Chapter 3: The Past

Evan rushed into Calian's office. His friend was startled to see him. "What are you doing here?" Calian asked him.

"Mirabella called me. She said something's wrong." Evan took a good look at him, trying to see what the problem could be.

Calian stared at nothing. He forced himself to sit down. Even in his moment of nostalgia and pain, he wasn't about to appear as if having lack of self-control.

"I'm fine," he said quietly.

"Says the man who's sweating under a powerful air conditioner? I think you should come up with better lies," Evan said, taking a seat.

"Believe me, I'm fine. Maybe Mirabella got the wrong impression," he insisted.

Evan supported his chin with his knuckles. "You remember how long we've been friends, right? It's been years, bro. I know you like the back of my hand."

"What does any of this have to do with your visit to my office?" Calian asked coldly.

"I'm letting you remember that no matter how cold you try to be with me, I still know you more than your parents." He gave his friend another long look. "Your eyes are looking wild. If you know yourself as much as you think you do, you'd also know that your eyes become wild whenever something bad happens."

Calian couldn't deny that Evan knew him more than anyone. No wonder they were so close. Seeing as there was nothing he could do to send this man away, he decided to tell him what really happened.

"You remember that Cassidy Bryan you recommended me to?" he started.

"Of course. Mirabella also told me she was here a few minutes ago," Evan said, adjusting his position in his seat.

Calian took a deep breath. "Do you remember the time in college when you asked me why didn't have a girlfriend?" Evan raised an eyebrow but nodded in the affirmative. "You remember what I told you about my ex, right? The girl I loved dearly but she broke up with me because she felt I didn't have enough money."

"Oh yeah, that bitch? I remember her. She's the reason you're scared to give anyone else a chance," Evan said.

"Well, that woman is Cassidy. I've always known her as Cassidy but her last name used to be Chase. That's why I didn't recognize the name at first." He put this face in his open hands.

Evan sighed. He went over to Calian's side of the table and gave him three pats on the back. "I understand how you feel, bro. Just calm down, alright? We can always find better a better one," he reassured him.

Calian nodded and gave the other man a weak smile. "Well, I can't sit around and sulk for the whole day, can I?" He glanced at his computer screen. "I still have a few interviews to conduct for the day. Let me get ready for them."

Evan took a moment to stare at his friend in admiration. One thing about Calian was that no matter what came his way, no matter how much he broke down, he always stood up to continue his strides.

"Then I guess I'll be going then," Evan said when he saw that his presence was no longer needed.

"Sure. You must have left a lot of work to be here. Thank you. But I'll tell Mirabella not to bother you with such unimportant matters next time," Calian replied.

Evan glared. "You dare not. And by the way, I like coming here. This place is so welcoming and comfy," he said as he left.

On hearing the door to her boss's office open and close, Mirabella quickly looked up expectantly. "How did it go?" she asked rapidly.

Evan flexed his muscles like a superhero. "Well, I've handled the situation. He's better now," he said and flashed her the kind of smile that made women swoon.

"Thank you so much. I'm grateful that you came when I called you," she said.

Evan stared at her, momentarily lost in her beauty. "I'd like you to come to dinner with me," he said suddenly.

Her heart fell. His request was no surprise to her but what baffled her was the circumstance in which he was asking. "I'm sorry but I keep refusing your proposal, what makes you think I'd have dinner with you?"

Evan licked his lips involuntarily. "I'm not asking you to be my girlfriend right now. I'm simply requesting for you to have dinner with me. I'd like to know you a little more," he pleaded.

For want of having him leave, she agreed.

~~~

Two hours later, the applicants started walking in and by the end of the day, Calian had interviewed four of them.

"Sir, you called for me," Mirabella said as she came into the office.

"Yes, I did. Take a seat." He folded his arms in his seat, staring at his laptop. "I haven't met anyone who seems to satisfy me."

For a moment, her mind flickered to something else. "I'm sorry, what? I mean, what do you mean?" she asked.

He gave her a weird look but answered her. "I mean the attorneys. None of them meet my standard," he explained. "You said these are the best out of the entire list?"

"Yes sir. No one else could beat them," she replied.

"Hmm. Well, I called you in here to ask if you have a particular one in mind so that I look into that person when I get home."

She played with her fingers. She didn't need to be told his reaction if she were to mention the person she favored the most.

"Mirabella, are you giving me an answer or not?"

"Um, I'm sorry but I don't have anyone in mind," she replied nervously.

"Very well then. I'll be closing for the day. Is it dismissal time yet?"

"No, it's not but we should be closing in about fifteen minutes."

He let out a breath. "Alright. Let me pack up first, but let me know when it's time."

"Alright, sir."