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Chapter 48 - Six Days Left.....

The office hummed with tension, a low murmur of clacking keyboards and distant chatter filling the air. Everyone seemed lost in their assigned tasks, rushing to meet looming deadlines. Vicky, however, sat back in his chair, his eyes closed, fingers lightly rubbing the arch of his brow. His mind wasn't on work. It was on her.

Mirabel.

Only six days remained.

Six days to convince her that she's has nothing to be afraid of and that his love for her would overshadow any doubt she had.His first attempt had been a complete disaster, awkward and off-key. The second, a lighthearted play that had drawn a smile from her lips—but he knew it wasn't enough. He needed something real this time. Something she wouldn't forget.

"Hey Vicky…"

The voice cut through his thoughts. Jimmy.

"Hmmm," Vicky responded without opening his eyes.

"I've been meaning to ask you something. It's been bugging me, but I wasn't sure if it was worth bringing up."

Vicky's eyes fluttered open. "Go on, Jimmy. I'm listening."

"What's with the whole song and play thing? Like… what exactly are you trying to prove? If it's about Mirabel, why not just buy her something nice and call it a day?"

Before Vicky could respond, Jessica spun around in her chair, her face a mixture of disbelief and defiance. "Excuse me? What did you just say?"

"I'm not wrong," Jimmy shrugged. "That's how you impress a woman—get her a gift, something expensive. Easy."

"I totally agree," Frank chimed in from the adjacent cubicle, clearly eavesdropping.

Jessica rolled her eyes. "Typical. You all think women are vending machines—you insert gifts and out comes affection. It's ridiculous."

Jimmy raised a brow. "And you're saying it's not?"

"No," Jessica said, folding her arms. "What I'm saying is—gifts can be thoughtful, yes. But what matters more is the intent behind them. The emotion. The meaning. You don't win someone over with price tags. You win them over with purpose."

"That's just you defending yourself," Jimmy smirked.

Jessica leaned forward. "It's me stating facts."

Vicky chuckled under his breath. "She's right, you know. Sometimes… the simplest act from the heart speaks louder than a thousand gifts."

"That brings me back to the question I asked earlier," Jimmy said, leaning forward. "You need to tell me something, man—what's really going on between you and Mirabel?"

Jessica added, "Yes, Vicky… You two were both absent for three days straight, then when you got back, everything felt… cold. Distant. And now, out of nowhere, you drop that song and stage a whole play? Something definitely happened. Did you two fight?"

Vicky sighed deeply and straightened up in his chair.

"I wouldn't say we fought," he began slowly, "and I wouldn't say we didn't. It's… complicated."

"Bro, come on—cut the mystery. Spill it," Frank urged, curiosity written all over his face.

Vicky glanced around the room, then said, "There was an issue—something personal. I told her I'd fix it. Gave myself eight days to do that. Now, I've only got six left."

A brief silence settled over them.

Frank finally broke it. "Hmm… well, I've got to hand it to you—it's kind of romantic. But… I'm not sure it's working. She doesn't seem moved by it."

Jimmy scoffed.

"Exactly! Even after I memorized all those lines you gave me—and let's not forget the five-star performance I delivered—still nothing?"

"Cut it out, Jimmy," Jessica rolled her eyes.

"Vicky, have you thought about just taking her out? A proper date. Somewhere quiet. Talk things through—face to face, no performances, no big gestures. Just… honesty. Maybe that's what she really needs."

"It isn't that easy… Mirabel's way tougher than she looks," Vicky muttered, rubbing his palms together.

"Just try," Jessica urged. "There's no harm in trying. Sometimes the simplest gesture says the most."

"It was a date that brought us to this stage in the first place,"Vicky said with a half-smile. "But yeah… I'll give it another shot. Thanks for the advice."

"I'm still shocked no one's talking about my performance," Jimmy chimed in, feigning offense. "I was a flawless narrator!"

"Oh shut it, Jimmy. Please," Jessica groaned, rolling her eyes.

Meanwhile, Lucy sat in the reception, scrolling through old photos on her phone. Her expression was blank—haunted, even. She paused on a picture: Vicky smiling beside Mirabel. Her jaw clenched.

Just then, Rose passed by.

"Hey, Rose… I need a word," Lucy called out.

Rose hesitated, then approached and took a seat beside her.

"What's going on with you?"Lucy asked, voice low but tense.

"What do you mean?" Rose replied, cautious.

"Don't act innocent,"* Lucy snapped. "Have you forgotten why you're here? I got you this job for one reason only—to pull Vicky away from Mirabel. But so far, you've done absolutely nothing."*

"Lucy… things in my life are chaotic right now. I'm—confused," Rose admitted.

"I don't care if you're confused,"Lucy hissed. "Can't you see? Vicky and Mirabel are getting closer by the second. Every time I see them laugh together, it's like I'm suffocating. And you were supposed to stop that!"

"There's nothing I can do—"

"Don't say that, Rose. Don't you dare,"* Lucy interrupted, rising from her seat. "You better come up with something fast—or I will lose it."

She stormed off, leaving Rose sitting still.

Rose bit her lip, eyes clouded with doubt.

"Do I really have to go this far…?"she whispered.

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