I want to sleep but I can't.
I almost despised myself for throwing all the pillows in the room because I was already conscious. I can not sleep. I feel like my body is not tired from all day training. I saw the wall clock and it's already one o'clock in the midnight. I decided to stand up and put on the slippers. I took my cellphone and laptop from my desk and closed the door.
The light is dim here in the mansion every midnight, until the living room is still the same light. If only other people lived here they would definitely be scared. I no longer turned on the light and sat down on the sofa, back to the entrance where everyone was passing. I set my laptop on and do the stuff that I always wanted every midnight, write again and again.
Since I'm here close to bow-window I decided to pushed aside the dark blue grommet panel curtains for air to breeze in. I was focused in what I'm doing because of the air and I'm alone here, no noise and only hearing my typing and the weak wind. In the middle of what I was doing, I felt bored.
There seems to be something missing. I was hoping I could sleep with what I was doing but nothing. Nonsense. I decided to brewed coffee. I feel like I'm the only one living here, I want a talking case I don't want to disturb.
After that, I woke up because of the sunlight, I forgot to close the window. I grabbed my head and noticed the clock, it was nine o'clock. I saw the laptop and cellphone on the very desk where I picked it up last night. As far as I know, I fell asleep on the sofa. I immediately took care of self and come down. I just wore pajamas and a black shirt. My aunts and uncles came up to me talking, I noticed that Uncle Zenos was not there, he was probably at work.
They smiled which I smiled as well. I sat on the sofa next to them, instead of talking I chose to keep quiet because I have nothing to say, I'm not like Veron who's talkative, I just open my mouth when I speak. They always used to discuss the business matter or about their own children. I don t feel their boredom because they are used to this, to stay in the same place for a long time. They are trained to be like that.
I wish I had just lived in their time. Full of adventure not like today. Every time I write about them it s almost as if my blood is working. Ink is my blood and words is my breath.
"Good morning Annika, what's the depth of your thoughts?" Auntie Summer broke into my brain.
Shw put down a cup I use often and coffee I often brew, I noticed others staring at me so I arranged to sit down. I often have one leg raised.
"About work?" she added that I circled.
"Nothing," I replied sparingly.
I sipped my coffee then I noticed Veron's entry with a huge smile, and I'm not expecting for this because his mouth was there again.
"Will you just wake up?" she asked with a smile as he approached us with a paper bag.
"No. Your sister is," replied Auntie Nieva. I felt Veron sitting next to me as she handed me a paper bag that looked like an empty envelope.
"Oh, uncle said you should deliver that to Zeke, he's still going somewhere so he didn't give it to you. I even saw him, so he suggested it. Oh. "
I just looked at what she was holding then looked back at her face. It wrinkled and smiled again.
"Why don't you just give?" I asked still staring at her so she widened her eyes.
"I had a meeting, and then uncle ordered you. I have a lot to do. " she snouts then stood up. "Take it!"
"Is that necessary?"
"I do not know. Just say, you will sign. You can go in the afternoon. You don't have to do anything, Pat told me that MWF is your school schedule and your meeting is next Saturday. So my dear sister, take it, oh! " her long litany of obvious annoyance.
I sipped my coffee again then looked away. "Put it there," I ordered.
"Oki oki! Have a nice day my dear brother! Bye aunt, uncle," letting it go I ignored.
I immediately finished what I was drinking and then went upstairs with the paper bag. What I don't like at all is to go everywhere, especially on my day off. It was still early so I went to sleep first because I felt drowsy even though the coffee my aunt gave me was strong.
When I woke up I immediately took a shower and took care of myself, I'm just wearing a black sailor pants and light blue wrap top. I just put on a little powder because I don't know how to put on make-up. I wore simple dark brown gladiator sandals and decided to go downstairs. Just down the stairs, Keirra's voice was loud.
They immediately fell silent when I showed up to say goodbye. "I'm leaving," I said softly and then they nodded and waved.
