Chapter Five

Do you remember that moment… the time when your surrounding stopped and all you can see was her… just her... doing some mundane stuff – hanging the clothes she just washed, her beaming smile after she finished…and her arms, wiping the sweat in her forehead… it was nothing special, but then, it was the time I realized, that she is the most beautiful girl I've ever laid my eyes on, and as that moment sink in, I realized that, I was madly… deeply… IN LOVE WITH HER…

(FLASHBACK)

"You want to kiss me?"

"Huh, what?" I asked surprised, realizing that Marge is leaning down and her face so close to me.

"Do... you… want… to… kiss… me???" she teased.

"No!!!" I shouted, sitting up straight and turning back trying to hide my embarrassment. But before I can walk out…

"Oh, okay. I'm sorry then. I just thought, because you were looking at me intently… and even after I was already in front you, your gaze didn't leave my face. But yeah… I guess I misunderstood… I guess it is just me having these feelings" Marge explained, sadness in her tone.

I felt my chest tightened. "That's not true… not true at all." I shouted in my mind.

"I guess, you don't lo…" Before she can continue what she was about to say, I turn around, close the distance between us and crash my lips to hers. It was our first kiss.

"I… I love you... okay… Do... don't ever say that you are the only one having these feelings. I am in love with you." I whispered as I rested my forehead against her.

Before I can say more, she smiled, kissed me… this time with much force, much more hunger. I guess, I did say the right thing…

(PRESENT TIME)

"Whoohooo!!! Break time!!!" I heard Alex voice as she entered my office.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, looking up at the person who just entered. I was a little bit annoyed that my quiet time in the office was disturbed.

"It's 3PM, its break time right. Employees normally have a snack and chit chat during this time." she reminded me.

"You are not a normal employee of this company. You are the VP of Marketing Department, and I'm sure everybody is expecting more from you than this." I said sarcastically.

"Well… well… well… tell that to our CFO and CTO then." Alex replied as we saw Raine (Chief Financial Officer) and Pat (Chief Technology Officer) walked in the room with coffee and donuts.

I sighed knowing that I won't be able to finish my worked as I planned.

After 30 minutes….

"Okay, out with it." I said loudly than usual.

"Out with what? What do you mean?" Alex feigning ignorance.

"Come on, I know all 3 of you are busy people. We've been having our break for 30 minutes now and none of you are showing a sign that you are leaving my room. So, what really is the problem here? Don't fool me that this is just us having a break." I answered somewhat irritated.

"It's Friday afternoon, Dee. I think we deserve a break from time to time." Raine answered calmly while she sipped her coffee.

"Then you can relax on your own office. It's definitely bigger than mine and you can have privacy. Don't you realize, you three, are putting me in trouble. The higher ups going to a manager's office. You don't even visit the room of the other department heads and my boss too."

"We are your boss too, you know." Pat answered.

I sighed dejectedly. "Please, just tell me, what's wrong with your girlfriends and whoever Alex is dating right now, so we can get this over with. I want to finish my report so I can relax this weekend." I said, pressing the right questions so they can leave me in peace.

"Raine???" I asked.

"Ellie's not replying to me. It's been two nights now. I messaged and called but she just ignored me, not answering any of it."

"What did you do?"

"I don't really know. We were fine few days before. I even went with her to the airport. She has meetings with our potential customers in the US."

"I see. Did you forget any special dates or maybe the scheduled time you are supposed to call her or something?"

"Hmmm… none that I know of… but… I cancelled one of our planned video call on the last minute. But it was late, and I was finishing a presentation. She said okay and I think she understood. I mean she's the CEO and it also happened to her before." Raine explained.

"I see, but considering the time, I think she woke up really early to talk to you, and just like you said, she's as busy as you are and yet she made time for you to talk while you are away from each other. You couldn't even bother to have a 10-20-minute video call with her?

"Well, if you put it that way… I didn't think of that…" she answered sadly.

"Okay, when will she be back?" I asked.

"Thursday next week."

"Then you still have time." I said as I wrote down my instructions for Raine. "Here, order some flowers online in the US, have it delivered to her hotel or office plus her favorite food or what. Choose the best apology flower you can find – whether its white orchids, pink carnation, roses or blue hyacinths. You can do that, right?"

"Yes, I definitely can." Raine answered happily getting the paper I handed out as if I wrote a prescription for a patient.

