"You done?" Luke asked looking down at the empty plate in front of Nora. She nodded. "Come, let's get to the main topic." He picked up his coffee mug and moved to the dining table. "What? You want me to carry you?" He said looking at her who hadn't moved an inch. "No." She blurted.
"So you thought about it?" He took a sip out of the mug.
"About what?" Nora asked.
"The internship offer." He narrowed his eyes.
"Yes I did. The pay is good, like very good. I'm sure I'll have a hell lot of money after I finish the internship period." She grinned. Luke looked at her with a poker face. "Sorry." She murmured. He sighed, "never mind, I didn't expect much from you anyway. Here you go." He pushed a pile of books towards her. "They contain everything Living Tech; internships, work environment, employment opportunities, promotions. Everything. Go through them. And for once just stop thinking about the money and concentrate on the important things. You'll have enough chances to earn it." He added.
"Oh man, didn't know you actually took what professor said seriously." She let out a little laugh. "But thanks anyway. Can I take them with me? I'm in no mood reading them right now."
"They're not of any use to me. Do whatever you want." He shook his hand.
"Cool I'll get my bag." She immediately got up and headed to the study. She returned and put the bag on the table with a thud.
"Easy there." Luke said pulling the mug towards him. She started stuffing the books in the book. "I better get away." He murmured and grabbed the mug in his hand and got up, Nora swung her bag over the shoulder and knocked the mug out off his hand, it hit the floor and shattered into pieces, spilling its content everywhere. Nora stood there, her eyes wide open, she looked up at Luke, he was looking at her fiercely. "Sorry. I didn't mean to." She stammered. "I will clean it up." She bent down.
"Don't. Just stay away. I'll do it myself." He put his hand up.
"It was my fault, I should be the one doing the cleaning."
"Please Nora don't make things any difficult. I'll do it, just stay away from the broken pieces." He said sternly and left.
She just stood there looking down at the mess she created, "What the heck? What did I do?" She murmured and stepped away, her eyes fell on a piece with something written on it, she picked it up. The white broken piece had 'Dearest Luke' with drawing of a girl kissing a boy. "Shit." Nora muttered.
"I told you to get away," Luke stood in front of her. "Go to the living room." She did not say anything and went to the living room with the piece clenched in her hand.
The living room was big enough for her to pace back and forth, her hand was fiddling with the piece, "It was gifted to him. I broke it. Great." She sighed and finally sat down on the couch.
"Hey, are you hurt?" Luke asked from behind her.
"Sorry!" Nora bolted upright and was on her feet.
"What did you do this time?" He moved and stood in front of her, across the table.
"I didn't do anything. I am sorry for this." She opened her fist and put the piece on the table, "it was a gift from someone special to you and it broke because of me."
He looked down at the broken piece in front of him. The piece stirred up some unpleasant memories, "Don't worry, the person already left. I don't care anymore for either of them." He said.
"If you don't care anymore, why was the mug still with you? You know you could have just thrown it away. Why have something that makes you sad?" Nora shrugged and looked up at him, he was staring at her intently. She bit her tongue, "I let my mouth run wild again." She thought.
"Sorry. Just ignore what I said. I'll leave. I'm really sorry for what I did, I'll compensate you in any way possible." She backed away from him and went for the door, Luke blocked her path, "Think you can escape? Just wait right there." He took out his phone and called someone, "Jerry drop Nora back." He hung up.
"No. I can go back on my own. There's no need for that." She almost shouted.
"You said you'll compensate." He shrugged his shoulders.
"But.." she looked at him, there was no way she was winning this argument. "Fine."
The doorbell rang, "you don't want to go back?" Luke looked at her.
"Of course I want to." She stomped towards the door. There stood Jerry in his black suit, "Sir."
"Drop her back." Luke said.
"Certainly. Miss Nora, this way please." Jerry motioned with his hand.
"Please just Nora is fine." She said with a smile and stepped out. Jerry followed her after a few minutes. "Miss Nora." Nora looked up at him. "I'm sorry, Nora, please follow me." He said.
They stepped in the elevator and Jerry used the card key, the elevator started descending without stopping. It came to a halt at the underground parking. Jerry stepped out followed by Nora. She followed him for a few metres, when he stopped and turned to look at her, "Miss Nora,"
"Only Nora." She blurted.
"Nora. Please get in." He motioned to a white sport sedan, which screamed luxury. She moved over to get into the passenger seat, "Miss Nora." Jerry held back, "Nora please get in the back. It's a part of my job."
Nora looked at the uneasiness on his face, "Is it uncomfortable for you to address me by my name?"
"Perhaps you are right." He said politely.
"Then Miss Nora would do." She shrugged and got into the back seat. Jerry sighed in relief and got in. He turned on the ignition and drove the car out of the parking.
***
Luke sat at the couch with the broken mug piece in his hand, tracing the words with his thumb. The mug was certainly the last thing he had that was given to him by her. He threw away everything that reminded him of her. It was painful but it still helped him to get over and today the last thing was gone too. "Well it feels liberating." He sighed.
He got up, the piece in his hand and moved to the kitchen to the trash bin. He put his foot on the step and the lid opened, he threw the piece in it, "Today I completely let go of you." He removed his foot and the lid closed. He stared at the bin for a few seconds and then left the kitchen.