The Office Ghost, Red Pill, and the Presentation

No one really knew what happened to Jake, but one thing was for sure, he disappared along with our
presentation deck. I didn’t know what had gotten into him. He just suddenly vanished out of thin air. The
boss came to the office this morning, looking for the presentation deck. He wanted to see it before we
present it to the client tomorrow. So I had to stay in the office until morning to finish it.

That night, it was the first time I saw the office ghost. I heard the ghost’s story when I was still new here.
I didn’t believe it at first. They said when you stay overnight in the office alone, someone will accompany
you, and it will be not the janitor or any maintenance crew, but a ghost. They said the ghost was a
former employee, one of the first to be employed in the agency. The word was he was one of the best
employees the agency had. He could present to big clients with ease and get new accounts with
confidence.

But he died under unknown circumstances, and then one day he showed up in the office as a ghost. Our
senior account manager said the boss offered to give him a compensation since he was still staying in
the office in late night hours. But the ghost rejected the offer. He doest have anything to buy anymore.
He said he doesnt feel hunger and fatigue . either. The clothes in department stores will be not be fitted
for him. He also doesn’t need any appliances since he stays in the office. The ghost just wants to feel
belong, to feel appreciated.

“Just let me stay here,” the ghost said according to the senior account manager which she just heard
from the receptionist talking to the guard at the lobby.

The night I was doing the presentation all over again, I saw the ghost with my own eyes. He was
probably around early 40s. He wore a translucent a Nike polo shirt paired with black jeans and a blue
Addidas running shoes. His outfit was a perfect blend of ‘not-caring-so-much to-my-outfit’ and ‘I-want-
to-be-presentable’ look. I saw him as he came out from the pantry with a steaming cup of coffee in his
hand. He walked towwards my cubicle.

“What are you doing?” he said as if it was the most natural thing in the world. I could feel his hands on
the backrest of my chair. He looked closer to my computer screen. He eyes squinted as he tried to make
out the images on my computer screen. He took a sip from his cup.

“Ah! I saw that presentation before! The client has some revisions, eh?”

“No, I had to it all over again because my partner would not help me.”

“You mean Jake?”

Surprised, I craned my head to the ghost. “So you already met Jake too.”

“Ah yes. Bald guy who smokes and drinks a lot. “

“Ah yes, that’s him.” I said returning my focus on the computer screen. After several minutes, I waited
for the ghost to disappear behind me, but it didn’t happen. Instead he watched over me as if I’m about
to do something stupid or leave the offce without finishing the presentation.

“Hey do you want to a cup of coffee?” The ghost offered. “There’s are freshly-grounded beans at the
pantry. I can one cup for you if you want.”

I stretched my arms in the air and let out a big yawn. I stood up from my seat. “No, thanks. I can do it.”
Feeling lightheaded, I lazily walked from my cubicle to the pantry. As I turn to a corner, I stopped and
turned towards the ghost.

I saw the him seated at my table typing on my keyboard with eyes focused on the screen. “Hey what are
you doing!?” I shouted and quickly returned to my cubicle.

“I’m just trying to help,” he said removing his hands away from the keyboard. He was continueing what I
was left off. He noticed my suprised reaction to what he had done. “Did you know I have a photographic
memory?” he said as in matter-of-fact-tone as if reciting a commonly known trivia.”I saw that
presentation before. I may be little bit dumb now because of my form, but I can still finish assignments.”

I took a look on what he has done. In a blink of an eye, he finished half of the presentation deck. I didn’t
know he was that efficient.

“Thanks,” I mumbled as I walked back to the pantry. I took one last look at the ghost before
disappearing into the corner. He was hunched at my desk with eyes squinted on the monitor.

By the time I came back with a steaming cup of cofeee in my hand, I saw him standing across my table.
He was smoking a cigarette. I could see the smoke going down to his lungs inside his translucent body.
He blew a cloud of smke in air before speaking again.