"And Raine, I've written one of the new favorite restaurants of Ellie, she mentioned it before in passing. Make sure you make a reservation and have a date with her once she comes home okay. Please make time." 

"Will do…"

"So, Pat… your turn." I asked, talking to my next patient.

"Uhmmm… we're okay, I mean Michelle is not mad or something, but… I just felt like… she's sad or she's not happy and I don't know what to do…"

"I see… she did not tell you anything or mention what's bothering her?"

"No, she didn't. We texted but she's a little bit busy actually. She's out of the country now, she has a photoshoot and I think there's also a big event next week."

"Pat, have you tried visiting her at work? Even just once? I mean you've been with Michelle for quite a while now, but you haven't gone with her to any event or even try to visit her photoshoot. I'm sure she wants her girlfriend by her side from time to time. For sure, her friends are doing the same." I explained. 

"But she knows me, I already explained to her that it's not my kind of scene. I'm a tech girl, a geek or something, she knows I don't like the crowds." Pat trying to defend herself.

"I know that, and she's probably saying that it's okay because she accepts you and understands you. But what's the harm Patty? it's just one day or one event. You are a geek but I'm sure you can dress up nicely right? I mean you do it in our company anniversary, in meetings, so what's the difference? And it's not like I'm asking you to do it for her every event. I think this one is big right, a fashion week? At least be there to support her." I tried to explain, reasoning what she needs to do.

"I guess you're right."

"Good then, that settles it. Thank you so much for dropping by my clinic. Please leave." I happily announce trying to shoo them out.

"Wait… what about me?" Alex whined. "Why don't I get an advice too?"  

"What advice do you need. You are getting dates almost every night. I'm sure you can do it on your own." I replied not looking at her.

"No… no… no… you don't understand. This is an emergency, she's different. Everything I do did not work on her."

"Oh yeah... You mean Claire." Raine laughed.

"Claire, you mean our new Accounting Head?" I asked, getting interested more in the story.

"Yeah, gossip is, Alex has been asking Claire for a few weeks now, but she turned down Alex' attempt every single time. Our employees are actually talking about it." Pat happily ratted Alex out.

"I see, I had lunch with Claire once, after our meeting. She's totally out of your league. Just give up Alexis."  I said dismissing her again.

"No… please Dee… I like this girl okay, really… really like her… She's different from everyone I've ever dated… Please… please… please Dee… I will hound you every day… I'll be here every day until you help me…" 

I sighed. Dreading the thought of Alex being in my office every day and feeling sorry for her too. "You found your match Alex. Your usual tricks won't worked with Claire. She doesn't do that fancy, extravagant things. You need to be serious and real with her. If you really want her, then make sure you are serious, that this is not just one of your dates or flings." I tried to explain.

"I know that… and I'm really serious about her… but I tried sending flowers, gifts, even invite her on the very best fine dining restaurant, but nothing... nothing works Dee… please help me…" Alex begged.

"That won't work Alexis, she's a down to earth woman. For now, don't try asking her out for dinner or date at all. Try asking her for lunch, or just bring her coffee or breakfast every now and then. Don't ask for dates right away. Just make some simple gestures showing that you are interested with her. And once you feel that she's opening up or somehow comfortable with you, try asking her out on a date like going on a Saturday Market Fair, or the new museum that opened or probably volunteer together in a soup kitchen or something. Try to find out what she likes and dislikes, so you know where to bring her… okay?"

"Sounds like a good plan." Alex happily chirped.

"Good then, and please, try not to harass her this weekend. Give her a little bit of space, who knows she might miss you… but I doubt." 

"Thank you so much Dee". Alex said, finally walking out of the office.

"Thanks Dee. You are a life saver." Pat too, following her out.

"Yeah, yeah… now leave me in peace okay. I need to submit my report to my boss before I go home today."

Pat and Alex left first, but Raine stayed.

"Dee, how about you? Are you okay?" Raine asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked without looking at her, already typing and continuing with my report.

"Ellie told me, you know, that you asked for referral for a private investigator. Did he find her?" Raine asked, sad tone in her voice.

"Not yet" I answered, trying not to show any emotion. "It's hard because I only have a name and a graduation photo, and it didn't help much at all."

"I see… If you need anything or if you want to talk, just tell me."

"Sure. Thanks, Raine."

"Good luck Dee, I really hope you find her soon." 

"Yeah, me too."