CHAPTER 2
Prisca got home from the hospital and stared down at the broken padlock dangling from her door. Her brows knitted, and she frowned, examining it closely. Who could have broken this? She was lost in thought, barely noticing the footsteps approaching from behind.
"You're back!" a voice broke through her concentration, and she looked up to see a man with a friendly smile watching her. He held a set of keys, jingling them lightly in his hand. "I've got the key! Don't you like the new keys?"
Prisca looked at him, confusion evident in her eyes. "What new keys?"
He stepped closer, noticing the broken padlock, and his smile faltered. "How did this happen? I just bought this new." He sounded both frustrated and bewildered.
Prisca took a cautious step back, crossing her arms. "Who are you?"
He extended his hand with a disarming grin. "I'm the neighbor next door—Daniel," he replied. "I broke the old key trying to get you to the hospital. I thought replacing it was the least I could do. But now, it seems this one's broken too."
Prisca's expression softened as she pieced together the story. "So, you were my lifesaver?" She offered him a small, grateful smile.
Daniel's grin widened. "Yeah, I guess you could say that." He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "And I'm Daniel, by the way."
"Prisca," she replied, returning his grin.
"Oh, I know," he said, a little too quickly, and then looked away, realizing his mistake. "I'm not a stalker or anything! I just...saw your name on the NEPA bill list," he added, cringing slightly.
Prisca chuckled, amused by his nervousness. "Thank you so much, Daniel. I don't know how to repay you for your help."
Daniel waved a dismissive hand. "All thanks to God that I found you when I did," he said, glancing past her toward the open doorway. "I hope nothing in there is missing?"
Prisca flashed him another smile. "I'll have to check," she said before stepping inside and closing the door, leaving Daniel standing in the hallway, looking somewhat dazed. As he turned away, he allowed himself a small smile and headed back to his apartment.
***
Later that evening, in a room down the hall, John sat before his laptop, his eyes glued to the screen. A sinister smile played across his face as he watched a live feed of Prisca in her room. She rubbed her temples, muttering a small prayer under her breath, completely unaware that she was being watched. John leaned back in his chair, savoring the secret.
The next morning, Prisca was already dressed and prepared for work when she heard a knock on her door. She opened it to find Daniel standing there, his expression concerned.
"Don't tell me you're actually going to work," he said with a hint of disbelief.
Prisca chuckled softly, brushing off his worry. "It's Monday. I just need to clear up a few things."
Daniel looked unconvinced. "But if you're not feeling well, you should call in and take an excuse."
Prisca smiled, touched by his concern. "I appreciate it, Daniel, but I'm fine." She paused, hesitating, and then continued. "I've been thinking about how to thank you properly for all you did. How about... a thank-you dinner? My treat."
Daniel's face lit up, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Are you serious? You want to treat me?"
Prisca nodded. "Yes, at New Star Hotel."
He nodded eagerly. "Absolutely! What time?"
"Seven," she replied, smiling at his enthusiasm.
Daniel was practically beaming now. "I'll be waiting."
Prisca laughed softly and made a gesture indicating that he was blocking the doorway. Realizing his mistake, he stepped aside quickly, grinning widely as she slipped past him.
***
As Prisca stepped out into the compound a few minutes later, she noticed John lingering near the gate, waiting for her. She sighed, rolling her eyes as she approached him. "You haven't changed, have you? Still following me everywhere?"
Ignoring her irritation, John shrugged, matching her pace as she walked briskly toward the bus stop. "I'm just seeing you off. I don't want anything happening to you on your way," he insisted, trying to sound genuine.
Prisca stopped and turned to him, an exasperated look on her face. "John, I've told you countless times—I'm not interested. It's been over a year now. I'm practicing celibacy, and I don't need anyone trying to change that."
John raised an eyebrow, his face darkening. "You keep saying the same thing," he muttered, mimicking her words with a smirk. "It's like you've memorized a speech for all your admirers."
Prisca twisted her lips, glancing at her watch. "Maybe, but it's the truth. I'm late for work, so please don't follow me any further."
John let out a humorless laugh. "You know, I'll always wait until you say yes," he called out, his voice cold as she turned to leave. "If I can't have you, no one can."
Prisca boarded a waiting vehicle, shaking her head as she glanced back one last time. John's dark, intense gaze lingered on her as she pulled away, and an uneasy feeling settled over her.
***
Prisca's heart pounded as she walked along the bustling street, each step heavier than the last. Just as she turned the corner, she saw him—Alex, standing there, his gaze already fixed on her, piercing through the crowd as though no time had passed. She gasped, caught off guard by the familiar yet unexpected face. 'At least I get to see you one more time before I dié,' she thought, a mix of disappointment and relief twisting within her.
