Charmed: Chris and the Future

Chapter 7

The next morning, Chris glanced at his phone. 6 missed calls, 4 voicemails and 3 text messages. He was starting to feel guilty about not telling his family about Bianca. But they had to wait. Chris had his long awaited interview today, and he could not be more nervous. He had a quick shower and got changed into a smart blazer. He glanced at himself in the mirror. ‘Yep. I look smart enough.’ He thought to himself. And just before he was going to leave his bedroom to the open plan kitchen-living room. He smelled freshly fried crispy bacon. Chris was utterly confused. He opened the door. And he saw Bianca making a mess of the kitchen. Frying pans everywhere. Flour in her hair, which was tied up in a messy bun. Bianca glanced up and saw Chris looking at her in utter shock. “Hey!” She said, cheerfully. “I wanted to say thanks for letting me stay here, but as you can see,” She waved her hands around the kitchen “It went a bit wrong. The food is fine, just the mess. But I can sort that out. I am the worst house guest. I-” Chris raised his hand up in the hopes of stopping her. “Rambling!” He said, he a louder voice. Bianca nodded and smiled at Chris. “I really am thankful. So ‘Ta-da!’” She said. And she grabbed a plate from under the oven, to keep it warm, and it revealed a plate full of bacon, scrambled eggs and toast. It looked delicious. Chris took the plate from her. “Bianca, you didn’t have to do this.” “I wanted to.” They smiled at one another. Then Bianca glanced down at Chris’ blazer. “Do you have a meeting or something?” She said, her voice oozing with curiosity. “An interview. With the San Francisco Chronicle. One of the editing positions.” Chris explained. “Wow! That sounds like a great opportunity!” She exclaimed. Chris chuckled to himself. “What?” She asked, confused. “Is this really what you wanna be talking about?” He said. “We need to be talking about you and the elders. You know they will find you. If not them, the demons will.” Bianca shrugged, as she started to clean up her mess. While Chris sat down at the breakfast bar and started digging in to his breakfast. “I can handle the demons.” She said. Chris knew she could. He has seen what powers she has. “I know that.” Chris said blankly. “But not the elders, that’s where I come in.” Chris stated, while biting the last bit of bacon on his plate. Bianca sighed. “Chris, you don’t have to do this. I can handle myself.” “I know that. I just-right this is going to sound crazy. But I feel like I have seen you before this whole thing started.” He said. Bianca nodded. “I feel the same. It’s weird. But I can’t place where I have seen you.” They glance at each other, not saying anything. Just in a comfortable silence. Then Chris clears his throat. “Umm…I should really get going.” He says reluctantly, not wanting to leave Bianca. “Yeah, um, good luck. I hope it goes well.” She encourages. “Thanks.” He gets up from the breakfast bar and heads towards the door, than leaves. She turns to look at the mess she has created by preparing breakfast. She sighs and begins to clear up.

Chris thought his interview went well. He answered all of the questions with confidence and ease, they seemed to be impressed of Chris’ achievements at such a young age of 23. He asked his questions and he was happy with the answers they gave. But Chris was not such a fan of interview. He felt like everyone present had to be wearing smart, formal clothing and keep up a façade so that the people in the interview like you and want to hire you. He thought the whole thing just felt unreal. Fake. He drove back home in his Mercedes and parked. Then went into his apartment building and opened his door. He was expecting the flat to be dirty and messy, but, to his surprise, the whole place was spotless. He walked further into the apartment and the whole place was squeaky clean with a strong smell of citrus disinfectant. He opened his mouth in shock. Without him knowing Bianca walked back into the room and saw Chris’ reaction. “You don’t have to look so shocked you know! Close that mouth!” She said, in amusement. Chris immediately shut his mouth and glanced around to see Bianca wearing yellow rubber gloves holding a duster. And an apron covering her navy blue top and black jeans. “Sorry, it’s just a shock.” He apologised. “Its fine I wasn’t even expecting me to do it myself, I mean, I was going to clean the kitchen obviously, but I guess I just got carried away. Anyway enough about me. How did the interview go?” She asked. “Yeah, I think it went well, I answered all their questions. But I’m up against 8 other people.” “Well, I’m sure you nailed it.” “Thanks.” Chris chuckled to himself. Thinking about how normal this conversation is, and how it comes very naturally to both of them, as if they have known each other for years. But just before Bianca could ask what was funny. Chris reached into his pocket and dished out his phone, she didn’t hear it so she presumed it was on vibrate. It was an unidentified phone number. He answered it with curiosity. “Hello?” “Oh, so you will pick up the phone from a random stranger but not your own brother!” Wyatt. “What?” “I am deliberately calling from a public phone to see if you would pick up if you didn’t know it was me. You are obviously avoiding me!” He exclaimed, with obvious frustration. “Wyatt, just calm down. I had my interview this morning, my phone was off last night and I was annoyed with you in the evening. Can I please call you back, when I have the time?” Chris asked his brother, whilst rolling his eyes at Bianca showing his frustration at his brother. She smiled. “Fine, but we do need to talk about this mysterious ‘she’ character. And soon.” “Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Chris hit the end call button on his phone. Bianca raised her eyebrows. “Are you in trouble with someone?” “Just my brother.” “Wyatt?” “Yeah, how do you know that?” “You’re the twice blessed child’s brother. I know who you and your family are.” Bianca smiled at him and he smiled back, but his smile didn’t meet his eyes. Bianca realised this. “Hey,” she comforted “What’s wrong?” Chris shrugged. “It’s nothing I’m not used to.” “What? Chris, have I done something to offend you?” “Twice blessed child. I am always compared with him. It’s never ‘Chris, the son of a charmed one and elder’ it’s always ‘Wyatt’s brother’ or ‘Twice blessed child little brother’. Never me…” He said, frowning. “Oh Chris,” Bianca said, realising why he is upset. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realise.” Chris shrugged. “Don’t worry about it.” He glanced at his watch 13.00. “Hey, do you wanna grab some lunch? We can talk about this whole situation.” Bianca knew they needed to talk about this and she agreed. “Sure. I’d love to.” Chris waits for Bianca to grab her jacket and they leave the apartment.