started the engine so she could roll down her window. He bent over and rested his right arm by the window so that his face and Emily’s were just two inches apart.

Both did not say anything for few seconds. Then he said, Would you like to go to dinner with me? Just the two of us, no Kevin and no Claire.

Are you sure? asked Emily.

Of course I’m sure, Luke said.

All right, give me a call and let me know when, Emily said.

Luke quickly took that opportunity to make a request, How about Saturday? I’ll pick you up at five.

Let me check my calendar first, and I will let you know, Emily said.

Luke was thrilled and hopeful. They said good night, and Luke waved good-bye to Emily as she drove away.

She was very happy about his invitation to go to dinner with him because she was starting to develop a more than just friendly relationship with him. She noticed there was a message on her phone when she arrived home. She was just about to press the Replay button when her cell phone rang.

She was very surprised to hear Luke’s voice. Oh, hi, Luke! Did you make it home all right?

Yes, I’m home now. I’m just calling to see if you made it home okay? Luke said.

Yes, I’ve just gotten home. Thanks for your concern.

No problem. Good night, Emily, and I will see you tomorrow.

Sure, good night to you too. Emily had a smile on her face as she hang up.

She was sitting on her sofa, thinking of Luke giving her a nonbusiness call for the first time, when suddenly, she got startled by her home phone ringing. It was Claire.

Hi, Emily! It’s me Claire. What took you so long to come home?

Emily was irked with her constant interrogation. She said, Sorry, I can’t fly my car. I’m glad you made it home all right.

I thought you were right behind me, said Claire.

Why do you constantly keep tabs on me? said Emily. It’s late. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

Wait, wait. I just want to know if Luke said something about me when I left, Claire said.

He did not say anything about you. Why don’t you talk to him tomorrow?

All right, I will talk to him tomorrow then, Claire said.

Emily hung up the phone and washed up. She read few chapters of her favorite novel before going to bed.

Chapter 3

Emily went to work with the twinkle in her eyes. Claire was already in sipping her morning coffee when she came in the office. Emily greeted her and asked how she was doing. Claire told her she had a terrible headache when she got up.

She looked up and said, You look very happy and seems like you’re glad to go to work.

I love my job, and you’re right, I’m energized this morning, Emily said.

While walking toward her desk, she was humming quietly but loud enough for Claire to hear. Claire followed her with an unpleasant look and was annoyed.

Emily was a little bit disappointed when she did not see Luke early in the morning as usual. However, she wasn’t surprised that once in a while he wasn’t in his office until nine if he was called to meet with President Brian Whitmore or with the other managers first thing in the morning.

Almost everybody had arrived on time, but since their boss was not around yet, they were gabbing and busy walking toward the coffee station to refill their empty cups. Emily was already on her computer and going through the stock pile of folders on her desk waiting to be processed. Because she was very efficient and organized, it didn’t take long for her to thin out the pile.

The sixth folder she picked up was a blue one and a little bit thicker than the others. The label on the left top corner got Emily’s attention. It was from Kevin’s department and she recognized his handwriting in front of the folder which said, Extremely HP for EM Dep’t. Emily quickly realized that this folder did not belong to the ones needed to be processed. Without opening the folder, she placed it in the left bottom drawer where she files her sensitive materials and locked it. She clicked on to her computer and found the code, which translated Kevin’s note from the blue folder. HP and EM means High Profile of ElectroMagnetic Dep’t. So Emily told herself to call Kevin later about the folder. She continued to work on the rest of her tan folders.

At nine thirty, Luke emerged from the elevator carrying a thick binder. Good morning, everybody, he said. When he passed Emily’s desk, he said Hi! and gave her a wink too. She just smiled and got back to her work. Suddenly, Emily remembered the blue folder. She picked up the phone and called Kevin, but she was put on hold while Kevin was paged.

As she waited for Kevin to answer the phone, Claire went to see Luke in his office. Emily unintentionally overheard their conversation.

About the report you asked me to write, is it okay if I talk to you about it at lunch time? asked Claire.

Luke stopped what he was doing and told Claire he will be busy with a lot of things so he won’t take a break on his regular lunch schedule.

How about after work? Claire asked persistently.

I will arrange time to meet with you as soon as I have the free time, Claire, Luke said politely.

Emily immediately noticed the disappointment on Claire’s face while she was walking back to her desk.

Finally, Kevin’s voice came on the phone and said, Hi, Emily. What can I do for you?

The reason I’m calling is to let you know I have a blue folder—

Emily did not even finish her sentence because Kevin cut her off and said, Emily, my dear, thanks heavens! Would you be so kind to bring it down? I will meet you at the Hallmark Room.

Okay, Emily said.

She picked up the folder and peeked by Luke’s door and said, I’ll be right back. I’m going to do a quick errand downstairs.

Oh hi, Emily! Okay, Luke said, barely lifting his head up from his paperwork. Emily smiled at him and waved as she proceeded to the elevator.

She found Kevin sitting by the window when she entered the Hallmark Room. Kevin stood up when he saw Emily coming and said, Please sit down.

After thanking him, she said, I noticed this label on the folder, and I recognized your writing so I did not open it. Instead, I put it in my drawer with my other sensitive materials and locked it because I have the feeling it was not intended to be processed like the rest of the folders from your office, Emily explained.

Kevin listened to Emily so patiently until she was ready to hand him the folder. Just watching and listening to her talking always intrigued him.

Finally, she handed the blue folder to Kevin and said, "So here, Kevin. Trust me. Whatever is in that folder, it was safe with me. I did