It's four days to the proposal presentation, and everyone in the journal was working hard to make the presentation a success. Sensing the brewing frustration from her employees, Mirabel ordered them to go out for lunch. Although they refused at first, after much hesitation, they finally agreed.
Mason suggested that they all go out together for lunch, and they agreed. They gathered at the reception, ready to head out, but Vicky was nowhere to be seen. Jimmy returned to the office to get him.
"Hey, we're all waiting for you. Let's go out for lunch," Jimmy said.
"No, I'm good," Vicky replied, his eyes fixed on the book he was reading.
"Come on, man. Let's go out. We'll be back soon," Jimmy said, trying his best to persuade Vicky.
"No, I'm good," Vicky said.
"Alright," Jimmy said, leaving the office. He went back to the reception and told them about Vicky's refusal. "He's not coming. He's decided to stay back," Jimmy said. "Okay, let's go," Mason said. They all left, but Lucy stayed back.
Lucy walked straight to the creative department office and entered, sighting Vicky reading a book. She walked up to him, dragged the book away from his hands, and pulled him up from his seat.
"Yo, what's up with you?" Vicky inquired. "Let's head out for lunch," Lucy said.
"I don't want to have lunch. I'll be okay," Vicky replied.
"It's an order from Miss Mirabel. We have to obey," Lucy said, pulling him towards the door.
"Lucy, listen, I'm not in the mood for lunch. Go on without me," Vicky said, releasing his wrist from Lucy's firm grip.
"But why?" Lucy inquired.
"Nothing," Vicky replied.
"Okay, then. I'll leave you to yourself," Lucy said, returning the book to Vicky and leaving the office.
Vicky sighed. He thought about returning to reading his novel but stopped. "Will she be in her office?" he thought. "Should I go and check? But if I do, and she's there, what am I supposed to say?" He scratched his head and decided to go to Mirabel's office.
On reaching there, he waited for about four minutes, his mind discouraging his original idea. He decided to go back but then changed his mind. He patrolled her office door for about five minutes and then decided to knock. He folded his fist and pushed it towards the door, but just as his fist came close to the door, Mirabel opened it, and Vicky's fist hit her forehead.
"Ouch," Mirabel said, placing her right hand on her forehead.
"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry. I didn't know you were inside," Vicky said.
"What? If you thought I wasn't inside, why are you here?" Mirabel asked, her hand still on her head.
"Erm... I just wanted to confirm... I'm so sorry," Vicky said, his heartbeat fast.
"It's okay... Why are you here? Didn't you go out for lunch?" Mirabel inquired.
"Erm... no, I didn't. I wasn't in the mood," Vicky replied.
"But I ordered you to go out for lunch to relieve some stress," Mirabel said.
"Yes, but you're also entitled to rest because you're also putting in as much effort as we are. So why are you not giving yourself a treat?" Vicky said.
"Are you really questioning me?" Mirabel asked.
"No... I mean, yes... If we're having lunch, you should also have lunch," Vicky said.
Mirabel sighed. "Well, I'm not hungry, so I don't want to go out for lunch."
"Same here," Vicky said.
"Okay, so what do you want to do?" Mirabel inquired.
Vicky's mind went blank. "Oh my goodness, is she asking me what I want to do? Am I dreaming again or... is this an illusion?"
"Vicky!!!!!" Mirabel shouted, pulling his arm.
"Yes?" Vicky replied.
"What's wrong? You're always lost in your thoughts. Are you okay?" Mirabel inquired.
"Yes, I'm good," Vicky replied.
"Okay, let's sit and talk," Mirabel said, entering her office.
Vicky was confused. He didn't know what was happening or how they came to this point. Was Mirabel really inviting him into her office? Was he dreaming? He pinched himself and entered her office, sitting down and taking a deep breath.
The two sat opposite each other, their eyes locked, both hands on the table. There was nervousness in Vicky's mind; he was anxious, but Mirabel seemed calm. She was waiting for Vicky to start the conversationbut he didn't. For some reason, he seemed lost.
"Erm... so Vicky, I really want to ask you some questions if you don't mind," Mirabel said.
"Sure, no problem," Vicky replied.
"Your CV stated that you are from Dillsville, am I right?" Mirabel inquired.
"Yes, I was born in Dillsville," Vicky replied, his words clear and his mind calm.
"Why did you leave?" Mirabel asked.
Vicky's mind paused. He was asked the question he didn't want to hear. The question brought back his horrible past, but what should he do? He didn't want to refuse Mirabel. For some reason, he felt passionate about her. He didn't want to neglect the question she asked him, but how could he answer?
"It's okay if it's something personal. I don't mind," Mirabel said.
"It's nothing like that. I just wanted a fresh start in another country. Back in Dillsville, everything was messed up, and I just wanted to redefine my stand and regain what I had lost," Vicky said, his voice shaky.
"It seems you had a rough past. I'm sorry I asked you this question. I didn't know you..." Mirabel said.
"No, it's okay," Vicky interrupted.
"Are you sure?" Mirabel inquired.
"Yeah," Vicky replied.
There was silence again, but this time Vicky was more confident than before. His mind was settled, and he felt he had a connection with Mirabel.
"Can I ask you a question?" Vicky inquired.
"Sure, I asked you, so it's fair if you also ask me," Mirabel replied.
"Okay... I've noticed that you're really into this proposal. I mean, as a company, you must have received proposals that were bigger than this one. So, why are you so interested in this particular one?" Vicky asked.
Mirabel sighed. "Well, no proposal should be considered inferior because every proposal is important. But this one is special. This company lost track; we nearly broke apart, but this proposal has revived the company. That's why I want to make it a success."
"What happened to the company? What made it nearly fall?" Vicky inquired.
"It was my fault. I got distracted. I gave my life away to a feeling that broke me. I sacrificed everything for love's sake, but I was left shattered," Mirabel replied.
"Love?" Vicky repeated.
"Yes, love. Some say it's a good feeling, but to me, it's a feeling that makes you mad. It makes you lose your senses, and it won't let you go until you're left heartbroken," Mirabel said, pausing for a while. She looked at Vicky and said, "You know what? Forget it. I think we've spent enough time resting. It's time to get back to work."
"Erm... okay. I'll check if the others are back," Vicky said as he left Mirabel's office.
As he walked out, Vicky thought, "What was I thinking? Why did I ask her those questions? I thought we had something special... I thought I was embracing the opportunity of falling in love, but clearly, she doesn't even..."
Vicky's thoughts were disrupted when Lucy grabbed him. "Vicky, you missed the best lunch!" Lucy said, dragging him towards the reception.