Temptation [ Min Yoongi | ENG ]

T W E N T Y E I G H T

I was immersed in a text when I heard my name being called. I took off my headphones and searched for the voice that called me.

My production manager was at the door to my office, which I shared with others, pointing her arm at me and signaling me to accompany her.

"Roos, how are you, dear?"

"Yes, I'm good, Trieneke. What's up?"

"I need to talk to you, I was contacted by the editor-in-chief of RTL Nieuws, from the 18:00 edition and they want to pull you back."

"Really?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"Yes, she explained to me that your transfer was not final and that they believe that after seven months you should be able to return." Her look was one of pity.

"Can I light a cigarette?" I said with my hand in my pants pocket, my fingers wrapped around my lighter.

"Make yourself at home, let's go to the front of the studio, it's more open there." she walked beside me in silence and then continued "I tried to talk to them about how precious you are to our team, but your contract is with the news division and they are determined to take you back, because your old partner is leaving and your replacement is not yet ready to train someone new."

"I really didn't want to have to go back to working with news."

"I'm sorry, Roos." Her lips formed a thin line and I could see that she was uncomfortable with the whole situation.

"Okay, when do I need to go back?"

"Early April, 10 days from now."

"Okay, at least I have some time to prepare." I was so tense that my cigarette was gone in a few minutes. Trieneke no longer knew how to deal with the situation and his mission there was over.

"Stay out here as long as you need to" she said, smiling at me and going back into the studio.

I contemplated taking the opportunity to escape, but my keys were inside with my bag and it would be impossible for me to unlock my bike without it.

I let the news sink in. In 10 days I would go back to the production that had taken me to the bottom. I was taking uncertain steps, trying to concentrate on a line on the floor, while walking from side to side. Trying to maintain my balance was an acquired habit to try to remain calm, but this time it was not working.

I took a deep breath, went back to the studio and stopped at the water cooler before heading back to my table. There were still 3 hours until the end of the shift and I felt that each of these hours took an entire day to pass and, even so, I was unable to resume my activities.

The thoughts in my head were out of control and my attempts to calm them down were not effective. The words in the text I was working on made no sense, I felt lost.

I drank the water I served myself in small sips, to continue having what to do for as long as possible. Focusing on my glass and measuring my sip was an ineffective distraction for my mind.

I took out my cell phone to force myself to think of something else. I checked the messaging app, but there was nothing new since lunchtime. I sent a message to the group saying I would arrive early at PH and a private message to Yoongi, asking about his day. He replied that he and Dirk were finishing mixing an album and was bogged down with work.