5A/N: Hello, it's been a long time since I submitted a story to FP. To those who are at least curious about my previous works, feel free to check them from my profile. You'll see that there's been a drastic change in my writing style. Anyway, this story was written in a burst of inspiration - I don't know if I'll actually continue writing it. It depends, haha. R/R, thanks for taking the time to read this, guys!
YESTERYEARS' CHRISTMAS WEDDING
Prologue
Year 2002, December 23
"Hey, look, it's Pooch!"
Pooch? Oh, that was the nickname everyone called him at work because his name was Douglas.
"Pooch, how ya' doin', man! Didn't see you in the office this morning. Hey, hey, ya' heard the news?"
"Yeah, Pooch, fancy meeting you here! Helga's been on my back too damn often these days, I haven't had time to sneak out..."
"Honestly, man, give the guy some space. Order up, buddy, drink's on me!"
Voices. All he heard were voices. He couldn't understand what they were saying. The current state of his mind didn't allow him to decipher their words; just that they were talking and he was nodding and saying whatever to keep them happy.
Where was he, exactly? What was he doing here?
Oh, yeah. It had been a month since Ami up and left him. No, wait - since Ami resigned and left her job as his secretary. It had been five lousy months of unproductiveness for his small self-established computer design company; he had notified the want ads agency about the available position but for some reason he hadn't been able to hire a secretary who was just right for the job. They were either too bookish, or too fussy with their looks, or they just wanted to seduce him and sleep with him. He couldn't hire them, they just weren't like Ami.
Ami... His eyebrows furrowed together as he remembered that one night when it all just fell apart.
"Mr. Rancouve, I'd like to hand in my resignation." Rumina's soft but firm voice rang clearly throughout the small president's office of RCouve's Computer Designs. Outside the closed window panes, the chirp of a cricket in the damp night accentuated her announcement.
Douglas Rancouve looked up from the invoices stacked neatly on his table. After a pause, he chuckled. "You got me. Well, thanks for making me laugh as congratulations on getting that deal with HVN, Ami."
"No, Mr. Rancouve," Rumina said, her dark green emerald eyes not wavering from her boss's. "I really am handing my resignation right now. I won't be coming in tomorrow morning."
Douglas continued to sit in his swivelling chair, contemplating his secretary of more than two years with uncertainty. He had hired her on account of her skills and level-headedness. He knew that Rumina Mayings was a rational, logical, and practical if not slightly aloof woman. She was smart; surely she knew herself that she had a good job with good pay and benefits here in his company?
Douglas kept his voice light as his mind whirred on about the possibilities of her decision. "May I know the reason as to this sudden development, Ami?"
Rumina hesitated a bit, gathering her inner strength. "Mr. Rancouve, do you remember the rules you stated two years ago, before you hired me as your secretary and assistant for RCouve's Computer Designs?"
"Rules...?" Douglas thought back to two years ago, when he'd just broken free from his past and struggled to make his own mark in the designing business. He had been badly disillusioned and betrayed by his former business partner, who had stolen his work, his money, and his trust in the female species. He had spent the next months picking up the pieces of his former self. He had interviewed all the applicants for his new business himself. He remembered meeting Ami then - a simple and homely looking new graduate who had shown quiet but strong resolve for the job she was applying for.
"Yes. You were very specific about those rules. You said that you wouldn't tolerate any rule-breaking; and I could only wish to get the job if I were willing to accept those rules entirely."
Douglas leaned back in his chair, starting to nibble on the eraser of a pencil. "Of course. First, you must be able to work flexibly at any time of the day without complaints. Second, you have to make sure that there's good coffee ready each morning before I come in. Third rule, everything regarding the company must be reported firstly to me and only me. And the last rule, no office relationships." He put down the pencil. "I remember the rules I stated, Ami, but I don't remember you breaking any one of those. So why?"
"Mr. Rancouve, I have worked together with you for the past two years. I believe that I have contributed to the success of this company, and that I've done a good job. You have been a fair boss and have taken good care of me all this time."
"Which is why I don't understand why you have a resignation letter in your hands."
Rumina took a deep breath, and when she spoke, her voice was wavering. "Don't you see? I have broken a rule. I've fallen in love with you, Mr. Rancouve." She walked to the table and quickly placed the resignation letter on it with finality. She stepped back and cleared her throat, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I know that my feelings will never be returned. I know that you only consider this kind of feeling to be a nuisance and an impediment in our work."
"Ami-"
"I don't want to be hurt, Mr. Rancouve!" Rumina's voice was shrill. "I have to get away from you. That's why I want, no; need to resign from this job."
Douglas couldn't speak after her fervent declaration. He considered Rumina as his close friend and a great helping hand in his company, but she loved him...? He stared at the letter on his desk. The words written on it were bold and large. "I... I see."
Four seconds ticked on his wristwatch as his brain tried to process the exact implication of the situation. When he looked up, Rumina was gone, the faint wisp of her perfume lingering in the small room.
And just that evening when he had arrived home, a lavender scented envelope was in his mailbox. The contents had left him in shock and confusion, and he hadn't known what else to make of it; so here he was in the local bar, huddled at the farthest stool in the corner nursing his third vodka.
It was just his luck, though, when two of his employees had entered the bar and spotted him. They hadn't seemed to notice his unsociable behaviour and near-drunken state, because they had immediately chatted him up.
Douglas wasn't really aware what was being said, but a name came up in the other two's conversation that caught his attention and roused him from his memories back to the present.
"...really a surprise, Rumina is. I worked with her for a year, and she never even mentioned she was seeing someone."
"Right," one of the other guys replied. "And then this happens. Didn't she resign just a few months ago? Sent a fancy wedding invitation to Helga this morning that smelled all weird like what them old ladies wear. She always seemed cool and robot-like at work, ya' know? But turns out she isn't after all, since she's getting married!"
The two laughed, and started to order drinks from the bartender.
Taking a swig that emptied his glass, Douglas' voice was hollow as he murmured, "Yeah... Ami's getting married."
A Christmas wedding, huh, he thought with mixed feelings.
He wasn't sure why, but he sure as hell wasn't going to attend that wedding.
to be continued...(?) thanks for reading!