SETHRONY, NO LONGER A MYSTERY
***JAMES**
*3 weeks ago*
"Hello?"
" How you are luxuriously late for your 10 am meeting and pray in don't grow grey hairs from all the stress you give me" Maya my secretary complains over the phone.
"Before you crucify me, listen." .., I hear a sigh on the other side of the phone, " What's your excuse this time".
" Well I was in a funny situation with a mystery lady this morning and she disappeared." I explain over the phone. I explain everything to her as she listens silently. I wait for a reaction as I conclude my unique morning.
She signs loudly “Well that’s an interesting turn of events for one day.” “I know it’s been a stressful morning for you and we'll figure something out once you get here but I’d really appreciate it if you just got here. We have a long day ahead of us.”
"I'm on my way, no need miss your wonderful boss this much." Chuckling as I cut the call.
As I get into the car and start the engine, I think of how lucky I am to have Maya as my secretary. She's always helped me out in every way possible. Even after I rejected her love confession at one point, she stood by me as an awesome friend. After graduating she told me she would apply for a job at my dad's company. She worked with him for a few years before he passed from old age and I took over. I was thrilled to be working with her.
I won't lie to myself and say I began to love her all over again, but in a deeper way this time. I held on to this love for a very long time before I confessed to her but whatever goes around comes around. She had a boyfriend at the time and she didn't feel that way about me anymore. I was the fool for ever rejecting her love, but it's okay now. I can move on knowing she's happy and I can still be her friend.
******************************************************
****THE MAIN OFFICE****
"you are extremely late and so help me, I will need a raise", maya walked up to me and berates me as she begins to tell me my schedule for the day. "This is going to be a long day isn't it? glancing at her for a second before walking into my office.
"Yes it will be, sadly for me too." I can still hear her whining even with her mumbling.
"Then lets begin, shall we begin" I smile at her before grabbing some documents stacked on my table.
**************
" It's already evening, we should end here today and finish up tomorrow morning" I say to Maya. she looks up and stares at me with exhaustion.
" Finally I can leave." she shuts the file hurriedly and abandons the fine ball point pen she was using to write down tomorrows meeting points. she's always used fine ball point pens.
" Need a lift?" asking her as I get up from my seat. " No, its okay. Manuel is picking me up in a few minutes." she says excitedly as she picks up her coat. "thanks for the offer though." she swiftly picks up her bag and heads for the elevator.
Grabbing my jacket and slamming my office door shut, I run after her to the elevator and jam my hand through before it completely closes.
" You could have at least held the elevator for me" I say exasperated.
" I would have, but you take too long to close up and I have a date to go to" flipping her hair looking away from me. We ride the elevator the rest of the way in silence.
“Ma…” before I could call out her name. the elevator door opens and there stand her fiancé.
She hurries towards him and walks in for a heartwarming embrace.
My heart wrenches.
“Evening smith” he lazily waves his hands towards me. “Alex” I return the gesture.
“Where are we going?” Maya looks up to Alex like a child whose been given candy. Alex gently strokes her cheek and pushes her long black silky hair back, “it’s a surprise” he smiles at her.
Alex looks towards me “see you later, I’ll be taking MY gorgeous lady with me now”. Stressing the my.
Maya nudges his “Alex stop” she mumbles.
“Good night Maya, see you tomorrow morning” I walk away from the couple and stride to the revolving doors.
Tonight's air feels cold, almost icy.
Staring at the night sky feels empty, I can finally give up on this futile chase of unrequited love. I really need to clear my head and get over these stupid feelings once and for all
“I see you got stood up again.”
Seated on the hood of the car is Charles. How did I not notice him? “this isn’t a good time brother” saying nonchalantly grabbing my car keys out of my jacket pocket.
“You being the better looking twin brother had me thinking you’d be the chick magnet” he stares at Maya and Alex in the distance, “I guess I thought wrong.” He jeers at me
“Firstly what you said doesn’t make sense. We both look exactly the same but a few tweaks here and there and secondly, last time I remember I wasn’t the one dating a 3 different women, who may I remind you are blood related.” I fume.
“Take it easy, don’t blow yourself out and besides they’ll never know.” He nods his head to the retreating couple that left a while back, “do you wanna talk about it?” the look of pity plastered on his face.
“I don’t need your pity talk and definitely not your stupid advice,” opening my car door forcefully. “Hey!” “Don’t leave me out here.” He rushes after the car, “I need to have a grown up discussion with you!” shouting to me as the car starts to drive away.
“What discussion?” I look at his skeptically, “I hope you didn’t get one of your girlfriends pregnant.”
“firstly, I am greatly offended that you think I’m that much reckless and I am not ready for daddy talk yet” feigning hurt, tilting his head sideways.
“whatever, what is it, I have a lot of work to do.” Starting the car again. “it’s about mum.” He pauses, “we need to get her some company, she longs for it and know that. She’s not getting any younger and everybody else is practically waiting for her to die in her sleep.”
“Then you take care of it, it’s never been any of my business anyway.” impassive
Charles sighs heavily, “please, don’t do this. Not now when she needs us most.”
“Well where was she when I needed her most. When WE needed her most her. It is none of my business. So do what you have to do and tell her how that goes okay.” Buried hurt starts bubbling up.
“James!”, Charles shouts to me as the car speeds away.
She is not part of me and will never be. Not anymore.
***********************************************
The ride home is short and fast.
“Good evening Mr. Smith, shall I get our dinner ready?” Susan looks at me wary sensing my mood.
“No, that won’t be necessary. I’ll be in the office, nobody should disturb me and kick Charles out if he does come this way.”
I leave before she can reply and settle in my office at the far end of the hallway.
Its half past 3 and most of my work is done. The suppliers still haven’t delivered and I’ll have to have a brief meeting with them pertaining the monthly out of season good.
Who thought managing a food chain company would be easy, I laugh at myself. A few years ago, I thought this would be the job of my dreams. How much of those lies did I really believe. How naïve.
I stretch back and close my eyes. Gorgeous black ebony hair flashes in my memory. Her skin smooth and flawless. Lips as red as red as wine. My known mystery lady. I must find her. The last images of her go through m mind before falling asleep. Sethrony, no longer a mystery.