Alone he stood along the busy hallway, students rushing in classes as the clock continued ticking. But he remained there, searching and waiting for someone or something to come. He was now tapping his foot rather impatiently while he checked his watch for the umpteenth time.
“Where is she?” He asked quietly into himself, “If she doesn’t come now, I’m not walking her to class no matter how much she demands it.”
Suddenly, someone tapped his shoulder and in impulse he turned around.
“What happened to—“
He stopped talking as he realized who he was really speaking with.
“Oh it’s you.” He said flatly.
His friend laughed, “Moody much? What are you doing here? Isn’t class going to start any minute now?”
“I’m waiting for you know who,” He explained, “Where is she anyway.”
“She didn’t ride the bus today, so she’s probably not here,” his friend concluded.
He raised his eyebrows, not believing his ears, “Oh? She’s not here?”
“She’s not here?” He echoed again, in a tone he never heard himself in before.
“Yes, she isn’t.” His friend reaffirmed, “You okay?”
“Yeah, definitely.” He replied, but somehow he’s not sure.
-
He wasn’t okay…at all.
-
He walked in first period, still doubtful about her absence. He expected her to burst in the room, apologizing she was late because she needed more time to do homework. The thought caused him to snicker rather loudly, and to his dismay, his teacher heard it. Because of this he had to do one heck of a problem on the board.
He realized how slow he ran without her racing beside him at second period.
At third period he was waiting for her to tap him the back every minute, asking him what it meant in English.
At lunch he hurried for that special cream puff that she always whines to have. When he sat down the usual lunch table, he realized she wasn’t here and wasted his money. All his friends now noticed how her absence is really getting to him.
At fourth period he called his temporary lab partner by her name.
At fifth period he wrote about how she made his day miserable.
At sixth period he was so exhausted that he slept through a whole new lecture. He knew he’ll have a pretty hard time during the upcoming test the day after tomorrow.
He walked home by himself and halfway his journey the rain poured rather badly and came home drenched.
-
Alone he stood along the busy hallway, students rushing in classes as the clock continued ticking. He let a little sneeze and a little shiver as he waited for her to come along.
“I’m gonna kill her if she doesn’t come.”
“Kill who?”
He turned around, and there she is with one eyebrow up.
“No one.” He quickly replied.
“You okay?” She asked him, “You look terrible. You should have just stayed home.”
He was so tempted to reply, ‘You can’t survive when I’m not here.’ But instead he sighed, “You walking home by yourself? You gotta be kidding me.”
In a childish way she stuck her tongue out.
“So, what’s it like walking home by yourself then?”
He paused for awhile.
“I kinda missed you.” He said softly.
Her eyes widened as he hurried down the hallway.
“Hey! Wait up!” She yelled, with the words still ringing in her ears.
If he knew what kind of day she had yesterday…he’ll know how much she missed him too.
I sat at the desk in my office with nothing but writers block on my mind; my notepad full of nondescript scribbles, the pen heavy in my hand. I tried to remember the last time inspiration saw fit to grace me with its presence, but to no avail. I tried to remember when reading my finished pieces brought joy and also comfort. However -- yet again -- to no avail. I glanced at the photo frames that littered my work station, trying to pinpoint their significance. When the familiar, frozen faces only coldly stared back, I sat back in the tall armchair, and let my pen fall towards the notepad that still lacked any semblance of legible print. A gentle sigh escaped my chapped, pursed lips, and I closed my eyes in frustration. I’m still unsure of when I began to drift into slumber.
~
“What? Can’t think of anything to say?” he asked her as she had her body turned back towards us, mouth open but quiet. A few seconds passed, and she still hadn’t said anything. “Yeah, yeah. Just turn back around,” he said. We all laughed together at her expression as she turned and faced her friends again, all red in the face. Albeit, unbeknownst to him, my smile, my laugh, and my carefree expressions were anything but carefree. They were all slight masks to hide the truth I already knew. How could he believe that I wouldn’t notice his affections for this petty, ditzy girl? I knew him better than I knew myself. How could I not notice? “Your tongue is going to get dry soon,” I said. “Eh?” “Because your mouth is running out of drool,” I said with a smirk. I pushed his jaw up and stood, stretching my arms. “You’re lucky she’s such an idiot. She didn’t even notice your tail wagging.” I patted his head and laughed. Though my sarcasm could fool even the sharpest of ears, I couldn’t fool myself. The numbness was becoming all too familiar. I was still getting used to feeling so far away from him, even when we sat thigh against thigh. I forced a yawn to disguise the moisture that began to add to the layer of mascara on my eyelashes, and walked out the door without looking back.
