23 Queen

"missis…missis, that's what they call my mom. But I know her as the Lion, I remember waking up in the morning always entering her room like a lion's den. So dark, still sleeping during the morning. That was when it all started, her sleeping habits became suspicious. She often had my brother, and I lie to my dad that she made us breakfast. When she taught us how to serve ourselves cereal. And once my dad left after having lunch, she'd go with Mabel to her soccer games. I still remember begging her to take us, but she always said, 'no' I wondered why? Since her outings, she became happier but stopped looking after us or at least me. My brother was still a baby, so she cared more about him and would sometimes take him instead of me. Why? Does she hate me that much?"

Darkness ensues Belen's mind, making her voice hallow within the cold night of her consciousness. Her memories are projecting from one to another, like a movie clip. She stands there, solemnly staring at nothing, as if blind. When the light of her memories project, "the missis, dad often called her, so sweetly and lovingly. He'd always ask for a kiss, but my mom would often push him away. I never understood why, but my dad was used to this rejection." Another projection appears, "I remember that one too," she points, "the confrontation, the day my mom blamed me and began ignoring my existence, that's right. She said, 'I don't want to take her with me because I'm afraid she'll kill me.' Do I look like a killer?"

Another projection appears, "dad, where is Oreo?"

"who?" her dad responds indifferently.

She shouts, "Oreo! My cat!! Where is he?!"

Her father sternly replies, "he's not here anymore, your mother took it."

Belen rushes to call her mom, "Where is Oreo?!"

Her mom responds coldly, "I don't know. Ask your dad. You know I don't like animals! Especially cats!"

But Belen angrily shouts, "Where is Oreo?! What did you and my dad do to him?! How did he suddenly disappear?! I left him with…" her voice cracks as tears stream down her face, "WHERE IS HE?! WHERE IS OREO!!??" Ernestina abruptly ends the call.

"Dad, if you don't tell me what happened to him…, I'll…I'll kill myself!!"

Edilberto loses his temper when he confronts her, "I lost him! Your mother couldn't stand keeping him, and I was not planning on letting you come back, so I went and left him out in the streets!"

Hearing the truth shatters Belen's reality as her afflicted heart begins to sting, making her cringe down into a ball clutching onto her chest, unable to make a sound.

"Yeah…I couldn't. I had no way of finding him. That's why I'll never have another pet. Oreo was the only one for me."

One last projector appears showing her memories of her black and white tuxedo cat, Oreo. Seeing him forms a smile on her face, with longing eyes, "We even celebrated his first birthday… they took everything away. First, it was him, and then Oreo."

Her smile slowly disappears as darkness ensues, making her voice hallow, "light…I-I'm scared to be alone. It's cold nobody hears me. I'm scared. Where is the light?"

Suddenly her eyes slowly open, noticing her bright white ceiling, "Is this my house?"

She carefully turns her head to glance her surroundings, only to notice, "Noah…" she smiles, letting out a short sigh seeing him against her bed asleep holding her hand. She whispers, "so cheesy…" but at that moment, she pulls Noah as he reacts half-asleep climbing into her bed and snuggling like a child in her embrace.

His actions shock Belen, but yet again, she feels terrible, leaving him to sleep on his knees. Though secretly, she enjoys his warmth. Him, embracing her very being makes her comfortable enough to let down her guard.

From a distance, they look like a married couple that find comfort in one another's presence. So gently like a statue, they're sleeping with their breathing matching each other. Nothing matters, as long as they sleep, the world, their reality is gone until one of them opens their eyes.

Their lonely hearts somehow complement each other, finding a sense of belonging and freedom. Belen unknowingly nuzzles her head on his chest, feeling calm, hearing his heartbeat.

Noah, on the other hand, thinks its all a dream and takes advantage of his desire by embracing Belen closer to his chest. He feels relaxed and happy that in the "dream" Belen's scent seems so real.

Morning came a lot slower than usual when the sunlight rays shine in his face causing him to react negatively. He grunts, "mmm the sun…!"

