This may seem a bit out of character, but here is a minific that doesn't result in a dream or death of somebody. Look out for Zola's version of this story, it will be gorgeous.
Any questions, concerns, comments and scorn would be appreciated.
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Roger sat in his Study. He stared vacantly at a window, partially covered by some curtains. His thoughts never ceased to remind him of the task at hand. He reached for a pen, but stopped. He then reached for his case report, but stopped as well. “This is never going to stop! I need to take care of this situation, once and for all.”
Roger stood up and pressed the intercom button. “Norman, is Dorothy here?” he asked firmly.
“Yes, sir. Is there a problem?” the elderly man replied.
“Yes, but only Dorothy can resolve it,” Roger replied slowly.
He paced back and forth, thinking of what he needed to say. His thoughts ran rampant in his mind. He became anxious and impatient. Just before he was about to hit the intercom button again, there was a knock on his door.
“Roger Smith,” the feminine voice gently called. “May I come in?”
“Yes,” Roger replied. “I need you to help me solve an in issue.”
Dorothy entered the room and stood next to Roger. Her eyes were fixed on his. “Roger, what is it?”
Roger looked away. He felt his heart racing inside his throat. He was barely able to control his anxiety. But, after a few moments, he recollected himself. “Dorothy, it’s been five years since we met.”
“Five years, 132 days, 16 hours…” Dorothy replied in her calculated tone.
“Thank you,” Roger interrupted. “You have helped me very well. You’re work around here has been invaluable to Norman and I. Your assistance in navigating Big O is uncanny. And…”
“Roger, I don’t know what you are trying to say,” Dorothy stated, she seemed worried.
Roger became silent for a moment. He wondered what she was thinking, since reading her body and facial expressions wasn’t revealing. He cleared his throat, and explained, “My client has a dilemma. He wants to engage in a lifetime partnership with another party.”
“Sounds like a difficult proposition,” Dorothy responded, she didn’t display any emotion. “What are his terms? What are hers?”
“I am not sure about of her terms, but his terms are simple,” Roger replied. He walked to his desk, removed a box from his desk drawer, and gave it to Dorothy. “He wanted to present her with this, a token of his commitment.”
Dorothy opened the box and looked inside. “It is very lovely,” Dorothy responded. “I am certain that she would agree to these terms. But, I am not sure why he needs a negotiator for this particular case.”
Noticing that she was still preoccupied, Roger kneeled before her. “Dorothy, would you do me the honor of being my wife.”
Dorothy stood staring at him. She seemed entrenched in thought. Suddenly, with tears in her eyes, she ran up and hugged him tightly. "Roger, you louse. I didn't think…. I didn't know… Yes!"
Roger didn’t mind the pain in his rib cage. He continued to dwell in her embrace. “Dorothy, I never expressed my true feelings to you. I know that I was wrong. The last few days…” She covered his mouth with her petite finger. He could see the warm smile of his true love. The sight of her glowing eyes melted any resistance that he had. He pressed his lips on her neck, and then whispered, “I love you.”