It broke Raymond's heart as he watched from his car the organization of Jeremiah Lewis and other buildings getting burned down at Octopus Street.
His heart ached as he could see the confusion in his eyes.
He had watched Jeremiah strive so hard to keep Sparkles and now, his hopes had gone down the drain.
Even if years had passed in their friendship, he still always subconsciously felt every bit of pain that Jeremiah felt.
Tears welled up his eyes as he watched him cry like a lost teenager.
It finally occured to Raymond that it was now the right time to reveal the secret that he had been keeping from him for years now.
He grabbed his handkerchief and got off the car.
He walked to where Jeremiah was squatting helplessly and stretched the handkerchief to him.
Jeremiah was shocked to see him.
He shamefully accepted it and wiped his face. "No hope for me anymore".
"There is hope".
He lifted him to his feet. "Lock your car and let's go in my car. I have to show you somewhere ".
Jeremiah obediently did as he was instructed.
He watched Raymond drive on and wondered if he was carrying him somewhere to kill him.
Raymond parked in front of a luxurious looking building.
The gate to the building was locked and he unlocked it. "No one knows about this place except my close friend,Francis. Not even Paula".
Jeremiah gasped as he followed him in.
He nearly fell back to the floor when he sighted all the portraits he had drawn hung on the walls.
He tried to gasp for breath at the sight.
They were all the portraits of buildings, humans and society he had drawn while he was still living with them.
He sat on the floor and panicked.
Raymond looked emotionally at him. "The day you left, I saw them all in the wardrobe and I knew that moment that those things were important to you. Despite my anger, my hurt, I knew I had to treasure them. I built this place to specially keep them because I knew that oneday, you will return to drawing because this was your main passion. I made this art gallery and look how beautiful they are".
Jeremiah sobbed uncontrollably.
Raymond was shocked to see him weep like that.
He hugged him.
Jeremiah hiccupped as he met his eyes. "I haven't been a good friend but why were you still so good to me?".
Raymond wiped his tears with his fingers. "It is the kind of love that makes a man lay down his life for his friend. The kind of love Jesus had for me. The kind of love I questioned every single day. Look here Jeremiah, I never stopped loving you for once, that was why I was angry with you. I still treasured those moments we shared together as brothers because you were the first person I called brother". Tears filled his eyes.
Jeremiah sobbed, catarrh gushing off his nostrils. "Anytime I think of home, I think of you and I get scared. That was the only reason I forced myself to move on. I wondered, how will this man forgive me? Even after defiling his sister secretly, I hated him because he was so outstanding in everything. That was why I built Sparkles. No passion for it, just to compete with you to assure myself that at least, I was better than you in something...I am so sorry".
Raymond hugged him again.
He had always felt every bit of Jeremiah's pain because the real true fact was that...he never stopped loving his friend.
***
It was a quiet evening at Catarina's shared apartment, the soft hum of the city filtering through the open windows.
Catarina sat on the living room couch, a cup of tea in her hands, while Juliet, her roommate and best friend, worked on her laptop across from her.
They had long settled into a comfortable routine, balancing their different lives yet always finding time to catch up.
Juliet sighed, rubbing her temples as she stared at the screen.
Catarina noticed the tension in her friend's posture and set her cup down, her curiosity piqued."Rough day at the office?" Catarina asked casually, though her eyes were sharp, observing Juliet's expression.
Juliet glanced up, a tired smile on her lips. "You could say that. Things at the company have been...challenging lately. There's been a lot of stress with the shareholders, especially regarding one of the major projects. It's gotten so bad that they're calling an emergency board meeting tomorrow."
Catarina raised an eyebrow, hiding her growing interest. "What's the problem? I thought the project was progressing well."
Juliet leaned back in her chair, her frustration evident. "It was, but then supply chain issues started cropping up, funding got tight, and now the market expansion is on shaky ground. The shareholders are worried, and they're putting a lot of pressure on Raymond. I don't know how he's going to manage it all."
Catarina felt a pang of concern at the mention of Raymond's name.
Though she had officially left the company, she had always kept a close eye on its progress, particularly on projects that mattered to her.
And, of course, on Raymond, whose well-being had always been a concern for her, even if she didn't admit it out loud.
She kept her voice neutral, not wanting to reveal the thoughts racing through her mind. "Sounds like a tough situation. Is there anything that can be done?"
Juliet shrugged, her frustration clear. "I don't know. The issues are complex, and they've been piling up for weeks. It's going to take something big to turn things around at this point. I just hope Raymond can figure it out."
Catarina nodded, her mind already working through possible solutions.
But she knew better than to let Juliet catch on to her plans.
She maintained a casual tone as she spoke again. "I'm sure he'll come up with something. He's always been good at handling pressure."
Juliet sighed again, clearly exhausted. "I hope so. I just wish there was more I could do to help."
