"Hi, Vicky," Mirabel said softly. Vicky turned around, and his eyes widened as he took in Mirabel's stunning appearance. She wore a long red dress, her lips were pink and soft, her hair was perfectly arranged, and her eyes shone like moonlight. "Miss Mirabel," Vicky stammered.
"Why so formal?" Mirabel asked, approaching him slowly. Her beauty shone elegantly as she walked. She placed her hands on her face and said, "Call me beautiful."
Vicky's eyes sparkled, and he shivered. His heart beat fast, and his cheeks turned red. "But... you..." Mirabel interrupted him, placing her right index finger on his lips. "Vicky dear, don't spoil the moment."
Vicky's heart beat even faster as Mirabel placed both hands on his face. She leaned her body against his and moved her lips closer to his. "What's happening?" Vicky asked, his words clearer than before.
"Don't spoil the moment, dear," Mirabel said, leaning in even closer. As she leaned in more, Vicky's eyes widened, and his mind became peaceful.
Just then, "Vicky! Vicky! Vicky!" Caroline cried out. Vicky suddenly fell down from his bed, his face filled with saliva. He stood up almost immediately and saw Caroline at the entrance of his room.
"Mum?" Vicky said, still trying to recall what had happened before he fell down. "Aren't you supposed to go somewhere? It's Monday. Don't you have work?" Caroline asked.
Vicky's eyes widened. "Holy sh*t, I... But Mum, you shouldn't have troubled yourself. I would have woken up myself. Your leg isn't doing well."
"Shut up!" Caroline shouted. "If I didn't come here, you would still be in bed. Vicky, it's fifteen minutes past seven."
"Holy sh*t!!!!!!!" Vicky exclaimed, placing both hands on his head. He quickly rushed to the bathroom but immediately returned to help his mother back to her room. She resisted, instructing him to get ready, but he persisted until she finally gave in.
Meanwhile, in the Journals, Mirabel assembled all her staff in the boardroom. She was going to share the good news she had received on Saturday. She waited a while in her office, preparing some documents while the others waited for her.
"Yo, where's the newbie?" Ethan inquired, his voice soft and tiny.
"Yeah, that's right. Hasn't he arrived?" Tyrone asked, scanning the whole room.
"Lucy, where's your hero?" John asked. "How would I know? It's not like I keep him in my house or something," Lucy replied.
"Why won't you know? You stalk him all the time," Rick said, his deep voice echoing across the room.
"Hey, watch it," Lucy said in an angry tone.
"Guys, stop arguing," Maya said. "Dianne, any word from him? He ought to have been here by now. As you know, Mirabel doesn't tolerate lateness," Mason said.
"I haven't heard from him. Maybe he's stuck in traffic," Dianne replied.
"Hey Lucy, give him a call," Rick suggested.
"Why me? Can't anybody else do it?" Lucy replied.
"Yes, we can, but we don't want your ranting. We may call him now, and you will get angry," Mateo said.
"What do you mean?" Lucy asked.
"Guys, enough. Stop acting like kids," Maya said. "Dianne, please call him," Mason requested.
"No problem," Dianne said, just then Mirabel entered the room. "Good morning, everyone. Sorry for taking your time," Mirabel said in a happy tone.
"No problem," Sofia replied.
"Okay then, I called you all today for a very important reason. I—"
"Sorry, ma'am. Before you continue, I want to make an important call," Dianne interrupted.
"To who?" Mirabel asked.
"Vicky," Lucy said, immediately covering her mouth. The whole team sighed and scowled at Lucy, who lowered her head.
"Vicky? Why call him? Isn't he here?" Mirabel asked, looking around the room. She noticed Vicky was absent and turned her gaze to Dianne.
"Didn't you inform him that I don't like late coming?" Mirabel asked.
"I did, but I don't know why he isn't here yet. Maybe he's stuck in traffic or something popped up. He seems really responsible," Dianne said, trying to persuade Mirabel.
"You don't judge a book by its cover. He's talented, but why can't he be punctual? It's his first Monday in the office," Mirabel said, pausing for a while. She checked the time on her wristwatch. "Eight o'clock, and he isn't here. He..." She paused again as the door opened. Vicky entered, his entire body engulfed in sweat.
"I'm so sorry, I lost track of time," Vicky said, his voice shallow.
"You lost track of time? What was so important that you arrived at this time?" Mirabel asked.
"Dreaming about you," Vicky said, and all eyes in the room immediately rested on him. "What did he just say - dreaming of Mirabel?" Mirabel's voice was harsh.
"Excuse me, what did you just say?" Mirabel asked.
"I came late because I was held in the dream by you. Believe me when I say that ever since I had that interview with you, I have gone crazy. Your beautiful eyes, your elegant face, your long coily hair, and your pink wet lips have made me crazy," Vicky said.
Mirabel pulled Vicky by his arm, and he regained himself. "Erm... I am so sorry. I promise it will never happen again. Please pardon my lateness just this time. It won't repeat itself."
"Ma'am, pardon him. It's his first day. It won't happen again," Mason said, stepping in to support Vicky.
Mirabel sighed, took a look at Vicky, who seemed lost in her eyes again. "Don't repeat this mistake," she said.
"I won't," Vicky replied immediately. "Go on, have a seat," Mirabel said.
Vicky took a deep breath and proceeded to take his seat. Lucy waved at him to sit beside her, but he didn't notice, so he sat beside Dianne. This left a sad expression on Lucy's face.
"Okay, I called you all today to tell you an important piece of information," Mirabel continued. "I'm so elated to say that after weeks of no proposals, we finally got one."
The whole room erupted in cheers and applause.
"Which company?" Dianne inquired, a broad smile on her face.
"The Souvenirs. As you all know, they deal with creating gadgets and apps that help people remember specific events. They recently created a digital note-taking app called Jot It. This app helps users jot down information and notes that serve as memories for them to go back to," Mirabel explained.
"Wow, this is such great news," Sarah said.
"Yes, but we have just two weeks to work on the ad and present it to them. So, we have to work hard and work with pace," Mirabel said.
"No problem, we'll do our best," Mason said.
"Vicky, can I count on you?" Mirabel asked.
"With the help of the entire team, you can definitely count on me. I will do my best," Vicky replied.
"Okay, so I'm giving you guys just three days to come up with the ad idea. When you're done, you pitch us the idea, and then we move on with the rest of the proceedings," Mirabel said.
"No problem, we'll do our very best," Jimmy said.
"Okay, with that being said, you can all return to your workstations. Vicky, you wait behind," Mirabel said.
Vicky's heart skipped a beat. "Oh my God, why me?" he thought to himself.
The others left the office, and Mirabel turned to Vicky, who was standing opposite her.
"Vicky, please don't mess this up. This is our very first shot at getting back on track. I am really counting on you," Mirabel said.
"Don't worry, I will do my very best," Vicky replied.
"Thanks... You can go now. You may return to work, and please don't come late again," Mirabel said.
"I won't," Vicky said as he left the boardroom.
"I hope we pull this through," Mirabel said to herself.