IT'S YOU AGAIN

“Are you sure you want to leave? Why?” Ms. Lim asked when I entered her office.
I sat in the chair in front of her even though she didn't let me sit down. I just feel like sitting because I feel like any time I will fall to the floor due to lethargy. I sighed violently when I noticed earlier that I was holding my breath.
“You know how good your assets are to our company, Rae. Why is it sudden?” She questioned me again, looking so confused.
I close my eyes tightly before speaking. “I still have fifteen days to complete all my remaining tasks, Miss Lim. I will end it all,” I casually told her and looked straight at her.
She’s still frowning. I was confused by my sudden decision, but I could no longer back out. I need this.
"Why then? Why suddenly? Look, if you’re not happy with what happened to you on that vacation trip, please let me know so I can arrange— ”
“No, Miss. I was happy. I’m thankful that ‘vacation’ happened. I got a new idea for the next book I will write and I am so much willing to finish that book before I leave. I hope you understand, Miss Lim,” I said to her, cutting her off.
It was a long time before she answered so I kept looking at her. Waiting for her decision. When she again agreed to what I wanted, my shoulder dropped when I left her office. I didn't feel like going back to our working office as if I just wanted to go home and never come in again.
I feel empty and disgusted.
A few days ago we were able to return to Manila. I could not catch up with Rafa and Yerim at the staff house because they were still in their respective families. I'll be back next week so I'm even lazy to work.
When I came home I left one of my persona on that island but that last scenery that I saw is still haunting me up to now. I couldn’t even get his expression out of my mind as he looked at that woman and he just pushed me aside so easily. He even said he still wanted to know me. Even if something happened to us.
“Rae,” I heard someone called me.
I lazily looked at the source of that voice and saw Miss Rochelle looking sadly at me. She signed for me to approach her which I later did as well.
"Why?"
"Do you want coffee?" she asked me with a smile.
I just nodded when I understood what she said.
We went to Seb’s coffee shop because that was the closest coffee shop to our building. I also don't like others because I don't like their taste. When we entered, I immediately felt my mood calm down when I smelled coffee. I invited Miss Rochelle to sit in my usual spot when we finished ordering. Sebastian was not there, his barista said he was still on leave.
“I heard what happened. Miss Lim told me that you’re leaving. Why? Where will you move? I thought you really need this job,” she asked me one after another but my attention was not there, but on the person standing outside the glass wall of the coffee shop.
It wasn't facing my direction, but I knew very well who it was. His body built is so familiar to me even though I can only see behind it. That’s him. Why is he here?
"Rae?" Miss Rochelle call me.
I immediately blinked and looked at her. My jaw dropped when I turned to her so her forehead furrowed even more.
“I’m sorry, Miss Rochelle. What was your question again?”
“What’s wrong with you? You are too preoccupied. What really happened to you at Tierra Fima? You know you can talk to me without any lies. You can trust me,” she told me worriedly and even held my hand.
For a moment I turned back outside the coffee shop but he was no longer there. Suddenly it disappeared again. What is he doing here? Why is he here?
I heave a sigh then looked at Miss Rochelle. She’s right. Aside from Yerim and Rafa, this is what I tell my other problems especially when I know I really need advice from experts in life.
I took a deep breath before telling her everything. I also saw the shock in her eyes when I finished. She’s not expecting something like this from me because everyone in our department knows me very well. They know how important this job is to me and myself so I understand how she reacted.
“Oh my god. I can’t believe this!” she could no longer contain her reaction.
I bit my lower lip. I know how stupid I am for falling inlove with a stranger, but I also know I don’t need that in my life. I need to work for my family especially for my brother. I was the only one they expected and I couldn't let them know that I suddenly lost my will because of what happened. Just because I gave in to a stranger.
“But why do you have to resign from your position? Are you moving somewhere?” she asked so I quickly shook.
“I just don’t want to remember everything, Miss Rochelle. I don’t like this field anymore. I want to write more but I don't know what else to write just because I don't want to think anymore,” I told her lazily and sipped my coffee.
I looked at nowhere. I don’t know what to expect from now. I feel, ever since I came back I’ve always been looking forward to what. I can't even do my job well.
“I can help you with that. If you don’t want to be a writer for now, I can recommend you to Miss Lim's business partner. They are also looking for a new secretary for the new CEO of their company. I can send your details and credentials to them,” she told me seriously so I looked at her with enthusiasm.
"Really?"
“Yes, Rae. Expect a call tomorrow for your interview and after that, you still need to finish your last book before you go.”
That was the last thing she said before she left me at that coffee shop. I hung out there for a few more minutes before I decided to go back to the office because I had so much more to do.
While I was walking back to our building, someone bumped me so I almost jumped because of the force of his collision with me. He came out of our building while I entered. I even dropped my cellphone that I just bought last time.
“Damn! Don't you know how to look where you're going?” I heard him shout at me in a disgusted tone.
I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself because I knew this scenario would not help me. But I’m not the fool here if ‘tis him!
"I'm sorry," I told him sparingly while still picking up my cellphone.
When I finally got it, his face was exposed to me. I saw how his expression changed. It was as if he had found the person he had been looking for. He was also holding his cellphone.
"It's you... again," I heard him say and tried to break the distance between us so I quickly walked away.
What is he doing here?! Is he looking for me?