Catarina smiled reassuringly. "You're doing what you can, Jules. Sometimes, that's all anyone can do."
They continued chatting about other topics, but Catarina's thoughts kept drifting back to the issues at the company.
As Juliet headed to bed, Catarina lingered in the living room, her mind racing.
She knew she had the skills and knowledge to help, and with the situation as dire as Juliet had described, she couldn't just sit back and do nothing.
After some communication with the intended people that could solve the organization issue, Catarina made up her mind.
She would take the day off from the school where she now worked and attend the board meeting.
She wouldn't tell Juliet—there was no need to burden her with the details.
Besides, Catarina wanted to handle this on her own terms.
If she could step in and provide solutions, she could potentially save the project—and help Raymond in the process.
That night, as she prepared for bed, Catarina felt a renewed sense of purpose.
She was no longer officially part of the company, but she wasn't about to let that stop her.
She still had access to information, and she knew the inner workings of the organization better than most.
Tomorrow, she would do what she did best: find a way to turn things around.
As she lay down to sleep, Catarina's mind was already focused on the plan she would present, the solutions she would offer, and the impact she hoped to make.
She closed her eyes, determined to make a difference, knowing that tomorrow would be a pivotal day—not just for the company, but for her as well.
***
In the tense boardroom, Raymond sat at the head of the table, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.
The project had hit a wall, and the shareholders were growing restless.
Their murmurs filled the room, voices rising with confusion and disagreement.
Just as Raymond was about to speak, the door opened, and Catarina stepped in, her presence commanding the attention of everyone.
Raymond's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, but he quickly masked his surprise.
The shareholders, however, were visibly startled, their murmurs ceasing as they recognized her.
Catarina didn't waste any time with pleasantries.
She walked straight to the screen at the front of the room, picking up the remote.
"I've been briefed on the situation," Catarina began, her voice calm yet authoritative. "And I believe I have a few solutions that could not only resolve the current issues but also secure our long-term goals."
The shareholders exchanged uncertain glances, but Raymond nodded for her to continue.
Catarina tapped the remote, bringing up a detailed presentation."First, the problem with our supply chain," she said, highlighting a key point on the screen. "Rather than relying solely on our current partners, I've identified a strategic opportunity to diversify our suppliers. I have negotiated preliminary agreements with two additional companies in Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, both of which have a proven track record of reliability and cost-effectiveness. This will not only reduce our vulnerability but also increase our bargaining power, leading to a potential 15% reduction in overall costs."
The shareholders leaned in, clearly intrigued.
One of them, a seasoned investor known for his skepticism, raised a hand. "And what about the issue with the project's funding?"
Catarina smiled, anticipating the question. "That's the second part of my proposal. Instead of seeking further external funding and diluting shareholder value, I've identified internal inefficiencies where we can redirect resources. By streamlining our operations and cutting down on redundant processes, we can free up nearly $10 million in the next quarter alone, which can be reinvested directly into the project."
The room buzzed with quiet whispers.
Raymond watched as Catarina handled the questions with ease, her confidence never wavering.
"And finally," Catarina continued, "to address the concerns about market expansion, I propose a phased approach. We can test our new product line in select international markets through targeted online campaigns. By leveraging data analytics and consumer behavior models, we can minimize the risk of a large-scale rollout and instead focus on areas with the highest potential for success."
As she finished, the room was silent, the tension replaced with a sense of excitement.
The shareholders, who had been at odds just moments ago, now seemed to be in agreement, nodding along with her plan.
Raymond felt a swell of pride and admiration.
Not only had Catarina resolved the issues that had been plaguing him, but she had also done so with a level of insight and precision that left everyone in awe.
"Thank you, Catarina," Raymond said, his voice steady despite the emotions stirring within him. "Your solutions are exactly what we needed."
Raymond sat in the boardroom, his eyes fixed on Catarina as she stood before the shareholders, confidently presenting her solutions to the company's problems.
She was in her element, commanding the room with her poise and intelligence.
As she spoke, her voice clear and unwavering, Raymond found himself captivated, just as he had been the first time he encountered her.
His mind drifted back to that day, years ago, when he had interviewed Catarina for a position at the company.
Even then, her intelligence had been unmistakable.
She had impressed him with her sharp insights, her ability to think on her feet, and the way she approached problems with a unique perspective.
Raymond had known immediately that she was special, someone who would bring immense value to the organization.
As he watched her now, memories of those early days flooded his mind.
He remembered how Catarina had quickly become an indispensable part of the team, solving problems that others struggled with and bringing innovative ideas to the table.
Her intelligence and outstanding nature had drawn him to her, sparking a deep admiration that had slowly blossomed into love.
But before he could ever fully express those feelings, another man had entered the picture.
Richard.
Raymond's jaw tightened slightly as he thought of Catarina's late husband.
