Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

“Thank you for the experience...” Reya whispered to the wind and gazed at the university gates as she stood beside the well-groomed green bushes while she carried the medium-sized box that was full of her stuffs.

She about to take a step and turn her back when a familiar voice called out her name. 

“What’s happening?” Augustus asked while he tried to catch his breath from running.

Reya stopped and slightly turned around to face the young man. She then gives him a small smile before she slowly places the box down on the pavement. 

“Did you run from your office to here?” She chuckled as she took a handkerchief out from her sling bag, and then handed it to her friend.

“Why are you leaving?” Augustus asked without minding the handkerchief. “Why did you not tell me?” He asked again.

“I was bound to leave this place anyway... it just happened to be a little earlier than expected.” Reya sighed and smiled as she placed the handkerchief back in her bag before looking straight into Augustus’ confused eyes.

“No,” Augustus shook his head. “I do not permit your resignation. No one is leaving.” he said as he tried to carry Reya’s box, but she stopped him.

“Stop.” She spoke. “Stop giving me special treatment. It’s not good for both our images, especially to yours – the director.” she added.

She then takes a deep breath and takes her box from him. “I am not dense nor blind, Augustus,” she sighs “I know that you like and care for me...”

“...and I appreciate that – I am thankful that there is someone like you, but...” She sighs again.

Reya and Augustus have been friends since childhood. They grew up in the same neighborhood and went to the same schools – he’s five years older than her so he was one of her seniors, but despite the age gap, they bonded a lot with each other. He was actually her first roommate, and also the person who talked her into working at the university. 

She is grateful for every help that he had offer her. At first, she thought that it was all because they were childhood friends but then as time passed by, she realized that it isn’t as simple as she thought it was – he obviously likes her, and that happens to be one of the reasons why every faculty member is against her.

“... just like how I need to leave this place to become happy and find myself, you... deserve better.”

Augustus is a great man. He’s wise and intelligent. A gentleman, and the type of person whom you can lean on. He’s close to being perfect, and for Reya that alone, is enough reason for her to say that she isn’t deserving of him.

“Can I really not do anything to change your mind?” Augustus asked. “Can you really not stay?” he added.

Reya smiled and shook her head. “... but don’t worry we can still be friends though.” She said as he gave him a smile of assurance. 

-

“I asked for black coffee...” Thomas’s baritone voice thundered throughout the four corners of his office. “...so why the hell did you give me a f*cking latte?!”

“We’ll just get you another one, sir.” Jonas, his secretary, spoke in behalf of the other employees who seemed to have been frozen on their spots.

“Never mind.” Thomas replied. 

“Have someone from the finance department ready within five minutes.” He ordered. “I want to hear the sales report.” He added.

Jonas immediately nodded and stepped out of the office to follow his request. Thomas then took a deep breath and leaned his back on the chair as he massaged the bridge of his aristocratic nose to try and calm himself down.

He obviously is not in a good mood today. The people at work seemed to keep pushing his buttons – they failed to give him a good and well-structured report for the project that was launched a few weeks ago, and then they messed his coffee up.

He then takes a deep breath and exhales when his phone rang. 

Veronica calling...

Somehow a smile appeared on his lips as he read the caller ID. Truly in his dark days, it is only her, the love of his life, who manages to light up his mood and cheer him up.

“Hi baby...” He said the moment he pressed the call button and placed the phone near his ear.

“Hi love!” Veronica cheerfully replied from the other line.

Thomas could hear the sound of classical music from the background which led him to assume that she was currently resting at her penthouse while sipping on a glass of red wine.

“I miss you so much.” He spoke. “When is are you flying home?” He asked.

“Oh! I miss you too, my love.” Veronica replied. “... but I still have to stay for a few more months.”

Thomas sighed. “Can’t you take some time off for me, baby?” He asked. “We haven’t seen each other for quite some time. I want to hold you.”

“You know that I can’t do that, love,” Veronica slightly chuckled. 

“Last time I said I would visit, but you were very eager to tell me that it isn’t a good idea.” Thomas replied. 

“Are we still... okay?” he asked.

Suddenly there was a change of atmosphere. 

“What are you inferring?” Veronica replied. “Are you perhaps telling insinuating that I am hiding something?” She added.

“I did not say anything,” Thomas sighed. 

“Yes, you did not... but the tone of your voice does!” Veronica scoffed. “I agreed to being your girl because you told me that you would support me! We already talked about these things, and I thought you understood!”

“I do. I understand every bit of it.” Thomas replied.

“No! You do not! Because if you do, then you wouldn’t be asking that question!” 

Thomas slowly balled his fist as he took a deep breath. He does not like where their conversation is headed.

“You make it sound like I’m cheating!” Veronica scorned. “If you don’t trust me, what’s the point of telling me you love me?!” she added before ending the call.

“No--” Thomas wanted to explain his side but he couldn’t. 

“F*ck it!” he cursed in frustration.