Repeat and Retribution

Chapter 47

Armed with a paper and pen, Crystal walks into the building head held up high with a very sweet smile on her face.

She wore her red pencil skirt along with her plain white buttoned shirt and red heels that showed every curve of her body. Hair curled on the ends, with only red lipstick.

Crystal looked like a model from a men's magazine while she slowly walks with a sway as if she was walking in a catwalk.

Though it looked like she was brandishing, in truth she only had one thing on her mind that day, and that was to make sure that she will make this day worth her while not wanting to waste this once and lifetime chance.

“Excuse me, I’m here for the meeting at ten o'clock for the Echo project,” Crystal says to the front desk.

Though it took a while for the receptionist to look her way, she still gave the woman her warmest smile.

It took the lady a few seconds to process things after seeing that. “Oh, yes! Can I have your I.D. please,” she states as she quickly types on her computer.

After providing some identification, she was given a temporary key card to enter the building.

“Thank you,” she says to the lady before walking to the elevator.

Looking around the whole place, she was sure that the company was big and earned quite a lot. The first floor had large glass panels for walling and was adorned by a selection of statues. The security was quite tight and automated. Even the elevator required a key card to activate.

Being alone after she got in, she took that time to make sure she looked presentable, after that she took out some of her documents to check and review them in case.

The sound of the ding of the elevator prompted her to stop, putting her focus once more on the task at hand.

There was another reception area on the floor she was in, but there weren’t many people there except for the guard and the receptionist.

“Good morning,” she greets.

“Yes mam, how can I help you,” the woman at the reception was much more attentive than the one on the first floor as she immediately noticed her before she even got close.

The lady was much older when she got a better look at her, seeing that she’d be around twice her age. She could not help but notice the other two receptionist that was there who also seem to be the same.

“I’m here for the ten o’clock meeting,” she repeats and tries to shrug it off.

“Please follow me,” the woman politely gestures her to come along.

They enter two large wooden doors with beautiful carvings of what seemed to be greek mythological gods and goddesses. She was greeted with more statues along the corridor as they walked along.

At the very end, there was another huge wooden double door which the woman opened for her.

“Please wait here for a moment,” the woman states.

“Thank you,” she nods at her as she goes into the room.

Her brows shot up the moment she got in. The place had a very old western design. Victorian chairs were neatly set up in the middle, with a huge red rug, and an old antique chandelier in the middle, it even had a fake fireplace that almost made it look like she was in a different time.

Not wanting to look like a complete dunce, she moves to the nearest seat and prepares her documents for the proposal.

Crystal sat in a relaxed yet professional posture in one of the chairs as she waited for them, making sure that she didn’t come out too strong or arrogant.

It didn’t take long before people finally entered the room. Crystal couldn't help hiding her smile as a very familiar handsome man, wearing a well-fitted suit and tie came in, along with another middle-aged woman, who also wore a tailored suit.

Quickly rising from her chair to greet them, Crystal gave out her warmest, widest and sweetest smile to the two.

“Good morning mister August,” she greets.

The man literally stood there, gaping, eyes wide and almost losing his color when he saw Crystal.

“It's really you.” His voice almost came out like a whisper.

“Oh, I didn’t think you’d remember me,” she giggles.

The man’s lips quickly formed into a grin upon hearing her voice. “Why wouldn’t I, we’ve been in the same class for two years,” he explains.

Crystal could not help her smile from growing even wider, being remembered by the man though they really never became that close in her real timeline somewhat made her feel better.

“Uhm, sir, you better focus on the meeting,” the lady that was with them intervened with a very smug and forward tone.

Crystal also receives a frown from the woman who was standing beside the man, which suddenly made her wary, sensing something strange because of the reaction from the woman.

“I know that Beth.” The man quickly hissed, making the lady straighten in her place, after receiving a very sharp glare. He then turns to her immediately returning to the pleasant look that he had. “Sorry about that, my secretary doesn’t seem to remember her place,” the man states as he gestures her to sit before going to his chair.

“Oh, no worry at all mister August,” she smiles as she sits after the man.

Though Crystal's eyes were on the man, part of her vision was focused on the woman who seemed to be looking very annoyed with her, giving her very uncomfortable and meaningful stares.

