CHAPTER 8: Burning
1155 Words
"Why do you look so happy today, Mr. Fuentes?" Erika asked with a smile as she had just entered my office with a pile of files. I don't know where they came from.
"Huh?" I wondered, "How did you say that?" I asked then turned my attention back to the marketing plan I was making. I volunteered to do this myself.
"Don't lie, I caught you smiling." she walked over to me and laid the pile of files she was carrying on my desk, "This is from our accountant, I've double-checked those," she reported then let out another smile.
"Thank you," I glanced at the files for a moment, "But," I frowned, "Was I really smiling? Why didn't I notice it?" I asked seriously. Little did I know that I was smiling while making this marketing plan. Isn't Erika just kidding me?
She laughed and I said, "You're in love, Mr. Fuentes." She walked over to a wooden chair and sat down, "The woman that makes you smile is so lucky." she sighed, smiled again and looked at the emptiness.
I winced, "I don't remember smiling. Hmm?" I placed the pen I was holding on top of the piled-up file and stared at her.
"Like what I told you, the person who is in love spontaneously smiles," she still stares at the emptiness, "Especially when they think of the person that makes their heart beat." she uttered as if she were a marshmallow.
I leaned my back on the lengthwise of the chair and started thinking about my thoughts before Erika entered my office. Then I smiled voluntarily when I realized I was actually thinking about what Mr. Imari had said when we were on our way home yesterday.
"You have nothing to worry about. In fact, I even want to repeat this opportunity... with you."
I will never forget what he said. It was always playing on my mind. Those words were so special, he was the first man to make me feel like I was a good companion.
"You're thinking about that person? Aren't you, Mr. Fuentes?" My secretary asked.
“I spontaneously felt the heart leap because of that person,” I threw my gaze at her, “And you, Erika,” I straightened up and let out a sweet smile, “Have you ever experienced smiling without knowing it? ?" I asked her.
"Uh-huh," she nodded, "It's normal for someone to fall in love," she smiled, "That's one of the things that makes us happy."
Her smile was strange, there was something in her enticing smile. I placed my arm on the desk and placed my chin on my palm as I watched her smile closely, "You're in love too, Erika. Am I right?" I asked.
Her smile faded from her lips as she slowly threw her gaze into my eyes. Shock is what I saw in her eyes. "Y-You're right, Mr. Fuentes," she replied in a sweet voice.
My secretary is really nice.
I smiled broadly, "You know, the person you love is a lucky person." I said which made her feel uncomfy. The detachment was obvious in her reaction.
"How can you say that?" she stuttered the question.
I laughed softly, she has to know how beautiful and kind she is. In that way, she would know how worth loving she is. In case the person she's in love with right now isn't worth it, hopefully she'll have a good decision after I say these words to her:
"You deserve the man who sees the shining of your eyes," I stared into her round and innocent eyes, "You deserve the man who sees the sweetness of your smile," I stared at her red lips, as red as roses, "You deserve the man who sees your ability and your difference from other women," I stared into her eyes again, "You're one in a million, Erika. You're worth it. You deserve a deserving man."
She averted her eyes from me, "Are you saying you're deserving because you see those in me?" A question that I didn’t hear because suddenly the sound of the fire alarm rang around.
"Fire? There's a fire!" I quickly got up from my seat. I ran from Erika's seat and pulled her out of the office holding her arm, "Run!" I shouted.
After we left, I saw my workers were wilding, but I didn't see any smoke. My workers were all running out the building. Where the hell did this fire started? "Hold on tight!" I held Erika's hand tightly and together we ran towards the fire exit. But there were so many people messing around there.
My other workers saw me but they didn't seem to recognize me, they didn't give the way to me. I understand them, they just need to get out safely. Maybe because they have a family that depends on them, that's why they have to stay alive for those people. I purely understand them.
"We'll be forced to take the other stairs downwards," I tightened my grip on Erika even more and quickly ran towards the stairs I was referring.
I have to save myself but I can't afford to leave Erika alone. If I'll be able to get out of here alive, she'll be alive too. If I don't, Erika and I will die together. And I don’t want that to happen. So, to the best of my ability, I will try not to die.
Luckily there were very few people taking the stairs, “Hurry up, we can get out of here right away,” I snappish then we hurried downstairs.
We were still in the middle of the stairs when I saw a puff of smoke. Smoke? The smoke is coming from below. That meant, the fire was coming from here! We were taking the wrong way!
"Mr. Fuentes, the fire started in here!" Erika screamed as she pulled me up the stairs.
"Let's hurry up!"
We hurried up but we didn’t expect Erika’s sudden fall.Her foot was injured for an unknown reason, "Ugh!" she moaned as she tapped her aching foot.
There was no time for something like this, "Come on now, Erika. Make your adrenaline work, we have to get out of here!" I forced her to stand but she could not stand.
"But I don't think I can walk anymore, ugh!" she stroked her foot, "Go ahead, Mr. Fuentes. Save yourself. I'll follow you." she removed my hand from her hand, "Go!"
But, she will die if I leave her here. I knew fire would swallow her entirety in no time. I can't afford to lose her.
I took courage. I had no choice but to carry her in my arms.
"But, Mr. Fuentes—" I cut her off.
"Shut up! We will get out of here together! You're my secretary! I won't leave you behind!"
- Writer
