**Adams:** "Good afternoon, gracious lady. I apologize for my lateness; I was attending to Mariyam, which is why I kept you waiting. Please accept my apologies."
**CEO:** "It's okay, no problem. Can you hand over the documents to me and step out until I'm finished with them? But before that, what do you think we should set as the amount for the contract bidding?"
**Adams:** "From my professional perspective, I believe this is a continuous renewal clause contract. I would prefer that we engage as an agency for the company or partner with them through the contract after their initial payment. After that, we could take a percentage of every profit made by the company for the contract renewal. This way, we wouldn't be part of the company and wouldn't be liable for any losses. It would essentially be an unincorporated joint venture and indemnity contract."
**CEO:** "I love your ideas, and I'd like you to determine a price for everything and get the deal finalized. I will entrust you with some of the company's affairs to test your tenacity, but it will be one task at a time. Thank you for your efforts; take care."
**Adams:** "Thank you, ma'am." He added, "In your graciousness, I would like to request a leave tomorrow to prepare the deal documents with my advanced tools before we meet with the client again."
**CEO:** "You can take your leave until you're finished preparing them."
**Adams:** "Thank you a thousand times; I promise to make thorough paperwork on this." He took a short bow and turned to step toward the exit door.
The CEO stood up from her chair and followed him out of the office, and as they exited, she turned around to close the door behind them. Noticing the garbage can in the front office overflowing, she sighed and moved toward the secretary's office where she found Mariyam typing on the computer. "Hello, dear. Please don't leave the office until everyone is out. I will be heading home from the market, and I'll see you again tomorrow."
Mariyam pursed her lips while glancing at the CEO. She stood up and nodded. "Okay, ma'am," she replied calmly. The CEO turned to open the exit door wide as she stepped out toward the balcony to pass a message to the cleaner before leaving.
On her way out, she met Adams and said, "Please, I will be going to the market. Help by telling the cleaner to enter my office, clean everywhere, wash my dishes, and take out the trash at the front door. I'm done here for today. We will see tomorrow."
**Adams:** "Okay, ma'am. Enjoy the rest of your day."
**CEO:** "Thank you, and you too." She entered the elevator and left.
Adams went to Mariyam's office to print a document and saw the cleaner coming out of the director's office. He relayed the CEO's message to the cleaner, who responded, "Okay, sir, thank you." Adams then continued to Mariyam. "Please, can you help me print this? My printer is having issues."
**Mariyam:** "Okay, sir, but please have a seat and wait for me to finish this in a few minutes. I'm trying to get this done quickly."
**Adams:** "Okay, please make it snappy. I'm trying to catch up with a friend who will help me arrange the legal documents for the contract, and then I'll be heading home."
Mariyam opened the window wide to let in sunlight and stood with her back to the printer, close to where Adams was seated. When her pen fell to the floor, she bent down to pick it up, inadvertently facing Adams. He was caught off guard and quickly looked down at his phone. She noticed his reaction and smiled playfully as she laid the documents in the printer and started the printing process.
Adams remained on his phone while Mariyam politely asked, "Sir, how many copies would you like?"
**Adams:** "Two each, please."
**Mariyam:** "But why are you so quiet?"
**Adams:** "I was just trying to figure out how to get home and take care of a few things."
**Mariyam:** "Do you mind sharing what's on your mind?"
**Adams:** "It's nothing serious that I need to share with you."
**Mariyam:** "I guess you're missing your wife."
**Adams:** "Don't assume that; just focus on your work right now."
**Mariyam:** "My job is to make sure you're safe and okay. I'm almost done with the printing; you must be eager to get home to her."
**Adams:** "What do you mean?"
**Mariyam:** "You know what I'm talking about. Just take it easy on her when you get home."
**Adams:** *laughing* "Don't say that; I have no idea what you're referring to."
**Mariyam:** "Do you want me to explain it better?"
**Adams:** "What do you mean by that?"
**Mariyam:** "It's a grown-up topic."
**Adams:** "I should really be going."
Mariyam laughed and looked at his feigned expression, forming a positive opinion of him and feeling more at ease. He didn't strike her as the type of man who would take advantage of a joke.
Adams received a call from Mina just as he was taking over the files from Mariyam. He excused himself from the office to speak with his wife in private. Mariyam made a jealous grimace as he stepped out to take the call, and then she shut her office door with a bit of frustration.
Adams: "Hello, dear. How are you doing?"
Mina: "I'm doing great, dear! How about you?"
Adams: "I'm doing well and will be home soon. What should I get you?"
Mina: "Whatever you like, but make sure to bring bread."
Adams: "I thought we had some left before I left for work."
Mina: "I finished it. You know how much I love bread."
Adams: "Okay then, I'll see you soon."
Mina: "I can't wait to see you."
Adams: "Same here, dear. I love you. Bye."
Mina: "I love you too..."
After the call ended, Adams returned to Mariyam's office only to find the door locked. He knocked but received no response, so he headed to the elevator. Just then, Mariyam opened her office door and called out, "Sir! I'm here! I was changing when you knocked!"
Adams: "Oh, alright. I just wanted to thank you for your work today and to let you know that I'm leaving for the day."
Mariyam: "That's nice, but you're leaving me all by myself. You know I won't feel safe here without your company. This rush of yours seems to have a purpose, and I hope you don't mind waiting in the office without rushing home before the end of the day."
Adams laughed: "Haven't I been generous? Haven't I provided you with company? If not, then I'll forever be pursuing a fresh start. I need to take my chances and get home while I can, continuing the contract documents along the way."
Mariyam, putting on her polite demeanour, replied: "I was just joking with you. Have a great day and a peaceful night's rest."
Adams: "Thank you! Same to you, dear... Until tomorrow."
He walked away confidently toward the elevator, but unfortunately, he forgot his food bag in the office. He returned to retrieve it and, on his way to the elevator, he bumped into Mariyam, who was leaving with the bag. "You left this in my office when you came to print last time," she said.
Adams: "Oh, thank you!" He took the bag from her and headed back to his car, driving off.
Mariyam waved goodbye and then returned to her office, accompanied by one of the security men to give him her leftover food.