“It’s done boy,” he said laying his hands in front of my computer screen. I took a sip from my coffee, put
it beside the monitor, and checked the presentation. Yes, it is already finished. I checked the details and
it suprsingly all correct, the target sales, names of endorsers, and other things.

“You’re new here, are you?” the ghost asked, his arms crossed on his chest.

I nodded.

He took a drag from his cigarette before throwing it in the air. My eyes followed the cigarette but as it
vanished in the air. “Want to see something cool? C’mon”.

But before I could answer his question, he was already walking towards the exit door that leads to the
elevators. I found my feet following the ghost’s steps. He turned the doorknob slow until the door was
ajar, but before pushing the door further he turned to face me. “I should have asked earlier, what’s your
name?”
I said my name him.

“Alright Jim. Welcome to the Night Cafe,” he pronounced the name of the cafe in a proud manner and
pushed the door. A cold breeze ran through my skin as the door opened.

I found myself in a long table together with other strangers. I can’t exactly remember the title, but I felt
like I’m inside the painting where people are inside an all-night diner, lost in their own thoughts. We
walked towards the counter. The place was a bit hazy and there’s a strong smell of freshly-brewed
coffee in the air. I saw a familiar figure sitting at the counter. The bald hair, the slender figure, and the
familiar running shoes that he always wear whatever the occasion is. I could only saw his back but I
already knew who he was.

A thought suddenly occurred to me. Wait, am I dead? I touched my shoulders, arms, chest, stomach,
feeling if they are still intact on my body. I’m not yet translucent like the ghost. I could still feel my body
and it is solid.

“Something wrong?” the ghost asked.

“Nothing,” I mumbled. We went straight to the counter. Jake was sitting at one of the bar stools with an
half-unfinished beer bottle. The ghost casually patted Jake’s shoulder and said, “I first saw the
presentation here with this man.” Jake turned from his seat.

Jake’s eyes widend as he saw me. “Fuck Jim why are you here? I told you don’t come to look for me. Is
the boss here? Where is he?” His voice was shaking.

“No my friend, calm down.” The ghost said with his late night FM DJ voice. “I just invited Jim here. I saw
him doing overtime work in the office. He just need to have some break you know? Slow things a little
bit.”

But Jake can’t help himself to be relaxed. “If you are looking for the presentation. I’ve deleted it. You
see, even if get we that account. The monster will be a monster. It’s a thankless job. I’ve been on it for
than five years. I thought first things would change, but what happened? Things are stll the same. I’ve
had enough.

(Insert more lines here)

Jake may have enough of the boss. Yes, he is cruel and vicious to his employee but I don’t know. I just
can’t afford to leave the company. I have many bills to pay plus there are oustanding debts from my
father’s credit card.
“We are looking for you. Are you planning to come back?” I asked. It took sometime before Jake
answered. He was staring at the rom of wine bottles behind the counter. I was about to repeat my
question when he spoke.

“I just had enough. I’m thinking a job here.” His eyes wandered around the cafe. “The people here seem
nice.” And as if on cue, someone emerges from a door behind the counter. He took our orders. Jake had
another round of beer. The Ghost request for a tall glass of strawberry milkshake. While I ordered a pint
of red horse beer. “Is that all?” the waiter asked. “Yes, we’ll may be order again later,” Jake said and
then the waiter disappered behind the counter.

“See, it’s just that simple.” Jake said raising his hand in the air to emphasize a thought. “He gets our
orders and comes back with two glasses of beer in hand. It’s that simple. No fuss. No raising of voice and
feel that you are not human. Plus, after this shift, he has a life of own.”

I let his words sink into my mind. The ghost suddenly interjects. “C’mon Jake you don’t have to impose
your will on him. Let Jim have his decision. Well, as for me coming from a ghost, it’s important you have
that sense of freedom you know? I may not have a physical, realy body, but look at me, free as a bird. I
can do whatever I want without getting hungry or fatigue.”

