The Acquaintance

Live in present is what my elders used to say but then what if the present was tied to the past you tried everyday to forget?

The past that was tied to me.

I thought if fate was a thing in real they will meet again at a divine timing.

And they did meet.

Today on 31 St July, 2021

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A fall doesn't define you, it's the very basis of gravity.

What defines you is,

If you decide to get up and fight adversity or stay rooted blaming it on your destiny.

As in palmistry it is rightly said.

Our left hand is that destiny we are born with, while our right hand shows the destiny we make.

And she will make sure she makes a masterpiece from it.

- suzangill©

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A girl walked down the halls of a skyscraper building.

Her eyes fixed on the floor, trying to ignore the feeling of being stared at.

Her unusual black hip length hair swaying with her hasty steps.

The files clutched tightly in her hands as she approached the reception.

She looked up to see the boy at the reception already staring at her.

Nervousness kicked in further but she tried to keep it down.

"Good morning ma'am ! How may I help you?"

His words were professional,but his body language said something else.

He was just like everyone else she thought.

Ignoring she cleared her throat.

"I am here for the interview. Can you please tell me where it is going on?"

The boy proceeded to say something but before he could chaos entered the sitting area.

Everyone's attention shifted towards the front door and she could see everyone running like crazy.

The boy in front of her had creases of worry on his forehead as he passed her an apologetic look.

"50 th floor ,first door to your right... please excuse me miss"

She didn't heard him quite well in the choas that surrounded.

Fifth or first door to your right....she thought.

"It's the fifth door?"

She asked following him but he was already busy collecting some files and giving some orders on the phone.

He nodded busy in his own world,not knowing that she had heard him wrong.

Nodding she left to take the elevator but not before looking back and wondering what the hell happened in just 5 minutes.

She waited for the elevator door to open,the people standing along with her busy talking in hushed tones.

She saw the two girls standing next to her and staring.

While saying something in each others ears.

Ignoring she sighed and looked at the numbers changing on the screen above.

As soon as the doors opened she proceeded to go inside.

The two girls followed and as soon as the doors closed they hurriedly pulled out lipsticks from their bags and started applying.

Pouting their lips and placing on blushes they were ready in a matter of few minutes.

But not before giving her a look and staring at her from top to bottom.

She didn't mind.

Instead leaning her head back against the elevator wall she took in deep breaths to bring down her nervousness.

The two girls vacated the lift first leaving her alone for a few seconds.

She wanted to scream to calm her insides but sadly this was not her home,this was a public place.

She proceeded out.

Her clicking pencil heels making sound as they made contact with the Italian tiles.

She saw people staring.

Again.

Not minding how much attention she was getting,she just hoped no one approaches her.

She would hate to be rude.

Moving further towards the hallway ,the loud voices in the sitting area turned lower.

The silence in the hall made her calm down and soon she stepped in front of the 5 th door.

Knocking she waited for the door to open.

Her eyes taking in as to how different this door was from others.

On getting no reply she turned the handle to see it unlocked.

Stepping inside she asked if anyone was inside.

Her eyes searched the room and soon she lost her voice.

The room was beautiful

A huge glass covered one of the walls , showing the breathtaking view below.

The room screamed wealth but not a single thing was over or unnecessary.

Her awe soon ended as she realised she may have evaded someone's privacy.

She was standing in someone's office without their permission.

Cursing herself she tried to leave.

But as soon as she moved back she saw a lot of people coming her way.

Her anxiousness sky rocketed as she instantly closed the door.

Her heart wildly beating in her chest as she searched for an escape

The voices were coming closer.

She had to do something.

If they find her here they may fire her before she is even interviewed.

Her scared eyes searched for a place to hide when she did the stupidest thing ever.

The table looked to be the only thing big enough to hide her frame,so under it is where she went.

Under it.

Her knees scraping in the pencil skirt as she crawled down the high table.

Her files still pressed tightly to her chest.

The door opened and that was it.

She was imprisoned in her own prison and there was no escape from this.

"Yes Sir ,the MU financers just accepted the papers.

They were really impressed by the offer"

Footsteps entered and that was the only thing she could see.