Almost immediately, he wakes up, shocked to see that he is on Belen's bed, "what? How? How did I get on her bed? No! When did I get on her bed?! I thought it was all…a dream." He calms down hearing a door open, he jumps out of the bed when Belen enters to sit in front of her vanity, "I see you're awake!" she says while deciding how to style her hair.

Noah embarrassingly looks away, "I'm sorry…"

"hmm? For what?" she turns around, confused.

He chokes up, "ah-um for sleeping on your bed."

She chuckles, turning back to her vanity, "don't worry about that, you were tired. Get ready so that we can leave."

He becomes flustered, "Yes! I'll head home really quickly and change" he runs out of her room so fast without giving her the chance to speak up, "he left faster than I thought…" she stares at her bed, "I wonder if he slept well" she shrugs turning back to her vanity.

As Noah left, he continued blushing, thinking about if whether the dream he had last night might've not been a dream at all. He does not know how or what to think as he continues to change his suit.

***

Though on their way to A Star, Noah is quietly reminiscing the conversation he had with Belen's Doctor.

Flashback to the night, Belen fainted.

The doctor sighs, "It's nothing major, she just needs rest. May I ask what happened? She usually does not react this way unless its that month."

Noah anxiously sighs, "that month is approaching quickly; it's only a few days away."

The doctor makes his way out when he turns to ask, "I'm afraid, for her sake, you should consider taking her to see a therapist."

Hearing this bothers Noah, "She does not need someone else to peek into her life. If she's barely able to reveal small fractions of her life to me, what makes you think she'll so openly talk with a therapist?" he shakes his head, "no! She needs help, but a professional therapist isn't going to do anything. She has me. I understand her best. Only I can help her as a best friend."

The doctor nods, "I was referring to a therapist for a reason. You alone can't carry her burden all on your own. If you're busy looking after her, then who'll look after you?" he sighs, "Mr. Alvares, I don't mean to sound harsh, but she's slowly draining your energy. I can tell at a glance. You're depleted, yet you think you can take care of a woman with so many complications like Miss Astares?"

Noah strongly disagrees, "I can handle her!"

"but your health can't! Mr. Alvares, please get a check-up. I think you need one."

Noah merely nods, "I see…If I have time, I'll consider going."

"ahem…very well then, I shall excuse myself. I do have a recommendation concerning Miss Astares. Make sure she rests."

"Yes, I will. Thank you for your visit."

End of flashback.

"Noah….Noah!!" Belen shouts.

"huh? Did you say something?" Noah wonders when he glances at her, stunned.

"ah…yes. I was wondering if the doctor came?"

"Oh! Yes, he did!"

"What did he say?" she asks curiously, wanting to know.

But Noah does not know whether to tell her the whole story or just part, when he replies, "He said for you to get daily rest. I guess the stress got to you this time, right?"

Belen only glances out the window without a response.

Noah continues to ask, "by the way, I saw a strange lady come out of the elevator that is strictly for employees, did she perhaps come to see you?"

She quickly replies, "It was a visitor of mines."

"Ah! Then…who was she? I don't remember you have a visitor on your schedule."

Belen coldly replies, "well, sometimes some people come in without a notice in advance. It was no one important. Don't worry about it."

This hurts Noah when he cautiously glances at Belen, thinking, "why can't you tell me the truth? That lady was your mother. Why don't you want me to know? What are you hiding?" his eyes suddenly turn soft while glancing at her.

Belen, on the other hand, is glancing out the window, thinking, "at least the weather isn't as bad as yesterday, but it's still cloudy." She zones out, "that day is getting closer…"

But Noah interrupts her thinking, asking, "I'm worried though, maybe it'd be best you listen to the Doctor and rest for today."

"No, I'll feel restless at home, not knowing what's going on at A Star. If it makes you feel any better, I'll go home early today." She strikes a cheeky smile, trying to convince him.

