Monday morning,
The first working day of the week, jobs were still forthcoming for the Journals, and they kept on delivering right on schedule. The teamwork was palpable, and everyone's minds were focused.
Mirabel left her home, her thoughts on Friday's date. She wondered if Vicky was really going to approach her first or if she was going to meet him herself. Vicky, on the other hand, was confused and scared. He wondered how Mirabel would react to seeing him - would she be angry or would she have that beautiful smile on her face?
Mirabel reached the office, drove into the gates, and waved at Mark, who greeted her with a warm smile. As she was about to enter the office, she heard Vicky's unmistakable voice. She turned back and saw Vicky giving Mark a handshake.
Her eyes fell on him, and she stared intently. Vicky turned and saw Mirabel, his eyes locking onto hers. He wondered what she was thinking about - was she going to scream at him or give him a warm smile?
He took a deep breath and walked towards her direction, his steps slow but his eyes fixed on her. As he moved closer, his breathing increased. He thought about what he would say, how he would begin, and what her reaction would be.
Finally, he reached her and forced himself to speak, "Good morning, Mirabel." Mirabel replied, "Good morning, Vicky." The two stood there, staring at each other.
Vicky was under pressure, not wanting this opportunity to slip away. But before he could speak again, Dianne interrupted, "Good morning, Miss Mirabel and Vicky," she said, emerging from inside the office.
The two stopped staring, and Vicky heaved a heavy sigh. He slowly walked into the office, returning Dianne's greetings, "Good morning, Dianne." Mirabel's expression changed, and she smiled, "Good morning, Dianne."
She then entered the building and headed to her office. Vicky reached his office and was instantly met with the smiles of his colleagues.
"Bro," Jimmy said, giving Vicky a little nudge. "Hey, man, what's up?" Vicky replied, heading to his table.
"What's with the long face?" Frank asked. "You should be happy." "Happy about what exactly?" Vicky asked.
"Come on, I'm sure you and Mirabel did something on Friday," Jimmy said. "You can't deny it."
"Dude, let's not talk about these things," Vicky said. "We have work to do. Let's get on with it."
"It seems something went wrong," Jessica said. Vicky remained speechless.
"Bro, if something went wrong, I think you should settle it real quick before it escalates," Frank said. Vicky sighed, "I don't know what to say."
"Don't stress, the words will flow when you're speaking with her," Jessica said.
Vicky got up, determined to make things right. As he reached Mirabel's office door, his pace slowed down. He started panting, and his feet froze. He thought of turning back but pushed himself towards the door.
He folded his feet and knocked. Mirabel opened the door, and Vicky immediately withheld his fist. The two stared at each other, and then Mirabel burst into laughter, much to Vicky's surprise.
"What's funny?" Vicky asked. "You really don't remember," Mirabel asked, still laughing.
"Remember what?" Vicky asked, his mind taking him back to the time he accidentally knocked on Mirabel's forehead.
"Oh, I see," he said with a broad smile on his face. "I'm so glad I was alert this time," Mirabel said.
"You know, you look amazing when you smile like that," Vicky said. Mirabel's face flushed.
"Well, you told me to keep on smiling, so that's what I'm doing," Mirabel replied.
"I really need to talk to you," Vicky said. "Can we go in?" Mirabel nodded, and the two entered her office.
They sat down, and Vicky cleared his throat. "I really want to apologize for what happened on Friday," he began.
Mirabel interrupted, "I understand, Vicky. I was really annoyed at first, but I just had to put myself in your shoes. If Charles were to enter the restaurant the way she did, I would have reacted the same way."
"Well, I shouldn't have left you all alone," Vicky said. "I ruined our date."
"No, don't say that, Vicky," Mirabel said. "She ruined our date, not you."
"Do you think she's the Rose that broke your heart?" Mirabel asked. "I must say she's pretty "
"Don't say that," Vicky said. "She's not as pretty as you are. Let's not talk about her; I don't want to even hear her name. Let's drop this topic."