~
I sat up abruptly, wiping the wetness from my face; the after effects of my recent, vivid dream. I glanced back at the frozen reminder I thought I had left in the past, and remembered my reality. I never have, nor ever will, fully heal. The pictures were only a keepsake to refresh my weary soul. But the memory it represents brings an emotion to my heart that no picture can ever capture.
He blinked, smiled then patted her on the shoulder. Her face shone in hope that he liked her too. But to her dismay he turned around, not saying a single word. Her heart fell down to her stomach, as she opened her mouth, wanting to call him back. No words came out. She stood there, speechless as she felt like a bucket of ice cold water was thrown all over her body.
Looks like he didn’t return the same feelings she felt and cherished.
That was a year ago.
“Just give up on him.” Her friend flatly told her one day, “It’s been a year since you confessed.”
She let out a small smile in reply.
After such a confession with no clear yes or no, she wanted to let him go and move on.
But she can’t. He wouldn’t let her.
He continued to be her friend—as if nothing happened. Though it hurt her a little, she knew she can’t let him go that easily. Because of this, her affection grew stronger and stronger without fail. Because of this, a small sense of hope shone inside her that there was still a chance.
A chance that he’ll finally return the same feelings she harbored…no matter how long it takes waiting.
“Speaking of which…” Her friend said unusually loudly while giving her some weird eye signals that tried to convey a certain message.
“What?” She asked in the same volume, totally lost about the situation.
Suddenly a loud slap was heard, and a sting in her back could be felt.
“Boo.” A deep baritone filled her ears as she felt her heart stopped that moment.
Her friend rolled her eyes, ‘Here we go again.’ She thought.
Everyone knew.
Everyone knew how she felt toward him. It spread like wild fire. She didn’t care a bit—she wanted everyone to know. Yet the question remained unanswered.
What did he feel toward her?
“You idiot.” She said.
He stuck his tongue out, “Let’s go.”
“Go where?”
He shrugged, as if he never heard the question. He just headed out the door.
Something froze in her that kept her in her seat for a couple of minutes. Her heart and her mind was racing, both raging and rampant. When she finally managed to hold her cool, she felt a certain déjà vu feeling in her—it was just like the time he walked away that day.
“Hey you!” She yelled before she could lose him, then she noticed that he wasn’t there anymore.
She quickly stood up, said a quick good bye to her gaping friend and rushed out the door.
He was nowhere to be seen.
She felt her heart thumping wildly more than ever, as the thought of losing him came to her mind.
Did she lose him?
Will she lose him forever?
The thought scared her.
Then by impulse she ran through the busy hallway, not caring about the things around her. She felt her peers eyes burned through her back as she fretted. She called his name, yet he didn’t come to her site.
Suddenly someone laid a hand on her shoulder. Thinking it was him, she turned around.
“You—“ It was her friend.
Her friend pulled out a paper in her back and handed it to her. She can’t explain because she was running out of breath trying to catch up with her.
She looked at the paper that was stuck in her back all along. She felt tears build her eyes but she stopped it. Quickly she crumpled the paper in her hand into the ball and looked out the window.
Her eyes widened as she spotted a familiar countenance in the 1st storey, staring at the horizon. Quickly she opened the window and threw the paper in the person’s direction.
Her friend’s jaw dropped as the paper ball hit him exactly on the head, causing him to look up, bewildered.
“You heartless, cowardly, immature jerk!” She yelled out the window.
This caught the attention of everyone surrounding them. Ever since after the confession, both were civil towards each other. They didn’t fight—ever.
Until now.
“What the heck are you saying?!” He yelled back.
“I hate you! I hate all of you! I hate it when you tease me, steal my homework and mostly ignore when I speak! I hate you smile, laugh and how you make me feel this—damn junkie feeling! After a year of waiting, after trying to give up on you—now you do this?! What’s wrong with you?!”
