You're Mine (GXG) -Completed/Re-Editing-

FOUR

SONYA:

[6 Weeks Later]

"Family Scandal: Has Becky Jones been betrayed by the late business Typhon--- Her father, Richard Jones?"

The sound of my chair crashing against the hard floor reverberates through my head as I storm out of the meeting room. It was all the papers talked about, business magazines, and every reporter in the country was practically fighting to catch an interview with the person at the center of this drama: Becky. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe that I had to be the one in charge of this news. This was my big chance to get the spotlight, yet, I could barely be excited about any of it. I couldn't. Not when she was in so much pain. 

Inside my lonely cabinet, a tear falls down my cheek, and I repress a sobbing sound that nearly escaped my mouth.

Was it my fault? Was it my fault that she could be hurting so much right now?

Someone knocks on my door." Sonya? Is that you ? the team manager is asking for you! How could you leave like that ?"

I got away with a warning, but I couldn't stop it from happening: I was still going to cover the scandal of the day.

Obviously, some were jealous. Sierra, my not-so-friendly colleague, older, and more experienced in the field was not so thrilled about the news: Not Becky's. As soon as she spots me from the entrance of the cafeteria, she struts in closer, with much composure and calm. Yet, her face couldn't fool me. Her relaxed cheeks that she was known for were slightly wrinkled. But I needn't tell her that. 

-"What is your secret ?"

-" My secret ?"

She raises an eyebrow. "How could a newbie like you get to cover this story?"

I keep her stare for more, and I sigh. The air was suddenly so dry and cold that steam was rising from her cup she was delicately holding in her hand. 

-"Then," I bite my lip, "would you rather cover for me tonight?"

She squints her eyes, her tone slightly more high-pitched, clearly agitated.

-" Are you teasing me ?'

A dim smile touches the corners of my lips. 

-"I've crossed a boundary. I'm sorry"

-" Don't you dare test me, Roberts "

With a gentle push, I walk past her towards the hallway. The misty, cold, fresh air was already tickling my nose before I made my way out. 

I suddenly had no one to go to.

Delancy? Frank? Both had gone on their own way, and Delancy and I never really got back to how we were after that incident. Though I did occasionally talk to Frank. He has met his match in France, a Parisian boy with whom he fell in love and was getting engaged to. He even speaks French really well now. 

As for me, my hands were inside my pockets, I was walking aimlessly around the whereabouts of the building of the TV station, occasionally sighing as my mind kept rewinding this absurd situation over and over again: How come every time I try to reach out to her I end up becoming even more ruthless than before? Why was everything so messed up? For both of us.

Tired and bored of wandering around by myself the familiar street, I step inside this coffee shop that smelled like a candy cane, and I ask for an English toffee. The view from inside was breathtaking! the snow was falling on the street, coating the asphalt, cars, rooftops in a layer of white, sugary and spotless. It was so serene, but I was restless, disheartened too. 

My heart thumps inside my chest when I find her phone number I had been hovering over for the past 8 years. 

My English toffee arrives right when a voice sounds from the other line.

-"Hello?"

-"Becky Jones?" 

A few heads turned towards me as soon as I spoke. I keep forgetting how she was a big deal and I was not. This was also a thing going on even back then; It used to slightly annoy me, but now I smile just by having a momentary trip back in time. Times were simpler back then, and talking to her didn't take such formalities.

-"She is not available right now. Who am I speaking to ?"

I didn't think that far.

I stammer. I squeeze my brain for a convincing answer, not awkward, not strange, not suspicious. It has to be normal. Very, extremely convincing and casual. Think Sonya. Think. 

"Lover". 

What if she had many after we broke up? What if I was just one of many meaningless flings that only belonged in the past? What if my existence to her meant that little? "a friend". One of many. One of a thousand, and maybe not anymore. Did she even think of me as a friend? 

-"A friend" 

I took a bite of my cake, washing the bitter aftertaste that word left in my mouth.

-"Excuse me. Do I know you?" 

She could be any one of the employees. Maybe a new one they got for the house, or her own personal assistant. If I tell her to let Becky know I called, would she? I hang onto the phone, and I breathe in. The air was sweet against my nostrils. My hands were not shaking so much, thankfully. I didn't want to shake so much answering her, especially if she was going to let her know. I wish I had more courage. Did she have someone by her side right now? A shoulder she could cry on? Someone she could rely on right now. Someone like me. Someone who cares. 

-"Tell her I'm Sonya. Sonya Roberts."

EDITED: AUGUST 2021