Chapter 56 Breaking an Appointment

The next day, Maggie called in sick to the TV station.
"What have you been busy with lately? Always getting sick and not showing up for work," the Manager said with dissatisfaction. "There have been reports that you've been taking on private jobs."
"Who reported that?" she quietly stepped back. "I haven't been neglecting my work."
The Manager pointed at her twice in the air with her finger, "After the inspection from higher-ups, the TV station wants to rectify the atmosphere. If you don't adjust yourself, I'll use you as an example."
Maggie closed the office door behind her.
Her mind was not on this, as she was busy booking a hotel and plane tickets.
Since it was a national holiday, the hotels of higher quality and better value that she had scouted were fully booked.
This news spread to Abby in the cafeteria. Her rural aunt had just gotten married and wouldn't be able to spend the holiday, so she generously gave Maggie the previously booked room a month ago.
Maggie called Harold to tell him, but he was in a committee meeting and hung up the phone.
She sent him all the information about the hotel and tickets.
He was too busy to reply.
The message sank.
The Havenport Ethnic Theater held the "New Dance Talent Cup" in the North region, and the enthusiasm extended to the city, with two performances held in the Evergreen and Dale districts.
Maggie was assigned by the TV station to be the full-day host at the event.
The final performance was in the Upper East district, and it ended at five in the afternoon. The scheduled flight was at 7:20, heading to City V.
She hurried backstage to remove her makeup and change into her formal dress.
An Audi car was parked in front of the intersection, and Nick took her luggage and stuffed it into the trunk.
"Where's him?"
Nick started the car, "The Secretary is still in the meeting."
Maggie ran too fast, slowing down only after catching her breath, "Will we make it in time?"
"Hard to say. During this period, there are several changes in leadership in the city, and the executive office has many meetings and matters to attend to, inspections and visits. Some formalities have to be followed. Mrs. Green, you work at the TV station, so you should know better than me."
She did know that the news department of the TV station was busy. She had wanted to talk to Senior Tiffany about Rob's matters, but couldn't even find a trace of her.
Maggie hadn't returned to Island Road, staying in a nearby guesthouse. The organizers had provided accommodation and meals.
Harold called her at night on video, but they couldn't talk for more than a few sentences.
No matter how late it was, the scene on his end never changed.
Maggie could close her eyes and recall the furnishings of his office, spacious and open, low-key style.
The ticket collection had stopped half an hour before takeoff in the waiting hall.
Harold still hadn't shown up.
Nick made an internal call, Beatrice answered and said there was still no news, and the Secretary of Williams had no other instructions.
Maggie clenched the handle of her luggage, squeezing it so tightly that her fingers turned white. "Did he stand me up?"
As Nick escorted her to the security checkpoint, he comforted her, "Mrs. Green, don't think too much. If the air route doesn't work, there's still the water route, the land route. The Secretary-General promised you that he would come find you."
Maggie boarded the plane, but her excitement wasn't as high as before. She only managed to get an economy class ticket, and it was Harold who had managed to upgrade her to business class.
He wasn't there, and the seat next to her was empty.
A "pseudo-socialite" took the opportunity to claim the seat, striking various poses and taking selfies. The flight attendant kindly advised her against it, resulting in a quarrel.
This made Maggie even more unhappy. She put on an eye mask and didn't request any service, falling asleep until the plane landed.
The hotel was near the ocean and Maggie managed to endure until the late afternoon of the next day before going to the exclusive beach.
Many private cars were parked on the beach, with their trunks open, hosting campfire parties that were lively and unique.
She was alone and didn't fit in with this scene.
Stepping on the milky white foam generated by the waves, she walked before turning back. She turned on her phone's flashlight and squatted in front of a reef, feeling around.
"Ma'am, is this your hairpin?"
Maggie turned her head, the one coming from against the light, unable to see their face. But when they tilted their body, Dan's handsome face appeared.
"Dan?"
Dan momentarily stunned. "No wonder your back looks familiar. Are you alone?"
"Not." She pursed her lips. "Yes, I made plans with someone, but he's busy with work and couldn't make it."
Maggie only received a call from Nick at noon, informing her that Harold accompanied the number one figure in the city for business in Havenport and couldn't make it at the last minute.
Although she claimed to fully understand, it was false that she wasn't disappointed at all.
Status symbolized honor, but it came with restrictions.
Harold called as well. He was at Radiant City Airport, ready to board the plane. He didn't explain much, but he promised to make it up to her next time.
Maggie stood up, took the hairpin, and skillfully tucked her hair that was swaying in the sea breeze.
The lights on the opposite shore reflected in her eyes, shimmering and broken, exuding a delicate and pure beauty.