Randy and Anya went back to the studio to announce the good news to everyone. “Everyone, we got the project!” Anya happily said to her employees.
There was a bunch of cheers and congratulations, and everyone’s faces were full of smiles. “And for that, I’m treating everyone to a hearty meal tonight!” Anya added and she heard the cheers of her employees once again. She turned to Randy and her two assistants who had been with her when the studio was still starting.
The two girls were nearly in the point of tears and Anya can’t help but chuckle. But she too felt very emotional at the moment. She approached them and hugged them both.
The girls laughed and cried at the same time, but they quickly composed themselves.
“We should be happy! Gosh, come on! Let’s get in with the celebration before we drown in tears here.” Anya announced once again.
Her whole team and her employees got ready and headed out. They chose a restaurant near them and started a happy get together.
The shop became full packed because of them. They ordered barbeques and finger foods. They also ordered a lot of drinks, and the people started a hearty and cheerful meal when their order was served.
Chatters and laughs filled the place and Anya happily chatted with her staffs.
Randy, on the side, was toasting from time to time but he was unusually quiet. Jessie noticed this and asked him gently.
“You’re quiet.” She noted and handed him a drink.
Randy turned to her and stared at her for a moment. Because of his mission, he deliberately became close to this woman, until they really formed a good relationship. Jessie was a really sweet and nice woman, she was a breath of fresh air to him.
Suddenly, there was a heavy knock inside his head. ‘This is not part of your mission.’
Randy clenched his jaw silently. That’s right. He had Veronica. She promised to be with him after this, and she was the woman he really loved.
Randy reasoned out to himself as he took a big gulp from the drink in front of him. As he swallowed, the drink washed away the remaining feelings in his heart and he became determined.
‘It’s time to end this all.’
“Jessie, I have something I want to tell you. Let’s talk outside?” Randy asked Jessie as he turned to her.
Jessie was taken a back by his sudden request. But she still nodded and smiled at him. The two of them excused from the crowd and to Anya. Anya turned towards them and eyed them inquisitively.
Jessie’s cheeks burned from Anya’s gaze and she just lowered her head.
Looking at the shy woman, Anya turned to Randy, but his face was just serious. She found it weird but she doesn’t plan to meddle with their business so she allowed them to be excused. Randy led Jessie to the back of the restaurant, and the two of them stood in the dim alley with only the post and the moon shining upon them.
“What do you want to talk about?” Jessie asked softly. She stared at the man she had admired from the first time she met him. and she was the happiest when he showed interest with her as well. They had built a close relationship overtime, and they were officially seeing each other.
Well, that was how Jessie sees it.
Randy sighed deeply in his heart and faced Jessie bravely. “Jessie, I’m sorry.” These were the words that first came out.
Because that was his true feelings. He was sorry for dragging this pure and innocent woman to his mess. And now, he was about to hurt her.
“Why are you apologizing?” Jessie said with a smile, but it gradually diminished as she saw Randy’s expression.
What does he mean by this?
“I want to end this.” Randy said in one breath. He closed his eyes as he lowered his head. He could just turn away and leave her hanging. But he chose to tell her and say good bye personally. It was the least he could do.
Jessie froze in her place as she stared at Randy. Her heart dropped with his words, but as she saw his lowered head, the questions in her heart was swallowed away.
Why?
What did I do wrong?
Is there something you’re dissatisfied with? I could change it.
All of these were the whispers in her heart, but looking at the man before her, she knew Randy would not answer any of this.
“You won’t tell me the reason, is it?” She could only speak as she laughed self-depreciatingly. Randy clenched his hands as his heart was twisted, almost in pain.
Why was he feeling this way? Is this because his guilty?
Randy didn’t understand, but he knew this was the end. He breathed a long breath and whispered his last words.
“I’m sorry.” He turned back immediately after that, not wanting to look at Jessie’s face again. He walked straight, each steps were heavy and steady, no plans on turning back.
Jessie watch his leaving back, and a tear escaped her eyes.
.
.
.
The place was dark, and slowly, the door was opened. Footsteps sounded as it trailed towards the office in the far end.
With a click, the office’s door opened, and someone entered. In a cabinet situated across the room, the drawer was dragged open, and a bunch of files can be seen.
Randy stared at the document. He had come this far, so there was no turning back. He had ended everything anyway, there was nothing waiting for him in this place.
He took the documents with a dark expression, and his eyes glinted. ‘This is it.’
.
.
After taking the documents for the Prime Project, Randy went to a condo unit together with the documents in his hands.
When he entered, he smelled the strong scent of wine and perfume, and he knew she was already here.
“Veronica.” He called out.
Veronica turned to him and Randy saw the woman he was fascinated again. He did all of these things for him, and now, he had accomplished his mission.
“These are the documents.” He said softly. His heart was still down, but like a man being bewitched, he easily handed Veronica the documents.
Veronica took the documents with eyes like eyeing a treasure. Finally, that woman’s demise is in her hands.
A wicked laugh came out of her as she smiled victoriously.
Randy stared at the woman he loved, who he thought was very pure and charming. But right now, he can’t help but think he was seeing a different person.
Veronica kept the documents in her bag safely and turned towards Randy. Her previous loving expression to him became vile.
Randy did not have a chance to catch up her sudden change of expression when he heard the words that shattered his being.
“You’re really a disgusting person, are you?” Veronica smirked as she eyed the man before her with disdain.
“You easily betrayed those people, how vile! So admirable and.. disgusting.” Veronica spit the words like venom.
Randy was finally shook from his core.
“What do you mean by that? I did it for you!” He can’t help but exclaim. Veronica laughed amusedly as she waved her purse to him.
“That’s right. Now thanks to you, I can finally ruin that woman who snatched my man back.” Veronica’s eyes were glowing with wickedness and an evil smile sported her lips.
“What do you mean? Your promise, you still remember it right?” Randy asked in panic and tried to approach her.
Veronica’s eyes held mocking as she scoffed at him.
“Oh, you mean when I said I’ll be with you? Randy, you stupid dog, did you really believe that?”
Her words felt like a bomb for Randy and he blanked. No. she promised. She clearly said she loved him.
“Look at you and look at me. Do you think you’re worthy of someone like me? You’re just a pathetic and disgusting man. And you have been fooled too.” Veronica added mercilessly as she laughed. She started her steps towards the door and turned towards Randy when she remembered something.
She looked around the unit and said compassionately at him.
“Oh by the way, you can have this cheap place. It’s my alms to you. Because after this, you won’t be showing your face in front of me ever again.”
The woman before Randy felt like a stranger. The sweet and coquettish woman who clung to him was no where to be found. She clearly resembled a witch.
He never thought he would be fooled by the woman he loved. He had done everything for her, even betrayed innocent people. But he swallowed all his conscience for her. but what he received is only this.
Veronica gave one last smirk at Randy as she finally took her leave.
Randy was left inside the dim room, just as dim as his life and heart. He felt everything around him shattered, and he saw nothing but darkness and void.