A pair of shining shoes and nice tailored trousers proceeded and everyone else followed.

"Get the papers ready,I want the deal done today itself."

The voice sent chills down her spine and the thumping in her heart worsened...the voice.....it was... familiar...there was something in it.

It's surprising how someone's voice alone can do so much to her, but why did she had her doubts.

He was not just someone.

She gulped as she saw the shinning shoes making way towards her.

She moved back further if possible.

Trying to ball into a much smaller form.

"The stock prices of MU are going to run a bull if this news leaks out. I want this deal done without anyone knowing about it.

Purchase 20% stake today itself."

"But Sir"

"Let me complete Mr Campbell. I hate it when you interrupt me time and again"

Silence followed and she could imagine the look on the other person's face.

"The news should not leak at any cost. Any discrepancy like last time can cost you your job this time."

"I understand Sir. You need not worry"

She saw the other person leaving.

Her stomach doing summersaults on realising she will be left alone with him.

The chair was pulled back and she saw the person getting seated.

His long legs moving towards her as he pulled forward the seat.

"Sir! I almost forgot! Today at 11 we are having an interview....if you could attend it will be really nice"

"Position?"

His authoritative voice again did the same thing inside her.

Her eyes saw his hand placed on his lap.

The expensive watch adoring his wrist.

The veins on his hands and arms, and the rolled up shirt

were all adding to his hotness.

She couldn't help what was happening to her.

But she knew one thing for sure,no one has ever attracted her to this extent and that also without even seeing his face.

"Marketing manager Sir,the position requires a really talented person who can take our sales to next level. Also your assistant position is vacant for quite some time...I was wondering that you could select someone from the applicants if ..."

There was silence for next few seconds.

She realised they were talking about their interview,the one she was also supposed to attend.

"Offcourse Sir I was just suggesting, it's completely upto you if you wished to attend.

I...I....will take my leave."

Next she knows the door was closed and she held her breath.

There was pin drop silence and she feared he may even hear her breath.

Few minutes passed and he didn't move or speak.

To only have his phone ring and she could feel it's vibrations above her head.

He silenced it but still it kept ringing again and again.

Cursing he did pick up the phone finally.

"What!"

"What the hell do I do if you are getting bored! I have a company to run Gloria.I swear if you interrupt me one more time I will break up with you!"

Break up...as in girlfriend

So he was already committed to someone.

She doesn't know why she felt bad.

He surprisingly calmed down next time he spoke.

He voice much gentler and understanding.

"See Gloria please try to understand I am not free

Can we talk later?"

"Si...bye"

She heard the phone being harshly thrown on the table.

She nearly grasped in surprise .

He was further extending his legs and she cornered further.

"I think he is right...I really need an assistant right now!

Hell I can't handle every damn thing on my own."

He was talking to himself and she again loved listening to his voice.

Now nearly half an hour had passed and she could feel her body getting sore.

He did his work silently not saying anything.

How many times she thought of poking his thigh and informing him of her presence,but she just couldn't dare.

Hoping for an easy way out.

But then it happened.

She had that urge to sneeze...her eyes fell on the carpet under her and she cursed.

Carpet dust!

Sh**! She was allergic to it! Using both her hands,she tried her best to suppress the sneeze but it was involuntary.

Her head hits the cardboard behind as she sneezes making her entire frame to shake along with it.

I am dead! Gone!What do I do!

But there was nothing left to do now. Her eyes widen when she saw his fists clench and next she knows,he pushed back his chair and looked below the table.

But what she saw was not expected.

He stared at her.

Her scared green eyes met the eyes that have invaded her dreams infinite times.

They eyes that attracted her like a magnet when they first saw him.

The most beautiful eyes she has ever seen.

The man she has loved more than herself,yet the man that hated her with his everything.

7 years back down the lane and it brought them here.

As mere acquaintance.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

He seethes in anger redefined and eyes burning in hate.

And that's when she knew, she has made the biggest yet most beautiful mistake of coming to his office today.

.....................................................

She freezes,her hand dropping down in shock,too numb to react.

While he stares at the girl who took away his everything.

The girl that destroyed that one person which meant the world for him.

No! No! This can't be happening! Anyone but him!!!

