Chapter - 5

Nick's pov;

Tuesday.

I slept in and arrived at my office late because I was thinking about my lunch with Elena.

"Has our Boss arrived?" I inquired of Chuck, who was on the phone with someone.

"Yes. He arrived earlier today ", he explained.

"Did he inquire about me?"

"Yes. He wanted me to inform you that you should meet him when you arrive."

"And do you know why?"

"I'm not sure. Perhaps something significant I guess." He resumes his conversation on the phone after informing me.

I took a walk to Boss's cabin. Carol was exiting his cabin at the same time I tried to open the door.

"What is our Boss doing now?" I inquired of Carol.

"He's talking to the manager."

"Oh. Okay."

I went to the boss cabin once the manager came out.

"You wanted me to see you, Sir."

"Yes. Come on in."

"What exactly is it, Sir?"

"I'd like you to set up a meeting with all the department heads as soon as feasible."

"Do you have an issue, Sir?"

"Yes. First, assemble workers and remind them that it is critical that everyone should attend."

"Sir, yes."

In the meeting room,

Buck informed me, "I don't know how to phrase this, but the game that is due next week is needed by this week."

Carol exclaimed, "What?"

"That's impossible," Bill exclaimed. Bill is one of our best doodlers.

"Is there a deadline for submission, sir?" I inquired.

"Yes, by Monday," Our Boss replied.

Chuck stood up to say something, but the boss cut him off by stating, "I approached them and requested an extension, but it did not work out. I know it's difficult but if we work through the weekends, I'm confident we'll be done by Monday."

"Sir, I have plans for this weekend," Carol insisted.

"Everyone in here has plans, Carol. And, I have plans as well, but we don't have a choice. We must complete it in some way."

Carol nagged him again, "But Sir..."

"The meeting has concluded. Everyone can leave now." He then exited the room without saying anything.

Carol cursed as she exited the room, "Shit!"

"Dude, I can't believe we're working weekends as well," Chuck snarled.

I returned to my work, remaining silent. I sat still in my seat, contemplating the weekend meet. I got out my phone to call her and tell her I wouldn't be able to make it on Saturday, but she was already online and typing. I waited for her to finish typing, but she didn't.

"If you focus more on work, we'll be able to finish it quickly," Buck said as he walked past me.

I put my phone back in my pocket. After a while, my phone vibrated as I was working. I believe it's her. I'm curious as to what she sent after typing for so long.

As an excuse, I walked out for a break. I took out my phone to take a look at it. It's from Elena, as I expected.

"1 p.m. California Pizza Kitchen Restaurant"

Was she typing this the whole time? I cracked a smile but worried that how can I tell her that i can't make it out.

'OK,' I said, and went in to begin working. I'm not going to cancel lunch with Elena!

Wednesday.

"How long do you intend to stay here? It's already nine o'clock." Chuck inquired.

"I have to finish this," I said, continuing to work on the assignment.

"This is something you can accomplish tomorrow, Nick."

"I have an art director meeting tomorrow, so I need to finish this digital illustration now."

"Okay. When are you going to finish?"

"It's going to be late. You may leave without me."

"Then, I'll see you tomorrow."

Thursday early morning.

"Didn't you go home the day before?" Chuck asked as soon as he saw me while entering the office.

"No."

"What's the story?"

"What?"

"We've had similar projects in the past. We worked until the deadline, but I've never seen you work so hard before. What happened this time?"

"Really?"

He gave a nod.

I rose up with a smile "I'm going to fetch some coffee for myself. Do you want one?"

He gave a hesitant nod.

I produced visual concepts for the game and gave them to Carol after consulting with the art director. Carol is the office's audio engineer manager. Carol said, "Did you check this with Devlin?"

Devlin's a software developer.

"Yes, she said that was fine."

"Okay. Then I'll get started."

I went back to my cabin.

Friday evening.

"Is everything all right? Can I go now?" I inquired of Buck.

"You can now because your part is over. I'm curious why you rushed to finish it so quickly; I believe there's something going on. Are you going to meet someone?"

"It's a friend of mine, Sir."

"Best wishes," he added, smiling at me.

Finally, it's Saturday, and Elena has sent me the address of the restaurant where we'll be meeting for lunch.

Restaurant California Pizza Kitchen. I entered and had a look around the restaurant. After taking a seat, the waiter handed me the menu card, which I used to place my order.

"Someone needs to come."

The waiter nodded and walked away. I examined the menu card.

Everything is pizza. I'm not a fan of pizza.

