As john finally stepped down from the bus with Tina's card on his hand.He remembered her lovely smile and her sweet voice. And the card had Tina name and number on it. And also a clear message that says: Call me.

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John came to Canberra for a leadership conference. He was one of the invited speakers, to talk about honesty and trust in business also in family. After flying from Delhi to Sydney, he entered the bus Which was arrange to bring him safely to Canberra.

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He arrived at his hotel room, John stared at the card. He hadn’t done anything wrong by collecting it.And that really scared him, bringing all sorts of thoughts and guilt in him.

💭"Why did she gave me the card?Why didn't I resist it? No doubt, she is really a beautiful lady. Her voice is so melodic! Am I having feelings for her just on that three hours conversations?, Is she having that same feelings Which made her gives me the card? Well,Maybe it's nothing serious , just another business proposal",

he said to himself while still on heavy thoughts.

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He later picked up his phone due to the guilt and bothering on his mind of why he collected the card at first place. He typed the number on the card and about to call when he suddenly sneeze due to the new weather and environment.

Unexpectedly, while sneezing his thumb finger mistakenly dialed his wife number which was the last received call on his call log. And it was too late for him to end the call because priya already picked the call. He didn't really know the right words to say to his wife at the moment when she picked the call.

"Hey darling,I called to hear your voice once again."John said.

"Awwn thats so sweet of you sweetheart. I'm really missing you I can't just wait for you to be back." Priya respond.

“I miss you too darling ,I’ll gist you everything when I get home.” John said.

"Okay baby,I love you" priya said.

"Love you too darling, bye."John said while ending the call. He breathe down and feels more loved and more relaxed after hearing his wife's voice. He chooses not to called the number on the card again.

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The next morning, John walked to a nearby coffee shop to get some cup of coffee,before heading to the conference hall. He was scheduled to speak in the afternoon. As he entered the coffee shop,he saw Tina right there sitted. She was sitting alone, sipping tea. She looked up and smiled at him.

“Hey John, I was waiting for your call althrough but you didn’t call,” she said winking and seducing him on the eye.

"I didn't know the reason for the call so I couldn’t,”John replied looking away.

She nodded. “I can see.”

John sat down being confused. “Why did you give me that card?”

Tina looked at him for a moment. Then she said, “Because I was told to.”

John blinked with shock. “Told to?”

She sighed. “I’m part of the conference team. I work in behavioral research. You were selected for a loyalty test.”

John froze hearing this.

“We knew your travel plans,” she continued. “I was asked to sit beside you and see how far you’d go with me.”

“So… everything was really planned?”John ask while folding his hands with shock.

“Not everything,” she said. “Our conversation in the bus was real. But the card I gave you… that was part of the test.”

John leaned back, stunned. “So I was just an experiment to you guys?”

“You were a man with a choice, because you are alone over here. Your wife is not with you." she said softly. “And you chose right.”

John stood up, shaken. “Tell your team whatever you want. But tell them this—temptation isn’t the real test. It’s what you do after the moment passes.”

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Later that day, John stood at the podium. Remembering all the that happened to him earlier he said;

“ My people, before I start, have in mind that Integrity isn’t Just about someone being perfect all the time,” he said. “It’s also includes someone choosing what’s right—even when no one’s watching you.” and he continues with his speeches.

After then,at night,he tore the card off into trash bin. Then he messaged Priya again: “I’ll tell you everything when I get home. Just know—I chose you and I love you.”

She replied: “That’s all I ever needed.”

John smiled.

The card had been a test. The journey had been a mission. And in the end, he passed—not because he was flawless, but because he remembered who he was… and who he loved and chooses to be with.

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I invite:
@okere-blessing,
@solaymann,
@kouba01
to participate.

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Cc:
@dove11