“Oh you’re lecturing us on freedom now?” Jake interrupts. “ Why don’t you leave the office tonight and
don’t come back again? I bet you can’t because you don’t have anywhere to go. Remember what you
said to me? The night that your wife is about to give to your first daughter and the boss suddenly called
for an emergency meeting because a supplier failed to accomplish his deliverables? Your wife didn’t
mind it because yes you have to attend to meeting and you have all of your life to raise the child so
what’s the point of missing her birth? But you did mind it. You were troubled by it in fact.”

“Well, enough.” The ghost said. Some of the other customers turned towards our direction. The waiter
comes back carrying the drinks we ordered. The ghost took a sip from his strawberry milkshake before
speaking again. “You’re a lucky bastard because you have a life of your own. You don’t have a child, an
ailing mother to support, or any burden on your back. But tell me doesn’t make you feel better? With no
one relying on you? Does it feel good that you don’t have a any sense of direction with you?”

“Hey guys take it easy.” I meddled. I’m just looking for the presentation okay. Don’t lecture about
freedo and responsibility. I just want to get the presentation for tomorrow’s meeting.” I said.

The ghost came back to his relaxed manner, and put hise elbows on the counter, “But where is the
presentation?” He said with a grin.

I suddenly remembered I left my computer running in the office with the presentation. It tried searching
for my flash drive inside my chest pocket and jeans pocket, but it was gone. It didn’t remember If I saved
it before turning off the computer. Did I turned off the computer? But wait where am I? I have return
now.

“Take it easy Jim” Jake said as if reading my thoughts. “You’re safe here. Just finish that drink and you
will be fine.”
“Yeah, just finish that drink and you will be fine.” The Ghost added to the idea. “So what’s your plan Jim?
Have thought it yet?”

“Thought what?” I asked.

“Are you going to join us here? You still don’t understand are you? This is where you will take the red pill
or the blue pill. If you get the presentation, you will wake up the next morning feeling not anything
remembering any of this has happend. You, the ghost in the office, and me sitting here and drinking
beer. But if you decided to come and join us you will have to finish that drink.”

“I will just have to drink this one?” I asked.

“Yes that it. Just drink that you will never return to that office again. We will go through that door and
restart you life.” He pointed to the door opposite opposite to where we came from. There are painted
letters on the door. It reads entrance but in inverted order.

I gave it a hard thought. “So what will be life on that door?”

“Misarable,” Jake answered in his gravely deep voice as he takes a another gulp from his beer. “ Chaos.
It is uncertain. But hey we might have a ride of our lives.”

“So what do you think my friend?” The ghost asked.

******

Red Pill

If not for a tap on my shoulder, I would be ableto wake up from my deep slumber. It was Karina, my
officemate who woke up me up. I felt embarassed. I could the caked salive on my checks. I quickly wiped
my mouth with my arms and head to the restroom. I chekced the clock on the wall. It was already 8:30
in the morning. 30 minutes before the boss would arrive. I left the Karina on the desk, feeling puzzled on
my behavior.

Inside the restroom, I looked like shit. Blood-shot eyes. Messy Hair. Smudges of saliva that caked on my
chin. Tables mark on my check for staying in one position for too long. I washed my face with tap water,
brushed my teeth, and put on some hair wash on my hair. . I checked myself once again on the mirror.
With a few combs on my hair, I look good as new. I got out of the washroom and went to my locker to
get a set of fresh clothes. It felt good to new clothes and that doesn’t smell like shit. I sprayed perfume
all over my body and let my smell permeate inside the locker room.

It was around 8:45 in the morning when I finished preparing. I checked Jake’s cubicle. He was still not
around. Usually he comes to the office this time in the morning. As I’m waiting for him, I went to my
desk. At the corner of eyes, I could feel Karina’s gaze behind me. I know she was wondering why I’m
acting weird this morning. So I initiate the conversation so as not arouse any suspicion on the part of
her.

“Hey, I’m sorry for acting weird earlier. I don’t really mean it. It may just be the lack of sleep. I actually
haven’t gone home since yesterday. I had to finish our presention.”

