Before You Go

Chapter Five

Today is September 17.

Six months.

It's been 186 days since Michael stood me up on our wedding day, 186 days since I met Carter, and 184 days since the last time I saw him.

Moving on from Michael was very easy the first two days- this was because I was with Carter. The days that followed after weren't as easy- but it was still easier than I had expected. This was because I mostly found myself thinking about Carter rather than my ex-fiance.

I'm not sure what I was moving on from- Michael leaving me, or not being able to see Carter again. I'm ashamed to admit that because I should be moving on from the first one, but it feels like the latter.

The airport is busy, like always. My boarding time is in about two hours from now, and I'm hungry so I line up at the nearest shop to get a sandwich and something to drink. There are a lot of people here too but I'm relieved when I see there is only three people at the counter and they seem to be in a group. They are dressed impressively- dark slacks and a jacket coat, meanwhile I'm in black leggings and an oversized sweater. I notice the stripes on the sleeves of their jackets and realize they're pilots. No wonder they are so well dressed.

"What can I get you today?" the cashier behind the counter asks with a smile.

"A BLT sandwich and ginger ale please." I say and hand him a few bills just when my phone rings. "It's under Valentine."

I fumble in my pockets for my phone and when I find it, I check who's calling. It's my boss and I don't want to answer because she's a pain in the ass but I do anyway and bring it to my ear.

"Hello Mrs. Porter." I greet her when all I want to do is hang up. The cashier hands me my change. "I'm still at the airport. My flight's in two hours."

"Yeah I didn't ask where you are." she says at the other line and I want to punch the person beside me, who happens to be the group of impressively dressed men. "I need you to come to work tomorrow."

"But I just came from a work trip. I'm supposed to have tomorrow as my day off."

"I know the company's rules." she snaps. "I'll be leaving for my maternity leave next week, so I need you to be in charge while I'm gone."

"I thought Robert was going to be in charge as discussed in last week's meeting."

"Robert quit this morning. Another marketing team poached him and he took the bait." I could see her roll her eyes over the phone. Agatha Porter didn't like a lot of people in the office, including me. But out of everyone, she seems to not like me the least. "Tomorrow, eight o'clock sharp."

"Work starts at nine."

"Just be there by eight."

She hangs up right after.

When the company changed our marketing director five months ago, I didn't enjoy my job as much as I did before. The job I love, the boss- I did before Agatha arrived. Now I don't.

"For Valentine."

I hear my name being called so I go back to the counter to get my sandwich.

"Well I'll be damned." a familiar voice greets my ears, and it's coming from beside me. "Valentine."

I turn to see who it is, if my suspicions are right and I almost drop my sandwich and ginger ale.

It's Carter, impeccably dressed just like the group of men before me. And he's one of them, wearing the four striped sleeve jacket with a winged pin on his left breast area, looking way different compared to the last time I saw him. He's smiling at me.