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TWENTY NINE
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2022-02-19 20:00:40“Remind me what is your job scope again, Mr. Pierce?”
“Editing copy, researching images, proofreading articl-”
“Exactly. How come I could still find errors there?” My face remains stoic as I glanced at the maroon map on my table.
John groggily grabbed the printed article he submitted last week. He scanned through the paper. His eyes widen as he found the error I meant. Typos. A basic and stupid mistake for an editorial team.
“I’m sorry, Sir. I’ll revise it and get back to you as soon as possible.”
“If I find any typos on your future articles, just pack your things and leave.”
John muttered one last apologize before leaving the room. I could feel Bryan’s eyes are on me. I sighed and turned back my focus to the laptop. There are several articles need to be reviewed so it could be published by the end of next month.
“Aren’t you a bit harsh
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Please please, keep going! I held my breath as my phone let out a ‘ding’ sound. I slowly open my eyes and peek through a decent hole between my left palm. I look down at the online picker wheel, mentally praying for the result to be ‘keep going’. You’ve got to be kidding me. I scoffed as I saw the arrow stopped at ‘move on’ option. It was the third spin and I got the same answer. Even these websites can’t support me. I closed the online spinner. Testing my luck, I went to see if Rosie, has at least, read my text. But none. It was just delivered. Let’s stay positive, she might has slept. I type another text for Rosie. This is not an act where I, Alex Angelo, being desperate. I just want to let her know that I am cool with her having crushes on somebody else. But that doesn’t mean that I’ll stop courting her. As long as she isn’t legally attached to someone, I still have chance… right? To: Rosie ‘Goodnight Rosie! Sleep well.’ I turned off my pho
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Latest chapter
BR(ok)EN THE FINAL, SPECIAL CHAPTER
I looked down on Earth, seeing Elena and her partner, Avory, just exchanged vows in front of the Altar. When the pastor announced for the couple to kiss, the cheers erupted. The kiss sealed the vows. Finally, one of my daughter has found the love of her life, who would take care of her. This might sounds rude, but I can’t wait to meet Avory and thank him for taking care of my daughter. I glanced over Rosie to find her smiling. If we were still a human, I know she would cry a river seeing her first-born daughter get married. I give her a side hug and some soft pats, which resulting in her resting her head on my shoulder. Her eyes are never leaving the Earth’s view. I turned my attention back to the wedding party down there. Allen is laughing along with her aunt, Milly. Both of them are drunk enough, because if not, they won’t be screaming their lungs out to sing the ballad song from some singers I don’t recognize. They made it sound like a rock song. Allen even showed some dance moves
BR(ok)EN SPECIAL CHAPTER
“Rosie, tone it down. You wouldn’t want the kids to hear, right?” I warned her quietly.“I-it hurts! Slowly, Alex!” She whispered-yelled.It doesn’t take long until we heard rushed knocks on our bedroom door.“Mommy? Daddy? What are you doing?” That’s my sweet little angel.I am doomed.“Mommy, you promised me no more babies!” And that’s the demon.I looked at Rosie, who is now blushing hard. I’m not sure whether to laugh or scared, hearing my child angry shouts. She feels more like a mom than a daughter to me.That’s Elena, our first-born girl. The nine years old girl who clearly stated that she doesn’t want another younger sibling. She has had enough waking up in the middle of the night, because apparently, our youngest daughter, Allen, used to cry when the clock hits twelve in the middle of the night.Now that Allen is five, she has turned into the sweetest little angel I could ever wished for. Don’t blame me though. Allen is the only one who would stick by my side. Elena would alw
BR(ok)EN EPILOGUE
“The late Mrs. Beth Anderson has founded to be guilty for the death of her own daughter, Ms. Ayle Angelo. While Mark, the one who is suspected to join Mrs. Anderson in terrorizing her own daughter, is on the wanted men list.”“Despite all of the dark past, Angelo Corps has finally come back stronger and is ready to show their new face. Meet Alex Angelo, the new CEO of Angelo Corps.”Life is crazy. And scary. And full of surprises.When life goes well, we can’t never be too happy. There is a belief that life might go down bad when it has been good for some time.You can’t complain when you feel like life is unfair. Because sadly, that’s what everyone thinks too. So, it is basically a fair life.I remember reading an old article from my ex-coworkers.REFLECTION CORNER: Life Is Going Too Well?Have you ever feel anxious when life is treating you way too well? Or when things go smoothly as planned, does it terrifies you? Even after all the sweats and tears you’ve sacrificed, why do happi
BR(ok)EN SIXTY ONE
