Written In Stardust

CHAPTER TWO

I lowered my head as my Senior Manager’s eyebrows met while he read the resignation letter I had just handed him. I had wanted to just send it via email and avoid showing up in person, because I couldn’t get a decent night’s sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I remembered being chased by those men. Still, my conscience wouldn’t allow me to be so unprofessional to the company I had worked at for over four years.

"This is an immediate resignation, Ms. Clarkson."

I gulped hard at the tone of his voice. I was still looking down, and even though I couldn’t see him, I knew his brows were furrowed, and steam was probably coming out of his ears. I took a few deep breaths before I finally looked up at him.

"Yes, sir, it is," I answered seriously.

He set my resignation letter down and leaned back in his swivel chair without taking his serious gaze off me.

"Of all the people in this company, as a manager, you know what's happening to us right now and how important the project you're handling is."

How could I forget that darn project? I almost died because of it.

"I'm sorry, but I can't accept your resignation right now."

"But, Sir—" I started to protest, which made him frown.

"Look, I understand what you're feeling because of what happened to you last night, and trust me, I'm sorry about that. I know you're struggling mentally and have been traumatized."

Yes, sir! They’re even in my dreams!

"You are one of my best employees here, and you are a perfect manager. That's why I can't let you go. I know I won't find anyone else like you. I don't want you to think I'm invalidating your feelings, but for now, I can't accept your resignation, at least not until we close this project." He stopped me when I opened my mouth to protest again. "For your comfort and safety, I'll allow you to work from home until the project is finished. You will only need to come to the office for meetings with investors and for the contract signing. How does that sound?"

I didn't expect him to compromise with me just to keep me from resigning. In all the years I've worked under him, doing this isn't his style. The project must be incredibly important to him.

"I'll give you half a day to think about this, but I'll call our I.T. department now to prepare your equipment," he added.

I smirked and shook my head, realizing that before I came here, I was fully determined to quit, but because of his offer, I wasn't so sure anymore.

"I'll come back when I've made my decision, Sir. Thank you."

"Thank you. Let's talk later."

I nodded at him before leaving his office. I went back to my desk with slumped shoulders, replaying everything Sir Raven had said. I still couldn't believe he would give me an offer like that.

"Calista!"

I almost jumped out of my skin when George suddenly appeared out of nowhere. I glared at her. She didn’t come home last night and hadn't answered any of my calls, of all times.

"OMG! What happened to you last night? I just read all of your messages on my way here."

She grabbed me by the shoulders and looked me over from head to toe, as if searching for something.

"Where were you, anyway? You should just throw that worthless phone away." I rolled my eyes at her and raised an eyebrow.

"Did you forget I told you I was going to my high school reunion and that I wasn't coming home because it was an overnight swimming event?" she retorted sarcastically.

My eyes widened in surprise. It was only now that I remembered her telling me about her reunion. It had completely slipped my mind.

"Based on that look, you did forget?" she said, raising her eyebrow at me this time. "You know, your memory is getting bad. Next thing I know, I'll have to pick you up from the police station because you forgot the way home."

"When did you tell me again?"

"Hey! Girl, I just told you on Monday! And it's only Wednesday, and you've already forgotten?"

"I really don't remember."

"Whatever." She rolled her eyes, and I almost shrieked when she grabbed my face and pulled me closer. "So, tell me, what really happened to you last night? Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"I'm obviously still alive and breathing, but I feel traumatized. I couldn't sleep well last night, and on my way here, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was following me."

"Girl, I'm so sorry I wasn't there last night." She hugged me from the side. "Why did you even come to work if you're in that state?"

"I submitted my resignation letter." I answered half-heartedly.

"Resignation letter?" she shrieked in surprise. "You actually went through with it after so many attempts?"

"Yeah."

"So, what did the grumpy boss say?"

"Grumpy boss" was Sir Raven's nickname in the office because he was scowling and angry more often than he was smiling.

"He didn't accept my resignation."

"Just like I thought."

"But he said that until we close this project, he offered me a work-from-home setup."

"Really?!"

"Yeah, same reaction here. I was surprised, too; I thought he'd gone crazy. He said I only need to come here for meetings with clients and for the contract signing, hopefully."

"What did you say?"

"I told him I have until the end of the day to give him my answer."

"Have you made a decision yet?"

"Not yet."

