Wonderings: Soon Be Free

[Terrence]

I ran around the area but I still haven’t found her. I got my phone and dialed her number. She’s not picking up either. When I felt tired, I went to sit on a bench in a nearby park. When I got there, I saw her; finally. 

“Amelia…” I called out to her. She looked at me but quickly avoided my gaze. She was sitting on the bench; she clutched the paper bag close to her.

“Why did you run off like that?” I asked. I sat next to her on the bench but she still didn’t answer. I held her hand.

“Amelia, please talk to me.” She looked at me; her eyes staring into mine.

“Why do you still bother with me? I’ve already caused you so much trouble.” She answered. Why does she always blame herself? Is that how she is? Or is that how Kael taught her to think? I couldn’t help myself. I wrapped her in my embrace.

“It’s because I like you. And I hate seeing you getting hurt because of that jerk.” I held her tight in my arms. I don’t want to let her go. We didn’t speak. We stayed like that for a while until I felt her slowly pushing me away. 

“We should get back to your apartment. You’re sick and staying out for too long will only make it worse.” She nodded and I helped her up. We walked back to her apartment. Before we could enter, she took the keys out of her pocket and unlocked the door. We went inside and she put the paper bag down on the table. She took out the medicine from the bag. I went to the kitchen area and grabbed a glass of water and I handed it to her.

“Thank you.” She drank the medicine and I told her to lie in bed. I held her forehead and she felt hot. 

“You just rest, okay?” She nodded. I went outside and took out my phone.

“Hello, Mr. Takeda?” 

“Yes?” Kael’s father answered after the 2nd ring.

“This is Terrence Grimes from Grimes Corporation.”

“Ah yes, Terrence, is there a reason you’re calling me?” I smirked.

“Yes sir, it’s about the partnership with DRIVEA.” 

“Is my son giving you any trouble?” 

“No sir, I just met with him. I want to talk to you about the projects that this partnership will be doing.” I told him. 

“What is it?” He asked.

“Once the contract is signed, I want there to be confidentiality with the project. My father hired me an assistant himself to keep things under wraps. He had me suggest doing the same with DRIVEA since this is a partnership.” He didn’t answer for a few seconds.

“You’re right. I’ll find my son a trustworthy assistant and I’ll have him fire his current assistant.” I smiled.

“That’d be great sir. Thank you.” I ended the call and went back inside. I noticed that Amelia was fast asleep.

“You’ll be free soon Amelia.” I caressed her face. Is it just me or is she getting thinner. 

As I was waiting for her to wake up, I noticed that her apartment was really small. There weren’t many things in it. I checked her closet and there were only a few sets of clothing here. I checked her fridge and there was nothing inside. Has she been living like this? She was still asleep so I decided to go out and buy her something to eat. She’ll be hungry the moment she wakes up. 

I got in my car and drove to one of my friend’s restaurants. I ordered some congee and a few other things. I drove back to her apartment. When I got inside, she wasn’t on the bed. I placed the food on the table. I heard the bathroom door open and I saw her walking out. She looked pale and she was wiping her mouth. I went up to her.

“Are you okay?” I asked. She looked at me and smiled. 

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I breathe a sigh of relief. 

“You must be hungry, I bought food.” I led her to the table. I placed the congee in front of her and I gave her a spoon. She smiled at me and started to eat. 

“Aren’t you going to eat?” She asked. I nodded and started to eat too. 

“Amelia, if you get a chance to leave DRIVEA, where would you go?” I asked. She stopped eating and looked at me.

“I’ll probably have to find a new job.” She answered.

“Are you willing to work for me?” I asked. She looked at me and raised her eyebrow.

“Well yeah, having a job is better than not having one.” I smiled at her. We continued to eat. After the meal, I cleaned up the table for her. I told her that I would be the one to do the cleaning and that she would stay put in bed. After cleaning up, I checked my phone and saw that it was getting late. 

“Will you be fine on your own here?” I asked. She smiled at me and held my hand.

“You’ve already done so much for me. I’ll be fine. Thank you so much.” I smiled at her. 

“I’ll be going now. Just call me if you need anything.” She nodded and waved goodbye. I got in my car and drove back to my villa. I bet tomorrow will be interesting. 

I woke up the next day feeling excited. I took a shower and had some breakfast. I took my phone and texted Amelia.

“Good morning. Are you feeling better now? Will you go back to work?” I waited for her reply. 

“Good morning. Yes I’m feeling much better. I’m already on my way to the office.” I tucked my phone in my pocket and went out to my car. I received the contract last night and I signed it. I headed to DRIVEA to hand it to Kael myself; and to see the look on his face when he has to fire Amelia. When I arrived, I immediately went up to the top floor. When the elevator stopped, I got out and saw Amelia on her desk.

