Working with the devil

Will

The last few days were like I dream. I got to spend them with Elaine, we even snuck out of the building earlier than normally. We went on dates, for long walks in the park, we laughed, and most of the time we ended up at my place. But today I haven’t seen her at all. It’s like she is avoiding me, not wanting to see me. Maybe it was too much for her? I called her into my office around 3 pm, but she never showed up. 

Is she upset? Leaving without a word is nothing like her.

I have that mixed feeling of being disappointed and worrying whether she is alright or not. Maybe I should go see her at her apartment. The last two days have been challenging for me, since she didn’t even pick up her phone or answered any of my messages. She simply disappeared, just like she came into my life. I run my hand through my hair. 

Enough is enough.

I get up and leave my office. My plan is to visit her at her office, since she is ignoring me so cold. By the time I arrive, I realize that her desk is empty. And I am not talking about her missing, but about, that all her belongings are gone too. 

“Miss T? Miss T?”, I yell. 

“Yes, Sir?”, she answers directly, walking up to me. 

“Where is Price? She still has work to do, where is she?”, I ask very rude. I feel sorry for Miss T, but I am not in a good mood.

“She quit her job two days ago. Elaine told me, she would inform you, Sir”, I hear her say. 

I feel a sting inside me. Without answering I leave. It feels like I am someone’s puppet, as I go back in my office. Every feeling leaves me, so that I am left with an empty heart. Now I remember, why I never wanted to fall in love again. It just hurts too much. While I sit down, I feel tears welling up in my eyes., but instead of letting go, I just swallow hard, to make them go away. A knock on the door, makes me look up. 

“Yes?”, I say. There door opens and for a moment I believe it is Elaine. But not. It is just Jane.

“Hey, Will. I was around so I thought I could show you my dress for tonight. What do you think?”, she holds up a gorgeous dress. 

Okay, suck it up. No tears, no sadness, not today.

“You will look amazing”, I reassure my little sister. She loves to go to balls or galas. Everything with lots of glam, cameras and hot guys is her playground. And I won’t deny, Jane is very pretty. 

“You know what? Let’s go. It is already five, so we probably should get ready anyways. We both know, that when your hair isn’t perfect, you won’t leave the dressing room”, I joke, just to hide my real feelings. I put them into an inner box, far away. 

“Oh my god, you always mock me”, Jane whines dramatic and rolls her eyes at me, just to start giggling.

Together we leave the building and go to my parents house, where Jane still lives. Since my whole family attends the gala we all get ready at our mansion. More than happy my mother greets me, my father tells me, that he is very proud of me and I start to forget about what happened today. I am wearing a black suit, looking very chic. In between we eat a few snacks, so we won’t be starving, until the gala starts.

“Are you alright, honey? You look a bit sad”, mother asks me. She always sees right through me.

“I am fine, don’t worry. Just a small cold I guess”, I lie.

Even though I know mother doesn’t believe me, she doesn’t ask again. Finally the gala starts. It is in a huge ballroom, of an old hotel. Celebrities form all around the world attend this every years party and no one wants to miss this event. It basically works like this: they buy very expensive tickets to get in and we donate the money. Every year we raise loads of money, so we can help where ever the money is needed most.

The press is taking pictures of me and my family. Jane is enjoying every minute, posing like model, while I just wave at everybody, give a few interviews and walk inside. It takes a while until everybody arrived and is gathered together. I gaze through the room, trying to find Elaine. Of course she isn’t here. Like every year I give a speech.

“…Let this party begin”, I end it with my signature smile. Music starts to play, drinks are getting served and the guests start to have fun. I step down from the podium, just to walk into Lana. She has a huge crush on me, but I never wanted something with her. Hence why I didn’t even let her have hopes. 

“Hi Will”, she snarls.

“Hey…Lana”, I reply, but try to leave, so that she won’t follow me.

I greet guests, shake hands, drink champaign and forget about Elaine. 

Maybe this gala wasn’t so bad after all.

Well, I am not too sure if I am happy with the twist of the story. The next story will be spicier...is that an english word?😂