She screamed in her mind.But what use was it now,when her past looked back at her.

His eyes change from calm to disastrous in a second and it looked like he wanted to murder her the very instant.

But he kept his control, voice more of an authoritative figure than a hater.

"Get out"

He simply says but it scares the hell out of her.

She was so stupid to invade into someone's privacy... especially ......to his privacy.

Past surfaces in her mind and she lowers her eyes.

She doesn't even deserve to look at him.

She lost that right years ago and it still holds.

He hates her...more than anything.

And there was no one to blame except herself.

"I said get the hell out from under my table!"

She flinched this time, slowly coming out from her hideout.

He kept staring at her.

His angry eyes boring holes in her skull as she tried standing up .

Her right leg was numb,she couldn't feel it and as soon as she stood up her ankle twisted and she held his table for support.

His eyes travelled down to look at her heels.

His expression couldn't be deciphered.

Agitated, irritated, dislike or simply uninterested

She couldn't decide.

But one was evident in it... crystal clear..and that was hatred.

And why wouldn't it be....their past was more of a tragedy.

The past she is struggling to forget since last 10 years was standing in front of her.

"What the hell are you doing here!Who allowed you in?"

She looked up, trying to stand as straight as possible while bearing the fading pain in her thighs.

Her eyes met his and she couldn't help gawk at his beautiful features like every other women.

He looks more handsome than before. That subtle beard...that pointed nose.

Look down! Don't look dammit!

He stood at 3 feets distance from her,his hands crossed in front of his chest as he scrutinised her.

"Ethan?....here....No one...I am really sorry... don't get me wrong...I swear I had no bad intentions.

I just happen to come here by mistake...I was going back only when I heard people approaching.

It scared me so I just...."

He didn't say anything,but she could see that he was not convinced.

She gulped and he stepped forward.

"So you hid under my table, listened to my private conversations,intrude my privacy and then you have the audacity to say you are sorry? Nothing new though...what else could be expected from you..... Vivian?"

The way he said her name sent chills down her sline

Her head held down in embarrassment.

Her past was never going to leave it ...he was sure of this.

"When did you come out from the Jail anyways. I thought you will rot there in hell forever....ahh your family.....they must have taken pity on you....princess?"

Her heart beats rapidly in her chest. Don't cry! Don't cry ! We have already suffered so much

He is intending to hurt you... don't show Vivian.

"2.... years back....I...was released"

She manages to whisper and he scoffs.

Enjoying seeing her scared and vulnerable like this.

"You are lucky princess. I don't do revenge or you would have preferred jail over it."

She gulps. He was stopping himself. She could see it ,or till now she would have come after her....but he didn't.

"Anyways I can never be like you. Seeing your face definitely ruined my day."

He said and sighed , stepping away from her.

Moving around the table,he picked up the landline and decided to call the security.

She realised what he was doing and her eyes widen.

Running towards him she harshly pulled the phone from his hand.

Her audacity taking him by surprise.

"I am sorry..okay..I was just here for the interview. I didn't knew...I will see you here...I just messed up with the room number okay.

You don't have to make a mountain out of a molehill. This is a petty matter okay.

I am sorry.....I didn't knew this was your office...sorry okay..."

She thought it was the right time to run.

Placing back his phone on the table she decided to leave.

Praying he doesn't stop her.

But how wrong she was.

She hadn't taken one step further when he stood in her way and pushed her back, making a gasp to leaves her lips

Caging her between the table and his body.

His cologne short circuited her senses and she could feel her cheeks burning up.

Still the same....it felt like yesterday.

His husky voice spoke making her hands to shake and throat to dry out.

"Petty matter ? You have heard our inside information. If leaked it can cost billions."

Her eyes widen.

What the actual hell!!

"I...I won't share..I promise"

He smiled while stepping back from her.

Looking at her with disbelief.

"Promise? What a mockery on the word coming from your lips Vivian. Now shut up bit** before I decide to charge you with inside trading and make you land back in that pathetic jail you came from."

The word bit** pierces right through her heart...he was serious though. He can do it. She has no doubts regarding that.

"What? No seriously you can trust me......I won't tell anyone"

His jaw hardened.

