Mirabel was ready for work, dressed in a brown jacket, white top, blue jeans, and white sneakers. She checked her reflection in the mirror, gave a faint smile, and then headed back to her bed. After taking a deep breath, she wrote a few words in her diary and left her room. She greeted Nanny and headed out to work, deciding to take public transportation today and leaving her car behind.
Upon reaching the office, Mirabel greeted Mark and moved towards the entrance. As she approached, she noticed Vicky standing right in front of the door. She took a deep breath and walked towards him. Vicky noticed her and quickly approached, saying, "Good morning," as he looked at her. Mirabel replied, "Good morning," her eyes fixed on the entrance door.
The tension between them was palpable. Mirabel tried to avoid further eye contact with Vicky but couldn't prevent sneaking a little peek as she stood beside him. Just as Vicky was about to say something else, Dianne interrupted with a loud shout: "Welcome back, Ma'am and Vicky!" The rest of the employees gathered around her, holding a huge welcome banner.
Mirabel smiled and asked, "What's all this for?" However, Dianne stopped her from entering, saying, "No way, Ma'am. You have to hold Vicky's hands, and both of you will walk in together." Maya chimed in, "Yes, Ma'am, you have to do it."
Mirabel tried to protest, saying, "Come on, guys, don't start this morning with this." But Vicky interrupted her, "Come on, Mirabel, since they're requesting it, let's just do it." Mirabel glared at him with a mix of surprise and anger, but Vicky's look was filled with love. Their eyes were fixed on each other as the employees waited expectantly.
"Mirabel, I am rea—" Vicky started to say, but Mirabel interrupted him, "Alright, we'll do it." She grabbed his hands, and they both walked into the office. As they stopped inside, a loud chorus of applause followed.
Mirabel immediately let go of his hands and said, "Alright guys, it's nice to be back. I'm really sorry for my absence. I just needed to get something off my chest. It turns out that surprises can come from anyone, even the one close to you." She paused for a while, looking at Vicky, whose eyes shook as he returned the look.
"Anyways," Mirabel continued, "we have a lot of work to do, so please let's all get started. We've only got eight days, so every second is precious. Let's all return to our workstations."
"Alright, ma'am," Dianne said, and with that, they all left for their various offices, except Vicky, who was still thinking about how he would approach Mirabel.
Rose walked up to him and patted his shoulder. "Hey Vicky, how are you doing?"
"I'm good. How are you? Did he call again?" Vicky asked.
"No, Vicky, he didn't. I'm really sorry about the other day. I shouldn't have called you to the restaurant. I..." Rose said.
"It's okay. Just take care," Vicky said, leaving her presence. Rose tried calling him, but he didn't reply.
Vicky headed straight to Mirabel's office, his heart beating fast as he took a step closer. He entered, "I..."
"Didn't you learn how to knock?" Mirabel said, her eyes on the laptop on her desk.
"I'm sorry. I thought... I will go back," Vicky said.
"No need, since you're here, let's hear it," Mirabel interrupted, closing the laptop and looking at Vicky.
Vicky entered the office. "Can I sit?" he asked.
"Sure," Mirabel replied, and he took his seat, starting to talk. "Well, I honestly don't know where to start from. I have..."
"Look, Vicky, if you're here to talk about anything else other than the project at hand, I honestly don't want to hear it," Mirabel said.
"Mirabel, I'm sorry. I..." Vicky said.
"You're sorry? That's the word you're going with? Vicky, please leave. I don't..." Mirabel said.
"Mirabel, let me speak. Please listen. What happened that day was not what you thought it was. Rose needed help, and I just wanted to help her," Vicky said.
"Oh, I see. Now you're a superhero who jumps to save people from the danger of a restaurant. And that restaurant was the place where we were meant to have a date. Oh, please, Vicky, don't," Mirabel said.
