It was already past midnight when Anya and Lizzie arrived back home in their condo unit. Lizzie, tired from a long day, bid Anya a good night and immediately went to her bedroom. Anya, on the other hand, had too many things in her mind. So she decided to get a glass of wine and go to the balcony.
"She never did."
Anya recalled how Vic's face turned somber upon hearing those words. She thought it would do him good to forget about Caitlin and move on. However, the sadness and sorrow on his face tugged at Anya's heart, making her regret what she said. But it was already too late to take it back.
She emptied her glass in one go, then sighed as she stared at the city lights below.
She was walking back to the kitchen to open another bottle when she noticed the screen on the front door's security camera was lit. It showed a man leaning on the wall outside the door. Upon closer inspection, Anya realized it was Vic. She quickly opened the door.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"I just opened a bottle of whiskey so I was wondering if I could ask you to drink with me," he said, smiling sheepishly.
"Why were you just standing there instead of ringing the doorbell?"
"I was debating whether I should or not. I guess I was worried that you might already be asleep."
"I was just about to open a bottle of wine myself but I guess whiskey sounds good too." Anya stepped out and closed the door behind her.
Vic had a small table and a pair of chairs out on the balcony where the two sat and drank while chatting about work and they company. Anya remarked at how the scenery was different from his balcony, to which, Vic explained, that his side of the building faced the countryside rather than the city.
As the night went deeper and the liquor only a quarter full, the topic began to turn to more personal matters.
"Was I wrong?" Vic asked all of a sudden.
"About what?"
"Was I wrong to hold on to her?"
Anya kept her eyes on the glass in her hand, watching the amber liquid move as she gently shook it. "No. But it's time to move on."
"How? When she was the only woman I've ever loved?"
"How can you say that? You told me yourself that you left to study abroad after middle school. And that the next time you saw each other again was at the engagement ceremony." She turned to look at him. "Are you sure you're in love with her and not with your memory of the person you liked in your childhood?"
Vic shook his head and smiled sadly. "When they told me about our engagement, I was both happy and apprehensive. Happy that I get to marry my childhood love, but at the same time, I wondered, will she still be the same as how I remember her? Caitlin was strong, talented, and wise. I admired how she was loyal to her family. And even during my time abroad, I still admired her from afar.
"So when we finally met again at the engagement, my heart felt like it was about to burst with joy. She was beautiful. It wasn't just about her looks---everything about her was beautiful. And my mind engraved her every move into my heart. I wanted to protect her smile. I was willing to move heaven and hell, even risk my life, just to ensure that she would never lose that smile. When I got back from that ceremony, I knew in my heart that she was still the one for me. That what I was feeling in my heart was love."
Vic placed the glass to his lips and emptied it before continuing his somber monologue. He turned to look over the balcony. "That day, I called and asked her to meet me at the resort. I was planning on taking her to the cove which was our favorite place when we were kids. I was going to propose to her with my mom's engagement ring."
"I often stay up late at night thinking that maybe if I didn't ask her to go there, then the accident wouldn't happen. That maybe she would still be alive."
Anya felt her heart tremble as Vic turned to her, his eyes reflecting the depths of his sorrow and despair. "It's not your fault..." she whispered.
"I was so caught up in my own emotions that didn't even consider if she felt the same way. I was selfish."
"It's not your fault..."
"I wished it was me who ended up at sea. If I could, I would trade my life for hers."
What happened next was something none of them could explain. Maybe it was the liquor. Or maybe because they both shared the same sorrow.
She placed a hand behind his head and pulled him to her, stunning him as she landed her lips on his.
It only lasted for a second, until Anya realized what she had done.
She pushed him away.
"I---I think I had too much to drink. I better go. Goodnight," she said, turning to run back to her apartment.
---------------------------------
The next day was a busy one at the office. Anya had just returned to her office after a meeting with the talent managers. As expected, no one wanted to be assigned as Lizzie's manager. Jasper, who happened to be Venice's manager and the handler for the group 7DS, had told her at the offset that none of his colleagues were free enough to handle a newbie and get her ready in time for the competition in less than two months. While that may be true, Anya suspected there was more to it. None of them wanted to risk offending Evelyn or Venice by working as Lizzie's manager for fear of losing their jobs.
She shook her head. It seemed the company suffered a lack of integrity from its employees.
What she needed was someone who had both the talent to train Lizzie efficiently, and the pride and integrity to do the job properly despite the pressures in the workplace.
A name surfaced in her mind. Time to visit an old friend.