If you need to know the time then a watch is a perfect companion. If what you need, however, is more time then you’ll be quite understanding of Kelly Hours current dilemma. Kelly is a businesswoman, well, aspiring one. As of now, she’s got the credentials but none of the experience. The only magazine she could pose for is one titled Simply There. Every workday, she finds herself wishing to be noticed but every meeting someone always gets the best of her.

Today, it’s Adam Taylor, a constant pain in her side. The higher up’s have nicknamed him Midas because every business proposal he’s touched so far has become the golden standard. He’s brought in so much revenue that Kelly’s shocked they haven't created a statue of him. With how pompous he was, she expected he’d request multiple. Kelly couldn’t stand Adam. Whenever she stared at him hoping he’d combust he’d send an agonizing playful wink her way. And then there was his aggravating nasal laugh that she swore she could hear everywhere. Adam always had something to laugh about.

Trying to grab a cup of tea at the water machine? Cue Adam’s laughter as he approaches you to talk about the premium coffee he drinks at home. Did your favorite golden bracelet get stuck in your hair? Cue Adam’s laughter as he embarrassingly helps you free your hand. It was awful! His laugh had become a permanent fixture in her head and even haunted her dreams. Yes, Adam Taylor was someone Kelly Hours needed time away from. He wasn’t her only rival for attention but he was the most irritating.

Then the worse thing happened. She and Adam were called into their boss’s office, Mr. Worth. Once inside, she stared at the golden bowl full of golden apples on his desk, trying so hard not to stare at his barely on wig piece.

“I’ve got a project for you two,” he said followed by the sound of shuffling papers.

Kelly hears Adam move forward and she looks up, seeing her boss had his hands out with a stack of papers in each. Adam grabs the left stack and she the right.

“Will we be working together?” Adam asked.

Kelly glanced at him, spotting and hating the look of scrutiny on his face.

She didn’t want to work with him either but at least her reasoning had nothing to do with his work capability. Everyone thought she didn’t have the ferocity and means to work the corporate ladder because of her outward meek-like appearance. Their judgments most likely based on how she wore golden-trimmed glasses. Sure, there was also her tendency to end up on coffee duty for everyone in the office but it was definitely the glasses they were judging. But there she was standing in Mr. Worth’s office which would show everyone that someone saw all the potential locked up inside her.

“Not exactly.” Mr. Worth said much to their relief. “You see, the company we worked with wanted us to have a female perspective and—“

“Wait, are you giving me this project because I’m the only woman here?”

“What? No!” Mr. Worth said in a high-pitch tone. “Let’s not start saying things that will make HR come around.”

He maintained himself, continuing. “Look, I’m tasking you with this because I believe in you.”

“And I’m the only woman here.”

“I believe in you,” Mr. Worth repeated. “I was thinking you both can create separate ideas then we compare each to see whose is better.”

It was obvious to Kelly that no matter what idea she came up with Mr. Worth was set on Adam’s. If she could predict his plan, which is obvious, her name will be attached as proof they listened to their client’s request.

“I’ll get right on it, Mr. Worth,” Adam said, readying to leave the room.

“Wait, just so you know the deadline’s tomorrow so you both be quick about this.”

Kelly’s eyes widen at the deadline. There was no way she could come up with something by tomorrow! She expects Adam to protest the deadline first but instead, he gives a charming smile.

“Of course!” Adam enthuses as he left.

Ugh. Now, she couldn’t protest the deadline at all. If she did then she’ll look incompetent in comparison. So Kelly left the room without a proper goodbye and went on her lunch break. She thought she’d come up with something by now but her lunch break is almost over. Sitting on a bench, she gazes at the golden fountain in the park. Her phone alarm goes off and it’s time to to head back. She gets up and throws her food away. Then heads over to the golden fountain on a whim.

Kelly didn’t believe in magical circumstances. It was hard work that made anything achievable. But still, she reaches into her pocket for a coin and makes a wish. Nothing happened of course. No idea popped into her head instead she is left disappointed. As she makes her way back, she stuffs her hands in her pockets and feels something odd in one. She clutches the odd finding and takes it out of her pocket. It’s a golden pocket watch but the time wasn’t right. And now that she looked closer neither was the face of the watch. Instead of numbers or numerals, there are strange symbols all golden in color. Even the hands of the watch are gold. Out of curiosity, she moves the hour hand of the watch back and finds herself back in Mr. Worth’s office.

This time the watch in her hand looks like a normal golden pocket watch. She looks around both Mr. Worth and Adam are staring at her.

“Am I wasting your time Ms. Hours?” Mr. Worth asks with clear annoyance.

She pockets the pocket watch, a shameful look on her face.

“No, definitely not.” She says, her mind reeling for answers but only left with a cloud of confusion.