The Whispering Past

The reception door suddenly flung open as all eyes went to the door. There was pin-drop silence in the reception hall. Everyone stood up one after the other with their eyes still fixed on the door except Elizabeth who was so engrossed in what she was doing that she didn't know what was going on. Charlotte, her colleague, and a friend noticed her nonchalance and slightly hit her. "What?" Elizabeth asked with a shrug. She hated distraction. "The boss…" Charlotte whispered to her. "What's up with him?" Elizabeth asked less concerned. "He just walked in and If he meets you sitting, you will be in trouble," Charlotte replied worriedly as Elizabeth hurriedly saved the document she was typing and stood. Michael stood for a few seconds before walking amidst the workers. "Good morning sir", everyone greeted Mike with a smile but he ignored their greeting and stared at their faces one after the other. He was about to speak when his eyes met with Elizabeth's. He took off his dark glasses and stared at her for a while. "Why's he staring at me like that?" Elizabeth asked herself as she bowed her head. "Hey…" Michael said with a smile as he touched her chin. Elizabeth shivered as he caressed her hands and as he smiled seductively, her heart raced. Michael noticed she was tensed, hence, he took his hands off her and addressed everyone for some minutes after which they all got back to work. "Brian, see me now!" Michael instructed as a man in his mid-forties walked up to him. He was the company's general manager. "Good morning sir." Mr Brian greeted Mike with a broad smile revealing his gap-teeth. "Good morning," Michael replied as she shook hands with Mr Brian. "Who's that girl on the secretary's desk?" Michael asked politely stealing glances at Elizabeth. "She's the new secretary." Mr Brian replied surprised by Mike's politeness. "Oh! Really? What happened to the former secretary?" Mike asked with concern. "She resigned. Is anything the problem?" Mr. Brian asked with a stern look. "No. I'm just… It's fine. You can get back to work." Mike replied. " Alright, sir," Mr Brian said as he turned to leave. "Wait… What's her name?" Mike asked. "Elizabeth." Mr Brian answered wondering why he asked. "That's beautiful. Thanks. You can go now." Mike said as Mr. Brian turned and went to his office. Michael stared at Elizabeth for a while before going to his office. "Finally!" Elizabeth mumbled as she heaved a sigh of relief. "Hey!" Charlotte whispered to Elizabeth. "What?" Elizabeth replied angrily. "Do you know him from somewhere? Have you met before? Have you…" Charlotte asked anxiously as Elizabeth interrupted her. "No," Elizabeth replied. "Then, why did he stare at you the way he did?" Charlotte asked expecting an answer. "I'm as surprised as you are. He probably mistakes me for someone else." Elizabeth said not looking at Charlotte. "Lizzy, is there anything you're hiding from me?" Charlotte inquired. "No… Look, you have to get rid of whatever it is you're thinking…" Elizabeth said in defense as Charlotte cut in. "I think he likes you," Charlotte teased. "What?!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Hmm.. Hmmm.." Charlotte replied smiling. "You must be joking!" Elizabeth replied. "I'm not joking. I could see love in his eyes. Just say yes…" Charlotte said hitting Elizabeth slightly. "I don't know what you're talking about. I suggest you get back to work and stop lazing around." Elizabeth teased. "Quit the pretense. Don't tell me you didn't feel anything when he touched your chin and caressed your hand." Charlotte continued. "Charlie… Can you stop this already?" Elizabeth murmured with a shrug. Back at Michael's office, he couldn't concentrate as he kept thinking about Elizabeth. He felt like calling her to his office but he didn't as he wanted to avoid suspicion from his workers. " She's just as beautiful as she was when I met her…" Mike thought to himself as he heard a knock on the door. "Who's it? Come in. The door is open." he replied as he imagined Elizabeth walking into his office and hugging him. He snapped out of his thoughts when he heard: "Good morning sir" He looked up and sighed. It was Nancy, the company's sales representative. "What do you want?" Mike asked irritated by her presence. "Sir, I noticed that… uhh…" Nancy paused as she scratched her head in a bid to remember why she came to Mike's office. "You noticed what? Huh? If you don't have anything to say to me, leave my office!" Mike yelled at her. "I'm sorry sir. I've forgotten what I came here for. I'll get back to you when I remember.." Nancy said as she turned to leave. "Hey! Don't be silly! Compose yourself and whatever bullshit you have to say before coming to my office next time. Now, get out!" Mike retorted. "I'm so sorry sir." Nancy apologized as she left the office. "i***t!" Mike blurted as he angrily hit his hands on his desk. He picked up his intercom and dialed a number. The person picked at the second ring. "I don't want to see anyone in my office till I say so! If anyone comes to my office, you will be fired!" Mike shouted over the phone and cut the call. "Now, back to what I was saying…" Mike said smiling seductively as he relaxed on his chair. He fantasized about Elizabeth as the memories they had in the past flooded his mind. He kept on smiling and wished he could go back to the past. Elizabeth, on the other hand, couldn't stop thinking about Mike. She wondered if they had previously met somewhere. His face looked familiar but she just couldn't remember how and where they met. "Everything seems so blurry. He looked to me like a total stranger at first sight but now, he looks familiar. Or am I hallucinating? There's something about him that…" she thought to herself as she heard someone call her name. “Elizabeth!”