They even offered to take me to uncle but not meor consent. I want to go for a walk. It was also about half an hour before I arrived at the company they worked for. That's big and it's not a joke to get a job, especially since the best engineers in the country are here. No wonder why almost everyone I know is here.
It's high and the style is glass wall so you can quickly peek inside, only thick curtains maybe cover them. I only got in quickly because of the id I was showing. His office is still on the 11th floor. I don t know what his role or position is.
As time went on I was losing news about him. I also have no intention of finding out more.
When the elevator opened the hallway was quiet and a few female engineers walked by and looked at me and raised an eyebrow. I turned right and immediately saw the name of the person I was looking for right on the side of the door.
Engr: Ezekiel Roux
He told me when we were a young that he wants to be an assassin. Every dog ??he sees approaching him he will shoot to avoid rabies. How funny that he fell here.
I was about to knock when I felt the shadow in front of me. "Good afternoon Ma'am, are you here for Mr. Roux?" asked an old janitor smiling.
"Yes. Is he here?" I asked.
"No Ma'am, they had a meeting. They're about to finish. Please sit here first," he said to me.
"Okay, I see. Thank you." I could do nothing but sit on the side with a row of chairs.
I just watched him clean every corner of the aisle. I just hold the envelope and purely sigh for too long. It was five o'clock and I noticed that the sky was getting dark, I hadn't eaten yet so I felt hungry that I could still bear it.
After that, I won't go to the mansion, maybe I'll eat something that doesn't belong to me.
Some time later from my left, I could clearly see the men coming and just walking straight ahead, some were looking at me and others were walking in my direction. Maybe their office is here. If Veron was just here, maybe her brain would be damaged by too many men.
I leaned against the wall again and closed my eyes as the hug I would give. "Annika?" I opened my eyes and sat up.
I looked up and there I saw Zeke obviously wondering why I was here. I immediately stood up and noticed another coworker peeking at us.
"Are you still here?"
"No. I just arrived. Uncle is handing over," I said without even looking at him.
"Come in first." He opened the door for me so I entered.
His black office opened immediately, as did the equipment. Upon entering, the bookshelf is right on the side and on the left is his desk where the other establishments are clearly visible because of its glass wall.
"Have you eaten yet? I-I mean, do you want some—"
"No. It's okay, I'm full," I lied.
I really want to eat but I don't want to disturb him because I can see he still has a lot to finish. I could feel him staring at me, since he spoke earlier I have not looked at him. I was confused and I didn t know why. Maybe because I m not used to his behavior now, he s too serious. He looks like his brother, Sevein.
I can no longer see him laughing out loud as usual. I just noticed it, but it doesn't mean I missed the old Zeke. Never.
"Did he say when he needed all this? Maybe the process will take a long time here," he began.
Based on the edge of my vision it was sorting through the papers. "He didn't say anything. It was Veron who handed it to me to give it to you."
I tried not to look back at him and distract the eyes around. How long have I been here? I want to go home. He shifted his gaze steadily to those papers and we could only hear our breathing. Why am I being counted?
"Am I still here long?" I couldn't help but ask.
It looked up and then went back to the paper as well. "I'll just look at those records—"
"Sir Ezekiel! I'm here— ow! " A woman who looked like a coworker suddenly entered the office.
She looked at me, she was the woman I had met before. It just approached us as if I hadn t seen it and smiled at Zeke with a handed paper. "Sir Ezekiel, are you busy? We need to talk about this right away," she said, staring at Zeke's side.
I looked away from them, I looked to the right where some of the floor plans he had made were. I want to leave.
"Stella, we're still talking. Give me at least five minutes—"
"But Sir—"
"How narrow is your brain to not understand five minutes?" I cut to her resentment.
She stood up straight and looked at me in shocked. I stared at her offensively and smirked.
"Excuse me? Are you so rude to get into our conversation?" he raised an eyebrow and said that I laughed softly. I stood up and looked at her intently as I crossed my arms. "What do you call it when you don't knock? Isn't that rude? Or maybe that's what you were taught."
