Love Beyond BORDERS By Ewoma

Chapter Five 

"You two are an embarrassment to this company. In fact, I think I am going to suspend both of you...and without pay! Amy scolded Aileen and Emily the next Monday morning. She had sent both of them emails summoning them to answer her query about their behaviour the previous Saturday evening during the garland event.

Aileen looked up and met Amy's eyes with a sober and an apologetic look on her face. This wasn't funny anymore. She had begun to see the severity of her actions and it now dawned on her that she could very well loose her job. Emily was sorry too. She kept her head bowed in remorse and was unable to look at Amy in the face. She  just stared at the soft red rug which adorned Amy's office.

"We're so sorry, Amy. We know we haven't behaved responsibly, and for that we are so sorry! We really feel terrible!" Aileen pleaded for both of them.

Amy looked at their sullen faces and her anger subsided just a little bit. She knew she had the best editors in town; but she just couldn't fathom their behaviour sometimes. She was also aware that Aileen and Emily were really best of friends and could be very mischievous, but Saturday's behaviour was simply unacceptable! Sometimes, it felt like she was a high school principal dealing with rebellious senior high students!

"Last Saturday night's behaviour will not be tolerated again, is that clear? Amy warned.

"Yes, ma'am", they both chorused like two little kindergarten girls, and Amy couldn't help the grin which suddenly crept up her face. Her icy green eyes softened as she brushed a lock of red hair which had escaped from her tightly drawn bun. 

Aileen decided she could become very beautiful when she wasn't angry or scowling, or looking like an orgre ready to swallow her, according to Emily! At that thought, a faint chuckle mistakenly escaped her lips and Amy looked at her sharply.

"What's that sound?" She demanded sternly.

"Nothing..." Aileen tried to answer calmly and quickly surpressed the mirth threatening to rise again. She was determined to put an end to this absurdity, and so she tightened her lips. Emily shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other and cleared her throat.

"Anyway, I'm giving both of you the benefit of the doubt. I want to believe you two had genuine reasons for your behaviour last Saturday, and I sincerely hope that scenario wouldn't repeat itself again, uh?"

"No, it won't, we promise!" Emily responded this time around and looked at Aileen who nodded in agreement.

"Ok, I believe you guys know the consequences if something like this ever occurs again. You may go back to work!" She finished abruptly. 

Aileen and Emily left Amy's office feeling sombre for the first time in months. 

"We have sinned against God and humanity", Emily lamented. Aileen smiled faintly and had to agree with Emily. She felt chided and convicted by the Spirit of God, after Saturday's display, she knew she had to mend her ways and seek God's forgiveness. And regarding lateness to work and events, she knew she needed to work on that area of her life too. At that realization, she felt eager to be alone with God to sort out these issues. 

"Emily", she quipped. 
"I have to admit, we haven't been acting as Christians. Can you imagine what others must think of us, especially after last Saturday? This isn't a good testimony at all, don't you see?" She asked as they both approached their offices.

"I agree, Aileen; I'm feeling very convicted myself. I know, I shouldn't have called Amy an orgre. That's the genesis of all this mess!"

Aileen smiled once more. But it didn't seem so funny anymore. Perhaps, this was God's way of correcting their behaviour.

"Let's just go make peace with God, uh?" Aileen encouraged. 

"Ok... but that doesn't mean we can't laugh any more and be merry!" Emily asserted looking a bit frantic.

"No, just as long as it doesn't offend anyone and get us into trouble". Aileen responded with a kind smile. She knew all too well that laughing was one of Emily's lifeline on the earth!  It was hers too, if she cared to admit the truth to herself. 

Just then her mobile phone beeped. It was a Twitter notification. She had received a direct message by this notification. But this time around, she really didn't feel excited or want to chat. She wanted to go to God and pour out her heart, and sort these pending issues which were becoming a mole hill in her life.

She bade Emily farewell at her door. And as she stepped into her office, she resolved silently to make things right.

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