“You insolent woman! How you speak, act, laugh, cry everything—I learned to like, no love it! You don’t know how you damn messed my mind that day! You don’t know how much your presence shook me every day I see you! You know how I hate not being in control! And you’re the reason why I’m like this!”
Her jaw dropped speechless while the whole school watched the bickering of the two.
A year of pent of feelings was let out, and thus a lingering atmosphere of strong emotion remained in the air.
Then, he smiled that same smile that made her heart melt, the same smile that rejected her and now the same smile that whole heartedly accepted her feelings.
She returned that smile. The same smile that made the very core of his controlling attitude shake, the same smile that he wanted to hold dearly and the same smile that made him realize that he didn’t make a mistake.
In his hands was the crumpled paper where he bluntly wrote:
Echoes of polite greetings such as these rang through the hallway, as people in the busy and packed gave way like the Red Sea did as Moses brought his staff down. A woman, somewhere in her late forties, walked down the aisle given to her. Beside her was another woman, who was well presented and carried two folders in her hands. She had this secretary aura around her, always prepared for work and always organized. Other people in the president’s parade were a pair of black suit wearing bodyguards, and a handful of stockholders.
The woman was no other than Natalie Taylor—a big teddy bear—ahem—I mean, a big giant in the toy industry. She still has her young charm as she smiled at everyone who greeted her on her way to the conference room. At the same time, she was trying to listen to Evelyn, her secretary, who was dictating her busy schedule for the whole day.
“…we also need to personally hand in a project collaboration proposal to the Lancaster Enterprises.”
Natalie nodded as her dark eyes twinkled with mischief, “Evelyn where’s Madison again?”
“She’s leading the other half of the stockholders in the conference room.”
Ah, that’s right. The Taylor Toy Company is holding another big monthly meeting with their stock holders, updating them with the current status of the company and also making some important decisions. Madison Taylor, her only daughter, was a great asset to the company—she’s not only the star designer of the limited edition dolls that the company is known about but also her wits and her ability to attract people.
Then Natalie’s thoughts drifted to the unusual event she saw a couple of days ago. Not to mention, seeing her daughter being kissed by the CEO of the Lancaster Enterprises. She was fortunate to witness the whole thing, since she was sitting right in front of them; well, the tinted windows of the coffee shop hid her.
She’ll be lying if she said she wasn’t surprised how deep the couple felt for each other. They’ve been separated for years, and Natalie can’t help but wonder how both could keep their feelings bottled up so long. But she knew the close relationship that her daughter and Damien Lancaster shared years before. No wonder Madison’s been sighing a lot lately. It seems like she still has an answer to give to the young man.
Natalie slightly laughed as she glanced out the window, looking at the skies darkening again. It’s the rainy season after all.
“Oh my, this is going to be interesting…”
Evelyn, not knowing what’s going on the president’s head, tilted hers in wonder.
“Evelyn, about the proposal—“
-
-
-
‘Please take these documents personally, its important information about the upcoming project that the company is going to do with them.’ Her mother’s voice echoed through her ears.
Instead of sitting down beside her mother and the Toy Company’s board of directors, she found herself riding a black limousine away from the company building. Exactly when she met up with her mom in the entrance of the conference room, she asked to speak with her and gave her another task to do—to go to the Lancaster Corporation and submit another proposal, and this time it’s a project.
Madison felt her heart beating fast as soon she realized what’s happening. Going to the Lancaster Corporation also meant possibly meeting up with Damien. Just like a couple of days ago…Her thoughts flew to the kiss they shared. He also indirectly stated that he liked her ever since and yet she stood speechless and didn’t answer him.
Now that they’re in the same country and company partners, there will be so many possible times they could meet, just like what happened days ago. How is she going to act in front of him after what happened?
Madison’s cheeks warmed up as she slapped herself mentally—no, she’s going there to give a document—and then she glanced at the black umbrella that sat next to her. She also planned to return the umbrella back to him.
No more, no less.
Or so she thought.
Madison glanced at the dark clouds out her tinted window. It looked dark and heavy, rain threatening to fall.
-
-
-
In a brightly lit conference room, a complete opposite of the dark skies outside, a group of men and women gathered all in proper business attires and all listening carefully to the young man who sat with the board of directors. The monthly executive meeting was currently being held in the Lancaster Corporation.A new month started for the company, and Damien, the young CEO that was running the man power of the company knew more work will have to be done to place the top again.