"Please, stop. Stella come out m—"
"It's important that we talk," she said emphatically as I just laughed.
"Whether it's important or not, learn to knock. If you don't want to use your brain then knock it. I won't come here if it's not important—"
"How dare y—"
"And I wouldn't explain it like this, if your brain wasn't that narrow." I stayed calmed.
I noticed Zeke's hand washing his face and even turned his back on us. How can he handle this idiot girl? The woman in front of me grinned loudly. Looks like someone has something to say again. I don't understand the people, they are the ones who are being taken advantage of, they are still fighting for their wrongdoing.
"I thought you were Sir Ezekiel's girlfriend, well, I won't be surprised either, Sir doesn't crack down on those kinds of attitude. No one shoots you."
"Stella stop! A-Annika I'm sorry," Zeke groaned now holding Stella and pulling her out.
"Wait, let me go! I'm still talking to that idiot ..." I never heard Stella say again because of the door closing.
I was left standing as I remembered what that woman had told me. I know. I'm aware of my attitude and I will never change it. I would rather everyone hate me.
It was seven o'clock when I looked at my watch, it was getting late and I needed to go home. I decided to leave without letting him know, I left the papers, he would take care of whether he would give it to uncle or not. I left the office immediately and as usual the crowd was still the same. I noticed Lucas laughing out loud while holding the tape measure. I immediately turned so that he will not notice me.
When I got out of the company I lost my appetite even more because of the mist I could see in the light coming from the pole.
Fuck them!
Instead of resting this Saturday it was even more hell. It is not good to be a fool. Engineer is still very stupid.
The bus terminal was still far away so I started walking. So many people who I almost collided and unfortunately they ran away. It was only then that I realized that the heavy rain had fallen, I ran out of time and didn't know where to take shelter because it was just a building. My body was soaking wet when I squeezed into the waiting shed. The rain was so heavy that I could hardly see anything because of the fog and darkness.
"Shit!" I was cheap when I was kicked out because of a woman running.
If I only knew this was going to happen I would not have consented. Sunburn. I've stood for a few minutes but the rain is getting heavier, the water hit my skin so much and I'm almost soaking wet, for sure even my cell phone is useless. Some time later there was some hand holding my arm causing me to tear it apart immediately.
"What! Are you rude?!" I shouted at whoever is on the side that I can't see the face.
It sank into me causing us to stick together then I felt the expulsions coming from the runners.
"S-Sorry. Can you run?" he said softly so I looked up.
I was still closing my eyes because of the water dripping from his hair, I was just stunned to see who was soaking wet standing in front of me.
"Zeke? What are you doing here?" I asked but he did not answer me.
It turned around and looked back at me. "The water is rising fast here. We'll run to the parking lot, can you? Just wait." He looked down and then knelt, I felt him remove my sandals and that's when I also noticed that he didn't have shoes.
Despite the chaos, I chose to focus on what was happening. It stood up now holding the sandals and we were both barefoot. He immediately took my hand and I could feel its heat and chills. He is getting cold.
"When I count to three we'll run. Don't break up with me," he said softly. "One two Three!"
I almost winced at the excruciating pain of the rain, I could barely see as Zeke and I were soaking up the rain. It holds my sandals in my left hand and in my right hand, it s so tight so I can t let go.
We almost gasped for breath when we reached the parking lot. I could clearly see the drop and rise of his shoulder and even glanced at me. He was still holding my hand as he walked over and stopped his car. He just let me go and went to the back of the car and came back with a towel. Instead of wiping himself, he quickly approached me and then wiped my head, that's why I could see the trembling of his lips until he lowered me.
"I-I can," I insists.
Our eyesight was met and it looks like he just woke up.
He left the towel on my head then walked away a bit. He opened the back seat door.
"Sit here first, I'll just brew you with coffee to reduce your body cold," he said softly as I nodded.
He turned his back on me. I could clearly see how the waters would drip on each he passes until the elevator closes.