MARIANNA

It is nothing

That's what I told myself, anyway. That I'll be fine eventually and I have been living everyday for the past three years based off that foundation of thoughts.  Now I have to make ths call.

"Hello, I need your help." I say in a calculated manner.

"Alright. You know where to find me." The receiver ends the call at the other end. I suck in a deep breath, unsure if my decision to make that call was the right one. It was more like an impulse-infused decision.

Well, I can't take it back, can I? I just have to go through with it. With that thought still in mind and the zeal to get to the bottom of the theft, I pack up my bag and head out.

Upon reaching my destination, I nervously hold the steering of the car as I park and turn off the ignition.

Well, here goes nothing. I push my body off the car seat, grab my purse and step out to the familiar setting. Taking countless deep breaths, I finally regain composure. Shoulders straight and head held high, I began walking to the door. Well, you never can tell what's waiting at the other end. The only certainty is who I am going to meet there.

The moment my hand lifts to knock on the door, it swings open and I am drawn into an embrace.

"Marianna." The familiar voice says cheerfully while pulling me into a tight hug. For a moment, I did not know what to say. How to even begin but I start by clearing my throat and pushing the person back to take a look at them at arm's length.

"Hi." My voice croaks as I stare back at the familiar face. It has been three whole years.

"I still can't believe this is you." Concern is etched in the voice.

"Hello, Mrs. Mancini." I almost chuckle at how lovely she is being to me.

"Let's go, sweetie." I could hear the excitement in her voice. Three years did really put some space between us and to be candid, all the blame is on me. She constantly reached out, even after I broke my phone and changed my contact. She did reach out but I never picked her calls after the day I accidentally picked an unfamiliar number to discover it was her contact. I had previously lost it and didn't back up my contacts in my google mail so I didn't know it was her until after that mistake.

Even with that, she still texted me and extented her birthday invite, year after year but never did I grace any of them. In fact, I discard them the moment they are sent my way. The last one she had was a close save, though. I almost honoured the invite. I had even dressed up to leave my house but last minute jitters made me rethink my decision and just like that, I stayed back, not ready for the possibilities of any drama with a certain somebody. I always got her gifts, though, it is the least I could do. I mean, she has been the mum figure for me, growing up since I lost mine early and if not for the unfortunate turn of events, would still be.

"You still look radiant, Mrs. Mancini." I compliment her.

"Oh, cut that crap. Just call me Stella." She says, dragging my hand till we are sat on the chair.

"When you called me, I was scared. To be honest, I still am. Hope you have not gotten into any form of trouble?" I chuckle at her ever caring nature.

"Trouble? I haven't but I have some troubles, though." She makes a whistle sound and meets my eyes.

"Before we go deep into the reason why you are here, how are you?

"Doing good except lately. You?" I keep the answer short. In my opinion, there's no need for so much explanation.

"Fine." She responds, smiling.

"I am sorry for ghosting on you these past years." It is really necessary to apologize to her because truly, she wasn't the person I had a problem with.

"I understand, dear. I just wish you both could put whatever it is behind you and go back to being the way you both were." Well, I don't wish you go back. It was mentally and emotionally  unhealthy for me. For one, I had feelings for him. Feelings that coukd never be returned and Secondly, he wanted to be free like a bird.  I can't cage a grown ass man into committment, especially one whose dictionary is void of that word.

"So what do I owe the honour of having you in my house today?" She makes a mock-bow hand gesture, which I am certain is her idea of easing up the situation.

"I have a mole in the company." I state, sagging my shoulders in defeat.

"What? That is terrible. Tell me everything." She says in surprise, before placing her hands above mine to comfort me. I begin by telling her about the first theft that occurred to the most recent one.

"And you are sure you have no personal grudges with any of your workers?" Even at her age, she still speaks and thinks sharp.

"None that I know of." I say in response.

"Any suspicions?" She asks with raised eyebrows.

"That's the problem. There's none. Nobody comes to mind." I say, shrugging.

When my meeting with Mrs. Mancini is concluded, I say a not so quick goodbye, because she keeps bringing up different topics to keep me longer in her house, and leave.

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LUCAS

When mom told me that she needed my help urgently, never would I have thought it would come in this form.

