"You would love Tony's Tempura and Beef Brisket. He took a special cooking course for Asian Cuisine," Angela was bragging delightedly as everyone settled on the dining table. Tony took the statue from Angela's hand as he placed the Oriental Orange Chicken on the table.
"I did my best to learn a lot of Asian Cuisines for Angela. You know, I'm happy when my boss is pleased. You know what they say, a way to your boss' heart is through her stomach," grinned Tony .
"Oh Tony, you're hilarious. Stop that and take care of the dessert," smiled Angela.
Tony gave Angela one last adoring smile before putting the statue away and taking care of dessert while they dine. Oh no, they put the statue away again before Tony could show Angela his feelings, thought Samantha as she took a bite of her chicken.
The head of the long table was left vacant for Angela. On her right was Grant, and beside Grant was Darrin and then his wife Samantha. On Angela's left was Mr. Burnett and next to him was Jim who both had their backs on a buffet table.
Dinner was almost over as pleasantries were exchanged during the delicious meal when Tony accidentally placed the Truth Statue right behind Mr. Burnette as it was in the way of his preparation of dessert. As soon as the statue was laid on the table, Mr. Burnett began spoke.
"Let's cut the chase. Call me a brute, call me names but enjoyable as this evening may be, there's no way I'm signing our advertising over to a woman who doesn't know her place," he said matter-of-factly looking directly at Angela.
Everyone was dumbfounded, especially Angela who's trying hard not to let a tear fall. She worked so hard on this ad and she wanted it so badly she could cry.
"Would it change your mind if we promise that Jim Peterson would personally handle your account," asked Darrin, trying to control his irritation.
"Sure that would be great. We can even discuss plans over a game of golf," interjected Jim.
Mr. Burnette sighed, "I'm sorry. But it's against my beliefs to work with a company run by a woman." Then he turned to Angela, "I'll tell you what, you'd make some lucky man a wonderful wife so why get yourself mixed-up in all this advertising head-ache. Go make some lucky man happy. Excuse me but would you take me home now, Jim. I think I'll skip dessert."
Samantha was getting angry with the turn of events. She only wanted Tony and Angela to end up together but she didn't anticipate all this drama in the advertising business. She was upset by the way Mr. Burnette treated Angela so unfairly. She wanted to turn him into a dog but she knew her husband was going to hit the roof.
"Aren't you going to say something, Grant?" scolded Darrin.
Jim looked at Grant, seeking his approval and the chairman nodded quietly, a solemn expression on his face. Jim and Mr Burnette left the dinner table as everyone was left speechless. Angela stood up to excuse herself before the tears flow from her chocolate brown eyes.
"Don't just let him walk away like that," yelled Darrin, staring at Grant disbelievingly. There's no way the tenacious Wallace and McQueen chairman was taking all this seating down! He doesn't even look at all upset and angry about this matter!
Tony felt sorry for Angela. His heart was breaking for her. If only he could have her sadness instead. It tears him apart to see her cry. He wanted to engulf her in his arms to press her close and have her hear the beating of his heart as he run his fingers in her hair to sooth the pain and disappointment killing her at this moment but before he could step closer Grant took her in his arms, soothing Angela with gentle words.
Darrin was so angry he grabbed the Truth Statue from the buffet table and banged it on the counter beside Grant. There's something going on here. Why didn't you defend Angela? Why didn't you even attempt to change Mr. Burnette's mind? You knew him as well as I do. You know he wouldn't accept Angela then why didn't you make Jim Petersen give the presentation of Angela's ideas? Angela wouldn't mind, as long as the company gets the deal. You planned this all along didn't you? You want Angela to fail."
Angela was still in Grant's arms. She tried to suppress her flowing tears as she looked up into Grant's solemn face. "What's he talking about? Grant I don't understand..."
Grant yelled in frustration and turned away from Angela, ashamed that he was caught against a wall. "Yes, it's true. I planned the whole thing. I knew we would nail it if Jim would be the front man. But you know, I don't give a damn if we close this business deal or not. Wallace and Mc Queen wouldn't go bankrupt if we don't get this account. All I want is get Angela back...I figured if she failed, if she falls, she'll need me and I'll have her back into my life...I'm sorry... I love you, Angela..."
Samantha took this opportunity to zap the statue beside Tony, to give him the courage to speak out. It's now or never, thought Samantha. If Tony doesn't speak now, he'll forever lose Angela.
Tony couldn't understand but from his location at the back of the kitchen watching them he felt a sudden urge to join them and tell Angela he loved her. He started toward them but before the magic wears out, Samantha zapped the statue inside Tony's apron pocket to keep the magic of the statue
going.
"That's not love, Mr. Paxton. If you truly love her you wouldn't want to see her cry, you wouldn't want her to get hurt or disappointed... you would have done everything in your power to make her happy, to see her smile...you would have ensured she wins the account even if it means losing her..."
"Stay out of this. You're nothing but her house-keeper,' said Grant.
"I may only be her house-keeper but I wouldn't just stand there and let you hurt her and toy with her feelings..."
Darrin was transfixed watching the drama unfold before his eyes when there was a sudden twitch and he found himself back in their house, his wife beside him, fixing him a drink.
"What happened?" he asked in confusion.
"Aren't we supposed to be at Angela's? Why did you twitch your nose just when everything was getting interesting," he scolded.
"Oh, you'll just here about it from Angela...IF... it works out pretty well with Tony"
"What do you mean IF? You mean you left Grant there with Tony and Angela?" asked Darrin incredulously.
"Of course not, sweetheart. I twitch him back into his bed. He'll never remember a thing about his conversation with Angela when he wakes up," explained Samantha with a smile, handing a glass of scotch to her husbnd.
"Then why do you say 'IF'? Isn't Madame Truth Statue going to do the trick?" asked Darrin.
Samantha produced the statue in her hand. "Why did you take that? How are they suppose to end up together," said Darrin.
"I can't glue this statue beside them forever. I just gave them a push. What happens next is up to them...you'll know soon enough if the power of love is mightier than my old Madame Statue here. Angela will call us in the morning..."
Samantha gave her husband a wink and led him up to their bedroom.