“I want to congratulate everyone for everyone’s hard work this month,” Damien’s deep baritone voice boomed through the silent conference room, “As a company, our performance was excellent, and we exceeded on our target. But you guys know the unstable position of today’s economy—and we still have to keep our guards up no matter what.”
“As employees of the Lancaster Company, I expect each one of you to work your best the upcoming month…and I expect the best from the best—no more, no less.”
Damien continued as he took a quick glance at the weather outside. It’ll probably rain any minute now. The thought of rain reminded him of umbrellas. And the thought of umbrellas reminded of him of a certain amethyst eyed lady.
-
-
-
Madison could feel her heart beating fast when she found herself standing in front of the Lancaster Towers with an umbrella and the important documents in her hands. Her chauffeur, Cyrus closed the glossy black limousine door behind her and escorted her inside the building.
“Cyrus-san, can you please wait for me outside?” Madison managed to asked, “I’m positive I’ll be finished as quickly as possible. But if anything, I’ll give you a call.”
“Yes young mistress,” Cyrus gave her a polite bow, “as you wish.”
“Thank you very much,” Madison smiled softly as she turned around and faced the glass doors of the building. She was greeted by the guards as she entered inside, heading towards the front desk.
“Good afternoon, Miss,” One of the smiling ladies spoke up, “How may I help you?”
“Can I request to see Mr. Lancaster? I’m Madison Taylor, from the Taylor Toy Company.”
-
-
-
“Tic. Tock. Tic. Tock. Tic. Tock.” The clock’s second hand made another full turn as Madison’s violet orbs eyed the wall clock. She did manage to go to Damien’s office but he wasn’t there—so she decided to wait. Damien’s secretary, Monique, said that he’s in an executive meeting when she entered the office.
She waited for him to come for about thirty minutes.
“He’s really busy huh?” Madison asked out loud.
“Mr. Lancaster always is—when he doesn’t have any meetings or papers to sign, he likes going around the different departments and showing up suddenly.” Monique replied, catching the lilac haired woman out of guard.
“Typical Damien.” Madison giggled as she finally stood up from the leather chair, “I’m really sorry if I disturbed you, but I’ll be on my way. Can you please just relay to him my regards and the documents as well?”
“Very well,” Monique eyed the umbrella she held, noticing the Lancaster logo on it, “About the umbrella, were you going to return it?”
Madison smiled, “Yeah, but I want to hand this to Damien personally.”
Monique’s eyebrow rose in suspicion as she watched the beautiful lady about to step out the office—she had the feeling she was the lady the whole corporation was talking about. Mr. Lancaster’s only love interest, her title was. With this Monique quickly stood up.
“Ms. Taylor!”
Madison was halfway out the door when Monique called.
“Yes?”
“I think the meeting is probably over. You might run through Mr. Lancaster on your way down, it’s in the conference room two stories down.”
With a bright smile, Madison nodded, “Thanks.”
-
-
-
Actually, the meeting finished when Madison entered the building. Daimen, having a somewhat paper free desk, decided to check on the different departments. Time ticked by quickly when he did this, and slowly, he realized he needed to be back at the office.
Monique greeted him with an unusually strange greeting of, “Mr. Lancaster!” In a such surprised tune. And before she could open her mouth to say a word he noticed something different in the room. A unusual scent lingered in the room—a soft touch of plum blossoms.
“Monique,” Damien said slowly, “Was there a visitor when I was gone.”
“Well, yes sir.” Monique quickly said, “It was—“
Daimen spotted the new file of papers in his desk, and in very top was a document with the Taylor Toy Company Logo. Then the realization hit him.
“Madison was here, wasn’t she?”
“Ms. Taylor? Yes, quite a while ago.” Monique said slowly, “About five minutes ago I told her you were in the conference room downstairs.”
To her surprise, she watched Mr. Damien Lancaster, the famous ice heir of the Lancaster Company quickly leave his office to chase a woman.
-
-
-
Five minutes passed since she went to the conference room that Damien was supposed to be in and left a note to some of the people that were still present. Another person said he saw Damien head down to the secretarial department, the place she was right now.
“Yes, Mr. Lancaster came here.” One of the office ladies said.
“Thanks, can you leave a message for him from me?”
