The Story Of Us

11: COLLIDE

"Even the best fall down sometimes and even the wrong words seem to rhyme. Out of the doubt that fills your mind, I somehow find you and I collide...Well, even the best fall down sometimes. Even the stars refuse to shine. Out of the back you fall in time. I somehow find you and I collide." ~Howie Day

~Jade~

The week was about to end. Time really flies when I spend it either with Lawrence and Victorique or burying my nose to the load of articles that my team leader had assigned. Does she really think that I am some kind of a super writer just because I have the company president by my side? Yes, I get to be more inspired, especially, when Lawrence is around but it does not mean I do not ran out of ideas, information and time!

"Just this night, babe," Lawrence said for the nth times as he cupped my face with both of his hands.

"I can't. I told you I'm not yet prepared to see your mom," I shook my head.

He took a deep breath before he killed the engine and shrugged his shoulder and released me. We're in front of Victorique's apartment. He was silent for a while that I was about to change my mind. He bit his lower lip and released a sigh.

"I'm sorry. It's just that I will be out of the country next week. I just wanted you to meet her before I go. I'm sorry for forcing you," he said in a low voice.

"Out of the country? For how long?" I sensed the panic in my voice and his silence only added salt to the wound. "Hey," I urged him, cupping his cheeks with my hands.

"I'm not sure about that. You see, I have to travel abroad to check on other businesses of Flamel's. Usually, it takes at least weeks before I return here. It actually depends on the company's progress in a certain location."

"When are you going, then?"

"Tomorrow. Plane leaves at five in the morning," he sighed again.

"Why so sudden?"

"It's not that sudden. My schedule is already set in the beginning of the year. I can't afford to not follow it. Everything depends on it, babe. But I'm making a special schedule for you tonight if only you would agree on meeting my mom."

My mind was blank. I didn't have the answer to that. I didn't want to frustrate Lawrence but I also couldn't afford to embarrass myself in front of his mother just because I wasn't prepared yet to meet her. Well, truth be told, I was just terrified of her. Sir Ace told me of terrifying things about Mrs. Lucrezia Bailey. He called her the "iron fist" of the business world. I resigned to my seat and looked at the rearview mirror. How could a plain girl like me be in her favor?

The next thing I knew was Lawrence was standing outside the car holding the door wide open. A sad smile was etched on his face. I climbed out of the car and took the chance to embrace him tight.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled.

"Hush, it's okay, babe. Hush, now," he snaked his arms around me. "We'll meet her next time."

"I will miss you," I blurted out. I realized this was the closest thing to "I love you" that I told him since that suicide incident in his office.

"Humans have invented pretty useful stuff nowadays to keep them connected even overseas. I'm just a call away."

Here he goes again, speaking as though he's not human too. He pulled away to give me a peck on my forehead before he smiled.