" How long has it been?" she thought as the strings of smoke surrounds her head.
*Carol's flashback *
"I hate your stupid, pitiful face begging to be loved. See for yourself. When I say I don't like you anymore, that's it. I don't care whether you love me or not." shouted a guy. The memory seemed hazy.
She remembered herself hanging onto his sleeves begging him not to leave her.
He dragged himself out and shoved her hands away from him and drove his car away.
She stood there crying and fainted. Then a sudden scene of sound of ambulance and voices and the rushing inside OPD crossed her mind.
* Back to present*
Mrs. Reyes knocked the door, " Carol, I am coming in."
Carol quickly puts out the cig and hid the packet and matches.
" You smoking again? ...I told you not to inside the house. ....is everything alright?"
" Yea, mom. There's nothing to worry about. It's just the work load." replied Carol.
" I see. " replied her mom. She sat on her bed and pat beside her for Carol to sit next to her
" You see, your dad and I got really happy after you break through those tough times. You were so tired yet wanted to keep your problems to yourself. It made me weak. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to understand you or help you. Now that everything seems to go back to normal, I am really happy." said her mom emotionally.
" Oh mom ! I am perfectly fine. I am glad that I get to eat delicious homemade food now." she assured.
" I saw Dane the other day at the store , so I invited him to have dinner with us. I thought you would be happy to see him. You know he is a great guy, right? "
Carol gave a weak smile," I know mom. He is a great guy." It was more like telling to herself than to her mom.
" Alright , you should get some rest. You have work tomorrow. "
As she was leaving, she turned towards Carol, " Carol, he is a great guy. Moreover, when you were away he calls us from time to time asking about you. Why don't you hang out with him like those old times ? ....Maybe you would feel better."
Carol gave a smile to her mom, " I'll keep that in mind."
" Good night , honey."
" Good night, Mom."
She laid on the bed and talked to herself, " He is great guy that's why I don't wanna see him again. "
* Next morning *
It was her usual routine except for this time she woke up remembering what happened last night.
" What a way to wake up for work ...tsk." she clicked her tongue.
Dragging herself out of the bed, she showered then dressed up and drove to her workplace.
She worked at a small magazine company called " The City's Monthly" as an editor.
Although the office of the company was a three floored small building. The hustle was as busy as ever.
She worked in the layout department of the company as an editor. As soon as she steps in the department, files piled up and new commands keeps on increasing.
*knocks the door*
" Miss Reyes, there is a new email regarding the advertisement section." said Pat, her assistant.
" Okay, I'll check on that. Any new instructions from the top?" asked Carol.
" Yes. It's about the Seminar."
" Yes, go on."
" Well, they say that they want you to handle the guest service instead."
" What do you mean by that? We still have work dues next week. What happened to the customer service department? "
" I am sorry, Editor. The manager of the costumer service department resigned yesterday. The HC company bought his contract."
Mounting up from her chair, she stormed out from her office and went straight to the director's office. Slamming the door, she went towards the director, " Director, I can't tolerate this anymore. Mr. Blank has been snatched away this time? I know we are having quite a hard time but this is too much. We are doing whatever we can and there aren't enough workforce."
" I know, Miss Reyes. But I am doing everything I can. I sent out the job calls just now. I don't even know if it will be in time. This seminar is very important yet we are lacking services." replied the tired looking man in his thirties swinging his hands over all places.
" I'll handle the production of this month's issue within two or three days. Please arrange a manager for the costumer service department, Sir. "
" You don't know how much this means to me. Can I rely on you for that? I don't know how to thank you. Miss Reyes, I owe you big."
" Okay, Director. I can do this much. But don't forget the new manager."
" I won't. Here, take this. It's all the paperworks for this month's issue." said the director handing her a large file.
She bowed and tried to rush inside the elevator. As soon as she rushed inside, a familiar face with a wavy hair brushed across her eyes among the crowd coming out the elevator. A familiar traumatic scene crossed her mind. Panting heavily, she turned her head to confirm her doubt but it was already lost in the crowd.
" The stress is getting on me. It must be my mind tricking my eyes." she thought to herself.
She stood still inside the lift, fiddling her fingers.
But no matter how much she try to be composed, it is of sure that when a trauma gets triggered, everything breaks. Everything falls apart.
She fell down, covering her eyes, breathing heavily and her body shivering.
Tears built up evoking her painful memories.