Richard had come into Catarina's life suddenly, sweeping her off her feet with his charm.
Raymond had tried to be happy for her, but it hadn't been easy.
He had known something was off about Richard, but Catarina had seemed so happy at first, so in love.
And then, just as quickly as she had risen in the company, she had resigned and married Richard, leaving Raymond to wonder what had gone wrong.
He hadn't known then that Richard had secretly forced her to leave, unable to handle the fact that Catarina was on the brink of a major promotion while he remained just another employee.
Richard's insecurity had driven a wedge between Catarina and her career, and ultimately, between her and Raymond.
Now, as he watched Catarina command the room once more, Raymond couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.
She had endured so much—her toxic marriage, the pain of losing Richard, and the challenges of rebuilding her life.
Yet here she was, standing strong, her intelligence and determination as sharp as ever.
Catarina concluded her presentation, her solutions having clearly resonated with the shareholders.
They began to nod in agreement, some even murmuring their approval.
Raymond felt a swell of pride and admiration, mixed with the old, familiar ache of lost opportunities.
As the room erupted in applause, Catarina glanced over at Raymond, their eyes locking for a brief moment.
In that instant, he saw the woman he had fallen in love with all those years ago—the woman who had captivated him with her brilliance and passion.
But now, there was something more—a depth to her that had been forged through hardship and resilience.
Raymond realized, with a bittersweet clarity, that his feelings for Catarina had never truly faded.
They had been buried, perhaps, under the weight of time and circumstance, but they had never disappeared.
And now, seeing her again, stronger and more remarkable than ever, those feelings were stirring once more.
As the applause died down, Raymond rose from his seat, his gaze still fixed on Catarina.
He knew that the path ahead wouldn't be easy, but he also knew that he couldn't let her slip away again.
This time, he was determined to be by her side, no matter what challenges they might face.
As the meeting adjourned, Raymond caught Catarina's eye, a silent connection passing between them.
She had not only saved the project but had also deepened the bond between them, leaving Raymond more captivated by her than ever before.
As the board meeting concluded and the shareholders dispersed, Raymond stood by the door, waiting for Catarina.
He caught her eye and motioned subtly toward his office.
She nodded, understanding the unspoken request.
Once inside his office, Raymond closed the door behind them, ensuring they had privacy.
The tension from the boardroom still lingered, but now it was mixed with a different kind of tension—one charged with unspoken emotions and unresolved questions.
Raymond gestured for Catarina to take a seat, but she remained standing, her posture confident yet relaxed.
He walked over to his desk, leaning against it as he faced her directly."I have to say, Catarina," Raymond began, his voice low, "I'm impressed. But I'm also confused. You resigned from the company months ago. How were you able to come in here today, armed with all this information? How are you still involved?"
Catarina met his gaze steadily, a small smile playing on her lips. "I may have resigned officially, but I never truly left. I've been following the company's progress closely through Juliet."
"Juliet?" Raymond repeated, the pieces slowly falling into place. "Your best friend and roommate who still works here."
Catarina nodded. "Exactly. She's been keeping me updated on the key projects and challenges. I've been working in the background, helping out where I could, offering solutions through Juliet. But when she told me about the situation with the shareholders and the project, I knew I had to step in directly. I couldn't stand by and watch everything fall apart when I knew I could help."
Raymond absorbed this, a mixture of admiration and concern brewing within him. "So you've had access to the organization this whole time?"
"Yes," Catarina confirmed. "But I've only used that access positively. I've been careful not to overstep any boundaries. My only goal was to ensure the success of the company, especially in areas where I felt I could make a difference."
Raymond studied her, searching for any hint of ulterior motives, but found none.
Instead, he saw the same determination and dedication that had always defined Catarina.
She had left the company, yes, but she had never stopped caring about it—
A silence settled between them, heavy with unspoken words.
Finally, Raymond spoke, his tone softening. "You've always had a way of surprising me, Catarina. And today, you've done it again. I don't know whether to be frustrated that you kept this from me or grateful that you stepped in when we needed you the most."
Catarina's smile grew warmer. "Maybe a bit of both?"
Raymond couldn't help but smile in return. "Maybe. But mostly, I'm just glad you're here. The company—no, I—needed you today more than ever."
Catarina's expression softened as well, a flicker of emotion passing through her eyes. "I'm glad I could help, Raymond. I may not work here officially anymore, but that doesn't mean I stopped caring about the company."
Raymond nodded, understanding more than just her words.
He realized that Catarina's connection to the company—and to him—ran deeper than he had thought.
She had remained involved, not out of obligation, but because she truly cared.
As they stood there, the weight of their shared history and newfound understanding settled between them, Raymond knew that this was far from over.
He wasn't just dealing with a business associate or a former colleague; he was dealing with someone who had become an integral part of his life, in ways he was only beginning to comprehend.