BEYOND THE BUSINESS CARD

“Mom, Dad!!” I shouted when I suddenly opened my eyes panicking on the bed. I had just woken up and realized it was that dream again. The same dream that has been recurring for the past few months. I got up and sat at the edge of my bed trying to balance my thought in a coherent manner. My mind felt clouded as if I am inebriated but I couldn’t remember anything from the dream leaving me bewildered and miserable. I stumbled to the mirror and saw tears in my eye. “Why do I keep having this dream?. Why did I cry from my sleep whenever I have this dream concerning my parents; Is there something I don’t know that this dream keeps coming to me?”. ‘The thoughts keep lingering in my mind and greatly affecting my daily life. It’s a Sunday morning so I decided to engage in some physical activities, “Physical activities can greatly help to relief my mind of these thoughts” I thought to myself I start by cleaning my apartment. I cleaned and cleaned again till my house became sparkling clean and then have a fresh bath. After a refreshing bath, I prepared breakfast finishing all my tasks. The silence in my apartment was suddenly overwhelmed with a sudden fierce voice. My heart racing as I glanced at the direction I thought I heard the voice seeking for an explanation. The voice sounded again this time hearing it clearly “You are one of us and you’ve been assigned on a mission. Fate will lead you” then the voice stopped talking. “Who are you?. What mission?. Why am I part of you?” I asked catching my breath trying to understand what was happening. I was going crazy “My house is haunted. It is haunted” I kept lamenting as I ran to the kitchen to get water to drink. I drank so much water filling my belly but it wasn’t enough. I keep wanting more I started to panic banging things against each other while shouting at the top of my voice. “Katia, what’s wrong. What’s happening. I’m hearing loud noises from my apartment. Could you open the door”. A familiar voice called out to me knocking on the door of my apartment “Victor..” I responded in a normal voice trying to control my emotions and confirm if he was the one. Victor, my neighbor and a close friend of mine since I moved to my apartment. He has always been a warm and kind person. Hearing his gentle and concerned voice besides hearing noises from my apartment took me out of the illusion as though it was what I needed making me feel grateful for his concern. “Everything is fine. Something fell on my shoulder that is why I shouted” I replied I didn’t understand why this was happening to me or what all this means. I collapsed on the kitchen floor. Tears streamed down my face as I shouted “What’s happening to me” “I always felt like a stranger in my own world, feeling as if something in me was incomplete and now these strange dreams and voices I heard all feel so surreal.” I mumbled to myself in annoyance “I won’t be consumed in my own illusion. I’ll start by applying for a job and keeping myself busy maybe all these thoughts will leave then” I said to myself loudly while I opened my laptop to apply for a job. I got up almost immediately and stepped out of the house to get some fresh air. I walked across a coffee shop and decided to get myself one. Sipping my hot cup of coffee, I let out a sigh “it’s so good” I said to myself. It helped me calm down and I feel like a burden has just been lifted off my chest Before I could realize it, I was oblivious to the world around me, drowned in my own thoughts again as I walked through the streets of London when I suddenly bumped into a tall enormous figure. “What have I done” I murmured to myself realizing my cup of coffee had slipped and poured on the man’s shirt. “I'm sorry sir, I’m extremely sorry” I pleaded trying to clean the ruined shirt fidgeting. Suddenly I heard “You clumsy useless woman, did you just ruin my expensive shirt? Are you blind and oblivious to the world around you?” the man said nonchalantly grabbing my hands away from his shirt as he pushed me. I continued pleading profusely to the man, confused of what to do when he suddenly said to me “Here’s my business card, meet me to collect the shirt for dry cleaning.” pointing the card at me to collect it. He smirked and walked away after I took it from him “He’s such a rude psycho. He should only be a few years older than me” I said to his back wondering what type of arrogant brat he was even after apologizing to him as I walked back home since it was getting dark *Night* When I reached home it was already night time. I opened the door of my apartment hoping that there isn’t anymore drama for the day. Seeing the messed I caused earlier, I rearranged my apartment all over again, took a shower and prepared myself a bowl of noodles for dinner. After I finished eating, I cleared the dirty utensils and went to my room. I jumped on my bed lying down feeling a sense of relief when I suddenly remember the card that rude man gave me. I took the card from where I had left it on the table to check what was written on it. Suddenly I jumped off the bed and I gasped as I read the content of the card; CEO of Paul Corporation- Alexander Paul My eye widened in horror as I stared at the card. “The ruthless Alexander Paul? Paul Corporation?” I shouted. I heard rumors about him being a ruthless business man and a merciless leader and topping it all, a werewolf? Hearing his name alone sends shivers down my spine. Paul Corporation is the ace business company in London known for its successful business dealings and tactics. “What have I gotten myself into?” I mumbled to myself panicking. The thought about our brief encounter earlier kept lingering in my mind and I couldn’t help but wonder what's going to happen when I meet him. It all made sense to me now about why he’s so arrogant. “Should I bother or just let it go?” I looked at the card again contemplating whether I should contact him for the dry cleaning service. My room was filled with silence as only the sound of the ticking clock could be heard. I tucked the card into the drawer, the silence in my room engulfed me as if, waiting for me. To make my next move. I couldn’t shake off the feeling that my life is about to have a drastic turn and I felt a shiver run down my spine as soon as I turned the lights off. I tried to shake off the feeling, telling myself it was just my imagination “Tomorrow changes everything” the words echoed in my mind fading into the darkness as I drifted off to sleep.