Seven years later.
Several expensive cars drove slowly towards carpeDiem Torres company. The crowd stared at the cars. A man in gloves stepped forward respectfully and pulled the car door. The first thing they saw was a pair of black shoe glittering with gold.
"Here he comes! Look, it's him"
The reporters waiting outside the company all lifted their cameras and started shooting.
A young man stepped out of the car. He has a black hair and a bright brown eyes; they gleam with delight. He had bristly eyebrows and well defined cheekbones. Everyone commented on his vivacious character and his gentle nature. His gap year clothes also made him appear younger than his years.
A young woman appeared behind him and smiled. Her hair was black and it plunged over her shoulders. She had honey sweet lips and a cheerful character. She has a comely figure which was stem thin.
The reporters ran towards the young man and started to ask questions. "President Chad, how are you doing?"
"I am great. Thanks" he said, smiling.
"When was the last time you changed your mind about something important?" another asked.
"Em, it was last week"
"What do you think your company's mission and vision are?"
"We all have a personal relationship with our shoes. They tell the world who we are, make us feel great and inspire us"
"What was your most unexpected lesson in leading for growth?"
"It was probably something I learnt from my parents way back when I was still the COO of this company"
"How would you describe yourself in one word?"
"I don't judge people on the word they choose, but it gives me insight into how people packaged themselves"
The security guard came to block the reporters from asking more questions and cleared the way for Chad to pass. He smiled and waved at the reporters as he walked inside.
At New York City.
A young lady sat silently on the couch in the living room. She was wearing a sleek leopard print top, black trousers and a long winter coat. Her crescent shaped eyebrows inclined slightly and her languid eyelashes of velvet- black blinked once slowly.
She had her hair bobbed and highlighted. Her light brown eyes fixed on the television screen. She wore a glasses and her pink lips were plump.
She broke into a smile when she saw Chad on the television screen. It's been seven years since she last saw him. Seven good years without contacting them. He is still the same person, still as handsome as always. Her smile froze on her lips when she was the woman standing beside him. She titled her head and adjusted her glasses.
It's Mina. Mina was the lady standing beside him.
But why was she standing beside him? Has Chad forgotten about her? It's just seven years and he has forgotten her. Chad promised not to leave her because she is always in his heart, but has he forgotten all of those?
Her trains of thought was interrupted by her friend Alicia. "Rachel, I brought..." the nylon handbags in her hand fell and she ran towards the television. She sat in front of the television and shouted happily. "Chad, wow! He is so handsome. He is my crush. I wish to meet him someday. Oh, I can't really wait to meet him" she took the cushion beside her and hugged it as if she was hugging Chad himself.
Rachel looked at her and shook her head. Ever since she got to the US, she never told anyone about her relationship with Chad.
Alicia became Rachel's friend when she got to the US. She knew nobody and she walks alone everytime not until one day, she bumped into Alicia who was in a hurry and her testbooks fell. Rachel apologized and helped her pick up her textbooks. They waved each other goodbye and went on their own way. Unknowingly to them, they were both in the same class and they are also roommate. The both of them shared the same textbooks and studied together.
Alicia who was shouting happily, talking about Chad noticed Rachel has not been replying her. She turned her head to look at Rachel. "Hey, baby girl, why are you sad?" her voice brought Rachel back down to earth. Rachel shook her head and smiled. Alicia didn't believe she was okay. She stood up, went to Rachel and sat down beside her. "Hey, you can tell me what happened, okay? Are we not friends anymore?"
Rachel looked at her. "it's nothing serious. I was just thinking about home. I have missed my family so so much that I can't even wait to see them again"
Alicia smiled and pinched Rachel's cheeks. "You are always thinking about family. I forgot I bought chicken nuggets and cheeseburger. Let me go and get the plates. I will be back soon" she tapped Rachel's nose before going to the kitchen with the nylon handbags.
At carpeDiem Torres.
Chad walked into his office. The office was painted grey and it had only one floor to ceiling window, which faced the main road. On the grey desk sat a desktop computer, a notebook lying open, and a stock of papers sitting under a turtle shaped paperweight. In the corner, the air conditioner was blasting at medium and their was a swivel chair in the middle of the office.
Chad walked to his seat and sat down. Minutes later, Mina came inside with a coffee cup in her hands. Sitting the cup on the desk, she asked, "Chad, what are your plans today?" Aunt wants to see you. You have not been visiting the mansion ever since you left. Aunt is dying of seeing you"
Chad left the Torres mansion at the age of twenty two. He doesn't want to be under his mother anymore and mostly, he doesn't want to see Mina. He has also been busy with work and everytime his mother ask him to come home, he will reply by saying.
"Mom, I am so busy. I will come another day" he thought of it, he has promised to go home, but never fulfilled his promise. "Okay"
Mina smiled inwardly, then her eyes caught a photo of Rachel which was placed on his desk. Her face darkened and she felt her blood began to boil because of anger. She walked towards the photo slowly and picked it up. "Chad, it's been seven years and you have not forgotten about her" she asked as she fixed her cold eyes on the photo.
"You are already twenty eight years and you are not growing younger anymore. Do you want to be a bachelor for life? Do you want to wait for her forever?"
Chad did not respond.
She placed the photo back on his desk and walked towards him. "Chad, I know it's Rachel that you love and no one can change that neither can I, but please, give me a chance to be in your heart. Just give me a chance to prove to you that I love you so much, please"
Chad stood up from his chair, walked pass her and said, "Mina, I think you should leave now. Aunt must be waiting for you"
Mina felt her heart dropped. Her eyes welled up, but she bit her lower lip so her tears won't fall. She smiled bitterly and turned to Chad who turned his back on her. "Okay, I will leave" she picked up her purse, turned on her heels and walked out of his office, but before she left, she turned to look at Chad once more, but he quickly turned and pretended as if he didn't know that she was looking at him.
Mina shouldn't have followed him here if not for his mother who begged him to allow her to follow him. After so much pleading, he agreed. Mina is like a chewing gum stuck to the sole of his shoe. He tried everything to get rid of her, and the more he tried to push her away, the more she comes closer to him which disgusts him. He shakes his head frustrated as he sat down back on his chair.