Mr Olsen stood akimbo and watched his parents as they seek his forgiveness for the prank they pulled. "I know it was an expensive joke but we are just parents who are afraid to know whether their daughter will be in good hands after our death," Mrs Olsen said. "Even if I want to consider forgiving you, the way I was brought here offends me more," Mr Olsen said coldly. "Dude, they didn't know I was gonna bring you that way. I knew you won't agree to follow me that is why I devised that means," Jake said.
Mr Olsen gave Jake the look of 'I will deal with you later'. Jake shrugged. "I'll consider your apology," Mr Olsen said. "Gina?" Mrs Olsen asked quietly. "She is fine," Mr Olsen said. "I haven't spoken to her for two weeks and some days," Mrs Olsen said. "Doesn't matter after all she is fine and in good hands," Mr Olsen responded. "I give my words on this. Gina is fine," Jake chipped. "Ok. Our regards to her. Tell her we miss her and love her," Mrs Olsen said. "Ok," Jake responded "Bye mom. Bye dad," he kissed the couple's cheeks and went after Mr Olsen who already left.
"Dee, it is high time you forgave them. It is almost ten years for goodness sake. Besides, they were not responsible for it," Jake said to Mr Olsen who was driving furiously. "Nine years ten months and fifteen days," Mr Olsen clenched his hand on the steering wheel. "Yeah," Jake nodded. "Their house held those hurtful memories. While I still live there, a night never bypass me without a nightmare. I became scared to sleep," Mr Olsen said without any emotion. "You leaving the house didn't stop the nightmares, did it?" Jake questioned. Mr Olsen was mute.
If he is to deny everything, Mr Olsen can't deny Jake's last question. "Do you know why? Do you know why you still have those nightmares?" Jake continued, "It's because your heart refuse to let go of the past. You are stuck in the past emotionally. No one can help you not even the greatest therapist. Only you have the cure to stop the nightmares. The cure is to forgive and forget," he said already angry. The car screeched as he suddenly hit the brake.
Jake isn't the type to get angry. Mr Olsen knew for him to get this angry he is really pissed off. "I know all I said doesn't make any sense to you but don't worry, I will get off the car now and catch a cab home. Once I'm no longer angry, I'll come get my car," Jake said and alighted from the car. "Jake," Mr Olsen called but Jake turned a deaf ear. Mr Olsen alighted from the car and tried to talk to Jake but the latter pretended the former wasn't around him. Jake flagged down a cab and boarded it.
Mr Olsen hit his hand on the steering wheel angrily. He took his phone and dialed a number. "See who remembered I still exist," Jessie said in a happy tone. "Jessie, I'm not in for your usual trivial," Mr Olsen said. "What is up with the cold Dee? Has his heart been captured by a black angel?" Jessie responded. Mr Olsen hissed angrily. "Jake is angry with me. I need you to help me talk to him," Mr Olsen said. "What transpired? That boy doesn't get angry easily," Jessie enquired. "Just help me talk to him," Mr Olsen said already frustrated by Jessie's questioning. "Okay. I'll call you later," Jessie ended the call.
******
It was Monday. It was Katherine's first day at work. She was up early. "Wake up, sleepy head," she pulled Sophia who was still sleeping. "It's still midnight. I just slept an hour ago," Sophia said sleepily. "This is quarter to nine," Katherine said. Sophia quickly jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom while mumbling a good morning to Katherine.
After coming out from the bathroom, Sophia checked the time only to discover it was some minutes past seven. She fumed before drying her wet body with a towel. She wrapped a towel on her dripping hair while applying lotion on her skin. She wore her undies before putting on the clothes she and Katherine had picked for the day. She sat at the mirror and dried her hair with the hair dryer on the table. She was applying little make-up when Katherine came in.
"Really, Kat? You just decided to interrupt my blissful sleep," Sophia said. Katherine smiled and sat at the edge of the bed. "Punctuality should be your watchdog," Katherine said. "I'm the punctual type and you know," Sophia said applying mascara. "Okay, Miss Punctual-type. The breakfast is ready," Katherine said. "What did you prepare?" Sophia questioned. "Flapjacks and.......," Katherine was saying but Sophia interrupted. "Flapjacks, it is," Sophia quickly smooched her lips on the lipstick and rushed to the dining room.
