"Well, I'll be damned. You guys did great!" The young fellow exclaimed as the short brown streak of hair he carried flowed in his excitement. I replied with a smug smile, facing my dear partner with pride. She merely exhaled a short sigh leaning further back into the white sofa. The three of us sat around a large glass table reflecting the bright rays of the morning sun, penetrating the large glass windows to shine upon the marble-white office. With another two weeks passing by, the time for another evaluation arrived. I took in the ever-increasing familiarity of Alexandre's office. It was one I hadn't been in since our last meeting, but one with an aesthetic I've gotten thoroughly accustomed to over my month-long stay here. The sound of papers jostling in a folder took Myla and I's attention once more as Alexandre continued.
"Your customer satisfaction rating went up. And your client count didn't drop one bit, not bad for a month's work." The young executive congratulated us as he flipped through the pages of the file.
Yes, more. I feed off of validation.
I told myself as I realized someone four years younger than me was stroking my ego. I brushed off those worldly desires as I took in the last part of Alexandre's words. It really had been a month since I joined aiAI Industries. As cliche as it sounds, the time felt like it passed by so quickly. And while it came rife with struggles, toils, and conflict - at the very least, it felt like I was moving again.
"In particular," he continued, "We even got two especially high reviews, so I decided to inquire on those clients a bit more." My train of thought was interrupted as I tuned into his unexpected declaration - a sweet smile painted across his youthful visage.
"I personally called both of them myself. And the first one who decided to maintain their anonymity had this to say:" Alexandre began clearing his throat.
"They really helped us out in a pinch and even went the extra mile to assure us our feelings reached them too. I'm grateful to both Myla and Bridger for that, for putting in the effort to not only support us but join us for the ride." The young executive read out in his usual voice, but my ears interpreted it as one of a familiar blonde. My mind conjured up the image of him cheerfully answering the phone as he faced his soon-to-be wedded partner. Still, this remained conjecture on my part, as the speaker remained anonymous. In that way, I wondered if it was my way of telling myself that the time-consuming yet enjoyable spell I spent with the hobby-driven couple was a success.
Whatever the case may be, I'm glad we made someone that thankful.
"P.S. I heard Bridger and Myla got some stuff at the con, so I decided to send over some stuff for them as thanks." Alexandre unexpectedly resumed, "And earlier this morning, we received a delivery of a presumably a few volumes of a book and a small box with the words "fragile" on it." He finally finished, earning a surprised eyebrow raise from my dear partner and a flinch from myself.
"How large was the box?"
"Around the height of my hand. Why do you ask?-"
"You can just throw it out."
"Eh? But we've already brought it to your office."
Irk, I guess I have no choice but to put the figurine on the shelf. What an upsetting turn of events, truthfully.
I stopped myself from celebrating, letting my more sensible side take over as I faced Myla.
"Well, that saves both of us the trouble of having to buy them," I said with a warm smile, to which she replied with a subdued Mhm. She remained cold in both tone and expression. A surprise to me as I thought she'd either be more grateful for Hunter's gift or concerned by my implication of buying a figurine. I carried on listening to Alexandre as I quietly made my observations.
"As for the other client, it took me a while to get him talking, but once I mentioned the two of you, he reluctantly confided in me his experiences, albeit anonymously." The young executive voiced with a complacent smile and a hand to his chin, continuing his remarks.
"While the beginning was somewhat shaky, both Mister Blaithe and Miss Marika managed to support me in my decisions and aid me on a personal level. They not only set out on their duty as my assigned surveyors but also ensured me that my reasons and aspirations were attended to, considered, and validated. I bear nothing but gratitude for their service and amiability. Please, send my regards." Alexandre read as he held up a piece of paper joined together by a gleaming paper clip.
It almost sounds like a business letter.
During his statements, my ears rendered his youthful and joyful voice to one of a timid yet hopeful man. The image of the formally-dressed introvert in his office answering his phone with a gentle tone and expression circled in my mind. It earned a subtle smile from me as I appreciated the scenery I had made. While my earlier assumption was proven correct, I didn't need affirmation to understand the reason behind the gratitude behind the formally written message. My eyes wandered to my dear partner as I relished these thinkings - an indifferent expression greeting me as my gaze reached her.
