"Ah..." I moan as I get seated on my office chair. The little calendar on my desk came into sight, I see, today is August 4th in year 2033. Five months before the "trip" that killed Felix happens, will it really happen still in this life? Didn't the Gods change the past, does that mean they'd changed the future, too? I shake my head at that thought. I am thinking of that tragedy yet again.. but I don't really think that it could be prevented though. All I gotta do is gather as much information as I can before the 3rd of January on the next year arrives. If it is Felix's fate to get killed, I want to do all I can to stop it. If the Gods can change the story from my past, then why don't I rewrite the future? I will not let Felix die again in this life.
I can do so much in five months. I will start with my family. Felix did mention that they were the ones who were with him on that trip, they certainly know something. But why would they leave me out? Why didn't they tell me anything, for four years? They watched me mourn Felix's death and my life falling apart. They knew he was, and still, my everything. Mother did tell me they were going on a five-day business trip that day too, but to Korea. Felix was going to France. Now that I think about it, they had lied. Felix did say that they wanted to keep this from me, that it was a tradition in our family, which was another lie. What really is their reason?
"Ms. Yera..?" my secretary whispers as her head pops in from the door. "Vic Franco is here to see you, he says it has something to do with his proposal for the new project."
"Oh right, he did submit a proposal. Let him in and send in two cups of chamomile tea please, also some pastry. I'm craving something sweet."
"Of course, ma'am."
The door creaks open, wow that one sure needs some oil and fixing. A man appears and carefully enters the office. He is wearing a black suit with a white polo underneath paired with black slack pants, too. But did she say Vic? Is this the Vic that Felix has told me about the other day? The one that keeps asking me out even though he knows I am engaged?
"Exhausted?" He smiles, comfortably sitting down in front of me. "Would you like to get some fresh air with me then? I know a place you will like.." I turned the calendar around before standing up from my chair. Deia comes in with a tray in her hands, surprisingly, Vic rushes toward her and helped her set it down on the table. This is the first time in my life that I had met this man, but I don't think he's bad. "Thank you, I really wanted to drink some tea today. Good work." She smiles as she went to exit the room. If he treats everyone like this, then he must be very liked in the company. Although it does not look like to me that he is trying to steal me away from Felix. "You must be really tired, huh? You ordered sweet cakes, that's cute." Oh, it must be this, his quick remarks, that Felix dislikes him. Vic is for sure a ladies' man.
"Aren't you here because of your project proposal?"
"Oh right!" He claps his hands, pulling out a white folder from his back and on the table it lands. The bosses wanted something big and new for this new project, and this guy submitted a theme for it called: Behind The Curtains. I have read that it is rather a special theme as it focuses on the people who are actually working on it and not just the designs or the clothes we make. "If you approve of this theme, it shall not be as grand as most of our fashion shows ever were. This one must be a little bit dark, the lights will be dimmer than usual, you know how we always stay up all night, right? Right. There should not be any bright colors at the venue, too. As for the designs, we'll talk it out with the team. What do you think?" Vic cross his legs and his thumb under his not too pointy chin. I never thought he had thought this thoroughly, I guessed that this was not much but this proposal is not so bad after all. We can work on this and finish it by October. Truthfully speaking, I am impressed.
"I like it." My response made his lips curl up to a wide smile. "I will call for a meeting—" I paused to look at my watch. "—five minutes from now. Congratulations for this, I hope we make it before October 24th."
"With you on the team, this project will go smoothly. I just know it." His soft and warm smile gives me assurance. I personally do not think Vic is a bad person like how Felix describes him. But one thing is for sure, Vic is a ladies' man. He is good with his words and a people pleaser, that's why everybody loves him. He gives off a happy feeling, the type that lights up every mood.. he makes me feel so comfortable. Is it okay to feel like this, or am I already being an unfaithful girlfriend to Felix? Vic closes the white folder, putting it right in between his arm and body. He stands up. "Well I better be going. Thanks again for considering this project, this will move a lot of people, I am sure."
I nod. "It moved me, if I am going to be honest. Not once were we ever recognized by people; so this is truly a unique one. I am looking forward to this, Vic."
He smiles with his eyes. "I will not let you down, Tazanna. See you later." Vic disappears in my office in a matter of seconds. I am feeling excited over this new project, and I haven't felt this for four years. It felt like we were going on and on the same theme, surely, that is why the bosses had asked for this. Just when I am going to call my secretary, the phone on my desk started to ring. It is Felix.
"Felix? Anything wrong?" It is mid-day, and for all I know, K&R is specifically busy at this time. I wonder if something has happened in the office that Felix had to call me, is it something bad and he needs somebody to listen? He remains quiet, the only thing I could hear is him breathing. But I do not want push, if he wants to talk, he will.
"I'm just... I'm just checking in on you." He inhales from his nose and exhales from his mouth.
"Why?"
"I couldn't stop thinking about that man from last night, I am a little paranoid, Taz.. I'm so sorry." It makes me happy that he is concerned, but I would not like this to affect his job. "Please don't go anywhere alone, okay? Stay inside the building until I say I am there."
I felt myself nodding, then later realized that he couldn't see me. "Yes. I will be waiting for you, baby. I promise."
"Thank you, Taz. Stay safe." The call ended before I could say anything. I shouldn't have told him about that man in the dark —if it is indeed a man— then Felix wouldn't be so anxious like this. But if I hadn't, I would be turning heads always and every day to check if there is someone behind me. Felix had never been so worked up like this, as if he knows something. Oh for sure he knows what's up, he knows everything that happened in the past but couldn't tell me. Whoever that man is, probably has something to do with what happened with him in France. Considering that thought, shouldn't I be the one anxious and paranoid because that person could hurt Felix at any time and any place? Why is it the other way around?