"Mirabel, I..." Vicky tried to say, but Mirabel cut him off. "Do you know how that felt, Vicky? Ever since she came, you changed. You barely noticed me. All you had in your mind was Rose, Rose, Rose. I mean, you insulted me in front of others because of Rose, and after all that, you two went on a date! And you're telling me she needed your help? For what, Vicky? Answer me, for what?"
"She's being blackmailed," Vicky replied.
"Blackmailed?" Mirabel repeated.
"Yes. And Mirabel, I know her. She can't possibly lie about all that. She was in pain. I just had to hear what troubled her, and it was a lot. Sincerely, I forgot we had a date that day. The argument we had the other day broke me, and I didn't have any other thing in mind. I constantly asked myself why I said all that to you and why I acted the way I did. It was a lot to swallow. Believe me, Mirabel, I don't feel anything for Rose. I just want to assist her in this difficult time, that's all. We went to that restaurant to have a discussion, and that's all it was. Nothing more than that," Vicky explained.
Mirabel sighed. "Vicky, I've really been through hell all in the name of love, and that has taken a huge toll on me. I never wanted to love again, but I gave it one last chance, and I figured out I haven't fully recovered from the past. I don't want to keep feeling rejected, helpless, lonely, jealous, possessive... I hate all these feelings, Vicky. I don't want them anymore. So, Vicky, I don't think I need love in my life anymore."
"What are you saying, Mirabel?" Vicky asked.
"I love you, Vicky, but I don't want to anymore. These past few days have really shown me that love isn't meant for me, I am tired of this back and forth feeling, it's troubling.." Mirabel said.
"Mirabel, please don't say that," Vicky said. "I'm really sorry. I just explained all that happened, and you're saying all this? Don't be like this, Mirabel."
"It's not you, Vicky. It's me," Mirabel said. "I'm sorry, but this is where our story ends. But know this, I..."
"No, Mirabel, it can't end like this," Vicky interrupted. "We can fix it. Eight days..."
"What?" Mirabel asked.
"Eight days is all I ask for, Mirabel," Vicky said. "And all those feelings you talked about, I promise you I will eliminate them. The only feeling you will have is one of true love, one without obsession, loneliness, jealousy, helplessness, or rejection. One filled with happiness."
"Vicky, look... I..." Mirabel started to say, but Vicky cut her off.
"Just trust me, Mirabel. Just give me eight days. I will fill your heart with love again. Just like we were when we started, no more distractions," Vicky said.
"You know the launch is in eight days, right?" Mirabel asked.
"Yes, I know," Vicky replied.
"You know we have eight days to finish the ad..." Mirabel asked.
"Yes, I know," Vicky replied.
"You know I'm still really mad at you..." Mirabel asked.
"Yes, I know," Vicky replied.
"You know this all sounds foolish..."
"No, it doesn't. Just trust me," Vicky said.
"Alright then, eight days it is, Vicky. Let's see what you've got. For now, please leave my office and get back to work. Seeing your face makes me want to slap you for what you've done," Mirabel said.
"I'm fine with that, Mirabel," Vicky replied.
"Just leave," Mirabel said.
"Alright," Vicky stood up from the seat. "Mirabel, I love you, and nothing can take that love away from my heart."
Mirabel smiled. "Please leave."
"Alright, beautiful," Vicky said as he left her office.
As he stepped out, he bumped into Rose, who was at the entrance. "Sorry," Rose apologized.
"It's okay. Are you alright?" Vicky asked.
"I'm fine," Rose replied.
"What are you doing here?" Vicky asked.
"Well, I... erm... I was just passing by, so I wanted to check up on Mirabel. That's all," Rose said.
"Why?" Vicky asked.
"I wanted to apologize for the other day," Rose replied.
"No, it's fine. Don't worry. Just get back to work, Rose. And if he calls you, please let me know," Vicky said.
"Okay, Vicky. I will. Thank you," Rose said.
"It's alright," Vicky said, leaving her.
As soon as Vicky was out of earshot, Rose muttered to herself, "Eight days? No, Vicky. I won't let that happen." She rubbed her hands together, a determined look on her face.