Unfortunately, Noah is easily swayed, "you're going home at 7 pm, and not anytime later."

She happily nods, "mhm!"

***

Its afternoon and Everest arrives at A Star greeting every employee when he asks, "where are the heads of the departments? I don't see anyone."

An employee responds, "they all went out for coffee since work is prolonged right now. But I wonder…"

"what?"

"well, they went out for about an hour ago, now."

Everest only responds, shaking his head, but strikes a smile, "I'll see you all tomorrow!" he waves at the staff while walking to the employee elevator.

Everest silently expresses his anger, "those fucking bastards as if they have the time to leisure around at a time like this! Its summer! And their taking breaks altogether. Don't they know that the rest of the employees are waiting for them so that they can take their breaks?!"

Ding! The elevator doors open, he's warmly received by the security team and receptionist when they greet him, "Good afternoon! How is everything going?"

After chatting with the security team and the receptionist, Belen finally allows him to enter her office.

As he did, his casual manner disappears, "Good Afternoon, Madam President."

She smirks, "come, have a seat. I'll be with you in 5 minutes."

He nervously walks over to sit, but he can't help but glance around, thinking, "it's not my first time coming into her office, but now that I think about it. I never took the time to notice the things she has…honestly; the interior design is amazing. Hmm? Does she not keep a clock in here? How can she tell time? She has a large TV! But I've never seen it on. I wonder what she likes to watch or listen to. Ha! But I can't ask her that."

Finally, she grabs her clipboard, and confidently walks over to sit across him, "are you nervous?"

He twitches like a fish in the surface, "w-what, do you mean?"

She smirks, "I heard the way you greeted everyone. But once you entered my office, you turned into an obedient Noah."

"Did I?"

She continues to grin, "You don't have to be another Noah, you can be yourself. All I'm asking is for you to treat me, respectively, but that does not mean you have to be emotionless robot."

His eyes widen, "what do you mean?"

She sighs, "just smile. It seems my employees have taken a liking to you. Yes, all of them."

She sorts out the checks on her clipboard and signs two checks. But before she hands it over to him, she takes out a tablet. Everest reacts, "my tablet!"

"I thought you only had one, but Noah brought this over to me." She slides it on the table to him. He grabs it, putting it on the side of his lap.

Belen glances at his frantic expression as if he were hiding something important in that tablet. When she confidently says, "I never knew your 'thoughts' were a diary you'd write while working here."

Everest freezes, his whole mind goes blank. Not knowing what to do staring at Belen with a surprised expression. "M-My thoughts?!"

Belen nods with a serious expression, "I read them. forgive me for doing so, but I also want to thank you for it."

Everest is amazed, "I-I, umm, it's! uh!"

She assures him, "It's fine. Don't worry, thanks to you. I've become aware of certain flaws."

Everest confusedly stares at her, "huh?"

She smiles, "you'll see tomorrow morning. Anyways, this is your first check." She carefully places the check within an envelope on the table, sliding it to him.

But he does not open it, and instead places it inside his pocket. "thank you, Madam President."

Belen crosses her arms, "I'm curious to know, how do you feel? About working for me?"

Everest calms down, and respectively answers, "It was…strange. It's the first time I've ever had to speak so much in a day. To be honest, it was exhausting. There were times I wanted to quit. There still are, but I can't. If I go back, then I'm sure my dad will most likely force our marriage."

Belen coldly responds, "indeed, you've changed since the first day I met you. But you've done a great job keeping up with our system."

"So, you know everything is at a fast pace?!"

She chuckles, "yes, I like everything going according to the way I want it to be. My employees know how difficult I am."

Everest asks, "I've been wondering since I sorted those letters during my evaluation. Why do you continue receiving invitations despite not even attending them?"

Belen nods, realizing what he means, "easy because those invitations are only for parties, they're either from the directors, investors or those who want to form a partnership with me. I don't attend any of them, Noah usually picks out the most important ones for me to attend."

"Why?"

