I rush out of the office, excited to get to Absolem and work on my master plan.
Victor stops me at the elevator. "Don't be disheartened Malitz. Aaron was just skeptical."
"I know, he doesn't know me yet. But I shall not give up." I said with my eyes glistening. He looked at me hopefully. He gave me the kind of look parents give their kids when they know they are being delusional but they don't want to be the bearer of bad news and burst their imagination bubble.
"I cannot expect you to believe me, but I will work this out." I told Victor.
"Alright Malitz. You do your thing. Good luck." he smiles.
The elevator dings and opens.
"Before you go, would you like to hang out sometime? The last time didn't go so well. I want to make it up to you" he said.
'Why. Don't you have Meghan to go to? Aren't you seeing her? Is this some sort of joke to you? Am I a joke to you?'
"Um.. Victor. I'd love to. But two things. One. You're seeing Meghan and two. I am a little occupied." I say, feeling almost insulted.
"Wait what? I'm not seeing Meghan." He defends.
"Well, she likes you and from the looks of today's meeting, you do too. You guys would look great, walking into the sunset together." I blurt. I couldn't believe I just said that.
"You've misunderstood me Sofia" he said sounding serious.
"I really have to go" I say and get into the elevator. He looks at me as the door closes and just before it does, he puts his hand in between and the door opens again. He gets in and I look at him, shocked. His guts I tell you.
"Look Ms. Malitz" he starts, 'Why did he always call me that?', "I don't like her, I like you. And with your permission, I'd like to take you out."
The last line brought out memories.
"You don't have to tell me your answer now, think about it." He said and walked out when the elevator door opened, leaving me to my thoughts.
I walk out and increase pace. I had to get to Absolem quickly. I hear Hilda calling out my name.
"Girl, what's going on with you and Victor?" she asks me looking suspicious.
"Nothing" I tell her normally, "Why, what's up?"
"What's up is Victor defending you in front of Aaron, I heard them talk. I did not hear everything, but I did hear the important part. Has he confessed to you or something?"
"Wait, what? Tell me everything! But fast, I have to get to Absolem."
"Not Absolem again Sof! You gotta stop being a grandma" she says. I shoot a dirty look at her. "I'm listening, go on."
"Ugh. Alright." She says. "I was passing by Aaron's cabin and Victor was in, he was defending your idea and was asking Aaron to use his influence to talk to her, of course Aaron being Aaron, did not budge, but that's not the point"
What? Victor had defended me?
"Thanks Hilda, talk later okay?" I say and run.
I get onto my scooter and drive as quickly as I could. Thinking about what Victor had just did. As I thought about it, I realized that I had relied on the visions and assumed it was true or their past. Was everything true about Victor? I didn't know. Besides, he was always nice to me. Did I make a mistake?
I reach Absolem and almost trip over it as I get off. I couldn't contain my excitement. I could already imagine my plan working out.
Victor's words were running at the back of my mind. I postponed the issue for another time. I got that ability through Adam. He taught me how to procrastinate like a pro, but in a good way. It helped me calm down and think rationally when I panicked.
I quickly ran through the register and found the one I was looking for, Ivan Radcliffe. I made a note of his address. I then took out a piece of parchment and wrote down whatever I needed to tell him.
"Dear Ivan,
Hope you're doing well. I am writing this to ask a favour of you.
I know this is a long shot but I want to try regardless. The company
I work for, Mandrake Press, is promoting the book release of
Catherine Russo's biography. Recently, it has come to my notice that
Miss Catherine and you are on extremely good terms with each other.
Since it is a huge event of her book launch it would be amazing if she
could make time of her busy schedule and grace us and her audience with
her presence. I really hope you'd recommend her to attend this event.
It would mean a lot to us and all her fans.
Hoping to see you and miss Catherine at the event at Literarium.
Yours humbly,
Malitz."
I wrote it in the neatest handwriting I could and signed it beautifully. Put it in one of the envelopes I made and wrote his address on the back side. I could have easily sent a text or an email, but I wanted it to be more personal. I loved writing letters, it had an old school touch to it. Typically describing who I was.
I noticed his address wasn't far from where I was right now so I decided to drop it in his mailbox myself. Maybe we would bump into each other.