“No worries. I understand. So how it go?”

“Well I had to finish it. Got some help from...” I was about to mention the ghost but I held back my
tongue. “Jake.”

“Good luck later. I hope the boss does not have any revision. You know him.” She said with a wink.

Minutes later the door that leads to the elevator lobby opened. It was Jake. He is wearing the same
clothes just like the night before. I waited for him to settle inside his cubicle before approaching him.

“Are you ready bro?”

“What makes think I’m not?” He said with a snicker.

I leaned closer to him and whispered. “So when did left the cafe?” I asked.

“What do you mean?” Jake said while arranging his table.

“I mean with the ghost. Last night we are the cafe.”

“What are you taking? Get some sleep later, okay?” He said paating my shoulder.

As if on cue, the boss comes in to the room with a growl. “NOW I WANT TO SEE THE PRESENTATION.”

BLUE PILL

I found myself inside my room.Sunlight shines through my opened windows. From the garden, I could
hear the chirping of birds. My room is a bit spacious from the bed, I could see shelves of books and a
desk. I stretched my arms up as I got up. From the opened door leading to the kitchen area, I could smell
a scent of butter quickly melting on a frying pan. And then, there’s the sound a sizzling that is omeone is
frying a ham, or probably it is a hotdog.

I slowly got up from my bed, feeling my feet on the ground. On my desk there’s a couple of notes posted
on the wall. I tried to read some of them. Deadlines for next week: proofread your book. Finish the
second novel. I tried to make out some the notes. There’s also another one: schedule online class next
for Lit 201. What’s happening? Where am I?

Someone called my name. The voice is familiar.

“Jim? Are you awake? Breakfast is ready. I must be going a couple of minutes.” The women outside the
room said. Is it Karina?

I slowly come out from the room feeling I’m Gregor Samsa in another form. On the table, I could see a
child wearing school uniform. He called me Dad.

“Hey sleeply head. C’mon lets have some breakfast. We have many things to do today.”

========================

The monster. I imagine the monster walking up from his slumber and checking his employees. What
happened to them.

Outline:

Plot:

1. Narrator Investigates Jay’s disappearance --- Boss Needs the presentation --- Jay vanished with
presentation with him

2. Investigation starts in the office – drawers, files, etc.

 - goes to the place they frequented

- talks to people they both know

3. The ghost gives him the presentation – the ghost is a loyal employee --

(Try to make parallels between the employee and the ghost. They are both trapped and unappreciated)

Character:

1) Jay
- Hard Working
- Mysterious Guy
- Assertive
- Rich Guy
2) Narrator
- Timid
- Passive
- Takes things for granted
- Pessimistic
- Middle Class
- Follower
3) Lucia
- Flirty
- Happy Go Lucky
- Rich

4.) Ghost

- works hard

- has traits like Jay

- he doesn’t have anyone with him so puts his life to the company

- The narrator is the only employee in the office that can see him

- he doesn’t have salary because he doesn’t need money to buy his needs

Setting:

The setting of the short story is Metro Manila. I’d like to put the story in a grimy, polluted, and over-
populated place. Or if I can’t achieve that mood, at least i’d like to project that the story is happening in
a busy world where time passes quickly. Everyone is busy doing something. The setting is also urban,
there are bars, restaurants, and office building. The characters are residing in apartments, giving them a
sense of isolation. This cramped space inside their rooms intensifies their isolation

=============

No one really knows what happened to Jay, but one thing is for sure, he is gone and he will not be
found. A day after before he vanished, I still remember what happened in the office. We can think of all
possible scenarios that might happen to him, but we all know it will be just a futile exercise for all of us.

First is the missing ballpen. He is the most efficient worker amongst of all of us. We may forget a thing
or two about the meeting earlier, or a very important detail that a client have said to us in a meeting,
but Jay doesn’t forget it. It is as if he has a tape recording in mind and neatly organized drawer of
information that can be used every time we need it. He is odd as a person, but we all know that he is the
most functioning person in the office. And I’m the only one who can understand him.

