The office was buzzing with the usual lunchtime chatter. The manager walked in, accompanied by a rather plain-looking girl.
Meet your new colleague, girls. This is Emma she’ll be working with you from now on, taking Toms place. Hes just been promoted. Im sure youll all get along just fine, said Mrs. Thompson before leaving the room.
Emma took her seat at Toms old desk, set down a lovely mug and a small framed photograph of a man, and immediately began to work as though she had been there for years.
When the lunch bell rang, everyone stood up to leave for their usual business lunch except Marina, who lingered. Her curiosity about Emmas photo got the better of her.
From the frame, a handsome man with a charming smile and perfect teeth looked back at her.
Who could he be? Marina wondered, An actor? A singer?
She quickly snapped a photo with her phone, then joined the others at lunch. The girls sat at one table, listening eagerly as Emma began to share her story.
We met three years ago, under the oddest circumstances. You honestly wont believe it, Emma began.
The girls immediately cried, Go on, tell us!
Emma was taken back in her mind to those days. She’d just started at a large firm, when either the shipping department or she herself she couldn’t remember who exactly had sent the wrong order to her future husbands company. She was sent, of all people, to sort it out.
Emma was sharp and a skilled negotiator, but people often underestimated her due to her plain looks and lack of makeup a real grey mouse, as they say. Yet, when negotiations began, she transformed completely. With her calm, gentle manner, she always managed to achieve her aims.
Her boss knew this, and so, off she went. The receptionist told her, Mr. Mark Evans office, Room 312.
Emma walked in without knocking and introduced herself.
Im Emma, from Taylors distribution. Theres been a mix-up with the shipment from our end.
And so began her explanations. Mark just stared at Emma, hardly believing his eyes.
Thats her, he thought. Hed seen her or someone just like her once in a dream.
Her auburn hair lightly bouncing as she spoke, her clear green eyes looked straight at him, honest and open. She explained everything calmly and evenly.
Emma was ready for the usual battle, but Mark interrupted gently, Emma, theres really no need for a complaint. Lets just leave it at that Im sure it wont happen again.
She gave a polite nod, thanked him, and left. Two days later, Mark waited by the office entrance at closing time. Emma was the last to leave.
Emma, over here! Mark called, waving, We spoke a couple of days ago.
Evening, Mark, I remember, Emma replied, with no hint of flirting.
Ive got two tickets for the theatre tonight. Want to join me? My mums feeling under the weather, he fibbed.
All right, I can make it. What times the play, Mark?
In two hours. You have plenty of time if you want to get changed I can drive you, he offered.
Smooth operator, Emma thought but agreed nonetheless.
An hour later, he was waiting outside her flat. As Emma appeared, she was practically unrecognisable sleek black dress, mid-height heels, her auburn hair swept back, and a light touch of evening makeup.
He was speechless at her transformation. Throughout the performance, Mark glanced at her, noticing how intently she watched and clearly understood the play.
Afterwards, he suggested dinner, but Emma politely declined, saying she had tough meetings the next day. He drove her home.
By end of the week, hed asked her out again, and soon, they were often seen taking walks together after work.
Two months later, as usual, Mark waited outside her office.
My mum would love to meet you. Would you mind coming for tea?
Ive been hoping to meet her as well, Emma replied.
His mother welcomed her warmly. They had tea with apple jam and an apricot pie, chatting easily. Emma talked to Mrs. Evans about her family, telling stories of her own mother, a school history teacher, and her father, whod died in an accident.
Mark drove Emma home afterwards.
Mum really liked you. Im so glad, he said simply.
From then on, Mark and Emma were inseparable, and, a year later, they were married.
Emma finished her story. The other girls listened, some of them secretly envious. Marina, however, puzzled over it.
What does he see in her? she thought, Such a plain Jane while I, pretty as I am, always seem to end up with the wrong men, or ones already married.
The bell chimed, and everyone filed back to their desks. Marina sidled over to Sally.
Look, thats her husband in the photo! Can you believe hes married to her? Im sure shes making it up. Theres no way a man like that would fall for someone like her!
That evening, as the team left the office, a car horn sounded. Out stepped the very same man from Emmas photo.
Emma! Im here! he called with a smile.
He really was her husband. Marina watched, unable to help wondering, Why not me? Im prettier.
The girls stood watching as Mark and Emma walked away together, each lost in thought.
So often, when people see a couple like that, the question arises What did he see in her? The truth is, people often find exactly what theyre looking for, and its not always about beauty. Someone can be attractive or fun, but its something much deeper that determines whom we choose to marry. Perhaps we ought to ask the couples themselves because sometimes, its the heart that makes all the difference.