“Good morning.” I greeted. She looked up at me and smiled.

“Good morning Terrence. Why are you here? I didn’t know that you had a meeting with Kael today.” She grabbed her planner and flipped through the pages. She must be looking for my appointment. 

“I’m here to hand the contract that I signed; for the partnership.” I showed her the paper and she smiled.

“Oh okay then. Would you like to see Mr. Takeda now?” She asked. I nodded and she went over to Kael’s door. She knocked before entering. I heard Kael’s voice and Amelia entered the room. She was there for quite a while. Suddenly, I heard Amelia’s voice. She was repeating the words no and stop. I couldn’t stop myself from barging in his office. When I entered, Kael held both Amelia’s wrist. They both looked at me. 

“What the hell are you doing here?” Kael asked angrily. I didn’t answer. I went over to them and grabbed Amelia’s wrist and pulled her away from Kael. I noticed there was a hickey on her neck. This asshole must’ve forced himself on her.

“I’m here to hand the contract that I signed.” I tossed the paper at him. The room became silent. 

“You’re fired.” Kael said quietly. Amelia looked surprised. I looked at her and she had an unreadable expression. I don’t know if she’s sad or happy. I can’t tell. 

“Didn’t you hear me? Get out of here.” He shouted. I pulled Amelia out of his office. 

“Are you okay?” I asked. She nodded slowly. She went over to her desk and grabbed her bag. 

“What are you going to do now?” I asked. She looked at me and smiled.

“I’ll just keep on living. No use being sad about it.” She said. I felt a smile form on my lips. I walked with her down to the main lobby. We walked out of the building where my car was waiting. I pulled out a contract from my jacket pocket and handed it to her.

‘Remember what I said? I’m offering you a job at Grimes Corporation. You don’t have to sign it now. I’ll let you think about it first.” She accepted the contract and smiled at me.

“Thank you Terrence. Honestly, you’ve done so much. I don’t know how to thank you.” Just seeing her smile like that is enough. I patted her head.

“Just promise me you’ll think about the job I’m offering you.” I said. She nodded and tucked the contract inside her bag. 

“Are you going back to Grimes Corp.?” She asked. I nodded.

“Let me drop you off at your apartment.” I offered but she declined.

“No, it’s okay. I have somewhere to be. You go on ahead. Drive safely.” I went inside my car and she waved goodbye. I drove back to Grimes Corp and did my job. I had a lot of meetings today including the one with DRIVEA. This time it’ll be here in my company. My father arrived and we waited for Kael and his father. Not long after, they arrived and we started with the meeting.

I noticed that Kael kept glancing at me. He’s giving me death glares. Stare at me all you want but you’re never going to get Amelia back. After the meeting, we came to an agreement. My father and Kael’s father went to the other room to discuss something while Kael and I were left in the conference room. 

“I didn’t see her here. Did she turn down your offer for a job?” He asked mockingly. I smirked.

“No, I just gave her the freedom to choose if she’d like to work for me or not. Don’t worry; you’ll be seeing her here soon.” I answered. I saw his expression change. He’s clearly in a bad mood. He stood up and left the conference room. A few minutes later, his father came back to the room and asked where Kael went.

“He didn’t say, sir. He just left.” I answered. His father sighed and apologized for his son’s behavior. He left shortly after. My father and I discussed a few things before he left. 

I was in my car when I thought of calling Amelia. When she didn’t answer, I got anxious. I drove back to my villa. When I arrived, she still wasn’t answering. I texted her and waited for her reply. Suddenly my phone buzzed. 

“Sorry I fell asleep.” She replied. I can’t help but smile. 

“No it’s okay. I should be the one to say sorry for waking you. I’ll text you tomorrow.” I replied. She replied with a thumb up and a smiley face emoji. I charged my phone and I went to shower. When I got out, I got a call from an unknown number. I was reluctant to answer but I did anyway.

“Hello?” 

“Hey Terrence, miss me?” A familiar voice resonated through the phone. 

“Eliana?” I heard a giggle over the phone.

“I’m glad you could still remember my voice even after all these years.” She said. I had the strongest urge to end the call.

“What do you want?” I asked. 

“Is it so wrong to call my boyfriend?” She said with confidence.

“Boyfriend? If my memory serves me right, we broke up 3 years ago after you left me without an explanation.” I answered. She sighed.

“Is that so? Well, have you heard the news from your father?” She asked. I raised my eyebrow. 

“What news?” 

“I’ll let your father explain that one. Save my number. Bye.” Before I had the chance to answer, she ended the call. What the hell is she planning? Just then, my phone rang and it was my father calling.

“Yes dad?” I answered. 

“Terrence, your grandfather and I have something to discuss with you. Come here immediately.” I agreed and ended the call. I grabbed my car keys and went to my car. 

What the hell did Eliana do?