At the very least, act a little happier that we did well. Oh, it could be she's not used to feeling validation for her work, a sad life my dearest partner has had to lead.
I jokingly told myself, tilting my head down in thought as I heard the sofa opposite me shift, and a hazy reflection appeared on the surface of the glass table.
"In short, we've improved over the past two weeks. If that's all, I will be preparing the car for today's appointments." The familiar cold voice finally reached my ears, but the words that arrived surprised me. I expected some form of subtle appreciation or, at the very least, a crack at my newfound pride, but instead, getting a short and unconcerned statement. I wanted to inquire further about her lack of interest. Before I could assemble the words, her footsteps trailed off as the thud of the door rang in my head, the air in the sunlit room now feeling colder without her presence.
I guess that's one of her unique abilities. She leaves a lingering veil of ice as a debuff to nearby enemies (and just people in general).
I laughed to myself, perhaps to cut the awkward atmosphere Myla had created with her exit. Alexandre noted my attempt at easing the tension and drowning my lingering suspicions - facing me with a spotless smile and an inquiry.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
"Myla seems different than usual, doesn't she?"
"Oh, well, I'm not really in the position to say anything. A month might've passed already, but it's not like I know a whole lot about her." I replied, a little taken aback by his sudden query.
"No need to be so humble now, Bridger! We've both survived being her partners. And besides, I wouldn't be bringing it up if I didn't think you noticed in the first place." The young fellow said, a more heavy tone emanating from his still bright expression. I hesitated for a moment, organizing my thoughts and my recollections of the past few days before opening my mouth to speak.
"Well, I guess there were a few things." He closed his eyes and nodded softly, the radiant light from the skies shining on his shaded visage and a tiny smile.
"I guess it began a week or so ago. She seemed more annoyed than usual, but I just chalked it up to something that happened with one of our more eccentric clients."
Sorry, Hunter. Especially after you decided to gift me with such a treasure.
Alexandre said nothing following my statement, a signal to continue. I suppose.
"Then, after that, she seemed uncharacteristically thoughtful. But would go back to her usual cold self in a flash. Now though, I at least think we're back to the status quo, as tiring as our day-to-day is." I resumed with a contemplative expression. I recalled as much as I could about the brief and, what I considered at the time, insignificant peculiarities my dear partner exhibited. I began pondering why Alexandre seemed so curious and solemn regarding the topic. Answering my question, the figure in front of me breathed an unexpectedly glum sigh as he motioned slightly forward.
"You see, the reasoning behind that is because of one of your clients. Amanda Adler." He finally responded, following my answers, a familiar and sweet name reaching me.
"W-what do you mean by that?" I asked, stunned, the sudden name drop both taking me out of my contemplating and plunging me into a whole new barrel of questions. Alexandre's earlier expression remained the same. He still bore his typical smile, one he carried no matter the seriousness of the topic.
"A year or so ago, Myla and I were assigned to be the surveyors of one of the oldest matched couples. That couple was the Blaithes." My words dared not penetrate the air the young executive had made with his proclamation, the lack of reply urging him to continue.
"At the time, we had been partners for around a year. Myla was still cold, but I knew she loved working the job, and that drive spread to me too. It was around that time that we heard we'd be assigned to one of the original matches back when aiAI was just getting its bearings. The idea of being assigned a pair from the original few was a tremendous surprise for us, one even Myla didn't expect to receive. We were ecstatic, obviously, and couldn't wait to work with them." He stated with a nostalgic grin, nay a single reply still eeking out of me.
"All we had to do was monthly check-ups. We just had to ring you guys up and ask if you were doing fine. As you've heard, it ended with Miss Adler answering our questions and hiding the developing cracks of your relationship. We didn't notice it and by the time news of your separation hit us, we became dumbfounded. I was shocked, of course, but Myla, well..." Alexandre trailed off, breathing in a deep breath before continuing.
