Short Stories

Forever Gone Home

     After the successful launching of the new branch of Royale Company in the country of Europe—Switzerland, there is this phone call from someone. Someone I knew for a very long time. Someone I begged to stay with me. Someone who left me. Someone who pushed me away. Someone who broke her promises. The person I loathed for this lifetime or even in another life. The person I want to erase my memory with but keep on coming back instead.

     Jeff Rey is the highest-ranking executive in the Royale Company, for short he is the Chief Executive Officer. He has this deep-set grey pair of orbs, thin kissable lips and an aquiline nose. A broad fleshy cheek with dimples on both side and eyebrows that curved like a bow. His hair is thick with a jet black colour and high broad forehead. A tall man with a muscular body but not-so broad shoulders, just right. He has this strict gorgeous face but a down-to-earth man.

     “Mr.Rey, someone is calling you, an unknown number. I think it’s from the Philippines.” I heard my secretary said. I turned around to my secretary—Jon and suddenly felt my forehead crease, questioning him. He handed me the phone but to no avail, the other side of the phone is silent like the hurricane—calm before the storm. Hence, I heard the murmuring voice of someone, muttering words as clear as mud. I rolled my eyes and all of a sudden, she spoke. “Xefe.” I am astounded, standing in my position like a statue. Heart starts beating in fast paced like I’ve run for a thousand miles. The inside of me is a wildfire ready to burn out everything around me. When I heard that nickname of mine again. Her voice. Her melody-like voice. “Good morning, this is Jeff Rey speaking, the CEO of Royale Company.” I professionally answered her rather than letting her know I’m affected by her first words. Is she weeping? Why? “Hello ma’am, if you don’t have anything to say, I’ll put down the call,” said I. “Wait.” She shouted in the other line. “Xefe. Come home. Please.” It was not a request but a demanding one. “It’s me, Xefe. Don’t call me “ma’am”. This is me your---.” I cut her next words saying “I know and I don’t care. Why are you calling me anyway? Who are you to me? Who am I to you?” I coldly said. She didn’t answer instead she started crying like a kid who was not given a candy or lollipop. I don’t want to hear her. I loathe to see her. I can’t stand being with her. “Xefe, please! Come home. Just stay with me for a year. Even just for a year, Xefe. I need you.” She pleaded desperately for me. I released a deep sigh and calmly told her, “Fine. I will take a vacation. I’ll be there after a month.” And I ended the call.

     Months has passed, I am waiting for Xefe. When I called him that day, I saw him in a magazine. I heard his name many times in the news, radio broadcasting, from people, his name is everywhere. He is now successful, I’m so happy and as proud as a peacock. Hearing his manly voice after a long year is still a music to my ears. Jumping for joy in the airport, holding a banner, shouting his name loudly in the sea of people. All eyes are on Xefe only when they saw him walking towards me. Buzzing noises coming from the people, describing Xefe and as expected everyone knows him. Paparazzi’s pushed me away in the sea of crowd and lost the apple of my eye. The phone in my pocket awakened with a mighty ring. There I saw his name. Before I could even begin to ask where is he, Xefe already told me where he was.

     Jeff saw her in the crowd, pushed away by the paparazzi’s, away from him. A slight smirk was plastered on Jeff’s gorgeous face. Persuading himself, that woman deserve it. Along the way he coolly modelled in front of everyone, fished out his phone and called the woman he loath so much. He didn’t let her make a sound and just coldly said where he was already. Inside of the BMW car of his, Jeff is patiently waiting for the lady turtle. Jeff let himself be half-sleep for a while, since the gent saw her towards his car. Jeff or Xefe is not asleep, he is all ears with the woman beside him. He can feel the woman’s eyes on him. “Xefe, wake up. We’re already home,” said the woman. Jeff felt a slight move and heard the woman.