E I G H T
1409 Words
Euphoria Café
Julia sat at a table at the corner of the cafe sipping a cup of coffee. She looked down on her phone when it buzzed. The screen showed 'Harley'. Julia sighed again as she declined his call. He had been calling her since the morning for god knows what reason. She was already irritated.
Then a message popped on her screen.
Harley:
Julie please pick up,we need to talk.
also im really sorry and i miss you
She just stared at the message, sadness appearing in her eyes. Her eyes teared up but she immediately blinked and took a deep breath. She couldnt ruin her makeup just because of her ex. Today was an important day for her after all. And like, earlier she ignored it again.
A figure appeared few moments later at the table.
" Hello, Julia. Did i make you wait for too long?" Gerald stood infront, his hair in a more casual style unlike the usual sleeked back hair. His perfume smelt really good which caught her off guard.
" Ahh n-no gerald. I got here just now too." she gave her bright smile, get a grip, julia. She thought to herself. And why was the perfume so familiar? Oh, was it one of the perfume from her own company line? She didnt ask due to embarrassment.
After ordering his drink, they talked for sometime.
" So you work at the foreign branch of jeon manufactures?" julia asked. Gerald was one of the cousins of the Jeon brothers, according to the rumors.
" Yes, i've been there for two years now."
" I kinda admire you."
He showed genuine shock," Why??"
" Well because you are a managing director at such a young age." She was infact really impressed by his experience. Even an heir has difficulty getting that position in this age. He seemed to be really capable and smart. Also, handsome. A plus point.
" Oh thankyou, julia." gerald blushed and both of them laughed lightly.
" I think you saw my company's article." julia said looking down at her drink. She changed the topic to more important ones. This was the main reason for the meet and Julia had already came with a plan to impress her strict father.
His smile wore off, " Oh y-yeah... i saw it."
" Yeah, so my company isn't doing very good."
" Don't worry Julia. Things will turn out okay. You should just have positive thoughts." Gerald had been shocked when he saw the news of Redd fragrance decline in the company rank as well. The company used to be super popular even back when he was still studying in Korea. And was one of his personal favourite perfume line as well. Very minimal yet manly. Just his style.
Julia smiled, " Thankyou for being hopeful." After a little pause, Julia looked up to gerald.
" I think i'll need some help though. For the things to turn out okay."
Gerald looked back at Julia and nodded as a cue of understanding. " I can help you."
" Thankyou so much." Julia gave her bright smile. Gerald adored that smile.
Both of them sipped their coffee.
" Do you know about the coming elite party,Gerald?"
" I think i've heard of it a little."
" I'm sure you've been invited. It is on coming Friday."
" Oh, i don't know about that."
" Its like a party for high-class business people. Also, one of the most important parties in a year." Julia continued, " People are supposed to come with their partners. Its like a way to show your relationship with other company."
Gerald nodded at her words.
" For this party,i want you to be my partner gerald."
" I'm more than honored to be your partner." he replied immediately.
"Thankyou again." Julia smiled, proud of herself, " By the way, this party is different than last time's party.This one will have more important people. There wont be events happened like in, Liliane's party." she said seriously. " Make sure you dont make any mistakes."
---
Roseanne was going through a novel, resting at her home. When her phone screen lit up, it showed a message. She sighed and put her novel down.
Jay:
Let's meet today at lounge cafe. Ezra is coming too.
Roseanne raised her brows. "Okay? Now of all times?" But she got up and went to change.
----
Lounge cafe
Ezra took a deep breath again.
" Be cool bro. It's not like she's gonna kill you or something." Jay gave him a weird look.
" Like as if she didn't try to last time." ezra said rolling his eyes.
Just then they heard clicking of heels coming towards them. Roseanne pulled the empty chair, taking a seat. She took out her shades and said " Hello."
" Hey roseanne." ezra smiled awkwardly.
" Was i late?"
"No"
" Yepp."
Roseanne glared at jay.
" Oh, how've you been ezra?"
" Well, i've been doing fine. How about you?"
" Me... not very fine."
" Uhh... why's that?"
" There's been some things going on."
" Like what?" jay replied flatly.
Roseanne glared at him again, " Like you reappearing in my life again."
" Do you hate me that much?" he said acting hurt.
" Of course! Since, you spilled the secret to ezra that was supposed be between us two?"
" I thought you already forgave me."
" And why would i?"
" I helped you at the party. Twice."
Roseanne rolled her eyes.
" Ahem." Ezra cleared his throat, " so, what are we talking about?"
" About me hating jay?" Roseanne replied raising her brows.
Ezra sighed.
" Anyways Ezra how bout YOU explain me about That man?" Roseanne folded her arms.
" I.....just got connections, you know." he replied scratching his nape.
" What kind of?" she continued asking.
" I just hired some....men. That's it."
" Ezra, i know you've been working really hard for this incident but still it's dangerous." Roseanne leaned forward.
" I know it but i still want to help."
" I'm grateful for your help, Ezra. Ive said this to you before and i'll say it again that it's better if you come out of this mess." Roseanne looked straight into his eyes. He didn't say anything.
" Roseanne i thought we had agreed on working together?" Jay said a little annoyed.
"I was just making him aware, jay. Its not some child's play. It involves MURDER." her voice raised.
" That is why we need HIS HELP. We two only can't solve this thing."
" Guys, please lower your voice." ezra told them, worried.
" You're still the thickhead." jay said in a low voice.
" I can hear you, you weirdo." Roseanne added gritting her teeth.
" Roseanne, i just wanted to let you know that i've come across so much that i can't just give it up." ezra spoke up once both of them shut up.
Roseanne looked down, " I know....its just that incident gives me shivers till this day and i want to forget it completely."
" We can't always run away. Remember, we are doing this for justice." jay reminded her.
She looked at the two, one by one. Then slowly nodded.
" Also today is.....Irene's dad's death anniversary."she said.
The guys nodded slowly, sadness surrounding them.
---
The cemetery
Irene and joy were standing side by side while her mother placed a flower on her father's grave. She stared down in the verge of tears while her mother cried slowly. Few of their close family had visited and they all stood there, sad.
Later, her mother had stopped crying and was talking with the visitors.
A pretty lady in her forties approached them.
" Hello, Mrs.Kim." her mother greeted the woman. Irene rolled her eyes internally.
" Hello, how are you doing now? Are you ok?" the lady asked,concerned. It was Jennifer kim's mother.
" Oh i am. Don't worry about me."
" Really? take care of yourself." she touched her mother's shoulder.
" I will i will. Anyways, where's Jennifer?"
" Oh, she's been away to do promotions of the company. I'm sorry she didn't make it."
" Ahh Jennifer is so thoughtful, helping the company. Its fine and okay."
" Yes she keeps on saying she wants to help even though there isn't any work. She really likes to engage with her company." Mrs.Kim said proudly.
" How nice of her! She really is such a great daughter. If only My daughter could understand." she side-eyed Irene.
" Please excuse me." Irene went away.
She was just sick of their conversation. It was always the comparing with her and Jennifer since they were kids. Just the reason why she hated her. She walked to her dad's grave. Thankfully, there was no one. She sat at the edge and sighed heavily. It had already been eight years since her dad left her. She stared sadly at the grave.
.
Dad, I miss you.
.
- Writer