Elena called when I was looking through the menu. I believe she is nearby.

"Hello..." I said as I answered the phone.

"Hello, Nick. I apologise. I have something to catch up on, so I won't be able to attend lunch today. I'm very sorry."

"Oh. It's all right."

"Where are you? You haven't arrived there yet, right?"

"No, I didn't."

I lied while waiting for her in the restaurant.

"Okay. Then. Are you available tonight?"

"What?"

"I want to make up for it."

"I am, indeed, free."

"Then, Let's get meet tonight. It was the same eatery. At 9. All right," she says, "and I'll be there for sure."

"Okay."

I dialled Andrew's number. We gathered in front of the Beer Store, which is two streets away from the restaurant.

"Why did you call me suddenly?" Andrew inquired.

"Seems like you've been quite busy."

"Despite the fact that I only work at night. I'm still working during the day. Okay. What occurred?"

"What?"

"Take a look at yourself. Getting geared up. Are you on your way somewhere? Is that a date?"

"It isn't a date. It's just a get-together."

"With a client?"

"No. With a friend."

"Is this 'friend' a boy or a girl?"

"Why should you care?"

"So it's a girl. What is her name? Is she working with you? Or are you going on a blind date?"

"I mentioned a get-together. It's not a date."

"You still haven't revealed who she is."

I gave a menacing gaze and said, "If you don't want to be here, leave by yourself."

"Man, I'm not going to ask anything. You can meet any girl you wish. You can date any girl you choose. I'm not going to inquire about her. I'm merely here to get some free beer. So I'm going to have fun with it."

"Good."

We eventually met in the café where we had agreed to meet.

"Hello!" she exclaimed, beaming with delight.

"Hi."

A server, "Is this the girl you've been looking for all afternoon?"

She returned the waiter's question, "What? He's been here before."

"Ma'am, yes. He waited and then left."

"It's..."

"Did you come?"

I agreed by nodding.

"I'm very sorry."

"It's fine. Not a problem."

"But I feel really bad."

"It's all right. I went to visit a friend. So it's all right."

"It's... My brother is to blame. He appeared out of nowhere. My brother works in another country so he comes to see me once a month. As a result, I wouldn't miss his visits. And then he appeared out of nowhere today without a prior notice. That was the reason I went to see him."

The food arrived and we began to eat.

"What about your brothers and sisters? Do your siblings cause you as much trouble as my brother? ", she inquired as she ate the pizza on her plate.

"My parents work abroad and I am an only child."

"Oh."

"And how about your parents? Are they with you or with your brother?"

"They died when I was thirteen."

"I'm sorry."

"It's all right. Since then, my brother has taken care of me. We used to fight a lot before my parents died, but after that, he never fought with me again. He was always there for me when I needed him."

I agreed by nodding.

"Hey, what happened after you witnessed her dancing practise? Have you attempted to communicate with her?"

She's changing the subject yet again. It's fine with me if my narrative made her feel better.

"After my event, I went to hunt for her, abandoning my friends, but she wasn't there. I went to the dancing event to look for her. While I was looking for her backstage, where participants wait their turn to perform, some girls nearby stated, 'Dancers who completed their dance are moving to the audience place'

I approached the audience's seats. I searched the area for her. But, my friends apprehended me before I could find her. I glanced around again before leaving, but I couldn't find her. Unfortunately, we lost first position, but we came in second."

Elena burst out laughing after hearing it. She received a phone call.

"Oh my goodness! "I completely forgot about this!"

"What happened?"

"This is my brother." "I'll go get this. Otherwise he'll get mad at me."

She went outside to answer the phone.

While I waited for her, I ate.

She returned quickly.

"That was quick." I commented.

"I didn't inform my brother that I was going to eat outside."

I cracked a smile.

"Why are you smiling?"

"You two don't appear to be brothers and sisters. It's similar to father and daughter. The way you're terrified of him."

She smiled while saying, "Even though we grew up together, I'm still afraid of him."

"That person. The one who harmed you. Are you back together now? I was simply curious."

"Oh... W-We're not together. Anymore. "She delivered a soulless smile.

"Oh, okay. It's already ten. Will there be buses available this time? ", I inquired, checking the time on my wristwatch.

"The bus goes till 11, so it's alright, or we'll hire a cab," she remarked, chewing on her lunch.

I laughed to myself.

"You didn't say your office romance today, either," I said as we exited the eatery.

"I forgot, hahaha. I pledge to mention it next time."

"Really?"