"She was already going through some stuff at the time, and I guess this just became another blow to her dour state. She began blaming herself for it, for not noticing in time or not upholding the values she had an obligation to. To her, it felt like the weight of it all came crashing down on her. And that her lack of interference was the reason an eight-year-long relationship came to an end." My mouth finally opened, a response trying to flow out until I realized that all I could do now and needed to do now was listen.
"I couldn't stand seeing her like that. The feistiness she usually carried wasn't there. And it meant she became less and less efficient at work, lowering her spirit even more. So, I did what I could and assured her it wasn't her fault. After all, it really wasn't. I told her over and over again to move on from it and to accept what had happened. And she did, but as humans do, that also meant she instead found someone else to blame. That blame landed on you." Alexandre finally finished, the sun now rising higher overhead. The light behind him surrounded his outer figure while leaving a darkened blanket on his face and body. Even now, his bright expression remained, not waning even in the face of the gravity of his words.
"So, that means?" I finally found what few words I could muster, prompting Alexandre to continue.
"The reason for Myla's, at times, callous personality is because of me. Because of my desire to make sure my partner didn't carry all the blame on her shoulders. So, when I heard Amanda Adler was requesting a match and that we were to offer you a chance to work here, I knew what I had to do." The young fellow's eye's reached me, a hopeful gaze striking me along with the slight heat of the outside sun.
"If by any small chance, you could become a surveyor, you and Myla could become partners. If you become partners, you could work with Amanda Adler, using her as your connective thread to reconcile a part of you that's still stuck in the past. As well as have Myla finally bury the hatchet on the hidden conflict she'd never show you. All in all, it was very unlikely, but I was hopeful." Alexandre finished, his eyebrows slightly lowered and eyes downcast.
"It's a lot to take in, but I'm guessing this is the favor you wanted to ask me about back on my first day, right?" I asked, curious.
"This was part of it, yes, but not entirely." He replied, eliciting an even more inquisitive expression from me.
"I sure do have a lot to ask of you, and for that, I apologize, especially as it might seem I've hidden quite a lot." The young fellow said in a friendly tone. The sudden load of information made my mind run rife with feelings of shock and a strange sense of relief. Perhaps I found solace in knowing the reason behind my dear partner's attitude. Or maybe the knowledge of her own motivations to aid Amanda put me at ease, someone who shared a common goal. Whatever the case was, I still had my own questions, now having the chance to be said aloud.
"If that's the case, back when we first met Amanda, I don't recall Myla acting any differently," I asked, remembering the day that I had looked back dozens of times over the stretch of the month.
"As you've seen, Myla's not one to share much about herself. And I think that was her way of making sure her own emotions didn't interfere with her work, and maybe part of it was because of your company." He answered with a warmer expression, possibly prompted by my eagerness to know more about his once partner. He closed his eyes in recollection before answering.
"I think that when you told her you wanted to take responsibility, that you had a promise to keep regarding Amanda, her tune changed. I'm not quite sure if she was impressed by your resolve or if she ridiculed herself for not bearing the same conviction. The reasons may be more than just that, after all. Either way, that caused faint traces of the Myla I used to know to return, and for that, I am grateful." He finished, opening his eyes as a surprised expression took form on his face.
"Although, as much as I'd love to continue and answer your queries, it seems there's someone else you'd be better off talking to." I followed the young fellow's gaze and reached the door to his office. It was slightly ajar, and while I didn't know who was there, the air around me felt cooler as I stared at it. The morning rays slowly faded away as a cloud blanketed the sky, the atmosphere now feeling even colder than before. I stood up hesitantly and faced Alexandre with a worried expression. He answered with a sweet and charming smile as he nodded to the exit, which I steadily made my way to. I left the marble-white office as the large windows radiated a blue tint from the shrouded morning sun. On a wall leaned a pristine figure, one of pure white and elegant streaks of pink. The long shimmering hair of the person covered her torso and shielded her face from me. I called out not with words, but with the steady rhythm of my footsteps. My dear partner faced me with a cold and picturesque expression, a short string of words freezing my pace and entering my ears.
"It's time to go, no time to be late." All I could do was nod as my mind continued spinning with thoughts.