The morning sun broke over the city like a soft whisper. Its rays spilled across rooftops and kissed the leaves of swaying trees, casting long golden streaks across the pavement. The air was light, the sky a tender blue brushed with cottony clouds, and the world felt like it had just exhaled after a long night.
Jake's phone buzzed on the nightstand.
"Rise and shine, sleepyhead," Annabelle purred through the speaker, her voice playfully smug.
Jake rubbed his eyes and smiled. "Someone's feeling flirty this morning."
"Mmm, maybe. You caught me," she giggled. "But guess what? I planned something fun for us today. No questions, just get dressed and come pick me up. "
Jake yawns and then says, " Why though.., where are we going ? " he asked,
" I said no questions Jake, just get dressed and come pick me up..okay ? " Annabelle says firmly,
" Alright.., I will be right there…" Jake replies.
An hour later, Jake pulled up in front of Annabelle's house, his car gleaming under the morning sun. She stepped out in a breezy maroon dress, eyes sparkling with excitement.
They drove across town, laughter filling the car, until they reached the glass-panelled building that housed *The Journals* — a renowned lifestyle and editorial company owned by the formidable Mirabel herself.
There were 7 days left until the final submission for the " Dreamweaver Ad launch ", expectations were high and everyone's faces were engulfed with growing tensions.Staff typed furiously, storyboards were pinned and unpinned, character interviews were in full swing,drafts flew across desks like leaves in a storm. But more than the deadline, the real heat was on Vicky, he had just 7 days left to convince Mirabel that his love is really true and she needs not worry about Jealousy neither fear, he had to prove he will always there for her. His song didn't quite make the mark, he knew he had to do something that would really sweep her off her feet and this morning, he knew the idea he had come up with would at least leave a mark.
"Gather around!" Vicky's voice rang across the office floor again, confident and commanding.
Everyone rushed down…, yesterday's performane still ringing in their mimds, maybe Vicky had another good show they would laugh at again.
This time, Lucy stood beside him, arms folded, looking half-amused, half-annoyed. " Hope it isn't something related to Mirabel again, why can't Vicky see she's not the right one for him…" she says.
From the far side of the room, Dianne snorted. " Vicky please tell me, you have something special planned…."
" What do you mean Dianne…, Vicky dropped a stellar performance yesterday, it was mind-blowing " John teases,
" Vicky what's on your mind…" Maya asked,
Vicky smirked, fixing his sleeves, " Just wait and watch guys.."
Mirabel, hearing the commotion, stepped downstairs,arms crossed, curiosity piqued. Beside Vicky stood a woman none of them recognized — tall, graceful, with sharp eyes and a calm presence. A stage-like space had been cleared in the middle of the work floor, and the lights were slightly dimmed.
" Vicky who's the lady by your side ? " Jessica asked,
" Well..she'll be assisting me with something very important..", Just then Rose joins the anticipated audience, curiosity written all ovee her face as she starred at Vicky, wondering what he had planned. " Is this related to the eight days discussion I overheard…" Rose says, whispering to herself.
Then… it began
" Jimmy please…." Vicky says, all eyes fell on Jimmy as he stepped forward, he cleared his throat and says, " Ladies and gentlemen, what you are about to witness is an heartwarming tale, of two people…although it seemed they were never meant to be…the one said she's done with love and the other heartbroken but still very much open to finding love…." Jimmy pauses, he brings out his phone and then place a slow solemn tune.., he then says, " Scene one… the interview where it all began, Mirabel sitting on her cozy chair, Vicky on the other side of the desk, wondering how he has been so fortunate having been presented the opportunity of starring a damsel in the eye…"
Vicky sits opposite, the lady, the two of them glaring at each other. " I must say you're looking beautiful this morning.." Vicky says, " Thanks but complementing me won't guarantee you a Job…" the lady replies quickly. Mirabel smiles sharply as the memory flashed through her mind.
" You're good but I have one more assessment for you.." The lady says, " I will do my best to impress you beautiful…" Vicky replies,
" Excuse me…" , " No..No…I said nothing…" says Vicky. " Okay your weirdness…" says the lady.
The crowd chuckles. Rose shifts her gaze to Mirabel, seeing her smile sparked a fire within her.
