A new day dawned at the journals, filled with anticipation and tension as the deadline loomed. Mirabel walked into the office, dressed in a black gown that fell just above her knees, her hair neatly styled upwards, and her face radiant as ever. She strode towards the reception, her heels clicking softly on the floor.
"Good morning, Lucy," Mirabel greeted.
"Good morning, ma'am," Lucy replied.
"Has everyone arrived?" Mirabel asked.
"Yes, everyone has arrived except Vicky," Lucy replied, hoping to provoke a reaction from Mirabel. However, Mirabel simply shook her head and headed towards her office.
"Annoying... I wonder what Vicky sees in her," Lucy muttered under her breath, her tone laced with irritation.
Mirabel settled into her seat, picked up her phone to check the time, and then dropped it back onto the desk. "This guy always finds new ways to get on my nerves. I hope he's not planning anything foolish," she thought to herself.
Just then, Vicky's voice echoed from downstairs. "Hey, everyone! May I have your attention, please?"
"What's he up to?" Mirabel wondered, quickly making her way downstairs.
"Vicky, what's going on?" Jimmy asked, tugging on his right arm.
"Don't worry, you'll see," Vicky replied. "Everyone, please move towards the staircase. When Mirabel arrives, you all slowly move away, okay?"
"Why? What are you up to?" Dianne asked.
"Please, just do it," Vicky insisted, folding his arms.
The group moved towards the stairs, except for Lucy, who watched from a distance, curious about Vicky's plan. As Mirabel reached the bottom of the stairs, they parted to let her through. Their eyes met, Vicky's gaze gentle and loving, Mirabel's curious and happy.
"Mirabel, my words can't express how much love I have for you," Vicky began. "I stayed up all night composing this song for you, my love."
Mirabel took a step back, but Vicky drew closer with each step, his presence making her heart pound. He cleared his throat and began singing:
"Oh baby, oh baby, oh baby, I really really love you... Oh baby, my sweet baby, I really really love you..."
He paused, then dropped to his knees, moving his body to the rhythm, his eyes closed. "Oh baby, oh baby, I really really love you... My words can't express it... If I tried, I would just blabber... But I want you to know that my heart beats for you and only you..."
Mirabel interrupted him, her voice sharp. "Vicky, stop this nonsense." The others gasped, including Vicky, who opened his eyes wide in shock.
"What's all this?" Mirabel continued. "I expected more from you. This is absolutely immature. I'm really disappointed. The song is irritating, and your voice... Please return to your workstations, and Vicky, never try this again."
A sharp smile crossed her face as she turned to head back upstairs.
"Oh baby, I love you," Jimmy sang out, mocking Vicky.
"What the hell were you thinking, dude?" he chuckled.
The group laughed as they dispersed, returning to their offices. Dianne walked up to Vicky, who was still on his knees.
"If I were in Mirabel's place, I would have given you a tight slap," Dianne said. "This was truly a foolish idea."
"I thought it would put a smile on her face," Vicky replied, standing up.
"It was an epic fail," Dianne teased, turning away. "Oh baby, I love you," she sang, laughing as she left Vicky alone.
Vicky covered his face with his hands, shaking his head, and slowly walked to his office. As he approached the door, he bumped into Rose, who seemed devastated.
"Sorry," Vicky said, but Rose didn't respond.
"Rose, are you alright?" Vicky asked, concern etched on his face. Still, she didn't reply.
"Rose!!!" Vicky called out again, this time louder. Rose shook, and then she responded.
"Vicky," she whispered.
"Rose, what's wrong? Are you alright?" Vicky asked, his concern growing. Without a word, Rose gave him a tight hug.
Vicky gently pulled Rose back, concern etched on his face. "Rose, what's wrong?" he asked again.
Rose's eyes welled up with tears as she apologized. "I'm sorry, Vicky. I didn't mean to... I just..." She trailed off, her voice barely above a whisper.
For a moment, she considered telling Vicky about Rufus's death, about the pain and grief that had been weighing her down. But something held her back. Maybe it was the fear of burdening him, or maybe it was the fear of breaking down in front of him. Whatever the reason, she refrained, her secrets locked safely away.
With a quiet nod, Rose turned and walked away, leaving Vicky feeling puzzled and concerned.
As he turned to head back to his office, his eyes met Mirabel's. She was standing a short distance away, her expression unreadable. Vicky's heart skipped a beat as he tried to call out to her, but she turned and walked away before he could say a word.
Vicky's eyes lingered on the space where Mirabel had been standing, a mixture of disappointment and worry etched on his face. "I hope she doesn't misunderstand," he thought to himself. "I really have to do better."