42 - Oliver Taylor
1627 Words
I guess thinking too much really makes you silent. Throughout the party I only stood with some men, not bothering to say anything. A few of them tried to get me into the conversation a few times, but realizing my mind isn’t really at the party, they stopped at some point.
The following week, I decided I need to talk to Lee again. I was about to go for dinner when Charles knocked into my office.
“Sir…” he looked bothered and nervous.
“What?” I asked, walking towards the door.
“Ms. Lee is gone.” I felt cold when he said it. Gone? What gone?
“What do you mean?” He must have realized the statement could be misunderstood.
“She no longer works at Tracy’s. She’s not at her apartment, either.”
I want to see for myself. I went to Tracy’s, looking for Lee or Aya.
“She just left. She left a letter for Tracy last night, probably her resignation. I didn’t think she would just go. I can’t even contact her. Her phone still rang this afternoon when I tried to call a few times. Either she turned it off or the batteries died. It’s because of that woman. What were you thinking telling her about this place?” Aya was clearly annoyed and angry.
“Hold on. What woman?” I tried processing all the information she said. My hands automatically dialed for Lee’s number. No ring. Just beeps. Aya’s right. She either turned it off or the batteries are dead.
“The one who came here before going to a party with you. She came here every day from that one. She would go and sit on your booth. She’s sweet that first night, but she’s fussy and annoying the rest of the time. Lee hated seeing her on that booth.”
I can only think of mom. Why can’t she simply accept Lee for me? I see what Lee meant, that even my own family doesn’t approve of her. I should talk to mom.
“Do me a favor. Call me when you’re able to contact her, alright?” I told Aya. I had to check her apartment as well. Nothing. Charles contacted the owner for me, and he said she paid the rent for the rest of the month and vacated it last night. Where would she go during the night?
I decided I should talk to mom. I told Charles to contact Sara as well, and explicitly told her she’s no longer welcome at Tracy’s or at Taylor Industries.
“What did you do?” I asked mom as soon as I saw her on her living room.
“What do you mean?” she asked. I stood a few feet from her. I’m glad dad’s not here.
“You drove Lee away, why?” I directly asked.
“I’ve never asked you for anything, just this once. Accept Lee for me, would you? And leave her alone. You’re one of the people I should be able to count on to protect her as I do. Why can’t you?”
“Haven’t you learned anything from Tanya?” mom asked calmly, though I can tell she’s rattled as well.
“Tanya’s not Lee. And I’m not Christan. Did you drive Tanya away as well?”
“That girl always wants to go. I didn’t need to drive her away. She did that herself.”
“And yet you didn’t protect her either. She’s family. You should’ve protected her from anyone who said anything negative about her. Instead, you just let them say whatever they want to say. It’s like you gave them permission.”
She suddenly stood up, enraged. “How dare you?”
“Didn’t you?” I asked back.
“Don’t set me up with another woman. I hope you can accept Lee. And if you have nothing good to say about her, I would appreciate if you can at least say nothing. And if you hear anyone criticize her, I hope you can at least tell them to shut up.”
I hate talking this way to my parents, but they could do stupid things as well. I hope she would listen. Just this once. I haven’t asked for so much.
I already instructed Charles to get a private investigator. She really didn’t tell anyone where she’s going. No one knows. She didn’t finish the current school term as well. I just hope and pray that she’s okay, wherever she is. Just stay safe.
I keep trying to call her every hour, every day. On the third day, her phone rang. I breathe a sigh. It’s not conclusive, but it gives me hope that she’s alright.
A couple of hours later, Charles told me that Lee sent him a text message. He volunteered to let me have his phone for the time being. I gave him instructions to get a new phone for himself, but he only snorted at my idea.
“I’ll have my phone back when you’re done. Just… try not to scare her off. Don’t give her any clue that it’s you she’s texting with.”
I understand that he’s worried as well. I understand that they’re friends and Lee considers Charles as a brother, but I still feel jealous sometimes.
I stared at her message as I contemplated on how to respond.
“Where were you?” This should be a standard question, right? I don’t expect an answer to this, though.
“Don’t tell Oliver. Just tell him I’m fine and not to worry.” Is her reply.
“Why did you leave?”
“It was starting to feel suffocating. I’m sure you’ve heard about that woman by now. I was trying hard to let go, and she just have to come and remind me every single time. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. It’s her fault. Why would she even be there?” I hope mom would really listen to me and stop with her nonsense.
“Don’t say it’s from me, but please tell Oliver not to choose that girl. She’s terrible.” I smiled at her sentiment. Of course, I wouldn’t choose anyone else.
“I don’t think he’s ready to choose anyone anyway. That guy is serious about you.” I paused before sending. Would Charles refer to me as “that guy”? Probably. I’ve done it even with close friends and family.
As expected, it took her a while to reply.
“This is just an if, and a very big IF. IF I choose to stay with Oliver, what else should I expect? Aside from the criticisms?”
I took a while to contemplate as well.
“A lot of it. But he’ll help you. If you will accept his job offer at his company, that would help. You have to spend time at his company before you can announce you’re dating. Then a while more before you can announce a marriage.” There, that was the strategy.
Lee’s been trying to understand business for a while now. I can tell she’s studying and she’s a fast learner.
She didn’t respond even after ten minutes. I decided to follow-up.
“Where are you, really?”
I was glad when she replied.
“On the road. Even I don’t know where this place is.”
“Be careful.” I already sent it before I remembered I should be pretending to be Charles. Charles would care about her, I know. Hopefully, she won’t notice. She replied after a while. I read her reply over and over.
“Oliver’s a good guy. I didn’t think he would really be serious. Seeing how long it has been and he’s still there… I guess I hoped from the start that he would eventually leave on his own. But he didn’t. I’m currently debating whether I should actually fight for him, as he said. I have this feeling I should, but at the same time I am afraid.”
“You’re good for him. He loves you. That should be enough reason for you.” Before I sent it, I contemplated whether Charles would say something like this. He’s been with me for years. He has known me very well.
“I guess what I’m afraid of is when he changes. What if it takes him one more year or one more month, before he realizes he doesn’t actually love me? What would happen then? I would be offering my whole heart and I’ve never done that before. My life sucks.” She added a crying-while-laughing emoji at the end. I remember the heart-shaped cushion she gave me. She already offered her heart.
I considered her feelings. We’ve known each other for over a year. I know her mood swings and various emotions, what makes her tick, what she loves and what she hates. And I like all of it.
“That won’t happen. Oliver knows how to commit. If he loves you now, as long as you stay the same with him, he would love you until the end.” This is the truth.
“Have you guys had lengthy, serious conversations before?” She asked.
“Yes. Whenever his schedule is not hectic, we do engage in conversations.”
“What if I recover my memories, then? What if I change because of it? Would he change as well?”
A tough question. Her past is an issue we rarely talk about.
“Would you change? Won’t you stay the same?” I asked back.
“Personally, I would like to stay the same. I like who I am now.” I can feel her sincerity with this statement.
- Writer
