FORGOTTEN

Chapter 4

"So...who's the guy from yesterday" Elena, Faye's red-haired workmate inquires with a meaningful smile on her pink-painted lips.

"What guy?" Faye feigns ignorance.

Elena roars with laughter at her deadpan response. Her co-worker knows how evasive she is when it comes to topics of relationships, dating and such.

"Come on, Faye. Come on." She teases some more to which Faye just ends up chuckling.

"Honestly, I don't know what you're talking about." Faye responds, masking her face with false seriousness.

Faye sits at the reception and watches what Elena has been doing. It seems like some routine stuff that she does every day.

"On serious note,"  Faye starts.

"This sounds juicy. Tell me."

"There's this guy..." she begins while secretly crossing her fingers, hoping it does not bite her in the ass in the long run. "I met him yesterday."

She tells her  everything that happened the day before to the very last bit of information. It is quite astonishing how Elena listens to her intently and how her facial expression changes every single time she mentions some fascinating portions of her story.

"Honestly, I don't know what to do." Faye says after drawing out a heavy breath.

"I've been telling time and again to enjoy your life, Faye."

"I know that. But..."

"You're scared." Elena finishes the sentence for her to which she nods.

"Faye," Elena reaches out for Faye's hands which are resting on the reception desk. "Life is short. Do you remember the story of your schoolmates who died young? We never know what will happen tomorrow. In fact, tomorrow's never certain. If I were you, I would dial his number and take up his offer."

"It frightens me. I've never been good at this. What if I make a fool of myself? What if--" she stops when Elena tightens her hold on her hands.

"Listen to me, and listen to me very carefully. Life is all about what ifs. This may succeed or it may fail. Just remember that whatever happens, I'll be here for you." Elena smiles gently at Faye, understanding and sincerity etched on her face.

Faye takes this into consideration, weighing the pros and cons of reaching out to Errol. The possibility of shame and hurt niggled at her mind, and this is something she cannot just ignore. Elena is totally right about the uncertainties in life, but she is not really one to take risks either.

Thinking and rethinking it does not make things any better. Hence, before she even backs out and gives in to her second thoughts, she runs for her phone and saves Errol's number.

She takes five deep breaths then she musters the courage to give him a ring. She taps the call button and presses the phone to her ear.

"Hello," she hears a deep male voice from the other line.

"Hello," Faye utters timidly.

"Faye! Nice to hear from you," Errol responds excitedly.

Faye smiles hugely at the sound of his voice, although her heart is pounding strongly as if it wants to break out of her chest. Her hands are shaking mildly out of nervousness and embarrassment.

"I..." she realizes she has nothing to say to him and admitting that is mortifying.

"Do you want to have lunch together?" he asks.

"I..." she looks up at the clock above the board and sees that it is almost lunch break. "Yes, of course. I'm free to leave in 10 minutes."

"Perfect! Do you want me to drop by your academy?"

"No!" She replies too quickly, making her want to punch herself for sounding obstinate.

"Calm down." Faye hears him chuckling on the other side of the line.

"Let's meet at the station. What do you think?" She suggests.

"Brilliant! See you in a few, Faye."

"See you..."

Faye is not the most religious woman in the world but she prays that she does not regret this later on. However, she also knows that every decision she makes has a corresponding consequence.