Path to Deciduous (Sequel to Road to Evergreen) | #Wattys2018

t w e n t y - t h r e e

"I'm actually going to read?"

"Why do you sound astonished?" He laughs. "Here's your first script." He places his hand over it that's placed on the desk. "I expect it to be on my desk at the office tomorrow, which is write across the hall. If you don't get to finish it today, take it home with you."

I nod. "Everyday, I'll run a script by you, and I'm expecting good results." He smirks. I bite down on my tongue stopping an insult to slip out. After all, this is work and I need to be professional. I watch as he returns to his office and sit in my chair, twirling around. I can't believe this happening. I feel like a fat kid being offered chocolate.

"Try turning to the left; it got a better kick." My eyes dart up to find a mid-aged woman with thick blonde hair and piercing brown eyes. I don't say anything, just nod and take a spin. She was right, it felt more easy.

"Thanks." I flash a smile. She makes her way from lurking to above to my cubicle and leans on the little wooden desk I have. "I'm Ursuala, by the way."

"Lesley."

"First day, eh?"

"Yup. An intern."

"I was an intern once." She says. I wait for her to continue as if the sentenced had more to it. But she stares blankly at me, feeling intimidated.

"Piece of advice. Don't try the vending machine. Got my money stuck up in their more times that I can count."

"And yet, you still drop money in there." I laugh. But she doesn't. My face falls.

"Says the girl who wears skirt the first day." She winks at me.

I frown looking down. It's a black pencil skirt that reaches just above my knees. "I thought it looks professional," I say, defensively.

She laughs. "Honey, the only professional thing you'd get out of it is Alberto fantasizing about you as you walk by his cubicle." She gestures toward the cubicle next to me and I lurk down, to find a guy with dark tanned skin and intense brown eyes. He meets my eyes and arches an eyebrow. Before I know it, he's standing beside me.

"New girl, huh?" It feels more of a statement than a question.

"Stay away from her, Alberto. I meant it," Ursula warns.

He chuckles. "Oh now, Ursula. You don't have to be jealous of her. You know you'll always have a special place in my heart." She shrugs him off and walks back her cubicle.

"Garrafa de agua na sua bunda." He says under his breath. I just stare at him dazed. "What did you just say?"

He smirks. "A water bottle up your ass."

I arch an eyebrow. "That's an odd thing." 

"Why?" He frowns. "It's better than to say 'fuck' or 'shit'. It gives a little uniqueness to it."

I nod. "Gaha de ago noso.." I try to imitate what he said. We spend the next ten minutes, him trying to teach me and I failing miserably. After that, I excuse myself and flip the script scanning it. I read the first page and last, and write notes of what I foreshadow the story to be. After reading thoroughly, I'm taken a step back. I feel my throat turn dry to the words splattered: the bombs may come from my country, but they are not my bombs.

It starts of with a wanderer, with one goal set and a backpack strapped on his shoulder. He watched the world grow as he grew in age. And after all the taste and scent he endured from his time around the Sahara desert, he got used to the dryness of the sand that kept him company through his journey. But then his world turned catastrophic. The accusation of one's fault haunting the entire country. So after all, the bombs may come from my country, but they are not my bombs. 

I scribble down a note at every chapter, predicting what might happen next. Sometimes I land it and the other time, I'm way off. I'm half way through the script as Alberto pops up to my cubicle. "Want to join for lunch? The cafeteria is on the second floor."

I debate at first but when my stomach growls, I toss the script aside and join him. I thought of giving Kyan a notice, but half an hour won't throw him off.

After standing in line and paying for my lunch, Alberto and I slip into a table on the side of the room, looking down on the street view. Ursula joins us and a couple of coworkers. My eyes dart up to a girl giggling, I scrutinise her from the sky high heels to the tiny white dress and hands tracing over a hand. I almost gasp as I watch Kyan wrap her hand around her waist and whisper something in her ear. She says something back and walks away, a smug on her face. He clears his throat and waits for his lunch turn.

Alberto catches me staring so he nudges me. "Não, meu amor. He's off limits."

I arch an eyebrow. "Why?"

"The CEO of our department has a thing for him. He's younger and obviously attractive. She'll fire your bunda if you come near him."

"I'm not interested." I frown at him.

"Besteira! Everyone is. Ask Ursula. She handed her bunda on the line for sleeping with her boss."

"Oh shut up, Al-hoe-rto," Ursula says. I bite down a laugh.

"Don't be such a puta, mamacita." He cuts her off and turns to me. "He's so into older woman."

"Glad you're enjoying your meal, Èclaire." I stand up so fast that I feel the world spinning. "What the hell, Kyan."

He laughs. "Now, now. No need to disrespect your boss."

I cross my arms and arch an eyebrow. "Asshole," I mouth. He chuckles. I nod in the direction of the blonde. "Moved on too fast, huh? And the CEO has a crush on you?" I gasp. "Cards flying everywhere. You'll forget about Trish in no time," I mock.

"You're so predictable." He says with a smug. "Why do you care?"

"I don't."

He laughs. "My wedding option is still up, in case you've changed your mind." He glances at Alberto and gives a wink to Ursula. "Enjoy your lunch." He says and I watch as he walks away and then slip in my seat next to Alberto. He just stares at me, taken off guard.

"Hold on. Èclaire?" He arches an eyebrow . "That's an awful nickname. And second of all, what wedding? You're going to marry him? Isn't it too soon for that perfect bunda of yours?"

I roll my eyes. "Garrafa de agua na sua bunda."

He laughs. "Fast learner. My best student so far." He turns to Ursula. "Do you hear that, meu amor? She's my best student."