Tonight, as I prepare myself for a meeting with Sara, one of our officemates. I’m the one who texted to
meet to tonight after office hours. As put on a freshly pressed, shirt I feel like I am to meet someone and
we’ll talk about the death of our common fried. But it is not. I know Jay is out there somewhere. Before
left the apartment, I make sure that bring me the missing ballpen. The only memory that Jay left for us.

In the office, Jay is not the type of a sentimental employee. His cubicle does not any decoration of any of
our past project. Unlike us, we usually put some memorabilia of the projects that are involved with like a
digital poster of an event we organized, a plaque of a design that us brought an award, or a photo of
product activation event. He does not have those things. Instead, his desk is only decorated with the
company-issued computer, a set pencils, ballpen, scratch papers, post-it notes, a small standing
calendar, drinking cup for coffee, several books that he reads during free time, and a mouse pad—a gift
from our boss.

I arrive at the bar earlier than usual, but I already find Sara sitting in a corner near the counter. At first
glance, the bar is actually a house. The owner converted it to a drinking place. Jay and I used to drink at
this place before he disappeared. For months that we frequented here, the owner already knows where
we are going to sit and what drink we are going to order. But tonight, I’m with Sara.

As I sit across from her, she is taking the last drags of her cigarette with a laptop in front her. She presses
the lighted end of the cigarette on the ashtray placed near the laptop.

“I’m about to finish. Just give me a sec.”

“Sure no problem. I’m no hurry.” I call the waiter and order our drink. I get a cold bottle of Red horse
beer. “How about you?”
“Uhmm San mig. Apple,” she say with her eyes fixed on laptop’s screen. In no time, the waiter quickly
returns carrying two bottles of beer in one hand. He places the bottle on the table and opened them
with a quick pop. After lighting my own cigarette and exhale a smoke in the air, Sara closes her laptop
and takes a drink straight from the bottle.

“So where we are in a missing person case now?” Sara says opening our conversation.

“C’mon I don’t to be the Sherlock Homes here, but I’m just concerned with our colleague. It’s not just
the work is much easier with him being in the office. But let me ask you this: as you arrived in the office
this morning and we had that stupid weekly meeting, did you ever felt that something was missing?”

“Yes, I felt that. I guess the others felt the same too. But as with other company’s the employee that was
left will eventually be replaced with a new one. And there are times that the new hire is much more
experienced which would benefit the company. I mean c’mon Leslie, you will get over this. Think of
other things, or you may help me with the presentation with this stupid fast-food account tomorrow if
you want.”

I take a swig from my beer before answering her.

[META]

The character is kinda lost to what he really wants. There is a void in his hear that he wants to fulfil. He
really found a deep connection with his officmate, Jay, who he thinks really understand him. But then
out of the blue vanish from his life without noticed. So because of that loss, he tries to find other source
of happiness through Sara. In the event that they drank together, he tried to slept with her. But
eventually, Sara gave up and ended sleeping with him. But it is not clear to him that Sara only wanted to
use him. She does not have any feelings for him. In fact, after that night, things became awkward
between the of them in the office.

So basically the character is too weak stand up for himself and let others to decide what’s best for him.
He doesn’t any stand on anything.
=====================================================================================

First, there is the letter, and second the mysterious phone calls that no one answering from the other
end. But I really didn’t mind these initial clues at first, and then strange and mysterious things started to
happen.

I saw Jay yesterday going out from the office building. Well, in fact we had a couple of beers before
going home just to celebrate the success of previous project that we had. I thought he was going to
resign but something changed that he did not leave the company.

“So what makes stay in one place?” he asked out of the blue. I tried to ponder what he is trying to get
across with those words.

“What do you mean?”

“Just answer, man”

“What makes you stay?”

I tried to come up answer on top of my head. “Well if I’m comfortable and well taken care of. I will stay.”

“So let’s say if you suddenly encountered difficulties you will leave?”

