Old Times

As soon as the elevator opened, the security helped Ren and rushed him to the company's clinic for first aid treatment. Katherine kept pacing up and down the corridor of the clinic. She sat down on a chair given to her by the security when her phone rang. She was jerked as she wasn't expecting any call. She checked the caller and realised it was Mr Olsen. She picked the call before the end of the last ring.

"Katherine, end the meeting. Another representative will be sent there tomorrow," Mr Olsen said as soon as Katherine picked up. "I'm done with the meeting, sir. The CEO fainted on our way to go have lunch," Katherine said trying as much as possible to steady her cracking voice. "Did you guys discussed you?" Mr Olsen questioned and leaned back on his chair. "Me?" Katherine was surprised. "Yes. You and him," Mr Olsen said. Katherine was silent for some time. "He brought it up," she finally said with her voice low. "Come down to the company now," Mr Olsen ordered and hanged up the call.

Katherine inhaled and palmed her face. She felt her palm wet; that was when she realised she had been crying. She comported herself and was about to leave when a nurse came out of the room Ren was. "Are you Miss Katherine?" the nurse asked. "Yes. How may I help?" Katherine replied. "The boss will like to see you," the nurse responded. "Is he fine now?" Katherine questioned. "Yes, he is. It was just a minor heart attack," the nurse said. "Okay," Katherine walked gently towards the door. She breathed in and let it out slowly when her hand touched the doorknob. It is now or never.

Mr Olsen called his temporary assistant and told him to go to Clane Limited. He also put a call across the driver who was suppose to drive Katherine back. "Are you guys on your way already?" Mr Olsen questioned in his usual cold voice. "No sir. Miss Katherine is yet to come down here," the driver responded. "Okay," Mr Olsen ended the call. He was calling Katherine again when his phone rang indicating a call from Gina. He picked the call.

"Big bro, how are you?" Gina asked cheerfully. "I'm good," Mr Olsen replied. "Good? But you don't sound good. What happened?" Gina was concerned. "Get to the reason you called and stop questioning me," Mr Olsen said. "I just wanted to let you know that I will be back in town today and that I want to stay with you before going to mum and dad," Gina said. "Okay," Mr Olsen said. "Alright. Bye. Seems you are in a bad mood," Gina ended the call. Mr Olsen placed a call through to Katherine.

Katherine opened the door and stepped in. She saw Ren lying on the bed with an IV connected to his arm. He has his eyes closed but opened them as soon as he had the door creaked. Katherine walked towards him and sat on a chair beside him. "How are you feeling now? Do you feel better?" Katherine asked picking her words one after the other. "Place your hand on my chest and you will get the answer," Ren said. Whether it was impulse or care, Katherine found her hand on Ren's chest. His heart beat was faster than usual. "I guess you now get your answer," Ren said. Katherine wanted to talk but swallowed when she realised she might break down in front of him. She didn't want to feel weak in Ren's presence.

"I nurtured my heart to believe that you still love me. I told my heart that you still cherish me. Didn't you even consider how far we have come? Just like that? The beautiful love we once shared varnished. It went like a wind. Never to be seen again. Katherine, how do you expect me to live now that I know you don't love me? If I die, I will write it down somewhere that you killed me. You broke me. I'm hopeless and helpless. How do you expect me to continue living? How?" Ren questioned with tears rolling down his cheeks. He was crying like a child who has no care in this world. Like a child who felt crying will solve his problem.

"Even though my heart hurt from seeing you like this, even though it took all my might to utter the words that I don't love you, I will never take back my words. I will let it be. I don't love and I won't try to again. Never. Enjoy your life now that you have it. Happy being a father soon," with that Katherine left the room hurriedly as she was already close to tears. She raced out of the company down to the car waiting for her.

"Are you okay ma'am?" the driver asked when he saw her face and expression through the mirror. "Get me to the company now!" Katherine ordered. The driver knew better than to continue questioning her. He drove off. They were just leaving the company when Mr Olsen's call came through. Katherine picked the call.

"Didn't I tell you to leave immediately? Why did you go back to him? Why would you want to mix your stupid relationship and emotion with my business? I see you are not capable of your work. Get back here soon and come get your sack letter. You defiled my order and so, you deserve to be sacked," Mr Olsen yelled over the phone. Katherine just listened without uttering a word. After he was done ranting and shouting, Mr Olsen ended the call. Katherine looked out through the window reminiscing on the day she first met Ren.

(flashback)

After an intraschool debate, Katherine's group were jubilating for they had won the debate. "I told you we were fully prepared," Katherine said sticking her tongue out to their opponent. The other group just laughed at her. Everyone who knew Katherine knows how she can be once she wins. Well, she loves winning. Sophia came running and hugged Katherine. "You made me proud again, daughter," Sophia kissed her cheeks. "You guys should stop your mother-daughter lovey dovey," Anna, one of Katherine's member said. "Are you jealous? Come let me kiss you too," Sophia said and went after Anna who ran away. "God, how do I get away from this crazy Sophia?" Anna shouted as she ran. Those who heard her burst into laughter.

Katherine was arranging her lock when she felt a presence. "God! I'm tired of giving autographs. I only won an intraschool debate. I'm not a celebrity yet," Katherine mumbled as that was what everyone has been coming to her for. "I'm not here for an autograph. I'm here to give my piece about the debate you won," a voice said. Katherine just nodded as she was more concerned about getting her lock arranged. Sophia who could have helped has gone to play. "Okay. I'm all ears. Your piece will be utilised by me," Katherine said. "If you had competed against me, you wouldn't have had a chance to win," the voice said.

Katherine turned around to see who spoke. She eyed him from head to toe and from toe to head. "I'm not usually sassy but your comment deserves a sassy response. If you knew I wouldn't stand a chance with you, why didn't you come in the light?" Katherine eyed him and folded her arms. She was pissed off. She felt her ego trampled upon. "Well, well, I think I will have to prove that to you. Let's host a debate between us," the male said, "And also never mind my manners, I'm Ren," he smiled. "Why would I mind your manners? Attention-seekers are known to be mannerless," Katherine hissed and went back to what she was doing earlier.

She still had a frown on her face when Sophia came to her. "Who pissed you off?" Sophia questioned laughing at her facial expression. "Some attention-seeker called Ren," Katherine replied and turned to see if Ren was still around. "There he is," Katherine pointed to Ren who was talking with some guys. "Operation attack the attention-seeker activate," Sophia said and with full speed, she ran and jumped on Ren as she pulled his hair. "Sophia, stop!" Katherine ran to pull Sophia from Ren. Katherine pulled and pulled till they both - she and Sophia - landed on the floor.

(flashback)

Katherine smiled with tears tickling down her cheeks as she recalled that encounter. She and Sophia later spent three days in detention for almost causing a fight. The driver pulled up at the company's garage. Katherine stepped down. "I'm sorry for earlier," Katherine apologised. "It's fine, ma'am. I should have understand you aren't in your best mood," the driver said understandably. Katherine took the elevator and walked to Mr Olsen's office where her fate stands.