Jimmy cuts in, " it was at this moment that everything was sealed, it was truly meant to be….all was good and fine…he did his best to impress her and she was impressed but it wasn't quite enough…Scene Three, the night on the terrace, where she tries hard to fight with fate…."
Vicky and the lady step in, they both hold hands, eyes glued to each other. " Mirabel.., you're just amazing, you're beautiful…and ever since we met I felt this strange but comforting connection with you and I as the day passes the connection keeps growing…." Vicky pauses,
" Vicky….I…" The lady stammers, " Go..on.." Vicky says,
The lady moves away from Vicky, " Vicky I think you're misunderstanding our relationship, I am your boss and nothing more please stop this nonsense…" She says and walks away from Vicky….Vicky falls on in knees.
Mirabel's heart skipped a beat, she remembered that night, were she rejected Vicky…, she glanced at him and then she looks away. Lucy's expression changed from that of annoyance to despair.., that night was a night of pain for her.., Vicky rejected her on that fateful night. She quietly stepped away from the others and drifted back to the reception.
" Well….as they say you can fight with fate, what's sealed remains sealed…they were meant to be…the night at the restaurant where she accepts him…"
"I was scared that night,"she says softly, " I couldn't bring myself to accept love again but the truth is I love you Vicky and I will always love you…"
" I love you too Mirabel…."
Then, they smile at each other, fingers brushing across the table. Jimmy increases the brightness of the light and ends the music
Applause erupts. Rose steps, she couldn't beat the stunt Vicky pulled, just to impress Mirabel.
The staff, stunned, begin to clap slowly, then louder. Dianne rushed to Vicky's side and whispers into his ears, " Nicely done…". Mirabel doesn't say a word. But a smile curves at the corner of her lips. She turns and heads back upstairs.
Vicky noticed her smile and he jumps up with joy, he's celebrated by his colleagues who praise him for the wonderful performance. As the moment settles, a familiar voice calls out to him…, " Hey Vicky.., I didn't know you could act…" Annabelle says, stepping into the office with Jake. Vicky turns back and looks at her with surprise, " Annabelle it's you…" he says,
" Yes, the one and only..I must say you did a good Job…, I am surprised she just turned away…" Annabelle says.
" It's okay…at least she left behind her beautiful smile…" Vicky replies.
Annabelle smiles and says, " I'll go and speak to her, by the way this is Jake…get to know each other, I'll be right back..", with that, Annabelle walks toward Mirabel's office.
" Let's all return to work guys…" Dianne says and they all leave, heading back to their work stations,the lady also leaves after a brief discussion with Vicky leaving Vicky and Jake to theirselves.
" Hey I am Vicky…." Vicky says, extending his hand for an handshake which Jake accepts, " I am Jake…, I must say you did a good job with the acting and all…nice stuff.."
" Come on.. don't flatter me… " Vicky says,
" What's it all for, did you guys have a fight or.."
" It was more than a fight buddy, I don't even know how to explain myself…I just want to fix things that's all.."
" Don't worry she'll come around…." Jake says, giving Vicky a gentle tap on his shoulder.
" By the way, is she your…." Vicky asks,
" Yes she is….."
" Nice…" Vicky says, " Come on I will show you around…" he continues. Jake nods and the two head upstairs.
Inside Mirabel's office, Annabelle sits opposite Mirabel, the two women exchanging warm glances.
"So," Annabelle says, "I saw the performance. Seems he really wants to prove himself…."
Mirabel chuckles, brushing her hair behind her ear. "He's unpredictable. "
"Maybe that's a good thing," Annabelle teases.
"Maybe," Mirabel replies, her voice distant, thoughtful. " I'm so glad you came..I …"
" Mirabel please don't try to ignore what's in your heart…he's trying to tell you….all's good..I know he has done foolish things but he still cares Mirabel and I can see that…"
" I know but I just don't want it, Belle it's suffocating.., I am sick and tired.."
" But Mi-"
" Belle please…" Mirabel interrupts, " Let's leave this topic.."
" Alright if you say so…erm..by the way I brought Jake here to see you…" Annabelle says,
" Jake ? that guy that called while you were at my place....hold up..do you mean…."
" Yes girl it's official…" Says Annabelle,
" That's so cute…I can't wait to see him…" Mirabel says,
" Well.., wait no more… " Annabelle says, yanking Mirabel out of her chair. " Come on I will introduce.."