To Want You

37

Elka’s POV

Five Years Later

“Reservation’s already been made. We’re having the meeting with the clients later this afternoon.” The caller from the other line goes on to confirming the rest of the agenda, receiving multiple hums from me in return.

It’s already been five years since I’ve moved to this country. I was able to graduate with business management as my chosen major. I'm now currently working under the most successful and influential company to ever exist in the country. 

With my phone still pressed against my ear, I scramble around the walls of my room in search for my bag. I could’ve sworn I left it here somewhere. Time’s ticking and I’ve yet to step out of the house. If it weren’t for the fact that Nathan had walked into my room two times to switch off my alarm, I wouldn’t be this stressed over how late I was. Then again, it’s probably my fault for being a heavy sleeper. It’s funny how my alarm’s able to reach the other side of the hall yet it fails to stir me, who’s beside it, awake. 

I whisper under my breath a small thank you when I finally find my bag hidden somewhere in my closet. How it got there in the first place? I have no idea. I quickly check my reflection in the mirror for the last time. Today I’m clad in an elegant white long-sleeved blouse with a silky texture and a peach pencil skirt that ends just above my knees. I’ve chosen to tie my hair up while letting my side bangs loose. The style’s simple but says a lot at the same time. The only downside is that I have to wear heels all day today. 

I look presentable though. 

Good. 

By the time I’m running to the kitchen to grab a toast to go, Nathan and Clever’s already having their breakfast at the table. Nathan’s currently seventeen years old. 

I hear he’s that popular guy at school who exceeds in both looks and brains. Personality wise: cold, silent and someone who barely acknowledges his surroundings. But this is his version when he’s at school. Because the other version of Nathan when he’s under the roof of his own home is a whole different story. 

At home, acts like any other mischievous teen their age. He’s often rebellious and loves playing tricks whenever he has the chance. Clever just turned eleven a month ago and his personality is yet to be determined. So far he’s living under the shadow his brother. He oftentimes acts sweet when it’s just the two of us but suddenly shifts attitude whenever Nathan’s around. 

One can say he’s two-faced. But honestly, I could care less. They know their limit and everything they do is just innocent child’s play. Their presence is still bearable, 

The two boys spare me a glance, smirking under their breath like they’ve won a game. Again, I’m left no choice but to ignore them and reach for a toast before plopping it in my mouth with haste. I’m really, really late for work. 

“And where do you think you’re going, young lady? Sit down first and have lunch.” Mother instructs as she watches me quickly pour myself a cold glass of orange juice. I gulp it all down in one go. It’s a miracle I’ve avoided staining my clothes from how fast I’ve downed the liquid. 

“Can’t. Very late.” I tell her, placing a quick peck on her cheek before ruffling both Nathan and Clever’s hair. “I’ll see you guys later. Bye.” 

Today we’re scheduled to meet up with a very important client from overseas. A collaboration between our two companies will not only serve as a boost in our financial status but will also attract more attention from the outer parts of the region. It’s a meeting that has no room for wrong. 

I slide into my car and hit the road the next second. 

It was only recently that Epifaniya Company was able to rise up to fame in this country. And because of that, it is considered as the kind of job everyone dreams to one day work at. The salary, in my opinion, is enough to meet my needs. Especially now that I’m planning to move out of my parent’s mansion and find myself an apartment closer to my workplace. 

Mother’s still hesitant at the thought of me living on my own. But to my defense, I was able to live without them just fine years ago. The weather looks ominous today. The breeze felt cold when I stepped out of the house. Judging by the grey clouds in the sky, there’s no doubt it’ll rain later on.

After driving for twenty minutes straight, I finally enter the parking lot underneath the ginormous building. Leyla Mason- a co-worker and someone I’ve been tasked to show them the way things work in the company- is surprisingly standing beside the elevator pacing back and forth. I pull my car over and step out. As if it was my presence she was waiting for so long, Leyla rushes over to me with her high heels and a look of distress written all over her face. It almost looks like she’s seen a ghost.

“Ms. Miller. M-Ms miller. Thank goodness you're finally h-here. I thought I was about to die back there. We have to go. H-He’s here. And it doesn’t look like he w-wants to stay any-“ 

“Leyla.” I grab the rambling girl by the shoulders and have her face me. “I can’t understand what you’re saying when you’re talking this fast. Take a deep breath and start again.” 

Leyla nods her head vigorously and obediently follows my instructions. I take notice of how her skin feels so cold beneath my fingers and the fact that her nails are bleeding. She must’ve started biting them out of nervousness. Leyla’s only been around for a week so I somewhat understand how she’s feeling. After growing up constantly under the wings of her parents, it’s only normal for her to feel pressured given that she’s aware of how important our situation is. 

“Okay.” I let her go, crouching down to check my face from the mirror of my car.” What is it?” 

“H-he’s here. A-and he’s shouting at everyone.” 

I’m not surprised. Of course, before finalizing the meeting, I had to do my fair share of background analysis. Our company’s planning to engage itself with a company that’s under the influence of an old man in his late fifties. I couldn’t find any flaws in the man. His reputation around the business circle portrayed him as a respectable man. He’s married. And because of that,  he’s chosen his nephew as the next heir to his company and wealth. I couldn’t find anything regarding the new owner though. I’ve only heard rumors about how strict he is towards lazy employees. 

With one last stroke of a chapstick across my lips, I toss the object aimlessly inside my car and begin making my way to the elevator. We were supposed to hold the meeting at around lunchtime. Which is two hours away. He’s early. And for someone who disregarded their own time choice of meeting, he sure knows how to give a first impression. 

Once we’ve reached the main office, Leyla faces me with hesitance flashing her eyes. Muffled yells echoes from beyond that door. Face blunt yet stern, I send Leyla a confirming nod which is followed by the door opening. 

The moment I’m in, I’m staring at a broad back facing my direction. The office is an utter mess with papers scattered across the room. 

I take a respectful bow. “I’m Elka Miller, secretary of CEO Jonas. I apologize for arriving late. Had I known you’d be here two hours sooner, I’d-“

A chuckle cuts me off. "So you're telling me that my own company's filled with lousy workers who could care less whether they're late or not?"

A pack of irritation bubbles up within me. Did he just say his company? I really hope I heard that wrong. Or so help me I'll quit if find out I'll have work with him as my boss.

I raise my head up with the intention of expressing my inner concerns regarding the situation. I'd also like to know why he said that this was his company when it clearly isn't. Unless of course, Jonas ended up selling it to them.

But that's impossible, right?

I catch sight of the man’s face only to have a lump form in my throat. At that moment, the world around me blurs, and stare at the man as if though he was a ghost. 

It can’t be. 

Those familiar set of doe eyes that's dark as the night and silver hair that shines with the light.

I’d be stupid not to remember those distinct features. I feel my heart fastening, fingers beginning to sweat.

And without my consent, my tongue says out a name I haven’t uttered in such a very long time.

“A-abel?"