February 6, 2021: Mit Kliku

"Syn, is this final?" Mina reiterated the same query for over a couple of time. She wanted Syn to consider the repercussion of following through with her decision. "You aren't acting out of impulse again, are you?"

The blaring sunlight cast a resolute silver glint on the lady's eyes, exhibiting that she didn't have an ounce of hesitation to show on her countenance. Her gaze was fixed on the chaotic noon rush transpiring on the high-way, though it seemed like her ponderance didn't relate with what she was watching.

For a while, the lady did not utter a reply, silently hoping that Mina would drop the issue. To Syn's dismay and awareness, the woman proved that she was more tenacious than the lady. Hence, the lady stopped resisting, unable to ignore the prickling glower that Mina was giving her.

Wearing her conviction as she rubbed the palm of her hands together, Syn finally heeded the woman's wish for affirmation. She looked at Mina and said, "Mr O' Connor himself submitted the request for the cancellation, right? I have no say in that."

"Still, I did not expect this to happen. In the first place, the man adores you. I can't help but think that you had a hand in this. Fess up."

"I think you're just seeing things, Mina," Syn said with a smile on her face, sincere enough to convince the woman that she was oblivious of the man's feelings. "I have not withdrawn a cent from his payment, so please reimburse it for me. The payment for the cancellation is quite hefty."

"Hefty? He earns millions. He won't mind losing that small amount. If I were you, I will just accept the money. You're not in the position to decline any sources of income, or have you forgotten that your family is deep in debt?"

Syn and Mina's turn of thoughts vastly differed, on opposite ends even. They rarely see things in the same light, and this instance was not one as such. Because the conversation prompted Mina to bear the frustration that Syn refused to pick up, the woman reached a point that she was reprimanding Syn even though she didn't want to.

The lady straightened her body, leaving the grace of the chair's backrest. She then breathed out her impatience, unrelated to Mina's eager insistence on the matter, before speaking, "But Mina, you're not me. You know why I want to return the money."

"Yes, yes, I know. My take is, I don't think he's the sort of person to resort using money to guilt-trip you. You don't have to be wary of that happening again."

"That is..." Syn pursed her lips, contemplating on whether to divulge the verity of her reason to Mina. She need not ponder over the matter for long since the answer was already at the back of her mind, nagging incessantly. "Nevermind. Anyway, just trust me on this, please."

Syn's utterance gave Mina the signal that the lady wasn't willing to yield to her advice. A shiver of discontentment slid down her spine, making her frown. Granted that she was reluctant to accede to the lady's request, Mina ended their discussion with her agreement.

"Alright, it's not like I can convince you. So, do you want me to find another VIP client?"

"No, please leave the applications closed for now."

Confused, Mina tilted her head to the side. As she realized what the lady had said, the woman shut her eyes ahead of massaging her temples with her forefingers.

"What again?" Mina blurted out, hitching a breath once she had finished speaking.

"I don't want to accept any VIP Clients for the time being."

"But you're still going to accept the normal clients every day? You know a lot of men ask for you."

"Well, it's fine, isn't it. I can just hustle to earn some money."

There was something in Syn's tone that nearly swayed Mina's conviction, yet at the same time, triggered the collapse of her composure.

"Are you out of your mind?! The money that you can earn from a single VIP Client daily will amount to what ten normal clients can give you! Do you think it's that easy to entertain several men simultaneously?! Don't even get me started on your decision to end the contract with Mr O' Connor. Do you love making things harder for yourself? Your pride alone cannot pay your debt! Working harder rather than smarter has the same effect! You're stupid! Really, really stupid!"

Thereafter saying her piece, Mina slammed her hands on the table all the while her chest repeatedly rose and fell. She needed to gasp for air, considering that she exclaimed her lengthy reproval in one breath.

In the meanwhile, Syn didn't even move as to a flinch, confronting Mina's outburst head-on. She was sufficiently sensible on how to take Mina's words that were true to their essence.

On their own accord, Syn's hands reached for Mina's that were on the table. The lady was eternally grateful for all the things that the woman had provided her -- a place and a family in the city. If not for Mina, she would've been struggling to feed herself to this day.

"Thank you, Mina. Please allow me to do this, hmm? I know you're worried about my health, but I'm perfectly aware of my limits. I won't overexert myself, I promise."

"Promise?" Mina asked, trying to hamper her expectations, for Syn rarely fulfils her promises to the woman. "You believe that will work on me?"

"No. Instead, I will just show you that I can honour my pro-"

Interrupting Syn's declaration was the call ringtone of Mina's phone, reverberating loudly inside her office. The woman ignored it and prompted Syn with her gaze to resume speaking. Withal, the lady merely shook her head and responded, "Go ahead. Answer the call first."

"Okay, you stay right here."

Latterly, Mina picked up her phone that was lying on the table and walked towards the side of the room that was made up of glass, displaying the full glamour of the city view.

On the other hand, Syn silently abided for the return of the woman. Although, when Mina gave her an inquisitive glance, she wondered regarding the conversation that the woman was having on the phone.

"Understood, I will inform her right away." As Mina uttered her last reply ensuing a few minutes of talk, she dropped the call and went back to her seat.

Syn observed the woman with curious eyes, yet she refrained from raising any questions. To her relief, Mina readily addressed her concern.

"I will attempt to convince you one last time. Do you really not want a VIP Client?"

"What are you on, Mina?" Syn pondered over why Mina was asking her such a query. Howbeit, she need not wait for a rejoinder when her mind itself formed a conclusion. "Was it a VIP Client that called you?"

"Yes, that's correct. They want to meet up with you at ten in the evening, today."

"Well, can you give me the details at least?"

"No, the client wants to keep his anonymity."

Even though there was no concrete clue of who had requested for her, somehow, Syn had a premonition. And that became a thorn in her throat, smothering her with the mere thought of the identity of her possibly last VIP Client.