Chapter Twenty-Three: Past: Announced Surprises

The clock advertised itself as if the world's version of perfection, the silence as deep as sin but displayed with an aura of peace. Slowly cleansed with every tinge of sound made by either the blowing of the wind that rattled the tree branches or in fact the beating of hearts. Where they scream with panic, discomfort or over joy.

The memories falling off the branches like leaves. Some had changed colors like a chameleon, trying to blend the past and the present together. Forgetting that the tree is a symbol of the future as it grows.

I guess we shouldn't undermine the tree. It's a representation of a lesson on its own. A seed is a plant, roots sprout until it begins to grow slowly, desperately in need of sunshine. Of water or its necessities. Forming it thickens painfully through life and becomes more valuable to more than one life without realizing it. though it seemed weak and at one point, it's stronger than anything else.

Until one finds a way to cut it down and it has no choice but to say goodbye.

So here I was sitting in my office, work piling up more and more, trying to piece everything together yet nothing made sense. I had placed sticky notes on my wall and color-coordinated everything. Some placed by dates, others by names, and business links.

Nothing seemed to help, I worried that I would let Owens business collapse cause I was missing something extremely important. Something that didn't make any sense. At times I would even ask for extra tables and holdings because my work area was too small for all the stuff I had separated.

I rejected having a PA because my work was not to be seen. If I left for a walk or anything, I locked my door. The only people to have keys was I and Owen. My office had turned into a room-size vault. I put up a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on my door because I needed to focus. Papers were replaced according to dates, others in names and others by alphabetical order. I had to constantly change the setting at times when things different make sense.

I called through some companies as different personas trying to get at least a glimpse of what the heck was going on. At times I had to call as an official to try and scare some of them. Other times I had to call as PA's but it was clear it didn't cause any panic.

Did it at least try?

Nope, nothing still made sense and it was causing me to grow angry. I've never hit a dead end like this. Ever in all my years of working. I tried to drink a glass of water only to end up choking a bit on the water. That was the last straw, I threw the damn glass on the wall.

"Fucking hell!" I yelled, frustrated, and tired with all of this. Walking back to the table I rested my head on the desk with a deep sigh, groaning…

What am I going to do?

I heard the door open and close with a click and I instantly said: "Out" without raising my head. I didn't care who it was or if it was that idiot himself or even a pop in by Michael, I wasn't getting out this office until I was done. Or at least until I got a clue of what was going on.

"Well, that's no way to greet a friend whom, by the way, you called for help." I heard a female say. I looked up to find Lucy with her baggage and a deep frown on her face. She looked concerned and mad. I knew right then she knew who I was working for, she didn't like it one bit.

"You didn't get coffee, huh?" I asked with a slight grin, trying to distract her off the topic I knew would come one way or another.

"That and that idiot? Are you seriously working for him?" she snapped, her eyes growing wide.

"Yes but understand I didn't know until I got here."

"Oh great! Than we can leave and he can find out when we get home, that I've tasked you with going home." She said as she reached for me so we could leave.

"Lucy…its fine, I decided to stay. I never not complete a job nor task. The faster I'm done, the faster we can leave. Please." I said as I pulled my wrist from her hand and sat down with a deep sigh.

"I'm leaving, she said, I'm going to try and work and get my mind off the pain. It's a welcome distraction." She air quoted, mimicking some of the words I had told her as I packed. I sighed heavily, I really had thought it would be that easy.

"Please just help me?" I whispered, done with the fighting.

She looked at me as if calculating everything. I know it was a lot to ask for but even she knew I barely called for help based on work. I could always do it on my own but when it got real deep, the trio did a miracle together. I, Her and Him.

The Trio

But since he was gone… it's been difficult to even consider calling him. Harder to even look at the last picture I had of him on my phone. I had deleted his number, knowing that was the first step to letting go but that picture…meant a lot to me.

"Did you call Justin?" she asked with a low voice as she took her seat.

"No"

"Still in pain?"

"Yes"

"You realize that if his needed I'll have no choice but to call him. I don't want things to become messier than they are already. Both of you need to talk shit out honestly and not hide crap. Yet knowing you two, you both going to put yourself in work and walk away from each other as though there are no words to say."

"I know but until than…can we just try…" I said with a shaky voice as tears attempted to escape from my eyes. I looked up but all they did was escape on the sides, which made me want to cry even more.

"Okay then, you better get me a whole lot of food plus coffee, cause we're doing this. Tell me how bad it is." She said as brought the chair closer to me dropping her bag on the side. I smiled, thankful to have her by my side, and began to explain.