“Please, call me Larse,” he chuckled while waving her off.

Leaning forward, she slowly places the folders she was holding on the table, before sliding them towards the man.

“Here are the documents that you requested.” She says in her sweetest tone when their eyes met.

Larse swallowed hard seeing Crystal up close, sweat suddenly appeared on his forehead as her eyes seemed to pull him in.

Quickly taking the papers he then turns to her secretary to avoid eye contact. “Beth, can you go to Michaels and have these checked and go get us some drinks while you’re at it,” he firmly states with a straight face.

The woman seemed hesitant to follow, looking at Crystal and then back to her boss.

“Right now!” Larse voice became deeper on his second order.

Startled the woman quickly grabs the folder that was being given to her. “Yes sir,” she nods before scampering out of the door.

Larse let out a deep sigh, he was massaging his temples when he finally faced her once more.

“Sorry about that, I didn’t really have a choice on choosing my staff,” Smirking he combs his hair with his hand as it somehow got messed up.

“Oh no, you don’t need to apologize about anything,” Crystal wave’s not wanting to cause any discomfort between them.

She could not help but look at the man right now, seeing as though he wasn’t like the Larse on his alternate timeline, she can still see the person she became friends with.

“So, been quite long since I last saw you. I heard you and Clyde are getting hitched. How come he didn’t send me an invite,” Larse jokingly says, tilting his head to the side.

That made removed the smile from Crystal’s face, she could not believe that he’d actually ask such a thing. She couldn't help her inside’s from trembling because of the sudden rush.

Biting her lower lip as she lowered her head, she then clutched her hands together. “Oh, about that. We’re not really together anymore,” she said in an almost squeaky voice.

Larse eyes grew wide though there was worry on his face, he could not help the grin forming in his face.

“Really? Not to barge in or anything, but why? I mean, you two have been dating for years now, right! And Clyde did ask you to marry him, so what happened?” he tries to say in a very calm manner.

Feeling the man’s curiosity, Crystal quickly let out a sob as she wiped her eyes. “I really don’t want to talk about it.” Her voice was shaking as she looked at him again.

That immediately changed Larse whole demeanor, he was now had this full worried look, brows furrowed as he moves a bit closer to her.

“Are you okay, did something happen between the two of you?” he says in a very soothing and soft voice.

Taking a deep breath, Crystal tries to compose herself once more, smiling again as she looked him straight in the eyes.

“I’m sorry, it’s just...I’m still trying to get over it,” Her voice still trembled as she let out those words.

“I’m sorry for bringing it up,” Larse was now a bit sullen, as he moved to the side table to grab a box of tissue to give to her.

Trying to put up a smile, she quickly takes several pieces from it to wipe her still teary eyes.

“It’s all right, I just don’t think this is the right time for me to be telling you about it,” eyes fluttering she gives the man a nod as if to tell him to just let it go.

“But of course, I know this seems a bit sudden, but you can count on me if you need anything,” Larse says in a very sweet manner.

For some reason, Crystal suddenly felt fluttering from her insides when she heard the man say those words. She could feel his sincerity and seriousness though she was really unsure of it.

“Thank you,” she ended up saying a bit nervous because of what she had in mind.

Luckily the door then opens, letting in the man’s panting secretary. “Sir, I have your drinks,” she gasped while shakily bringing the tray to their table.

“Thank you, Beth.” Larse quickly changed back to his straight face, his eyes not showing any emotions as he said those words.

Crystal quickly got the gist as she too quickly tried to fix herself and got back to being serious. Though she really can’t hide from herself that her insides seemed a bit disoriented right now.

They continued with the meeting as planned, the man didn’t ask any more questions in regards to her after that, which made her wonder a bit. But, still, she was quite satisfied with what she had found out

Though Larse wasn’t wearing a ring on his finger, there were tan marks on it showing that he did have one. Also, she didn’t see any pictures or any kind of signs that he was married, confirming her friends' story about their set-up. With that in mind, she now felt more determined to proceed with what she wanted to do.

As she walked out of the building, Crystal had a very wide grin on her face, as her mind repeatedly kept showing her the things that she wanted to accomplish, now not being far from reality.