"In the modern world, social media can destroy anyone. I've had a first-hand experience that nearly ruined me. Those people aren't worth my attention; they lay in hiding, waiting for the perfect opportunity to ambush me. I can't trust a world that is full of envious people waiting to embarrass me," she sharply glares at Everest, "Does that answer your question?"

Her cold complexion sends a shiver down his spine. Causing him to gulp, "I had no idea. Sorry for asking."

"As long as you understand, that's all that matters."

Everest nods, "thank you for giving me another chance. I-I learned from my mistake, and promise to do better next time."

"You should! It's not I you should be thanking. Noah did a pretty good job begging me to not let you go. I guess…he really appreciates your help."

Everest is stunned to hear the fact that Noah would beg for him to stay and wonder, "is she serious?"

She nods, feeling his sincerity, "Well then, I've kept you long enough, enjoy your day off, and be proud of that check, you earned it."

He excuses himself, exiting her office happily, patting his pocket where he placed his paycheck.

As he walked out of A Star, he bumps into the heads of the department outside a nearby café. When the heads of the department shout to get his attention, Everest pretends not to notice them but forcefully reacts with a pretentious smile.

"Hey, everyone! What are you all doing here?"

Everest stares at his watch, whispering under his breath, "those stupid idiots literally are taking all the time they want. It's been 30 minutes, have they been out here for more than an hour?"

Mr. Neil replies, "I was disappointed to see you not come today!"

Other comments, "Yeah! We almost got our heads cut off with all of the Madam's nagging!"

"ugh! Don't even mention it! and the Dog-killer kept making things worse!"

They all start complaining to Everest as if he has the time or cares. "why can't that dog-killer just let us be! We know about our job! It's not as if he can do what we can!"

"He's looking out for the Madam. But it's frustrating having to report everything to him."

"Hey, remember he did hire us!"

"Because we qualify, it's not because we like him!"

"I pray for the day the Madam will get rid of him!"

"But isn't he the only one who can keep the Madam under control?"

"that's right!!"

"I think you forget something!"

"what?! Who?"

"Her fiancé!"

"Oh! That's right! Everest! How were you able to control her anger? She turned into an obedient cat."

"If we can have Everest manage her, then we're all settled! She won't come biting in on our necks!"

"that's right! Everest, when are you finally going to settle down with her?"

"that'll make you our boss!" they all laugh happily and easily imagine how easy life would be without Noah and Belen's flare under wraps.

Everest pretends not to hear them when he quietly says, "Actually, I have some things to do, then I'll see you all tomorrow."

As he was leaving, Mr. Neil asks, "hey Everest, can you treat us to some dessert?"

Everest hides his displeasure behind his fake smile, "Sure."

***

Everest is driving frustrated at the fact that he couldn't say anything. He hates gossip, especially those who spread baseless rumors. So far, he despises the heads of the departments. It's not as if he likes Noah, but he does not like name-calling because he knows how it feels to be isolated. Because it's happened to him before, he does not think it's right to happen to someone else.

That's how Everest reasons if things are done justly and reasonably, then he'll go to lengths to protect whoever or whatever it is. He wishes he can say something but, at the same time, does not want to bring unwanted attention to himself. He knows the heads of the department's real aim, which is to kiss up to him so that they can continue to do as they like.

"Fuck! Do I have to continue sharing the same workplace with those snakes?! Shit!"

***

Meanwhile, Noah is in the basement handling new arrivals, and the basement does not have perfect reception, so it's challenging to receive phone calls. Many phone calls come flooding in from the employees as more and more shoppers enter the mall. But the heads of the departments aren't back yet, so finally, Belen steps in to clear the whole chaos.

"Why weren't any of them in their work station? Where are they?" Belen wonders, walking down the hallway glaring at everything from above.

Until she enters their offices and walks around only to see it empty, "according to the cameras, they all left two hours ago, where could those hyenas have gone?"