Sitting before me is the woman I once had for a best friend. By her side is a man who constantly treated her like some priced possession. Damn!

"Marianna." My mom calls out in excitement as she walks in. I did not miss the mischevious look she sends my way before giving me a peck on my cheeks and sitting down.

Ever since she arrived, we have not spoken. Well, if you leave out the "Hi" we threw at ourselves earlier.

I expected her to be uncomfortable but she looked nothing like it. In fact, she even flirted with the man by her side, without a care in the world.

"I am Marvin, her fiance." If my attention initially wavered, it definitely snapped back at this instance. Now that I take a closer look and observe them, how the hell did I miss the ring on her finger?

"Woah, you missed this out, Marianna." Now, my mom is getting annoying. I roll my eyes, deciding to be passive in this discussion.

She blushes a little before laughing uncomfortably and for the first time, our eyes meet. And I do the unexpected, I stand up and walk out.

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MARIANNA

What the hell is wrong with this guy? He needs to grow up, literally. Why will he do something as low as walk out of our meeting?

He made his stance clear and now he's leaving when he knows I need his help. I was totally against this idea with Mrs. Mancini but she thought otherwise.

"Sorry about that." She says and immediately stands up to follow him.

"Well, that was awkward." Marvin lets out a whoosh of air the moment the door is shut.

I don't even say anything. Moments later, Stella returns with no Lucas in tow.

"I guess we'll have to re-schedule." She says, her shoulders sagging.

"Can I have a word with you, Marianna?" With raised eyebrows, I knew I could not say no to her. So I just squeeze Marvin's hand to get him to understand before staying back.

"What was that all about?" That's the first question I ask her.

"He didn't say anything to me either." She shrugs after speaking.

"Is it okay if I talk to him?" I ask her.

"It's up to you." I still know my way around this building, so I head to his office. I knock and wait for his permission before walking in.

"Hi, Lucas." I call out but he does not respond.

"I am in dire need of your help. It's a matter of urgency, else I won't come here. As much as you don't want this, I also don't but I really don't want to see years of hardwork crashing before my eyes. Please." It took every ounce of pride in me but I had no choice.

"Are you done?" He asks me, unmoved. I gasp in annoyance.

"Please leave my office." He says this without as much as giving me a glance.

"Please, Lucas. I need your help. I can't lose everything I worked for." He still doesn't act like I am speaking to him but it's okay. I swallow my pride and plea again.

"Please."

"I don't want you to come here again. You've been doing fine without my help. You couldn't possibly need it now. Please leave." I leave his office without looking back. To hell with him!

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LUCAS

Any other person would be startled at the bang of the door behind her but I am not. In fact, I am angry and I don't why I still feel this way towards her even after all these years. Who am I kidding? I fucking know why! She destroyed our friendship and the first time she gets to speak to me, she's suddenly requesting my help? No way!

I loosen my tie and fling it on the office seatee just by my right. The door swings open and in walks my mom, clearly annoyed.

"Lucas, you will apologize immediately for your actions." Give it to mom to want to exercise her control over me.

"No." I state calmly.

"You knew she would come. You fixed this meeting when you know that ordinarily, I would not agree to meet her. What were you thinking, mom?" I say, trying to control my utterance. The situation of things does not mean I get to disrespect her. She is still my mother.

"Look at it as business, nothing more." She suggests.

"Really? Business and she came along with her fiance?" I watch as a smirk appears on mom's lips before she burst out into laughter. A scowl immediately finds its way to my lips.

"So, tell me, dear son. What exactly is making you this way? Is it the fact that I invited her or the fact that she showed up with a man?" She asks, angling her head and squinting her eyes at me. What in God's name is mom saying?

"The fact that you invited her. Why else?" As she keeps laughing, I interrupt her.

"Mom, it's not funny." I state.

"You are jealous." She says with a straight face.

"I'm not."

"Yes, you are." She insists, rolling her eyes playfully.

"Whatever." I wave off.

"Promise you'll fix this?"

"I won't."

"Please, Lucas." Urgh, why mom?

"No."

"Do something, please."

"Alright. I'll try. I don't promise. I'll try."