The sudden absence of Vicky and Mirabel for three days left the office in a state of confusion. Colleagues exchanged hushed queries, worried about their well-being and anxious about the impact on the project. Without Vicky's creative input and Mirabel's guidance, the team struggled.
"What's going on? Is everything okay?" they asked each other.
The team's anxiety stemmed not only from concern for their colleagues' well-being but also from the project's looming deadline. Without Vicky's innovative ideas and Mirabel's oversight, the team felt lost and uncertain about how to proceed.
Mirabel's heart was shattered into many pieces. Tears kept flowing down her face as she lay on her bed, asking herself, "Why?" Some part of her wanted to believe this wasn't real, that maybe it was a misconception. But the truth was right before her eyes – she had seen Vicky with Rose in the restaurant. What other explanation was there to consider? Still, she stayed back to organize herself.
Vicky, on the other hand, was too scared to go to work. He thought about how he would face Mirabel, how she would feel, how she would react, and what he would say. Would she even listen to him? He sat on his bed, his feet folded, and his hands covering his face.
"What do I do?" he muttered.
"Son, are you feeling better?" Caroline asked, leaning against Vicky's door. Vicky lifted his head and gazed at his mother.
"Mum, why did you stand up?" he quickly rushed to her side and helped her sit in his bed.
"Mum, you shouldn't strain yourself. You need to rest," he said.
"How can I rest, Vicky? You're in this state, and you're expecting me to rest? Vicky, tell me what's going on in your life. Speak to me," Caroline said.
"Mum, I'm alright. You don't have to worry," Vicky replied.
"I don't believe that. The other night, you came home drunk and were in a miserable state. You never drink unless something is really bothering you. And the last time you did that was when that woman left you," Caroline said.
"Mum..." Vicky interrupted, sitting beside her. "That's enough. My life just took an unexpected turn, that's all."
"Tell me what's been happening in your life, dear. I'm worried," Caroline said.
Vicky sighed, cleaned his face with his hands, and looked his mother in the eye. "Mum, my relationship with Mirabel is going through a rough patch. I'm honestly confused and devastated..."
"Oh dear, what happened?" Caroline asked.
"Well... Rose returned," Vicky said, pausing and looking at his mum's expression. "Please calm down. She didn't cause any harm. The fault is..."
"Mine... She needed a job, so I urged Mirabel to give her a job at the office, and he did. Then the whole situation got messed up. Mirabel felt I was falling in love with Rose all over again, and recently she saw me and Rose at a restaurant..."
"Are you crazy, Vicky?" Caroline exclaimed. "Why on earth would you go on a date with Rose? Why would you associate with that woman in the first place? Haven't you learned from your mistakes? Do you want to ruin your life?"
"Mum, please listen to me," Vicky said. "It's not what you think. Rose really needed help. She's going through a major crisis all by herself, and I just want to help her."
"Vicky, why do you want to get involved with her?" Caroline asked. "She wrecked your life once, and I'm sure that's her mission even now."
"I understand your point, Mother," Vicky said. "I also felt the same way, but she's different now, Mum..."
"Vicky, listen to me," Caroline interrupted. "People don't change. Their character always remains the same. You shouldn't have done all of this. What do you expect Mirabel to feel? Why do you expect her to think? How many women out there will allow her man's ex to work in the same environment as he is? But she did, because she trusted you. And what did you do? You went on a date with Rose?"
"No, Mum, it wasn't a date," Vicky said. "I..."
"Son, please," Caroline said. "You must fix things with Mirabel at all costs. She's the right one for you, and you must not let her slip away. Talk to her... and stop associating with Rose. She's bad news."
"Mum..."
"No, son, not another word," Caroline said firmly, standing up from the bed. "You must go to work tomorrow and fix the mistakes you've made. That's all I have to say."
"Mum, I'll help you," Vicky said, extending his hands. Caroline ignored him and said, "I will manage." She slowly walked out of his room.
Vicky's heart sank as he lay on his bed, thinking about Mirabel. "I know I've wronged you, Mirabel," he said softly. "But you have to trust me. I beg you..."
Meanwhile, Mirabel sat in the parlor in her house, picking up her phone and placing a call to Dianne. "Hey Dianne, how are you doing?" she asked.
"Oh, ma'am, what happened? We were worried sick. Your phone was off, and you didn't show up at work. Are you alright?" Dianne asked.
"Calm down, Dianne. I'm alright. I just felt I needed some rest, that's all. How are things at work?" Mirabel replied.
"Well, ma'am, we've been managing but struggling without you and Vicky around," Dianne said.
"What do you mean? Vicky didn't show up?" Mirabel asked.
"Yes, ma'am. He didn't. We've been worried. How is he?" Dianne asked.
"I don't know, Dianne. He should be alright. I'll be at work tomorrow, so don't be too worried," Mirabel said.
"Alright, ma'am. Oh, and the clients visited the office. They informed us that we should start working on the ad, and the launch is in eight days," Dianne said.
"What?" Mirabel exclaimed. "The launch is in eight days?"
"Yes, ma'am. They came in yesterday. We tried working on it, but we need both of you here," Dianne replied.
"But... well, they did say in three days we'll get the confirmation, but... Alright then, I'll be around tomorrow, so we'll work on it then," Mirabel said.
"Alright, ma'am. Will Vicky also be available?" Dianne asked.
"Well, it's up to him. See you tomorrow," Mirabel said.
"Alright, ma'am. Goodbye," Dianne said before ending the call.
Mirabel ended the call, picked up the pillow beside her, and screamed into it. "The launch is in eight days, and I wasted my time crying over some useless issue," she said to herself. "Mirabel, you have to focus. And as for him... I hope he comes tomorrow. It's high time I end this love saga." She stood up from the couch and headed to her room.