Earned, Not Given

Close your eyes and imagine.

A crowded auditorium. She strides confidently around the room but it feel like she’s only speaking to me. Her dress is professional, but the way she carries herself leads me to believe there’s more to her than the sweet but captivating woman everyone else is experiencing.

She casts her gaze around the room. Everyone leans in a little further. She is so fucking good at this. How did I not remember her?

Our eyes meet briefly and a sly smile plays across her lips. A small glimpse into who she really is. Who she wants to be. How she really wants to be seen. Did anyone else notice that or was it just for me?

I can’t help but ask a question. I don’t really have one. But I want her - no I need her - to address me directly. She moves in the directly of my table and I can’t take my eyes off her. I need to know her.

I decide on a quick email. Nothing fancy, just a simple “thank you” and “you did a fantastic job.” I hope she opens it while we’re still in the same room so I can see her reaction.

As soon as she’s done with her presentation, she sits down and opens her laptop. A reply comes and she’s just as eager for praise as I anticipated.

She thanks me, says it means a lot coming from me and that she’d like to connect further.

I can’t help but reply. Might as well feed the fire just a little bit.

“You are welcome and my praise is earned. I’m not just being kind.”

I can see her visibly squirm in her seat. Her cheeks flush slightly and she types back a message about setting up a time.

Oh, this is going to be fun. Does she have any idea what she’s in for?

To be continued…