“Yeah perhaps. You could say that.”

He took a drag from his cigarette and blew a cloud of smoke. After finishing his fifth bottle, while I only
had two, he stood, get his backpack, and paid for our bill. But I insisted that he should not to that. I
could pay for our orders. But he already paid for our bill anyway. The last I saw him was he was hailing
for taxi going home.

===============================================================Draft 1

Email to Romeo:

Subject: Greetings from Neverland

Rom,

Kumusta? It’s been a while pare. Sorry

--------

“Do you remember this song”

It took sometime before he answered the question. He looked outside the window. It was a starless
night. A bare void of darkness. There some signs of life though. Crickets were chirping in concert with
the cat that seemed to be fighting on the neighbour’s roof.

“Should I close the window?” I asked. The curtain swayed slowly in the coldness of the breeze.

I waited for him to answer the question. He answered it after two sips of beer.

“Yes..”

I wish there is a pause button or an option to make the song slower so that we can hear longer that it’s
three-minute running time, to savor each of its lyrics. The song is too familiar for both of us. Not only it
carried sound, but also carried a lot of memories. Memories that we wish we not talk about but the
situation calls for it.

He is about to change the situation but he hesitated after he looked at me. I didn’t say no, he has
already read what’s on my mind. So instead he stand up and went to the window and looked up at the
starless night.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two years ago, I still remember the time we were in his condominium unit. We were drinking before
went to there but the bar where we are drinking already called for the last order. So he said we can
continue drinking at condominium. We are just getting to know each that time so I don’t know if I can
trust him.

“Lucia is there. She can join us.” She was his girlfriend. So I said okay let’s go. Before going up to his unit,
we bought three bottles of beer. One for each of one.

I did not want to admit to him, but it was my first to enter those kind of places. High rise buildings where
you have your own place, your own unit that you can call your own. Owning that is hard in a densely
populated place like our city. So as not to show my curious kid inside of me I did not said that to him. I
just blindly follow-up where his take me.

From the looks of it, the condominium is one of the priciest in the town. It has nice lobby filled with
billiard tables, comfortable chairs, and tables where is nice to stay at. If I’m living in a place like this,
you’ll see me in one of those tables huddled in a book.

The guard greeted him. At first I thought, the big bald guy would ask my ID and where I’m going but it
did not happen. We just walked passed him and proceeded to the elevator.

Lucia was taller than him. From my guess, I think she stands 5’8” feet while he only stands at 5’5” feet. If
you happen to seem together for the first time, you would that that she is her bigger sister. He knocked
two times on the door before going in. He did not wait for Lucia to open the door. He turned the
doorknob and we both went inside.

“Hey Lucia, this is Serge, my office and friend.” I extend my hand to her.

She was wearing a thin white t-shirt that I could practically see her black bra inside. Her hair was tied
behind her head that formed a bun. She stood up and got the bottles of beer that he was holding. That’s
where I first saw the big sister thing. He only reached until her shoulders. She was wearing dark blue
shorts that emphasize her long blemish-free legs. She has gorgeous nose and nice teeth that was very
beautiful when she smiled. She beamed wide as shook my hand.

Later in the evening, I learned she was writer. That explains the tons of scratch papers on the table
when we arrived. On one side of the wall, there’s cabinet. From floor to ceiling, it was filled books which
I later learned all was hers.

“She was actually into arts, you know.” He chided.

“While we are tearing this planet because of our jobs,” I interjected. We both laugh, expect Lucia.

After couple of conversations about the office politics and gossip, we turned silent and ran out of topics
to talk about. If it is not me who initiates a conversation, it is him. He also rarely talks with Lucia.
However, Lucia laughs at our jokes and tries to comment from the stories we shared from time to time.

When we ran out of topics to talk about again, I turned to Lucia and asked what are the things she write.
She seemed surprised by me questions.

“Oh not really interested. I’m just researching about the nature of memories.”

“Woah, big topic man, big topic,” he commented lightly tapping his hand on the table.

