Solitaire ✔

Chapter Two

My hand faintly sawed in motion on the round white plate before I was disturbed.

"Chris, are you alright?" She frowned at the knife which was attempting to cut the plate.

My eyes stared at the light markings. Deeply inhaled at my soul that wasn't in his right mind. I couldn't stop thinking about the message.

"Rachel?" I looked down at my plate. Wondering if I should even ask if she's okay. For the message that brought the twirls of tornado. Let alone be her whom constantly lived with me.

She stopped her actions. Waiting patiently for my second part of the conversation.

"Are you .... " Looking in her eyes as I saw the innocence. It was so fragile that I wished I could have done something to make her felt better.

I knew her pain. She was always there but never be inside my heart. The only thing I could do was to felt for her.

Even so, I knew it would never be enough. Just like it was never enough for me.

"Going to get ready for work?" I diverted my question, still unable to speak in concern. I can't imagine the tears.

She startled, unable to react. Like as if she knew that this was not supposed to be the question.

Nodded in agreement, her hands hurriedly picked up her cup. She slurped down the hot and thick coffee. In seconds, her smile welcomed to set off at any time. 

Picking up the document bag as I watched her getting in the black three-inch heels. Her slender right leg lifted up while that black and shiny waist-length hair swift along her shoulder. She had a typical Asian beauty essence. Even myself couldn't figure out why I hadn't love her.

"Chris, after the meeting at ten, Mrs. Greene would be at office to see you. I had prepared the relevant document for the meet up. It's just a casual talk but bare in mind about the next coming project she would ask." Rachel started work early. Way earlier before she even stepped into office.

She would schedule my meetings. Arranging with the people whom I will meet and will not. She planned my speech and roughly estimated the things that I would have to take note. 

Sometimes, I wonder if she's the boss or me so.

Smiling at her competence, it brought her curiosity.

"What's the joke?" She questioned, still flipping through her toolkit-diary-book.

Shaking in denial, I laughed under my breath. Imagining for the past few seconds that I had been feeling inferior.

---

Leather shoes picked up quick pace. The heels that tagged with effort as she portray her stability. She never failed to bring the best out of herself even in gesture or response. Within minutes from the lift, we finally started drilling down to work.

Ladies held their fountain pens scribbling down notes while guys would sat back in their chair as they listened attentively. I didn't really take note on the presentation. From my vivid memory, it was something about the decision on the investment with local banks.

The man in tuxedo wavered at some points on the screens. Once in awhile, he jabbering about financial graphs. There were some huge digits reflected on his presentation as well.

Who is he?

It take me awhile before I recognise the character. John Ang, the manager from Investment Department.

I heard about his gossips. Competent and very good-looking I guess. He's a Chinese and about the average height of Caucasians; 1.8 metre tall. Love going to gymnasiums. However, he's ain't no bachelor. He had a wife with three kids but I heard from Rachel that he was hooking up with his Executive in his department. Someone by the name, Kathy.

"Mr. Chris, I would like to listen to your advise." John asked in politeness.

I guessed, this was the only part that really go inside my brain.

"Erm, I would need to go through again seriously before I had my decision. Submit the relevant information to my office. You can pass it to Rachel." Standardise comment that never let the cat out of the bag.

He nodded like he had a very satisfying answer.

John being competent wasn't the only reason that his voice of ideas had been well-recognised. His wife's brother, Yusan happened to be in the Board of Directors. So in conclusion, even I were to disagree with his ideas, I would have to consider the support that he have.

Looking down at my phone for the umpteen times, I viewed at the message again.

Should I reply or ... not ? What can I say after all these years.

"Are ... you alright?" Packing up the documents as she watched the people evacuated the meeting room. Looking at me suspiciously as she observed my unusual behaviour.

I haven't been a phone-obsessed-person. So it would be kind of weird that I keep looking at my phone over and over again.

The message just seems like a new message that I hadn't read. It didn't bring me any boredom to keep on reading it continuously.

Suddenly, a new message came through.

[I think you are busy. Give me a call when you are free.]

Jerked at the second message from her. I almost could felt the absurd me tearing my shirt apart and running marathons like some lunatic that couldn't handle himself.

Walking out hurriedly, I dialed some digits with cold sweat in my palm.

"Hi, Grace." Shivers could be heard. My heart could felt the rush of beats.