Katherine did her make-up before joining Sophia in the dining room. "You are the best," Sophia blew a kiss at Katherine. Katherine smiled. "Ren called yesterday," Katherine said. "When was that? We were together all day," Sophia asked. "When your big head self was asleep," Katherine responded. "What is up with him?" Sophia questioned.
***Flashback
Katherine was watching short videos on the internet when an unknown number called. In order not to disturb the sleeping Sophia, Katherine mute the call and went to the sitting room. "Hello," Katherine said as soon as she picked the call. "Katherine, is that you?" a voice she yearns to hear and also doesn't want to hear asked. It was Ren. "Yes. How can I help you?" Katherine replied. "I just want to check on you," Ren said. "I'm fine as always," Katherine said. "I recalled you will need a new job so I'm offering you one in my company," Ren said. "Thanks for the offer but I got a job already," Katherine said. "Wow. That is some congratulations. Where did you get the job?" Ren congratulated. "You don't need to know it," Katherine responded.
Ren sighed. "Okay. Can we at least meet to celebrate?" Ren requested. "Sorry, I'll be busy. Also, I don't want to be disgraced again," Katherine said. "I'm sorry for that day," Ren said. "I know. I just backed up my point of dismissing your offer," Katherine said. "Okay. Bye then. I still love you," Ren said. "Bye. The earlier you understand I've moved on, the better," Katherine said. "Yeah," Ren said sadly and ended the call.
Katherine exhaled deeply. A strayed tear found its way out of her eyes. "I will overcome this. I will be happy at last," she assured herself. She calmed down before going back to bed.
***Ends
"Don't worry. I'm here to help you get over it. I know it is not easy but with time, you will be fine," Sophia said calmly. "Sure. Sure," Katherine smiled. "Don't let that piece of shit spoil our first day at work," Sophia said. "My first day at work," Katherine said stressing the 'my'. Sophia smiled. "Let's get going. You don't wanna be late on your first day, right?" she said. "I'm the Head of Secretary and so can resume anytime," Katherine said. "Oh! Almost forgot I now live with my boss," Sophia bowed. Katherine laughed heartedly.
The pairs got to work early. Katherine went with Sophia to her office to say hello to her colleagues. "Finally, we're having this angel in our company," Drey said smiling sweetly. "C'mon Drey stop flattering me," Katherine said. "I'll advise you don't fall for his sugarcoated talks," Miranda said. "Mimi, let me be ooo," Drey said childishly. "Where is Henry?" Sophia questioned. "I saw him having breakfast with Linda," Miranda said. Sophia and Katherine shared a knowing glance. "Okay guys. We talk during lunch," Katherine said. "What a responsible head," Drey said.
"Good morning," Katherine greeted her own colleagues. "Morning ma'am. It's a pleasure having you here," Grace said. "Thanks. Please address me as Katherine and not ma'am," Katherine said smiling. "Alright Miss Katherine," Grace said. "You can discard the 'miss' too. Just Katherine, please," Katherine said. Grace nodded.
They soon began the day's work. Katherine was busy with the previous week entries. She compiled them orderly. Few minutes to lunch, she was done with the previous week's compilation. "Are you done with today's entry as per the details we've gathered so far?" Katherine asked. Grace and Ariana looked up from what they were doing. "No. We will be done after lunch," Ariana responded. "Alright. Your lunch will be on the house," Katherine said. "Thanks so much," Grace and Ariana appreciated.
Katherine and her colleagues including Sophia's department shared the same table during lunch. "Wow. So you work here too?" Harry was surprised to see Ariana, his neighbour. "I'm surprised too. We've never come across each other," Ariana said. "What a small world. Just imagine if they had smickered each other, they won't be comfortable now. That is why it is good to be good," Drey admonished. Sophia and Miranda rolled their eyes. "That admonition should be your watchword too," Miranda said. Drey looked at Miranda like 'what do you mean?' "You said it is good to be good but you are annoying," Sophia said. Miranda giggled.
After compiling the day's entry, Katherine arranged the files orderly and took it to the CEO's office. She inhaled before knocking on the door. The door opened automatically. She walked into the office. The CEO - Mr Olsen - was engrossed in his computer. "Sir," Katherine called. Mr Olsen looked up. Katherine's eyes widened. Mr Olsen also looked stunned. "Ugly elf huhn?" Mr Olsen said.