-------------------------------------

That was the first time that I met Lucia. In one of our drinking session, he had confessed to me that he
had a six-year relationship before in ended up in a bitter note. I didn’t inquire further how and why they
broke up. I guess it was a private matter that’s why I just let the conversation pass during that time. But
of course, I did let the evening end without showing how I feel sorry for his loss. I remembered I gave a
pat on the shoulder, but I can’t recall what did I said next. But I remembered how our conversation
shifted again to our work.

Oh yes about the work. It’s fun because it will be first talking about it. Okay to keep it simple our work
involves dreams and memories. He was my supervisor in the company while I was just an associate. Our
office was located in a second floor apartment of the tall in the city. Our usual customers were aging
adults who wanted to have good memories at the end of their life. The operation costs a bit so they
should not second guess after the operation was done. We are not involved in the actual operation but
our department is data processing unit. I usually storylines while on my desk while he, my partner, make
graphics designs of the dream or memory, whatever the client wants to call it.
Still don’t get the nature of the work? Okay here’s what happens inside the operating room. After
signing a couple of waivers and consultation on what his dream will be about, the client will then
proceed to a room where they will lie down in a machine that looks the one being used in a MCI
scanner. The thing only lasts for an hour and after that the client will not remember what happened to
him or her.

While the work is very interesting we can’t use it for ourselves, the company does allow their employees
to use the machine. That’s the rule. Maybe they are afraid employees will only use for their own benefit.
How will that happen I really don’t know.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There was a time when he did not show up in the office one day. No one knows what happened to him.
We tried to call his cellphone but I can’t be reached, maybe he turned it off. There are many things that
have to do in the office so where the fuck is he. Because I’m his associate, I was the one who did all of
his tasks. The day went by without a text or call from him. This was high unusual. Most the time, he will
send a text to one of one if he will coming late. The usual reason is traffic or he woke up late. But that
day, I had feeling that I will not him again.

But as I was walking back to my apartment, I saw shadow standing by a corner. As I walk towards it, it
suddenly emerged from its position. My instinct was to hurl a punch to its face, but I something else. It
was Lucia. How did she knew my address? That was what I would find out later.

I invited her to come in to my apartment. She was wearing a loose t-shirt inside jacket and moaong
pants paired with green tennis shoes. The choice of clothes seemed odd but it didn’t it much.

“Can I get you something” I asked.

She didn’t answer. She immediately sat on the sofa facing my shelf off books, scrutinizing the titles on
the spine. I placed a glass of water in front of her.

“Want to borrow some of the titles?”

She turned her head to face me. Whatever she was thinking she was deep in her thoughts.

“Uhm no,” she said forcing herself to give me smile.

I sat infront of her. “So what do you want to talk about?” I asked.

“It’s about Jay. He left the apartment in the evening for no fucking reason. It’s very uncharacteristic of
him. He will do that for no reason. I just woke up this morning that he was gone. At first, I though he will
come back after office hours, but I also learned that he did not go to work. So I became worried. I
checked his things. And I found this note.”

She got something from her bag. It was a letter. She stood up from her seat and left without saying
goodbye.
---------------------------------------------------------

Hey I’m sorry for not saying anything I left. I just didn’t know what to say. Or rather how I I would say it.
Anyway, if you are reading this letter now you definitely met Lucia earlier. This is just between the two
of us: the things that you will know in this letter will stay between you and me. You promise that okay?
Lucia did not know this and I’m not planning to tell her. So, are you ready? Okay, here is it. Prepare
yourself.

I know we have been hanging out for sometime so it’s safe to say that I already have a sense of you are.
I have been thinking for a long time how I will do this. But one night as I was reading a book I decided to
do it. It’s safe to say that I died. Even Lucia did not know it. All that she knows is I went to the province
to visit my ailing grand mother. And the letter that she brought to you is a note for you will be doing for
the office while I’m gone. Why not use email? I knew she would ask. So answer that It should be kept
secret between you and I.