How easy it is to fall in love. That's what people think. They're so wrong. At least they acknowledge how hard it is protecting that love.
Macy didn't think she was above others. She didn't even think she was smarter. Just unluckier, in the general understanding of what luck was. She was an orphan. Not the kind that was left on the doorstep of the orphanage. Even in the orphanages – at first she thought only at the orphanage she was at, but as she grew up she realized it was pretty much the same everywhere – hierarchy existed. Those that were left at the doorsteps were the highest. At least their parents cared enough to leave them with some sort of protection. Next were those who were brought over after losing their families to a tragedy. They had experienced familial love, the memory would be their protection. Lowest were those that were discovered as babies, abandoned in garbage bins, dark alleys or just about anywhere public, and brought to the orphanage by the city officials. Macy had been one of them. She understood love in a way most others didn't. Things that others could take for granted about love, she held as extremely important. So, falling in love was just as difficult as protecting that love. And for having obtained that knowledge, she thought herself lucky.
She also held herself lucky for finding Isabelle. As friends Isabelle lit up Macy's world. As they grew closer, Isabelle upended everything. As they acknowledged their love, Isabelle showed that Macy could be happy as well. So, yes, Macy was unquestionably lucky.
Which was why she felt her world collapsing when Isabelle disappeared.
On Thursday, Macy returned home the same as usual. Unlike other offices, hers had a four day week. Outsiders complained, but the employees couldn't be bothered to give ear. After all, less than a third of those who joined stayed past the trial period of three months. Such was the nature of work. The company was an accounting firm, the employees all accountants. The amount of work they had in the four days far exceeded the work other companies had in five days or six days of the week. Since Thursday was the end of the week, work always stretched out a little longer. It was a little after seven when Macy returned, no different from any other Thursday. Only, the flat was dark and quiet.
Isabelle was terribly afraid of the dark. The very first thing she did after returning was turning on all the lights. Even when she slept, she had nightlamps lighting up all the rooms. Fortunately, Macy wasn't particular. She could sleep even under the bright white light of the LED lamps. And even more comfortably in Isabelle's arms. Clearly, Isabelle hadn't returned.
Which was surprising. On days when she had to work harder and longer, Isabelle couldn't wait to rush back home and collapse in Macy's arms. Macy's embrace comforted her and rejuvenated her, Isabelle said. Which was why she made sure to always be home on time on Thursdays, when Macy had a long and hard day. On days when she was going to be late, Isabelle always made sure Macy knew. Never had been a Thursday, but that didn't mean it never could be a Thursday. But Isabelle hadn't called or messaged. Macy checked her phone again, just to make sure. And sure enough, she wasn't wrong.
She walked in, turned on all the lights, and sat on the sofa. They had found the sofa at the open market on the first weekend after moving to the flat. Wasn't the looks that attracted them. The brown was clean and dark, the most boring kind. The size, however, was a definite plus. It was probably the largest sofa in the market. Meant to be a three seater, but it could comfortably seat four, maybe five if they squeezed. Not just the length. It was also wide, enough that the two of them could lay on it, as long as they were in each other's arms. And what better way to lay on the sofa. They bought it immediately. That night, they lay on the sofa, embracing, watching romance movies all night, until the fell asleep right there in the early hours of next morning. The sofa felt so much bigger now. And all that room was slowly taken over by worry.
"Isabelle, where are you?" Macy murmured.
The grumbling of her stomach told her how much time had passed. The clock confirmed it. Had been almost two hours since she came home. And still, there was no Isabelle. She couldn't help but remember what Isabelle told her.
"I like you Macy. I really do." Isabelle pulled on the straightest face, not a tinge of hesitation anywhere, and not a note of doubt in her voice. "Which is why I must confess. My job isn't what I told you. I do work with computers, but I'm not a programmer. I'm sorry that I can't even tell you exactly what it is I do. I promise you that it will never come between us. If you are willing to believe me, give me a chance, I would give my all to make you the happiest you can be."
What could Macy do? She was in love. Hearing those words already made her the happiest person in all of the world. What could she say but yes? She realized she was wrong not long after though, she could be happier. As Isabelle embraced her, Macy heard her heart scream in delight.
Some time later, Isabelle continued from where she left off, the conversation moving smoothly even though there had been other topics and conversations in between. "I don't mean to scare you, Macy, really. It's not even that it's dangerous, or could happen. I just like to be prepared. And I couldn't be more right, because I'd like for us to be prepared. If one day, something happens, like I don't return and you can't reach me, then I want you to call this number. When the call is answered, speak these words. They'll tell you what to do. Please don't worry. Don't think about it. It's just insurance. Nothing's gonna happen."
Macy didn't say anything. Didn't act worried. Didn't reveal what she truly thought. Bad things did happen. Insurances were claimed. Things that other people considered far reaching possibilities that were actually impossible, were very real to her. Still, she threw it to the back of her head, because she didn't want to jinx it.
But here they were. She pulled out the small sheet of paper from the bottom of the closet underneath the winter clothes. Checked the time. Another hour had passed. And reached for the phone. Not for second did she think she was rushing or over-reacting. She knew herself. And she knew Isabelle. She also trusted her gut, which was screaming that something was terribly wrong. She dialed the numbers. Held the phone to her ear. After three rings, the call was answered. No voice. Just the ringing that had stopped and silence of the truest kind. Taking a deep breath, she spoke the words from the sheet into the phone.
"Alpha 23SF9L. 61 43 74 74 43 62 41. Ex Fil Req."