“Nica,” Vincent mumbled to himself in disbelief, his expression a stunned one.
“Hi. Uhm, I heard Old Evan was terribly sick, so I had to come over,” Nica said, and Vincent nodded slowly.
“He’s getting better now. Thanks for the, uhm, payment,” Vincent said, clearing his throat. He watched Nica sit beside the old man, entangling her fingers with his.
She sighed. “I was so scared when I heard he got sick. I had to fly over to check on him.” She met his gaze, and Vincent realized he was staring too much.
“Sorry, I uhm… was just wondering. How have you been?” he asked.
“Good,” she smiled. “You?”
“I’m… uhm… good,” his reply sounded surreal, as if he didn’t mean it.
“That’s great to know.” She rose to her feet. “I’ll be leaving now.” As she made to leave, Vincent suddenly held her back.
“Nica… I… I, uh… I’m sorry. I wanted to apologize for that day you came over. I wasn’t myself, and I didn’t…”
“It’s okay,” she cut in. “I’m not mad at you.”
Vincent sighed. “Nica…”
“I’m sorry, Vincent. I’m in a hurry, and I need to leave. Hmm?” she interrupted, and Vincent finally gave in.
“Alright,” he whispered, watching her leave.
As Nica stepped out, she quickened her pace toward the car. She got in and let out the breath she had been holding.
She never expected to meet Vincent here; she had planned to check on Old Evan and leave immediately, but crossing paths with him brought those memories back.
“Are you okay?” her friend Patricia asked.
Nica sighed, almost forgetting there was someone else in the car. Her gaze landed on her three-year-old son, sleeping in her friend’s arms.
He looked so much like Vincent; every striking feature was from his father, even the blonde hair. The only feature he got from her was the color of her eyes-amber.
“Everything is fine,” she said slowly, calming herself. Casting a glance at the entrance, she stepped on the accelerator and drove away.
—
“Second place?!” Morticia exclaimed as the results came out. She scoffed at the name in first. That bitchy company definitely bribed the judges.
Morticia’s grip on her phone tightened as she breathed in anger.
“Those motherf***ers!” she yelled, slamming her palm on the table.
The workers under her began casting fearful glances at each other. Today was going to be a terrible time for them.
“Miss Addams, Mr. Miller sent for you,” a woman announced, and Morticia kicked her desk.
In a minute, she stood before the office door. Clicking her tongue, she cleared her throat and opened it.
Her eyes met the cold man behind the desk, tapping his fingers with a blank look.
Morticia walked in, trying to keep her composure. She had promised to take the first position in order to catch the attention of Scarlett Holdings… but second? Such a thing was impossible.
“Do you have anything to say?” Mr. Miller asked, obviously trying to maintain his calm.
“You were the one who called,” Morticia shrugged.
Miller let out a low groan at her stubborn reply. He removed his glasses, slowly dropping them on the desk.
“Are you serious right now? You said you were going to take first! The first position, Morticia! I managed to dig out the positions, and we turned out to be second. Why?!” he shouted.
Morticia sighed. “I did my best, Mr. Miller. The company that took first definitely bribed the judges,” she defended, her calm voice slowly edging toward frustration.
“The announcement will be made at tonight’s event. Everyone will see how much of a failure I am. Everyone!”
“Fire me. Just get on with it,” Morticia said, tired of the yelling. She was beginning to lose it too.
Miller scoffed. “Get back to work and get ready for tonight’s event.”
Morticia gave him a dry smile and turned to leave.
Second place was also a great position, but he badly wanted to take first. Scarlett Holdings was only going to take first.
–
The evening event took place in a grand hall, designed with luxurious furniture. Businessmen and women swarmed the place, clad in their unique attire.
Women dressed in classic gowns, the stones shimmering under the lights.
Rhea glanced at her wristwatch; she was dressed in a nice purple glittering dress that exuded her beauty. The event had already started, and Morticia was yet to arrive. Seriously, must she be late to every single event?!
“Relax, babe… she’ll be here soon,” Valerie said from around the corner. She was wearing a nice suit that suited her perfectly. Her hair was now short and combed backward.
Valerie was now a musician, popular for her unique jazz style.
Rhea cleared her throat at Valerie’s dashing look. How could she manage to make her heart race even after years of being together?
Rhea’s father had gone over the edge when she introduced Valerie as her girlfriend. It took a long time before her father finally accepted it.
Finally, Morticia’s car arrived at the event. She stepped out, her black heels leading to her long, slender legs. She was wearing a suit too, her hair tied into a bun, and her skirt was above knee length.
“A suit. Really?” Rhea mumbled.
Morticia glanced inside and saw that most of the females were wearing elegant dresses.
“I like to look different,” Morticia smiled.
“Yeah. You nailed it, Morty,” Valerie chuckled as they walked in while Rhea sighed, following them.
The announcement had already been made. The Star Company indeed took second place.
“We can win first next year. It’s not the end of the world,” Valerie shrugged.
Morticia’s eyes met Mr. Miller’s, who gave her the ‘I told you so’ look.
“Another great announcement, everyone,” the host called out. “The Scarlett Company has decided to work with the Star Company. They were thrilled by their creativity.”
Morticia’s heart skipped a beat. The Scarlett Company chose them?!
Her eyes met Mr. Miller’s, who was obviously shocked. She gave him the ‘I’m always the best’ look.
“Holy shit! Holy shit!” Rhea exclaimed from her seat, squealing and hugging Morticia tightly.
“Urgh! You’re going to break my freaking bones!”
After a while, music erupted in the hall, the sound familiar as she recalled Mr. Finn’s wedding. It was the song they played when she danced with him.
Klaus Barnard.
It had been a while since she let that name settle in her head. Why wouldn’t it, as the song reminded her of that moment?
She shouldn’t think of that man who seemed to ruin her, but she couldn’t help it.
She was cold on the outside, acting all fine and strong, but inside? She was ruined.
“I want to ruin you for anyone else.”
He did ruin her. It’s been years and she couldn’t let any other man in, she couldn’t even try. He indeed ruin her.
Taking a deep breath, she came to the conclusion that she was done here.
She grabbed her bag and began to head for the entrance, her heels clicking as she desperately wanted to stop hearing the music… However, she halted when she heard:
“Bunnie?”