“Sure.”
The woman wrote a note as she spoke, “I think he was headed to the sales department when he left us, you could check there if you want.”
“Thanks.”
Madison once again moved to another department and to another until she realized how tired she became. She felt she formed blisters in her feet because of walking. Exhausted and slightly disheartened by the fact she didn’t see him even once.
Oh well, the last time they met was plain chance.
Madison decided she’ll leave for good, knowing she’s been walking around the building so much. She headed to the ground floor, as she noticed Cyrus and her black limousine in the driveway, waiting for her patiently. As she headed slowly out the door, someone tapped her shoulder as she felt her heart quicken.
Damien?
When she turned around she saw a familiar face that made her smile, “Ruby!”
-
-
-
Damien was surprised.
When he headed back to the conference room a note from Madison landed to his hand. And as he walked through the different divisions and departments once more the pile of left over messages grew and grew. He felt his heart ache a bit—she went searching for him, yet she didn’t find him.
And now, when he’s searching, he can’t find her.
“Goodness Madison.” Damien said out loud, causing people around him to glance at him with suspicious looks.
“Uh, Mr. Lancaster?” The manager of the electronics department headed towards him, “I think Ms. Taylor headed down the ground floor after she went to us. She looked really tired but still smiled. She also carried a black umbrella in her hand.”
Damien quickly moved once more as he sprinted towards the nearest elevator to the ground floor. The elevator was packed and to his annoyance he found himself stopping to one floor to another before he managed to reach the ground floor.
He noticed the rain was falling, quite hardly. People entered with umbrellas in their hand and came out with one too.
He cursed under his breath as he tried to head towards the main doors at the building and saw a unusually nostalgic limousine in the drive way. His eyes grew wide as he saw the chauffer entered the driver’s seat and slowly drove away…
“Madison!” He yelled shoved himself through the crowd and dashed out the building. People and employees quickly noticed his presence and his sudden reaction and the name he yelled ever so clearly that echoed through the building.
He found himself running out in the rain, chasing after the limousine that didn’t even stop. He slowed down, and then tried to control his hard breathing because of the sudden sprint he took. In the back of his head, he knew he shattered his reputation because of what he has done.
But he wanted to see her just once…
“Damn, this is stupid.”
Damien shook his head as thoughts ran wild through his mind as he decided to turn around and head back to the building, terribly wet and cold.
“Damien?”
A voice of the angels rang through his ears, causing him to halt completely and slowly raised his head up high. His heart recognized such voice. And that voice could only be…
“…Madison?” He asked, almost uneasily as he blinked his eyes in the midst of the falling rain. There she was, the woman he loved under the very same umbrella he let her borrow. She quickly headed towards him, with a worried expression. When she finally reached him she sheltered him under the umbrella, blocking off the rain.
“Madison I thought…”
A small soft smile played in her lips that caused him to blush in embarrassment. From all the people, he didn’t want her to see him in such miserable state. He was drenched wet and probably looked pathetic. He let out a long sigh shaking his head.
Madison giggled, “Goodness Damien.”
“Be quiet. Mocking won’t help.”
Silence formed between them as the rain continued to pour down around them, drowning them in the rhythm of each drop. Smiling amethyst orbs met with the tired sapphire ones.
“Don’t tell me that wasn’t your limousine, and I just made a fool of myself in front of all my employees.” Damien groaned.
“Not really.” Madison said, “The limousine is really mine. I’m surprised that you recognize it. But the second statement of your sentence—about you being a fool—I can’t make promises.”
“Then, please do enlighten me. Why are you still here?”
“I was supposed to leave as soon I hit the ground floor.” Madison explained, “But I met Ruby and the rain is pouring terribly so I decided I should stay for awhile. So I asked Cyrus to park the limousine in the parking space and told him I’ll be out when the rain stopped.”
“Oh.”
“Oh?”
Another silence.
“So, shall we head inside?” Damien asked, “The last thing I want to catch is a cold.”
He noticed, she wasn’t walking.
“Madison?”
“I…need to say something first.”
“Sure. What’s wrong?”
In reply, Madison dropped the umbrella at his shoulder, stabilizing it. She tugged at his tie causing him to bend down a bit and to his surprised she kissed him softly in the lips, quickly yet enough to shake the very foundations of his morale.