She hears the door open, making her turn around to notice the heads of the department enter together, smiling and laughing. That is before they see Belen in front of them coldly yet angrily raising her eyebrow.

Her haughtiness makes them submit in fear to her authoritative demeanor. Her strict tone sharply digs into their ears like frozen icicles. "Where have you all been this whole time, 2 hours?"

But the smell of coffee is so strong that it only adds fuel to her flames, "don't tell me, did you all just take 2 hours away from work to enjoy some coffee? While everyone else is working?"

Mr. Neil fearfully speaks up, "We left when work was slow, so we thought it'd stay the same-"

"You thought?!! Am I supposed to laugh?!" she shouts as if blazing fire like a dragon, "So I take it, you know the customer's thoughts? Well enough to come back to work whenever you choose to? Huh!!"

Another respectively responds, "But Madam, your fiancé, Everest Fox treated us to some dessert. We thought it'd be rude to turn his offer down, so we accepted. That is another reason why we're late."

"am I supposed to believe that lie?"

Mr. Neil takes out a receipt, "but its true, Madam! Look! Here is the receipt with his signature!"

She scoffs, "my my, you all certainly did your best to find an alibi. Should I call Everest right now to find out the truth?" she takes out her phone getting ready to mark his number, but just doing this makes her see the terror written on their faces.

"Should I?" she tilts her head making them feel anxious until Miss Rona speaks up, "It was our fault, Madam! Please forgive us! We will never commit such actions in the future!"

Belen coldly looks down on Miss Rona's begging, "that's not enough! I want to know why you all thought it was a great idea to take a 2-hour break!!"

As she yelled, the heads of the department turn against each other, blaming one another as they all begin to talk over each other. This chaos annoys Belen when she shouts, "Enough!!"

Silence, along with tension, fill the room, when she sighs, "I have an even greater solution, you're all fired as of this day, no, right now! I want you all gone!" She walks out of the office, but the heads all run-up to her, begging, "please Madam! Have mercy on us!"

"you can't do this to us, Madam!" "Forgive me just this once, Madam!" "Madam, our contracts! You can get into legal trouble!"

The few begin to threaten her with the bind of their contract. Belen smirks, "your contracts are terminated. Or don't you all remember the clauses of your contracts?"

They all look at one another, confused when she continues, "name-calling? You dare to disrespect my employees! Did you all think I had no idea of your code for name-calling? Dog-killer?!"

All of the heads feel paralyzed to hear that word come out of her mouth. She arrogantly smirks, "I can terminate the contract based on that alone, and even more if I decide to mark you for taking a 2-hour break like today. I'll have security escort you all out."

She walks away, confidently swaying her long beautiful black hair as the rhythm of her hips. As she entered the elevator, an evil smile forms on her face when her eyes darken, "I love this feeling…power!" she thinks to herself, making a fist. "firing and hiring whoever I want, when I want! I've wanted to fire those who-downs. Thanks to Everest, I found the perfect opportunity. Ah! It's refreshing!" she tries hiding her satisfied smile.

***

Meanwhile, clueless Noah is about to head upstairs when he walks up to the parking lot. "I forgot the files in the trunk. I'll get them right now before Belen takes the car."

Just as he got the few files, he needed, he waits at the elevator, when a petite slightly chubby woman with long black hair and pretty facial features approaches Noah from behind.

"Excuse me," the woman's timid feminine voice alerts him to turn to the direction of the sound.

"May I help you, ma'am?" Noah asks the woman coming closer beside him.

Finally, the elevator doors open. When he and the woman enter, he respectively allows her to press the floor she's heading to when she pauses and turns to Noah, "Do you work here?"

"Yes, I do. Is this your first time coming to A Star Mall?"

"Yes, it's my first time here, since you work here do you know if Belen Astares is here?"

"Belen Astares?" he glances at the camera in the elevator feeling uneasy but manages to calm himself " She's here. May I ask why are you?"

The woman sigh in relief, "I'm her sister Mabel." Noah's eyes widen in shock, "her sister?"