The afternoon sun sank low, as if weary after a long day. Slanting rays of light spilled across the wooden desk, slipping through the thin cracks of the curtains, brushing lightly over a shoulder like an invisible hand of time, quietly reminding of something approaching.
The room was silent except for the soft ticking of the clock. Bach Lan stood straight, hands clasped together in front of her, her posture serious, as if awaiting a verdict. Her eyes were fixed intently on the man seated before her, Trach Dong.
He flipped through the pages of the dossier, his long fingers tracing the lines of text as if scrutinizing every idea. His voice, low and deliberate, broke the stillness:
"It seems better than last time."
A simple sentence, yet it lit up Bach Lan's face. A small, shy smile tugged at her lips, joy leaking through despite her effort to stay composed. Her eyes shimmered like the surface of a spring lake, reflecting quiet pride and hope.
Trach Dong looked up to continue, but his gaze inadvertently met the light in her eyes, capturing her delicate, serene smile like the dawn of early spring. His heart skipped a beat, stirred by an unnamed feeling. He quickly averted his eyes, returning them to the documents before him, lips pressed lightly together.
"Hrm." – He cleared his throat, as if to steady himself.
As he turned to the next page, a small sheet of paper quietly slipped to the floor. Its movement was as soft as a falling leaf, yet enough to draw both of their gazes.
He bent to pick it up. Immediately, crude doodles leapt into view: a lazy bear sprawled out, a half-eaten radish, a smiling rabbit, and a grimacing bitter melon. His expression darkened.
"What is this?"
Bach Lan panicked. She stepped forward, reaching for the paper, but her hands froze in midair, too late.
Her face went pale, eyes wide, hands trembling as she covered her mouth:
"A! That… that is…"
Trach Dong narrowed his eyes, voice icy:
"The bear?"
The air seemed to vanish in that instant.
Bach Lan stammered:
"It's just a joke, it's nothing serious!"
He tossed the paper back onto the desk, his gaze sharp as a blade:
"So, in your eyes, I'm the bear?"
"No! Hoang Phuong made the prank, I didn't…"
"Do you know what it means to work in this environment?" – His tone cut colder with each word. – "It means being serious. This is not a place for silly drawings."
Just then,
Knock… knock…
The sound of knocking shattered the thick, tense atmosphere.
"Come in." – His voice was still low but softened slightly.
The door opened. A graceful woman stepped inside, her posture elegant, hair pinned neatly, radiating calm authority, yet her eyes were icy sharp, piercing like frozen crystal.
"Hello, mother." – Trach Dong slightly bowed, his tone still calm and measured as always.
The vice president glanced at Bach Lan, who stood frozen in place, as if turned to stone. Her gaze was sharp, as if trying to see through every thought.
"And you are?"
"A new employee." – Trach Dong answered, flipping through the documents to subtly push the doodled paper to the bottom.
Bach Lan bowed her head, murmuring.
"Yes, I… I'll excuse myself."
"Leave the documents. Step outside." – His tone was sharp, leaving no room for reply.
She immediately retreated, legs weak, hurrying out of the room.
The moment the door closed, the atmosphere inside shifted.
"You should be more careful with the people you interact with." – The woman said evenly, though her words carried a subtle pressure.
"Mother, is that all you came for?" – Trach Dong raised an eyebrow, lips curling in a cold smirk.
"Your father instructed me. Next month, that guy will return. You should prepare to come back home."
No question needed he knew exactly who she meant.
Trach Dong straightened in his chair, his gaze turning icy.
"I've said it before. I don't care about that."
"You are the legitimate heir of the Trach family. As for it…"
He remained silent, a faint curl of disdain at the corner of his mouth.
"That brat…" – The woman's voice faltered for a moment before dropping low, knowing arguments now would be useless. She stood, adjusting her collar, and paused before leaving:
"Our family cannot allow a bastard child like that to destroy everything again."
The door closed behind her, leaving Trach Dong motionless, his eyes lingering on the sheet of paper with the bear doodle. The sunset outside the window cast a lonely streak across his shoulder.
Night descended gently, like a soft silk drape.
In her small room, Bach Lan lay on her side, hair spilling across the pillow, arms clutching her pillow tightly. The soft amber light of the bedside lamp reflected shadows on the ceiling. Her breath slowed, and in the misty haze of her dream, she returned to the same familiar place.
***
A sky blanketed with white apricot blossoms. The early spring breeze stirred softly, brushing against the thin fabric of her dress, sending a chill through her chest.
Before her stood a small wooden house, worn but inviting. The wooden door opened with a faint creak, letting warm light spill out, blending gently with the pale sunlight.
He sat at a low desk, long hair loosely tied back, wearing a soft blue robe that draped across his shoulders. When he looked up, his gaze was gentle, like a spring smile blooming in his eyes:
"Little Bach, you've returned?"
Bach Lan smiled, holding a basket of flowers still touched by the morning dew:
"The apricots bloomed late today. I had to wait a long while to pick a few good branches."
He stepped closer, taking the basket delicately, his hand brushing hers as his fingers traced over her skin like touching a distant memory:
"As long as you picked them, every flower is beautiful."
Bach Lan looked at him, a quiet peace seeping into her heart like warmth in the crisp air. She wanted to speak, but before words could escape, the scene began to shift.
The wind rose, shaking the falling apricot petals. The wooden house blurred like mist, and his figure faded into the light.
She whispered softly:
"Trach Hien."
The scenery slowly receded within the dream, yet that gentle feeling lingered, tugging at her heart, stirring it awake ever so slightly.
***
She woke with a start; eyes still misted with tears. Her heart beat in quiet, gentle rhythms, as if she had just lost something precious, yet somehow had just found it again.
"How can I remember that place?"
"But why can't I remember who he is?"
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