There were some memories that you could never forget, despite the kind of pain they brought with them. That thought rang in my mind as I stomped my foot impatiently, while waiting for the elevator to reach the hundredth floor already. Whoever came up with such a high storey floor plan really needed to chill. After what felt like a million years, the elevator bell finally rang and I stepped onto the posh lobby.
The flurry of office workers running around from to and fro, the flock of the worker bees buzzing in their cubicles, overtook me and I suddenly felt like I needed to sit down. God, I was nervous, and did it suddenly get hot in here or something? I unbuttoned the top of my shirt, trying to get the suffocating feeling to stop and forced air into my lungs. Okay, deep breathes, I can do this.
The inner mantra did nothing about my feeling of being severely underdressed in my measly police uniform in the crowd of pencil skirts and sharp business suits. Still I made my way to the reception area and tried to get the receptionist's attention. When she finally deemed me worthy of listening to and hung up her phone, she eyed me up and down. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of the police blues and the badge gleaming in my hand.
I got straight to the point, my nerves were already shot to their maximum limit as it was,
'I'm here to see the CEO, Mr. Daniel Lockwood. It's urgent.'
The words flow so easily from my tongue, as if it's entirely natural for me to refer to him as a stranger. But I suppose he is one now, after so many years, I can only imagine what he must think of me.
The receptionist looks nervous, 'h-he isn't here. He's uh.. away at business at the moment, I'm really sorry' she forces a smile, faking cheeriness into her tone.
'I'm right here, actually'
A masculine voice speaks up from behind me and I stiffen. The voice is rich, deep and entirely familiar. His voice. My best friend's older brother. The man I never thought I would see again.
I whirl around to face him and the sight of him makes me freeze. He's still as handsome as ever, and I still.. love him. Even if that's pathetic. He gestures towards the direction of his office with hand and says, 'follow me, sweetheart.' The employees in the office watch this exchange with wide eyes and I flush at their attention and his endearment. I steel myself and start walking towards him, while memories of the past flit around my overly nostalgic mind. Memories of when I was sixteen and a regular visitor to the Lockwood house. Before everything else happened and I was forced to leave them behind.
Flashback
I ride my bike down the sloping hills of New England as I made my way to Amelia's house. Amelia- my best friend- also happened to be a constant source of headache for me right now, because thanks to her we were officially late for our evaluation test. I pressed on the brakes as soon as the large white mansion came into view and the guard waved at me before the black gate opened automatically. They were so used to my presence now that they began opening it when I was still on the approaching road. I glided through the fancy lawn and parked my bicycle by a pillar next to the large brown front door. I knocked on it and Edward- Amelia's much older brother opened up and grinned at me. I knew from the look on his face what was going on and I groaned. Pinching the bridge of my nose I muttered, 'not again.' His smile turned sympathetic.
'I'm afraid so. Try to work some of your magic on her'
'If only it were that simple.' I grumbled while walking inside towards the posh lounge and setting my bag on the table in the centre.
I bang my hand on Amelia's door, but get no answer. How surprising. Not. Sighing, I lean against the door and try to calm myself down. It was fine, she'll have her little phase and then she'll get over it eventually.
I walk over to the table and plop down, deciding to do my homework instead since we were clearly going to be missing our first lecture all because Amelia broke up with her tool of a boyfriend. I had a few hours since the test anyway so we were safe. The housekeeper walks over and asks me if she can get me anything and I finally agree to some coffee when she keeps insisting on feeding me at least something. I'm fully engrossed in my history paper when the door opens behind me and a rich fragrance invades my senses. I turn around, knowing who it is by the smell alone and spot Daniel standing at the entrance, shrugging off his leather coat. He sees me there and nods towards Amelia's room, 'how's the Zen training going? Achieved ultimate patience yet?'
I laugh at that, 'unfortunately no, I'm still mad'
'Can't say I blame you.' He smiles at me, his eyes crinkling at the corner and making him look even more attractive than he really is. 'You'll wear her down though, if anyone can do it, it's you.'
The praise makes me duck my head and I smile. A crashing sound comes from Amelia's room, followed by a loud groan. That's my cue to act. I get up and roll my eyes- to which Daniel chuckles and I stand in front of Amelia's door again. I speak in a low tone, threatening almost,
'Get out'
I hear a visible gulp from the other side of the door and Amelia finally decides to grace us with her presence. I raise my eyebrows at her and sit back down, calmly sipping my coffee while cocking my hand towards the front door. She takes the hint and leaves to go sit in the car, sulking like a petulant child. Daniel chuckles again, but I keep up my nonchalance and only follow after her ten minutes later once my coffee cup is empty.
(End of flashback)
Now I watch Daniel while he stands across from me, leaning on his desk and i sink down on the couch. He looks at me now, as if studying me for the first time and I realise how different I must appear to him. After all, five years later, I was now a young woman instead of a high school girl. Amusement crinkles the corners of his eyes, as he tilts his head sideways,
'Are you really allowed to use your badge for anything?'
I flush, not knowing how to answer that and he laughs at my lack of response. His expression turns grim after a few beats and he straightens. Time to get serious.
'Are you going to ask me what you came here to ask?' He asks me quietly and sorrow ripples through me.
'How is she?'
He shakes his head, appearing disappointed.
'Why don't you come see her for yourself?'
The 'her' in question is Amelia- my best friend, former best friend-, who is currently in the hospital following a suicide attempt. I feel frustrated,
'You know that she'll refuse to see me. She hates me.' I drop my head into my hands, unable to carry this discussion on.
'She won't hate you, once she knows why you really went away.' He consoles me, while placing his hand on my shoulder. I look up at him, finding him directly in front of me now, my vision blurry due to the tears burning in my eyes.
'Tell me what happened, tell us, what really happened.' He insists and I lose the battle.
'If i tell you, do you promise to let me deal with it my way.'
He nods, 'you have my word.'
'Then take me to the hospital. T-to see her. I'll tell you, all of you, everything.'
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