"Alright," Mirabel said. "I just hope we never meet again because if we do, I'm really going to give her a piece of my mind. She ruined my date."
Vicky smiled and said, "I hope we never see her again." Vicky held Mirabel's hands and looked into her eyes.
"Well, since we've settled that matter, I was thinking we could go on another date, you know, to finish off what we started the other night," Vicky said, winking. Mirabel blushed and said, "I like the idea."
Before Vicky could continue, the telephone on Mirabel's desk rang, and she picked it up.
"Ma'am, there's someone here in the reception," Lucy said. "She says she wants to see Vicky."
"Someone wants to see Vicky?" Mirabel asked. "Did she tell you her name?"
"No, she didn't," Lucy replied. "She says she wants to surprise him. Should I tell Vicky or...?"
"Don't worry, I'll inform him myself," Mirabel said, dropping the telephone. "Tell the visitor to wait."
"Vicky, it seems you have a visitor," Mirabel said.
"Visitor? Who could it be?" Vicky asked.
"I don't know, let's go and see," Mirabel replied.
They both headed downstairs and moved towards the reception. Rose emerged and looked at Vicky, a smile on her face.
"Vicky," Rose called out. Vicky paused, his mind going blank.
"You again," Mirabel said, moving towards Rose. Lucy stepped out to witness the scene unfolding.
"Please excuse me, I'm here to see Vicky," Rose said. "And by the way, what are you doing in Vicky's office?"
"Rose, please leave this instant," Vicky said, walking up to Rose and grabbing her arm.
"Vicky, hold on," Rose said, releasing her hands from Vicky's grip. "Please just listen to me. I'm sorry, I made a huge mistake, and I really regret what I did. Please forgive me, Vicky. I love you, and I always will."
The words "I love you" angered both Mirabel and Lucy. Mirabel's face turned red.
"Hey, how dare you," Mirabel shouted, walking up to Rose.
"What exactly is your problem, lady?" Rose said. "Can't you see I'm talking to Vicky?"
"Watch it," Vicky said, pointing his finger at Rose.
"Vicky, who's she?" Rose asked. "Why is she always near you? Tell her that you love me and that she should stop bothering you."
"The word 'love' doesn't suit you at all, Rose," Vicky said. "I can't even believe you have the guts to utter that word."
"Vicky, why are you saying this?" Rose asked. "I admit I made a huge mistake. I'm really sorry. I want to make amends. I want us to be together again."
"Stop it, Rose," Vicky shouted, stamping his foot on the floor. He grabbed Rose's shoulder.
"What's your agenda?" Vicky asked. "What exactly do you want? Do you want money? Don't worry, I'll give it to you. Just let me have my life in peace."
"Vicky, I want you," Rose said. "I love you. Please forgive me." Rose hugged Vicky.
Mirabel couldn't take it anymore. She pulled Rose and gave her a tight slap, which echoed around the building.
"How dare you," Rose said.
"Shut up," Mirabel said. "I've heard just enough of you. I admit Vicky loved you in the past, but now he doesn't belong to you anymore. He doesn't love you; he only loves me now. And I want you to remember that. The next time I see you around Vicky, believe me, it will be more than just a slap. I'll do more than you ever expect. Get it? Now leave my office. Get out."
"Vicky, won't you do anything?" Rose asked. "She just slapped me."
"And I'll do it again if you don't leave," Mirabel said, pulling Rose's arm and throwing her out of the reception towards the gates. Mark finished the job, pushing her out of the gate.
As Mirabel re-entered the building, her employees gave her a resounding applause. Vicky and Mirabel's bond was now clear to them all. Lucy was heartbroken, forced to accept her fate lest she suffer a similar fate as Rose. Vicky stood speechless, taken aback by Mirabel's bold actions. Despite the shock, he felt a deep sense of peace knowing Mirabel had his back, and that was all that mattered.