"Yes. The following weekend"

"What if your brother shows up and you flee leaving me alone in the restaurant again?"

"Hey! You don't have to be concerned because he just comes once."

I exhaled a sigh.

"Hey! Please don't sigh on me. I made a pledge. Remember?"

"Okay. So... how are you going to get home? Bus or taxi?"

She took a look at her phone and said, "The bus terminal is a short distance away. I arrived here via cab, therefore I'll take a cab home."

"All right," I said, nodding.

The cab arrived after some time.

"The cab arrived," I said after taking a look.

"Yeah," she responded as she waited.

I'm not sure why she's still standing after the cab arrives.

"The taxi..." I reminded her.

"Yes. I'll go get..."

I held her hand as she began to get into the cab. She made a rapid turn, as if she was expecting it. We locked gazes for a few moments.

"Are we now friends?"

She laughed quickly and nodded, adding, "Yes."

"Okay." I cracked a smile.

I stood there watching her get into the cab.

The door didn't shut and Elena leaned out and asked, "You may come in, too,"

"I-I..."

"Where's your place?"

"It's Mariott from Anaheim."

"Sir, it's on its way to where the destination has been specified," the driver says.

"Is it?" she inquired of the driver.

"Certainly, ma'am."

"So, what are you still waiting for? Hop in ", she told me.

Elena and I take a seat at the back together. The ride began. She was staring at her phone when I looked at her.

"Did you say anything?" she inquired.

"No. I didn't."

"Okay." She returned her attention to her phone.

We have met before and sat and spoke, but it still feels different. Maybe because it was a closed environment.

If I took a cab from the restaurant to my house, it should only take 4 or 5 minutes, but time seems to be flowing so slowly right now.

While I was looking outside the window, my shoulder suddenly felt heavy. When I took a look, Elena dozed off on my shoulder.

"Sorry." She sat properly once again.

"It's all right."

She dozed off again and leaned on the window. However, it appeared amusing. I leaned forward and pushed her towards me, causing her to fall onto my shoulder. I took her phone and placed it in the bag she was holding.

"Can I stop here, Sir, or should I drop you off in front of the hotel?" The driver asked me when he reached my place.

"Let's drop her first."

"All OK, Sir."

How did she sleep that quickly? She must be exhausted at that point. Meeting her brother and visiting me. You may have stated that you are tired but why did you insist on meeting?

I took out my phone to look at the time. It's 11.15. Her place arrived after a while.

"Sir, can I drop you now?" the driver asked as I tried to wake her up.

"It's fine. I'll get down here as well. What is the cost?"

"Twenty dollars, sir."

I pulled money from my wallet and handed it to him.

While Elena was leaning on my shoulder, I took a peek outside. It appeared to be a remote location. This Avenue has a small number of residences. As I woke her up, she muttered something.

My phone rang as I was rousing her. Shit! I instantly took it and turned it off.

"Have we arrived yet?" She asked while rubbing her eyes.

"What brings us here? Aren't we supposed to arrive at your house first?"

"I fell asleep along with you."

The cab left us in the street after we got out.

"How are you going to get to your apartment now?"

"I contacted a friend, and he'll be here in a moment."

"Oh. Okay."

She didn't go to her house and waited with me.

"You don't have to wait here. You can leave."

She took a look at her phone and replied, "What about waiting in the house till your friend comes to pick you up."

"What?"

She said, "Take a look around. The road appears to be deserted. What if something unexpectedly comes out?"

I giggled as I jerked a little. Elena burst out laughing.

"Okay. Let us go inside."

We took a walk to her house. From the outside, it appears easy. She unlocked the door, walked inside, and welcomed me in.

When I was about to step in, I heard someone calling my name from behind, "Nick!"

I shifted my gaze. It's Andrew calling.

"That's my friend over there. I'll get going."

"Okay."

"Let's see what happens next weekend. Good night."

"Good night," she said with a smile.

I made my way to Andrew.

Andrew looked at Elena's house and asked, "Is this the friend you mentioned?"

"Let's go," I said as I hopped on his bike.

"Hey, Nick, why does she look familiar? Do I know her?"

I turned to face her.

She was still standing by the door, and when she spotted me, he smiled and waved at me. Why is she still there?

"Dude, she's waving at you. Aren't you going to wave back?"

I returned the wave.

"Let's go," I said as I tapped Andrews on the shoulder.

I took another glance at her when the ride began. The door was shut.

She doesn't appear someone to break up with? What will be the cause of her breakup? I'm curious to know as to why they split up.