Adeline wrapped up her meeting with her staff and marketing team on the newly arrived books and the best way to distribute them to all locations. But Freddie wasn't there, possibly because he was embarrassed by his behavior in front of the director and the client. 

"See you tomorrow, everyone." she smiled at them.

"See you tomorrow, as well, Adeline." her team said as they bid farewell outside the company building. 

While she was walking towards the sidewalk, a guy in his 40s went towards her, with a car waiting.

"Are you Ms. Adeline?" the secretary asked. 

"Yes, can I help you with something?" she wondered. 

"I am Mr. Maxim's secretary. He would like to see you if you have time."

"Maxim?" she wondered.

The secretary opened the car door for her, "Ms. Adeline? Mr. Maxim is waiting for you in the Hotel Lobby."

She agreed by nodding and got in the car. She texted Betty that she would be home late in the evening.

** 

When they arrived at the hotel, the man escorted her to the lobby, where Maxim sat and waited for her. He wore a white cotton polo shirt with black slack and shoes. He just freshened up. 

Maxim stood up and looked at her. Maxim reached his right hand towards her; Adeline did the same and smiled. At long last, their hands could finally be touched. Maxim's gentle smile of excitement widened as he finally looked at Adeline. The same goes for Adeline. Though the meeting caught her off guard, she was relieved to see him looking mature and attractive. 

"I am glad that you came. Have a seat," Maxim handsomely said, and they were both seated. 

While Adeline knew Maxim was gazing at her constantly, she tried to avoid making an awkward situation. 

"Ahm, will you stop looking at me that way? I will melt soon if you keep doing that," Adeline said, feeling awkward.

"Oh, sorry. It's just that I never expected to see you in the company of one of my clients. I thought I was dreaming when I saw you arguing with that fat guy." Maxim said. 

"Yeah, I felt embarrassed when I saw you standing out there stunned." She chuckled. 

Maxim took something and handed it to her. It's a bag of gifts. 

"What's this?"

"It's my gift to you and your friends. I am supposed to give that when we meet, but since we saw each other unexpectedly and I got some free time, I did not waste my time not to see you at least today." He smiled. 

They both smiled. The emotions they have for one another are overwhelming, like cherry blossoms that bloom so beautifully and naturally. The smiles on their faces were like sweet candies in a jar of hearts. The way they looked and spoke to one another was like music that sank into the very fibers of their being. 

As they finished their conversation, Maxim wanted to hug Adeline, and so did Adeline, but because it was their first meeting, they tried to maintain their composure. They planned to meet on the weekend so Maxim could meet Johnny and Betty. 

**

She arrived home. She took off her shoes and sanitized her hands. 

"Hey! How's work?" Johnny said, sitting on the couch while Betty cooked dinner in the kitchen. 

"It wasn't bad, but Freddie and I had a big argument. We ended up facing the director and his client. It was humiliating and embarrassing." Adeline sighed, sitting on the sofa carrying the bag of gifts with her. She placed down the carpeted floor.

"What? That fat guy again? He's such a douchbag." Betty loudly said, putting the cooked meal on a big plate.

"And guess what, the client with the director in the office was Maxim," she said while getting the remote control and trying to change it to Meetflix. 

"What?!" Betty hastily carried the big plate [Chicken Stir fry Noodles] with a stunned face.

"Are you serious?" Johnny said. 

"Yeah… I felt ashamed when I saw Maxim in that embarrassing situation. Then, we talked in the hotel lobby after my work." 

"Chillax, I bet he was happy to see you finally of all places that he did not expect. But what are those?" Johnny pointed his pouty lips at the bag she placed on the carpeted floor. 

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot about this. Maxim gave us gifts."

"Wow- thanks to him," Johnny said as he took the bag. 

"Ya! Johnny, save that for later! Let's have dinner first."

"Okay," Johnny smiled back and put the bag of gifts on the floor.

"Yeah, it's time to feed our souls." Adeline paused the movie. 

They had dinner together as they shared their usual day-to-day activities from work, as they laughed and enjoyed the meal with a can of cider.