"Wow, Alex," she managed to say, her voice betraying a complicated blend of emotions.
He took her in with a faint, wistful smile. "Your body is still intact. Ever glowing," he said softly.
Prisca felt herself smile, just a little. "Thank you. How have you been?"
"How have I been ever since you broke my heart into pieces?" The pain in his voice was unmistakable.
She let out a wry laugh, shaking her head. "Please stop. It's been over two years now."
Alex's face tightened, frustration breaking through his calm exterior. "I can't stop. I miss you, Prisca. I do. You blocked my line... on Facebook, on Instagram... I couldn't reach you. You didn't even introduce me to a friend. Sometimes, I thought I was dating a ghost."
Prisca sighed, glancing away. "Alex, I'm sorry about everything," she said, voice barely above a whisper. "But can we do this somewhere else? I'm going to work, and I don't want to be late."
He gave her a smirk, the irony in his words evident. "You haven't changed a bit. Work, work, work."
She smiled gently. "Change is constant, remember?"
"Then let's meet some other time, somewhere quieter," he suggested, raising an eyebrow in a familiar way that tugged at her heart.
Prisca hesitated, thoughts swirling as she considered the consequences. 'One last supper with you, Alex.' She nodded. "Sure. Call me when you've picked a date. I gotta run."
She stepped past him, melting into the crowd as he watched her go, a small, bittersweet smile playing on his lips. "You changed," he murmured.
***
In the sterile silence of her boss's office, Prisca stood, facing her boss's scrutinizing gaze as he processed her resignation. He looked up at her with a frown. "I don't understand. You haven't given me a concrete reason. I'm not letting you go, Prisca. Forget it."
"Sir…" Prisca started, but he cut her off, standing from his chair, his tone laced with frustration. "Don't 'sir' me if you're not going to tell me why you're quitting."
Prisca stared up at the ceiling, blinking back the hot prick of tears. "I'm leaving," she whispered.
"Leaving to where?"
"Very far away."
Her boss exhaled heavily, eyes narrowing. "Far away doesn't have a name?" He sighed, as if calming himself. "You've been my assistant for over four years, and you've never caused me a single inconvenience. If you need a break, I'd grant you leave. But I don't see why you can't come back."
Prisca looked down, searching for words, but he spoke first, his tone softening. "Prisca, since that night… You've been different. You've been avoiding me."
She felt a familiar pang, a buried ache resurfacing. "This isn't about that night…"
But he continued, as if he hadn't heard. "I know it is. Things have been…strained since that night, and you've done everything you can to avoid being alone with me. But you're an excellent secretary. You're irreplaceable, Prisca. We're not ready to lose you. I'm not ready to lose you."
"That's not it, sir."
He eyed her thoughtfully, almost accusingly. "Then what? Do you want a raise? A promotion?"
Prisca shook her head slowly, his misunderstanding adding weight to her secret. "None."
For a long moment, he was silent, studying her with unreadable eyes. Finally, he sighed, almost defeated. "You've been the one keeping me going. I've been in love with you since… Well, since I broke up with Nancy."
Prisca's eyes widened, surprise tightening her features. She hadn't expected this confession.
He continued, his voice thick. "You're the reason I broke up with her. Please, don't leave me, Prisca."
Prisca looked away, her thoughts swirling with everything unsaid. 'Why me? Why now, when my time is running short?' A nervous giggle escaped her as a decision formed in her mind. 'Maybe I could allow myself this small bit of happiness before I go.'
Clearing her throat, she said, "Sir, allow me to treat you to dinner."
His face twisted in confusion. "What?"
Prisca smiled softly. "Whenever you're free, I'd love to treat you to dinner."
Her boss's brows lifted in surprise, his guarded expression melting into something hopeful. But then he frowned, suspicion coloring his tone. "Not if it's a goodbye dinner."
Prisca held his gaze, unwavering. "Please accept my treat, sir."
He was quiet for a moment, then glanced down at the scattered paperwork on his desk, sighing heavily. "If you're still set on leaving, I'll let you go. Maybe it's for the best. They say office romances don't last anyway."
He rose from his chair, walking closer to her, his gaze intent. "But if it were up to me, we'd spend all day together. Breakfast, lunch, dinner."
Prisca exhaled, an involuntary smile tugging at her lips as she took a step back, his presence overwhelming. "Sure. I'll call you when I'm ready."
With that, she turned, nervous but unwilling to let him see her unease. She walked out, hoping the look she left him with didn't betray her plan to slip away for good. As the door closed behind her, she heard him call out softly, "I won't let you go, Prisca. We'll grow old together."
Prisca paused, glancing back briefly with a forced smile before stepping out, her heart pounding as she realized just how much she'd miss him in the short time she had left.