Autumn Leaves

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

     Diane was right - ever since we came back from Boracay Island, Victoria, aka Trevor's mom, has been around the office like a supervisor. She was very pissed about Trevor delaying our flight back to New York and especially when she knew that Trevor got injured and had an internal bleeding. Although Trevor has been already doing fine, Victoria wanted him to go home earlier than the usual and take a rest but Trevor insisted.

     I noticed that ever since his mom has been in the office for almost everyday, Trevor was slowly getting tired of it. He doesn't greet people anymore unlike he used to and he doesn't go out of his room to roam around the office anymore. It also came into my mind that he doesn't talk to me as much as he always did before and it's been going on for a couple of months now.

     It must've been hard for him to have his mother around to check on everything he does in the business and also to have his sister still missing for quite a while now. I miss Megan's presence and I understand that Trevor misses her too. Maybe if she was here, she had already let their mother stay away from the business - just like what big sisters do.

     Paul had stopped travelling around to get some rest and blog more but he doesn't stay in my place anymore since he bought his own unit in the same building as mine so we weren't really far from each other. Another reason why he stayed was to help look for Megan. Sometimes he just spends a day looking for her on the internet.

     It was already Autumn and it has been chilly outside that it was already warmer indoors. I approached Diane after lunch, holding my portfolio of designs that I made when I was in high school and college.

     "Diane, do you think I should pass my designs?" I told her, handing her the black portfolio that I was holding.

     She took the portfolio and scanned the pages briefly. Her face slowly lit up then she aggressively nodded. "You should pass this literally now at this moment!" She suggested.

     I chuckled because her cheeks slightly flapped as she shook her head. She scanned the portfolio again, paying more attention to the designs now.

     "When did you do these?" She asked, her eyes still on the drawing.

     "Back when I was in high school and college." I answered. She might've felt the texture of the paper as it has gone through years.

     She closed the portfolio and handed it back to me. "Show that to Trevor now. I have a feeling he'll accept that."

     And so I did. I knocked on the door of Trevor's office then answered by his secretary and let me in. Just like in the movies, Trevor's chair was turned around so that he was looking outside.

     "Mr. Schmidt," I called. It was pretty foreign for me to call him like that but I've gotten used to it since we only meet in the office nowadays and that he got busy.

     The chair didn't turn until I cleared my throat as if he was in deep thought that he didn't hear me. "Yes?" He said.

     I haven't seen him this close for a long time because I noticed that he grew a light stubble on his chin - which made him look pretty hot.

     "How are you?" I asked. Ever since his mother came, we barely communicated with each other and I thought I should catch up on him.

     "Did you just come in here to ask me that?" He looked at me under his lashes.

     I blinked and shrugged instead. It must be a bad timing to ask but I want to know how he's been doing.

     He sighed, "I'm fine, Paige. Thanks for asking." He gave me a small smile but I know behind that smile, he's been going through something lately.