MJA : Time Is Not Enough

Glow

It was a busy afternoon and the street was filled with people going everywhere. Mike gets off the bus and joins the crowd as he was headed to work. As he stood in front of the bar entrance on the street, he notices a man standing still a few meters away in the bustling crowd. He could see from the corner of his eye that he was wearing a suit and a pair of sunglasses. He turned to look at him and sees a bald man with facial hair wearing a suit and sunglasses looking at him. He recognized this man immediately. The man nods at him and smiles. As Mike tries to make his way towards the man, he vanishes into the crowd and disappears.

------------------------------------------------

It was early morning. Melanie Jayne opened her eyes and realizes that Victor was not on the bed beside her. This was strange. If he wakes up early, he would usually wait for her or wake her up before leaving the bedroom. Melanie Jayne got up slowly and gets dressed. Ayaka was already waiting for her outside the bedroom door.

MJ: Did I wake up late? What time is it?

Ayaka: You are not late, Mitsuru. It is still early.

MJ: Have you seen Victor?

Ayaka smiled.

Ayaka: (smiles) He had some business to attend to and he did not want to wake you.

"What business could Victor possibly be attending to this early in the morning?", Melanie Jayne thought to herself. She proceeds to getting ready and dressed for breakfast like she usually would. Kai was still asleep. As she heads out to the dining area, Melanie Jayne realizes that she was alone. Even Theodore was not there. This was very strange. Where was Jean? Did he sleep in as well? What was happening?

She sits down at the dining table and had breakfast alone. It must have been at least 15 minutes and no one came to join her at breakfast. Not even Victor. Was there an emergency that she was not aware of? After a few minutes of waiting, Victor and Theodore arrived.

Victor: (kisses Melanie) Sorry, I'm late. I had a thing to attend to.

MJ: (confused) What thing? I woke up and you weren't there.......

Victor: I'm sorry, honey. (kisses Melanie's hand)

MJ: Well? Where'd you go? (looks at Theodore) Both of you?

Theo: I was called for a last minute briefing. Forgive me, Mitsuru........

MJ: Where's everyone else? Is Jean coming? Where's Christopher?

Christopher joins in with Jean.

Christopher: I'm here, mommy. Sorry, I'm late!

MJ: Are you in on this too?

Christopher: Am I in on what, mommy? (looks at Victor and Jean)

Victor: Honey, relax. It's nothing. He probably woke up late. (looks at Jean, signalling for a little help with explanation)

Jean: (clears his throat) Christopher had to study for an exam.

MJ: An exam? (looks at Christopher) You have an exam coming?

Christopher: (smiles) Yes, mommy. (hugs Melanie) I love you.

Breakfast was quiet and quick. We finished up and headed off to the garden while Christopher went back to studying on his computer. I took a walk with Victor in the garden.

MJ: When is his exams?

Victor: ........Soon.......

MJ: What is going on, Victor? Really........