"Just accept it! Don't be so dramatic. Don't you want to get paid while you're at home? Besides, you haven't found a new job yet, have you?"

She had a point. I hadn't found a new job, and I didn't want to be a freeloader.

"You know, I haven't had breakfast yet because I couldn't cook earlier. You should treat me."

"What's in it for me?"

"I'll tell you the whole story about what happened last night."

"Fair enough. Let's go. I don't feel like working anymore, anyway."

She linked her arm through mine, and we walked to our favorite cafe near the office building.

George and I have been friends since our third year of high school. She was a new student, and she quickly adapted and made friends because she was so friendly and bubbly. Once, we were paired up for a group project, and since then, she's never left my side. We're like twins; we’ve been together almost 24/7 through college and now. My life just doesn't feel complete without her.

"Okay, you can start your story now," she said excitedly as she returned to our table with our order.

"Can't I have a bite first? You're really that eager for gossip?"

"Of course! That's why I'm treating you."

"You're such a good friend."

She just laughed and shrugged. I just shook my head and started telling her about what happened last night while eating. Even though gossip was her priority, my hungry stomach was mine.

I had to cover her mouth several times because she was screaming so loudly, as if we were at home and not in a public place. Even now, I still couldn't believe that out of all the people in the world, I would see him last night. After all these years since his last concert, that's when I finally saw him again.

"Friend, your story is almost over, and I still don't know who we're talking about."

"Hey! What? Do you only have 2MB of memory in your brain?"

"Just tell me!"

I looked left, right, front, and back before I leaned forward and whispered the name of the person we were talking about into her ear.

"WHAT!"

My eyes widened at the force of her scream. Everyone in the cafe looked at our table, and I just wanted to melt into my chair from embarrassment.

"You and that mouth!" I grumbled, covering my face with both hands.

"Are you serious? Was it really him? Maybe you were just hallucinating."

"Crazy! Of course, I'm sure. Even though their group disbanded years ago and they're not that active in the media, I still see them on social media every day. Let me remind you again that I've known and followed them for half of my life, so I know every bit of them, and especially him!"

"So, what do you think he's doing here in the Philippines?"

"How would I know? Maybe he's here to save me," I answered, a blush spreading across my cheeks.

"OMG! If you're sure it was really him... Girl, I'm so jealous! Just think about it, with 7 billion people living on this earth, he was in that exact place at that exact time. You must have some serious luck with destiny."

"Stop it, you're making me blush!" I whispered, biting back a giggle. "You know, he's like a vampire; he hasn't aged at all. He's still as handsome as he was when I first saw him back in 2013. He still smells so good, even though his perfume seems to have changed."

"With all due respect, friend, you were in that kind of situation, and you still noticed his change in perfume."

"Of course! Do you think I should thank those two men who chased me last night?"

"Are you crazy? You want to thank the two men who traumatized you?"

"Good point."

"But you do have a point, too, because if it weren't for them, you wouldn't have seen your first love, who has been missing in action from the media for years and only posts on IG once in a blue moon."

"And get this, he told me last night, on the way home, that he would accompany me to the police station to give a personal statement," I said with a wide smile.

"He's going to go with you? So, did you give him your number, or did he give you his?"

My shoulders slumped, and my smile faded at her question.

"Oh my God, Calista! You were right there, and you didn't go all the way! Why didn't you even ask for his number?"

"I forgot!"

"But at least he said he'll go with you. Maybe he'll just show up out of nowhere. I guess you must have been blessed in your past life, huh?"

"I hope he just shows up."

My happiness burst like a bubble. I mean, I'm assuming he'll go with me, and I don't want that to be the first and last time I see him.

"Well, he knows where you live, doesn't he? He drove you home. Maybe he'll show up at your house."

"I'll pray for that to all the saints."

"Sometimes, I don't know how we became friends, but on another note, are you really going to resign?"

"Yes, because this job will shorten my life. I'm already stressed out by our boss, who lacks parental affection, and my hard work isn't worth it because my salary never goes up. It's hard to live on this earth; everything is getting more expensive, and I have wants, too."

"You can buy the things you want. You're just too proud and too much of a strong, independent woman. Anyway, while you're working from home, look for a new job, and tell me where you're going so I can follow you."

"You really can't be away from me for even a second, can you?" I teased, laughing.

"Of course!"

We both laughed and went back to our food.