Chapter 17
You have known her for a long time. You know all about her, her ex-boyfriends and even the guy she’s currently dating.
You are her number one buddy, someone whom she would share everything with you. Her darkest secrets, her first kiss and all the moments that she cried you would be there for her.
Was it purely friendship? That made you came out of your house in the middle of the night just because she wanted someone to talk to after a tussle with her boyfriend.
How ironic, as it took you a long time to realize she’s actually the one you are looking for after all these years.
You waited and waited, until she is finally single.
You finally found the courage that was hiding deep inside you.
You tell her about your feelings one day.
She told you she is tired about having another relationship.
She thinks you are a nice person, someone who can take care of her.
Unfortunately you weren’t someone in the mold of her dream.
The long road is almost unbearable. The world never seems to stop turning, time never seems to take notice on someone who’s struggling through life.
Bearing each day with the hopes of being reached by the one you loved, the one you used to care for so much..
How you find life so meaningless and lonely now as you begin each day wondering how would it be if you had done the right thing?
The people who used to stand by you weren’t there anymore as you continue this journey to the undiscovered path of life. You fall easily, finding it hard to get up…for you are alone now…
As you slowly pick yourself up upon your feet, time never waits, passing every minute with uncertainty that you will end the same day without being tortured by fate. The self belief and his confidence are all gone now….
Finally you told yourself not to care for anyone else again, for you knows no matter how much you cared , no one will be there for you again…. as you head towards the infinite sadness of life…... Towards the path of infinite sadness and mental destruction of life
“Everything aren’t the same without the presence of you….”
Mark went back to office on Tuesday morning.
The journey to office was a lack lusted affair as he knew it would take a week more before he could see Jade again. Something inside him stopped him from sending a message to Jade.
Hopefully this time she will be back in her usual self.
“Yo bro, how was your extended weekend man!”
Shaun taunted Mark for an answer as he came to his desk.
“My weekend is the same as every weekend. No difference.”
Mark cut the small talk as his boss walked towards his table.
“Mark, come into my office at 1100.”
He ordered.
Shaun tilted his head to Mark and showed him the cut throat signal.
“What happened?”
Shaun whispered.
Mark just shook his head. He guess it was another round of complains about something went wrong.
Time seems to go very slow when you know you are heading for some form of punishment. Mark had to endure the anxiety for 2 hours before it arrived.
Mark knocked on the door and went in. He was quite surprise to see Christine inside too.
“Mark, take a seat.”
Mark sat as his heart sank, “What did I do wrong this time? Was it over the late submission of presentation?”
Then all his wildly thoughts shattered when his boss spoke.
“Mark, how long have you been in my team?”
“More than 2 years, Mr. Lee”
“What do you think of yourself, your contribution to the team?”
“I think there’s more things I can do, more areas which I can improve. There are some bad habits which I have to kick away.”
“Good… glad you know yourself well..”
His boss leaned back to his chair.
“Damn.. Don’t tell me he’s going to transfer me away?”
Mark felt a hunch about the things to come.
“There’s an exhibition going on in Shanghai this week. All our competitors and potential customers will be there. I want you to go with Christine. Both of you will be in charge for an on stage presentation of our latest range of products this weekend.”
Christine looked at Mark and smile.
“But Boss.. Why me?”
Mr. Lee was rather shocked by the question.
“Well… I managed to convince my boss to let us do the presentation rather than the Sales team. You can say it’s getting some limelight for the team if both of you done well.”
He paused.
“As for why were you selected, I would want to let you know that you know how to handle situations based on my past experience with you. No doubt there are areas which you need to improve, Christine will be the best mentor to guide this time round.”
“Thanks boss.”
Mark felt his acceptance.
“The two of you can take the rest of the day off, go home and pack up. The flight is tonight then you will link up with the rest of the folks who are already there. Please do a good job, any questions?”
“Boss, any rest and relax sessions after the trip?”
Mark looked at his boss eagerly.
Mr. Lee’s eye brown frowned.
“Boss, He’s only joking, right Mark?”
Christine’s lightning reflexes saved him as she dragged him out of the office.
“Hey Mark, I’m going to settle the air tickets and some paperwork”
Christine told Mark as they head back to their desk.
“Ok…”
“So where are you guys going for lunch?”
“I don’t know, it’s always decided by Shaun.”
“Ok then… see you tonight at the airport.”
Mark reached home after lunch.
After telling his mother about the trip, he then went on to pack up and had a rest.
After dinner, Mark switched on his computer for one last entry into his blog before the trip.
“Today I finally felt the appreciation from my boss as I’ve been assigned to go for a business trip. Hopefully I will not screw this up and thankfully Chris is going along. She’s always there when I screwed up.”
Mark posted his entry and began surfing the web for the places of interests in Shanghai.
Then he switched back to his blog to have a one last look right before switching off.
There was already a tag in his tagboard.
“You will gain more than you ever expected from this trip”
It was written by Psyche.
“What is she saying? Was it words of encouragement? Hmmm…. Never mind. I never seem to understand her as much as she understands me.”
Mark then switched off his computer.
------------------------
“Hey you are really early.”
Christine arrived at the airport.
“Yeah.. Guess I’m pretty much excited about the trip.”
“Hey… we are going for a business trip; don’t expect a tour or something. We have to conference with boss every morning and evening to report the status. I suppose we even have to work through the night for our presentation.”
Mark nodded.
“Ok..”
“Now, let’s check in”
Christine suggested.
Before they move, Christine felt someone calling her.
“Hey Chris, Christine Tan!”
She turned and saw a guy walking towards her direction.
“Brandon? Is it you? Oh my god! It’s really you.”
Christine walked towards the guy and hugged him as Mark looked on.
“Yeah it’s me alright.. So how’s life been for you?”
“Life’s great for me. Where are you heading?”
Christine joyfully replied.
“I’m heading back to Sydney. I just came here for a short trip to see my parents. I’ve got a job and house back there already.”
Then Brandon looked at Mark and smiled.
Mark awkwardly smiled back.
“Oh I see… Life sure is great for you… So where are you guys heading for your honeymoon?”
“Honeymoon? Give us a break man! This is my colleague Mark, we are on our way to Shanghai for a presentation.”
Christine quickly responded.
“Really? Gosh… both of you are really compatible. Sorry for being rude or something.”
Mark just smiled again as Christine hurried Brandon off.
“You better get going, I’ll give you a ring when I’m done ok?”
“Alright, bye dear.”
Brandon gave Christine a hug before he walked off.
The two of them then checked in and got on the plane.
“You sure have a funny friend.”
Mark tried to strike a conversation.
Christine didn’t respond as she looked at the window.
Mark felt the ambience wasn’t correct so he kept quiet throughout the take off. Christine wasn’t her usual self right after she saw Brandon.
It was only midway through the flight then Christine finally spoke.
“Brandon was my first love.”
[To be Cont]
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