Nine months after the incident.I’m living my new life. I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it, but I don’t hate it either. The public starts to know me. Sure, I have had their attention starting six months ago. But now, they know me as the new CEO of Angelo Corps.These past six months, I tried to bury myself with work. Not only because dad is retiring soon, I also need some distraction to forget about Ayle and mom’s death. Sure, I have been attending some therapy recommended by Rosie. We are scheduled to meet Agatha once a month. It surely helps, but when I’m alone doing nothing, my mind will slowly drift to them.Rosie often scolds me for being a workaholic. It wasn’t a new scene for my employees seeing Rosie ‘literally’ drags me out of the office so I would stop working. But I’m not complaining.Rosie has stopped being a bartender. She quits few months ago. Together with her mom Milly, and Bonnie, they opened a café. Her mom said she would like to work because she is bored and has nothing to
BR(ok)EN SIXTY
“With all these evidence, we strongly conclude that Beth is the one who caused Ayle depressed and took her own life.”I have to keep my life low since the news broke out. Today is the sixth day I’m staying in my new apartment. Dad bought me an apartment, suggesting me to start a new life. I’m still trying to take everything slowly. From accepting the fact that Ayle and mom have gone, to the fact that I will be the one to handle dad’s company (which I’m not excited to look forward to), and starting a new life.What people said are true. You never value something or someone, until they are gone. Sometimes I would cry myself to sleep, missing my little sister and mom. Even worse, sometimes I found myself daydreaming about what I should have done back then, so all of this won’t happen.That’s when Rosie brings me back to life. Just like now. I was just intending to look at the dark skies and enjoying the strong wind on the balcony, but my thoughts are scattered everywhere.“Baby, you are
BR(ok)EN FIFTY NINE
My fingers slowly flip over the report, moving forward to the next pages.~Ms. Ayle Angelo – Mrs. Beth AndersonReferences: Secret code numbers9870 – It’s been a while, Love6124 – You are so annoying0383 – You are the reason why I have this freaking depression of mine!2789 – I’m tired of life7492 – I wish I could have a better life6339 – Is it still worth it to live?4202 – Let’s end this9488 – I wish I could sleep a little longer and never wake up~“We can confirm that Ms. Ayle Angelo takes her own life because of depression. Those are some codes from the mysterious bouquets our team has solved. There are still several codes in progress to be solved.” Mr. Brown, the head department of Ayle and mom’s death investigation, said.The big guy walked over his laptop and pressed on some button, causing the projector to show the next slide. There are cctv pictures showing someone entering a florist. It was a guy. It has the date written on the lower part of every pictures.“Who is t
BR(ok)EN FIFTY EIGHT
I’m awake.But I don’t want to interact with anyone.I choose to keep my eyes close, with ears wide open listening to all the murmurs.This place smells like shit. And drugs. Also, omnipresent smell of antiseptic. It doesn’t require an Einstein to know I’m at a hospital.“He suffered from severe dehydration. But you don’t have to worry. We have given him some medical treatment and he should be waking up anytime soon.”That’s the one who treat me.“Thank you, Doctor.”That’s my dad.Several footsteps are walking further and I could hear the faint sound of door closing.“You should get some proper rest, Rosie. You have been watching over him since last night.”“I’m okay, Uncle. Besides, the doctor said Alex will wake up soon. I want to be here when he wakes up.”That’s the sweet voice coming from my girlfriend.Dad sighed, knowing he can’t do anything. “I will get some food for you, okay? You can text me if you need anything in the meantime.”Rosie hummed in response. She also said than
BR(ok)EN FIFTY SEVEN
The next day after the burial of Ayle and mom.‘Ms. Angelo sent me a farewell text. I called the emergency responders right away while rushing to her apartment. But the moment we arrived, she has been founded unconscious on the floor. She was declared dead.’‘Mrs. Beth Anderson is the best work mate I have ever had. She never showed any signs of depression, problems, or stress. That’s why we never had a clue on what’s going on in her life. We are really sorry for the lost.’‘Based on our investigation, we found bunch of flower bouquets on Ms. Angelo’s apartment. It has some notes written on it. Turns out, it was some secret code numbers. Like 6124 means ‘you are so annoying’. 0383 means ‘you are the reason I have this depression of mine’. 4202 means ‘let’s end this’ which we assumed is the last bouquets she received before taking her own life.On top of that, we found a hand-written note on her working table which only contain four numbers on it.9488.Meaning ‘I wish I could sleep a
BR(ok)EN FIFTY SIX
Everyone is busy with their own tasks. There are several nurses walk in and out from that room where Ayle and mom are being kept. Also a few policemen keep running here and there. Dad and his wife, also some other people I might or might not know, tried to talk to me. But everything felt like some muffled mess voices.Everything happened too fast. One second I was at home, then in a blink of an eye, I’m here. At the morgue. Waiting for my turn to see my sister and mom for the last time. Honestly, I feel numb. No more tears coming out from my eyes. I’m exhausted. And confused. And… numb.What exactly has happened? Is it even possible to loss two family members at the same night? Or maybe, at the same time?Why? I know life has gone wrong at some points, but do they really need to do it? What has gone really worst to the point they committed suicide? Is it easier to leave this world behind, than to strive together?The worst part is, why didn’t I notice it before? They might have given
