"Could this day be any better?" I scoffed as I sat on my best exquisite sofa, directing a thought to no one in particular. Starring at the screen of my laptop, the creative work in front of me seemed blazing.
"There's alot to do and I've got no inspiration on how to start," another thought came by just before she could get the sound of the door bell
"Madam, I've got a package for you," a voice interrupted.
"Come in Jasmine, who's it from?" I said.
Just then, a beep came through on the phone.
"Hang on a sec, I've got a caller" I replied as I got to answer the receiver at the other end
"Miss Philips on the line..."
"Fully aware, Karen it's Jim," the voice said
"Ohh Sir, I'm sorry about that, you called my cell not the teleâ"
"Its fine. The meeting starts in ten minutes and I won't want to keep our partners waiting."
"Be right there Sir"
"Good"
Something was definetly off about my boss having to call my cellphone during official hours.
"Where did he get that?"
"Ma'am..."
"Yes Jasmine, what were you saying again?"
"The Package...?"
"Yeah, leave it here. I'll look at it. You may leave"
"Okay Ma"
I got to be a little excited about who the package came from.
"Okay, maybe DAD" My thought came in again.
"Orrrr...maybe not" I replied to myself as I rushed to see the details
My excitement was cut as I saw a note with few lines
"...Dear Karen..
This will come as a surprise to you
Be it as it may, I just want you to know that you're one of the most beautiful lady I've ever set my eyes on.Have a blissful day ahead..."
XOXOđ
Just like that, I shoved the whole package into my locker and left for my meeting.
* * * *
The name is Karen Philip; twenty-five and a dreadful perfectionist. Yes, I'm a damn freak when it comes to being perfect, didn't say I am perfect, but I love it when everything about me appears that way. I've got a house, a well paid job, my dream car and above that, an amazing Dad. I lost my mom when I was fifteen...not a good one though, but I have a very busy, well planned and scheduled life style. Being very popular, I'm an Editor, a content writer and I'm the only one here that can make you look so good on any paper...but fun fact; I'm scandalous.
Its been a whole month since I started receiving gifts and flowers from My Mystery Man who's yet to come out and make himself known to me. Despite the fact that he's been leaving clues for me to find out, I still can't figure out the dude behind these every day smiles. And this morning was one of such days.
"Good Morning my senorita
Hope you had a good night rest
Couldn't resist the desire to commend how stunning you appeared last night
Even in my dreams I could still feel you
May your day be clear as the skies
Your moments as the sun shine"
XOXOđ
I smiled all to myself, the piles of letters every package came with was wrapped with a beautiful writeup. Did I forget the magnificent scent of vanilla the roses came with?
How did he know I like vanilla? Is he stalking me or what? Where was he the previous night?
I remember walking up the one of the luxurious bars just to see if I'll see the mystery man but it was fruitless and ended up with the thought of sending a note...at this moment, I could not argue with my thoughts. I decided to write back and mail it. But to whom? I thought.
Then a better option presented itself.
* * * * *
With thousands of pieces on the floor, I finally got to scribble something that made much senseâif it did at all.
Hello Mr Mystery
I don't know who you are or where you're from. But I'll like to meet you. You brighten my day with your mail. Its difficult to pretend that you don't exist. I'll love you to come out so I'll know who you are. You seem to know me too well. More than I can comprehend... Let me get to know you too. Thanks for all your gifts. I appreciate.
Karen Philps
XOXO
Crazy as it may be, I had to trail the mailman from the office dressed as an assassin. Fruitless as it seemed, I got to talk to him and eventually tiped him just to make sure he delivered it to whoever the mystery came from, and it paid off because he mailed it but refused to tell me who sent thepackages or the location they came from.
Days went by, no package, no reply.
I got anxious and nervous. Something that has never happened in the past. Not even after the incident. Don't dare think about it, Karen, she thought.
****
"Jasmine"
"Yes ma'am"
"Any package for me today?"
"No ma'am"
"Okay"
Pacing around the office didn't help. Then I got a beep from my cell. I rushed to the desk to pick it up.
"Christ" I scoffed
Just a message from my boss
Karen mail me the business deal
I had this thought that he might be the mystery man and I decided to act same. More smiles, more winks.
"Jeeeez that would seem like a seduction" I thought within
"Ma'am"
"Did you even knock?" I replied recovering from my thoughts
"Yes I did"
"The MD says he needs to see you in his office"
"Okay. I'll be there. You may leave."
Just as she left, a message came from a strange number.
Roses are red
Each of em signify how important you are to me
I long to be with you
You may not see me, but one thing I'm certain you know me
I'll make myself known when you're ready
XOXOđ
Without even thinking twice, I rushed to type
I'm ready...
Ready to met you
Ready to hold you
You're always on my mind
Nothing can change how I feel about you
If you mean a word of what you say,
Meet me tonight 8pm at the bar you often see me.
XOXO
Immediately I got to send the message, line was blocked but I know he got it.
Is this love? I thought. Probably I had forgotten how it felt to love and to be loved.
With a smile, I rose to meet the MD, my boss.
He's the only man I associate with outside workâalthough it's still work relatedâasides my Dad. There's none other. Collegues at work just say a few words to me and don't have my home address nor contact. For sure, it was the Managing Director...or maybe not. Who knows?
* * * *
"Tonight is gonna be one of its kind in a lifetime" I thought within with a wide smile. Before close of work, I had gone home so early to the amazement of everyone, to freshen up and get ready.
On me was one of the best designed dresses I ever got. It was worth thousands of dollars and I actually never wore it.
7:45pm got me at the exact spot I loved so much; where I was sure he saw me that night. I wanted to see him walk in. This was too much madness already. Yes, I'll say I got madly in love with my mystery man or probably the mysterious letters I received everyday got to my head. 8:30 was gone with no sight of nobody. The wine I had earlier ordered was going down my throat by the tick of the clock. 9pm came and I lost hope. Maybe I was crazy for real. How had I expected him to show up. I paid the bills of the exotic fruit wine I devoured and I rose to leave in disappointment.
The door jingled and a man walked in
"K a r e n" he spelt out in a magic bass tone.
I lifted up my eyes to see who my mystery man had been all this while. Alas! I finally get to meet him.
But No!
It wasn't who I expected to see.
I screamed in agony for it was my pain, hurt, and fear. The past I had struggled to move on from; ten wasted years down the drain.
Tears streamed down to ruin not just my mascara and make up, but to ruin me again like it did ten years ago.
He's indeed My Mystery Misery Man.
KALVIN! I called out with my last breath as I blacked out.