Again entrapping her,he whispered while pressing a button behind her.

"You know there are two rules I have about trust."

She gulped avoiding his eye contact.

"First : Trust no one but family"

His breath hit her ear and she had goosebumps all over her.

His eyes fixed on her while she tried avoiding his stare.

"Second: Never trust the one that has betrayed your trust once."

This time she looked up at him.

His eyes boring holes into her

....wishing her nothing but misfortune and destruction.

Just like she had destroyed him....destroyed her...

"I...am sorry Ethan...what happened..all those years back.....I ....beg for your apology...I can't bring back anything....but...I...."

"Are you done?"

Her mouth opens and closes in shock as he pushes her back suddenly , pinning her on the table.Eyes orbs of fury.

"One. It's not Ethan for you.... it's Sir. And second what you did to her Vivian...I can never forgive it."

Her eyes plead but he continues.

"Even if you beg on your knees....even if you spent your entire life repenting....even if you die in front of my eyes Vivian Klein..."

"I won't be forgiving you. Not in this lifetime atleast."

Tears stream down her eyes, is this how much he hated her right now?

But he was right...why won't he? Even she hated herself for it.

If only that night had not happened, if only.

Pushing her back he steps back from her, looking at her from top to bottom in disgust.

The security enters and he nods at them.

Her eyes fixed on the ground and tears streaming down.

"Check her properly. Confirm from the person at the reception who sent her in and fire him.And after that...."

He stops to look at her one last time.

"Escort her out this building."

The security people nodded and asked her to follow them.

"Eth-....Sir please!"

He completely ignored her,not paying heed and she felt her heart beating rapidly.

"Ma'am come"

The guard says, her eyes begging him to look at her once.

But he sits on his seat and continues his work.

She had nothing to hide, agreeing to follow them she took one last look at his beautiful face.

He doesn't care about you Vivian...he doesn't care.

He is not your Ethan anymore......you lost him that night along with everything else.

She made her way outside with the security by her sides..

Hoping one day comes when he forgives her..... because untill then she will never be able to forgive herself.

...................................................

While she left the office ,he couldn't help look back up at her retreating back.

She looked exceptionally beautiful now after all these years.

He has met many beautiful girls before,but her beauty was just not comparable.

Unlike others who ran after beauties,he ran after beautiful hearts.

And once he did think she had a golden one...to only unveil it to see it covered in tar.

Dark and evil.

The mistake she did can never be forgiven.

And he slams his fists on the table, remembering the past he has tried so hard to forget.

Forgive me Sophie. Forgive me for it.

His eyes stopped on something that was not present earlier on his table.

Picking up the file he looked at her passport size photograph.

Name: Vivian Klein

Degree: Masters in economics and psychology

Position applied: marketing

He stopped reading .

Ofcourse she was going to use her face as a marketing tool.

After all marketing is all about appearance and attracting clients

And she knows well about her assets.

He was going to close her file. Not considering her worth of a second thought let alone a look.

But stopped when he saw the last lines.

Why you want to apply for this position?

"Majority promote what they see,but I promote what I feel.

No matter how beautiful our product appears,it would still lack this feel.

Outer beauty may attract once but it's only the inside beauty that attracts for a lifetime.

And I wish to make our product beautiful from both outside and inside "

His heart suddenly started beating faster in his chest.

He just couldn't believe she wrote these words.

The second last para...he said these words to her.

What a manipulate bit** she is.He thought.

For someone to write something of this sort,they must first feel what a ugly person feels.

But how could she know?

Staring back at her beautiful face in the picture.

It was another game of hers,he knows.

Crumbling the piece of paper,along with her photo. He throws it into the bin.

Just like he threw her out of his life all these years ago.

She deserves it.

Was all he said, Continuing with his work.

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Oh my dear Ethan if only you knew it was no one but yourself,that you were fooling.

Vivian deserves this you say? But when was life fair. Did I deserve the fate I got back ,all those years?

I forgave her long time ago ,I just hope my best friend you forgive her too

Because.

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"It's okay to judge a person by his/her mistakes,

But remember the same mud that grows cactus is equally capable to flower a lotus as well."

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