SEBASTIAN
I cursed to myself mentally, occasionally glaring at the rear-view mirror in my car. I only drive my car on rare occasions, and this was one of them.
"Good job Sebastian! Leave your books in your apartment why don't ya? Yes, because that's how you succeed in life." I angrily muttered.
I left the house almost an hour ago, shouting every curse word under the sun. On my way out, stomping like a deranged elephant, I managed to scare a few maids, so much that they flew to the sides of the hall to avoid me. I don't usually get angry, but this, like driving my car, is also a rare occasion.
I drive past the shining gates of Rowell Academy, cautious not to run anyone over on the way to my apartment. Hastily, I park my car and sprint into the building, reaching my apartment in record time. Throwing my backpack onto the sofa, I grab my books from the table and shove them in, hoping the pages remain in pristine condition.
Through my adrenalin filled haze, I failed to notice the letter by my door until now. I cautiously made my way towards it, noticing a heart stamp on the corner. I tore it open and began to read.
'Dear Mr Sebastian King,
I am formally writing to tell you that your case has been completed. The agreed conditions for your case have been met and we will no longer be in contact with you. The number we provided you with will now be invalid and cannot be reached.
Thank you for working with Cupid's Database, best wishes from the team.
Signed:
Libby Dickson and Audrey Parkinson.'
What?
Before I knew it, the letter had slipped through my fingertips. When did this happen? Why wasn't I told about any of this? This is all so sudden. I whipped my phone out of my pocket and called the number.
"This is an unrecognised number ple-"
I ended the call and turned to the next best thing.
"Hello?"
"Rachel! Hello, how-"
"Sebastian? What's wrong?" She sounded worried, I could hear someone murmuring in the background.
"Are you alone?" I asked, fearing the answer.
"No. I'm on a date...with Oliver. Why?" She replied hesitantly.
"You and Oliver are together?"
"Yeah, funny story actually, your girlfriend called and said she wanted to talk to me, she said something about putting this all behind us or something. We met up and next thing you know, I was on a date with Oliver. He's so sweet and kind and...I'm really sorry for everything I've done. I know how you feel now." She giggled, I could hear a faint 'I love you too'.
I ran my hands through my hair in frustration, "when did this happen? Do you have Audrey's number?"
"No. The number I had, I tried to call her to thank her and apologise but it just said that the number wasn't recognised, I could have sworn it was right, it was the number she texted me from. Why, is something wrong Sebastian?"
Audrey was gone without a trace. I had no way to contact her.
"No, don't worry, I've got everything sorted. Sorry for bothering you, enjoy your date." I answered.
"Will do. Sebastian, if you have anything, anything at all that you need to talk about, give me a call okay?"
"I will, thank you. Goodbye."
With a few beeps, the call had ended. Panic overwhelmed me, hitting me like a truck.
I would finally have to answer my questions, the questions I never expected to answer so soon.
What now?
AUDREY
"Just slipped the letter under his door. Do you think he'll take it well?" Libby asked, just walking through the door.
We were seated at the table, our own version of the Round Table. Mugs and papers were scattered across the sleek glass surface.
"I don't think so, he seemed pretty close to Audrey. What if he got attached?" James questioned, his eyes flickered with uncertainty.
"That's not possible. There's no way, right?" I denied, resting my jaw on the palm of my hand.
"Eh, I think he has. You both were pretty close. In fact, I would be surprised if he didn't get attached." Libby replied, taking a seat beside James with a peck on his cheek.
There were murmurs and whispers around the table, everyone had abandoned their stations and came to join us. Looks of fear and questioning could be seen, yet we mostly stayed silent.
"So, what's going to happen at the school resort trip?" Elise, a financer, queried.
Libby's eyes shone with worry, "aww nuggets! I forgot about the resort trip. I guess we'll just have to avoid him."
"Or I could just not go," I suggested with a shrug.
"No! You are going and that is final. I have looked forward to this trip since second year and I am not going without you." She objected, pointing her finger at me.
I sighed in exhaustion, "Libby, it's not that big a deal. Whether I go or not I would still be doing work."
"Yeah, but you aren't the manager of your family's company, you will take over as a manager yes, but right now, your father has that role and he can damn well stick it up his rear." She retaliated, her eyes narrowing with annoyance.
"We still have Sebastian to worry about. It might turn out okay, he might even join the Cupid's Database," James assured, shrugging his shoulders.
I groaned, resting my head on my arms, "I don't have time for this," I whined, "I just want to be done with this and move on."
"But Aud, we all know that Sebastian isn't just a normal client, I'm sure that you know that too," Libby mumbled, patting my head softly.
We concluded the meeting after an hour or so, spending our time with small cases and casual conversations. I eventually left, my eyes droopy with what felt like three-hundred years of all-nighters. I got to my apartment without a hassle, plopping onto my bed as soon as I close the door behind me.
"What now?" I muttered, my eyelids fluttering closed.