Chapter 9

ROZETA:

I wasn't too sure about resuming back to work. Not like the break I took wasn't enough. But with the way I was feeling after the two last two incidents, I think I was bound to be in this position.

After I was discharged from the hospital for yet the second time in the space of a week, I resorted to reflecting on myself. I didn't want to believe I was going through a change I couldn't control. Especially when it was something that could make others see me as a maniac of some sort.

My self-reflection led me to discover that the change I was going through was just a one-time thing. Perhaps it didn't even occur at all because I had been dizzy during that time frame that I thought I heard someone's thoughts.

How would it even be possible to hear the thoughts of someone else? That was the key question I had asked myself during my time alone last week. Lauryn made it clear to me that I was just suffering from a concussion and I just had to agree at the end of the day that it was what she stated.

I made sure that wasn't the order of my day for the remaining days of the week. Because knowing me, I was easily consumed by things that bothered me.

A deep breath and took the first step that would lead me back to my hectic lifestyle as a sales representative at Neon Corps.

Pushing the door into the massive building gave me a kind of feeling that pushed my mind back to the happenings of last week. If I could recall correctly, it was the stress from being a worker here that drove me to that nightclub which led to the strange things that I'm still trying to get a clearer knowledge about.

I sight the receptionist who acknowledges me with her usual smile. There was this hint of concern on her face but I shrug it off, thinking it was just something else. I reciprocate her smile with one before heading toward the elevator where I would need to get to my departmental office on one of the top floors.

The elevator indicated that it was in use so I just stood there while waiting for it to get back down. The next thing I did after that was check the time on my phone which I fished out of my bag. I was five minutes early to the resumption time so that was all I needed to know that I wasn't going to get into trouble with my supervisor this Monday morning.

As I waited nervously for the elevator to come down, I couldn't help but let my mind wander off into another dimension. I find myself thinking about the night at the club... mostly the incident after the club.

It wouldn't have been counted as a memorable night as I remember nothing much from it. But then the things that have happened after that and the hickey that magically disappeared like it wasn't there before have simply made it memorable. I don't know why I still call it a hickey when it is clear that I was bitten badly. Perhaps it's my way of justifying that nigh-perfect stranger.

"Gosh, it's so hot."

My head instantly snaps to the side as I check to see who just said that. I realize it was a coworker who I'm not sure I've met before. But judging from his appearance, he sure was a worker here.

He was holding onto a styrofoam cup which was emitting mist. Despite the sleeve around it, he seems to be struggling with the cup. He could have just opted for a carrier.

"Sorry, what did you say?" I find myself asking him as I waited for him to reiterate his statement.

He gives me a weird look which has me questioning my appearance. Have I got something on my face?

"Say?" he asks.

I nod. "Yes," I admit, "You said something just now, didn't you?"

He gives me a look related to a once-over before looking away while saying, "I didn't."

Now that was strange. If he says he said nothing, then what was that I heard that took me out of my thoughts? It was even the same voice as his now.

For a while, I stare at him while preparing my mind to say something. I really want to insist on the fact that I heard him speak but the ding sound from the elevator prevents me from airing my thoughts to him.

I look away just as the doors come open. There were two people inside who instantly walked out, giving me the chance to walk into the elevator. And, yeah, the man with the hot styrofoam cup walked in too.

I try not to look in his direction because I feel a lot embarrassed knowing that I just might have thought wrongly about what I thought I heard. I reach out to the buttons on the side, clicking the thirteenth number that way. The man reaches for the buttons after as well but I do not care to look at what he was going to click.

The doors shut close and slowly the elevator starts to ascend. Normally I'm always awkward around people except when I'm buzzed. But the situation this time around made me feel like this was going to be a long trip up the building.

The silence was damning but it was sure better than trying to embarrass myself further by insisting that I heard him say something to me. Pretty sure his thought after that would be that I was just trying to have a conversation with him.

The elevator stops and I look up to see we were now on the eleventh floor. As soon as the doors go open, the man was out the next second. To be honest, that made me feel so humiliated. Was I a bug now or something?

That was enough to get me in my feelings but I was fighting the urge. I made a mess of myself and I have to admit that I deserve what I got.

Soon I was on the thirteenth floor which I got out of when the elevator halted again. For some reason, I wasn't as nervous as I was when I stepped into the building downstairs. I wasn't even feeling the hurt of what transpired between me and the man with the styrofoam cup. Perhaps a little confidence boost from nothing is what I need.

I clutch my handbag tightly. And with slow strides, I walk toward the door that leads to my department. I had my eyes shut close for a brief second as I did so and then got to the door which I handled quickly and precisely.

As the door went open, I hoped the day wasn't going to be as bad as it seems to have started.

_____

The day went by as quickly as it began. I tried my best to get a lot of things done while also trying to make sure I didn't get on the bad side of my supervisor. And that was because it started with him making it clear that my workload would be increased after I missed a whole week of work.

All through I did my best to immerse myself in my work as I tried not to think of anything else. It proved to be a lot easy and I would link it to the fact that I was the type of person who tends to keep my focus on something that I've made my mind up on.

The instant it was closing hours, I found myself out of the office. There was no way in the world that I was going to work overtime. Not after everything that happened the last time I did that for a straight week.

Outside looked to be getting dark. This means I need to get home in time before everywhere is filled with all shades of darkness.

I stood outside the office building while waiting for a taxi that would convey me home. It didn't take me more than two minutes to flag one off. But being the weird me, I told the ride to move on while I found myself attempting a walk away from there.

I have no idea why I had the sudden change of mind to walk instead of going into the taxi. Not that I have it in me to walk all the way home - that wouldn't be possible... I stay miles away from the company.

I was stylishly flinging my handbag as I walked down the road that was filled with the same numerous activities that I see on a daily. And as I walked on, I felt this kind of peace that came with the coolness of the evening. Made me wish I made this a routine before. If I didn't always have to work overtime, then I could have considered it already.

The moment I start to feel a strange signal in me, I start to question my sanity again. I didn't need this this evening. Didn't even need it ever again.

I halt. Not because of the feeling. But because of the man standing a distance away.

My heart starts racing. I find myself going through a disoriented state as I stare on. It felt like there was a pull between me and the man standing far off and it gave me mixed feelings of confusion and excitement.

I didn't even know when I utter: "You..."