**The previous update had been a blunder mistake. I’II delete it as soon as I can.**

CALYX

The man is fidgeting even though he is trying hard to conceal it. There is a clear shakiness in his tone. I barely nod in response, navigating the place to get to the board room. They are the ones trailing behind and not the other way around because I have been here once before.

"May I ask why you are here today sir?" Another one asked.

"Let’s have that check today." I concisely reply. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

"B...But. That is next week." He stutters. I am not dumb, of course I know that. My motive is to catch them when they least expect it before they destroy the hard copies just as they destroyed the files yesterday. As the new boss, I just decided that it should be moved up. I glance at my wrist watch, 10:30am.

"Prepare the meeting in thirty minutes time." I instructed before entering the conference room.

I reclined in my seat, bored and irritated. I could not wait for the meeting to be done and over with even though it has yet to begin.

The sound of a woman’s high heels clapping against the floor surface is not what makes me look at her. It was the whiff of her perfume, a unique scent that in all my 27 years of life have only perceived on only one person. I alertly raise my head up and focus my gaze on her and my body went still with shock. What is she doing here? Is she a worker here? All I could see was her back and her hair bouncing as she walks. That small frame of hers that is somewhere in between petite and slender. I would recognize it any time of the day—except when I am too drunk or drugged like last night. Aside from that, I will remember her even if I get amnesia. My eyes stays glued on her until she moves to stand at the very center of the room. I bring my gaze down to my hand on the desk, silently wishing to be anywhere but here. It is ironic, really. There was a time that I tried searching for her to apologize. She moved here after she suddenly dropped out of highschool. I abandon that quest because I could not imagine facing her and apologizing. Something as simple as that is difficult for me.

I thought I would never see her again just like Rex. But she is here also. Our paths has crossed twice in less than twenty four hours. I should have brought my shades. My mind gets revisited by the contents of her suicide note. Fuck. I do not want her to see and recognize me. Even if she does, I hope she won’t feel too angry and uncomfortable. So much time has passed since then and she seems to be doing well for herself and is looking past that incident nine years ago. PTSD is not supposed to go past that long right?

Her honeyed voice sounded precise and sharp, booming across the room with no mic or speaker on. I still honestly cannot believe I used to think that voice annoying. I was a total A-grade asshole. "I will be presenting the statistical analysis gentlemen, ladies." I look up at her and I unconsciously stare. I did not get a good look at her this morning in that bed because I was losing my shit. The time that passes has made her more beautiful and breathtaking. Her face still has that softness as her teens. It is just a little mature now. Her lips. I could only see them moving but I don’t hear anything. Those lips, they were my favorite part of her body. I get mixed feelings of guilt and arousal as I remember how sweetly soft they are. Did I kiss them enough last night? I am crazy, I know.

The way her eyes narrows and then widens when she sees me could not be missed even by someone who is shortsighted. Her words drags to a full stop. I don’t have to be a mind-reader to know what is going on in her mind right now. She becomes disoriented. Ronnie glances between her and me, noticing the obvious but yet invisible tension. I avert my gaze from her and turn up my expressionless nonchalant look a notch. There are a lot of people in this room and they are already wondering if there is anything between us.

"Miss Calloway...? Miss Calloway?" She does not seem to hear them calling out to her. She is still closely staring and she has this look like she is in pain and discomfort. She presses her palms on the table and then holds one to her chest. One guy walks to her and holds her. I got irked, glaring at his hand around her and imagining chopping it off with an ax. Is her boyfriend? Why is he whispering to her so intimately. And why is she leaning into his arms. I take a quick glance at some faces, and I see that they are all worried. I am the only one being nasty green and overthinking. Shit, I have still got this twisted feeling.

You don’t want something, but you hate when anyone else wants to have it. You become covetous as soon as another person shows interest. I don’t know why, I know I don’t have the right to feel this way but I cannot just help it. Nine years and you still can’t get it together when it has to do with her. Way to go Calyx. She is the only one who sprouts this feeling in me. I have never been covetous untill I met her. I fucking hate it and like it at the same time.

I am getting far away from this place as soon as this is over. I will keep my distance from this place.

"Food poisoning?" My ears perked at the mention of that.

"Yes. She was in the hospital for that last night."

Food poisoning? The girl in bed did not have the slightest symptom of food poisoning.

"Miss, you should not come to work if you are sick. Now you are delaying the procession of the meeting. I hate wasting time." I said.