Trophies

Legend has it that at the beginning of time, a star had fallen from the sky. The star, from the constellation Leo, struggled to find its way in the world. Thus, it took the shape of the only thing it knew, the only thing it could recognize on the new Earth…..a lion.

 It is thought that if you manage to catch a glimpse of the legendary golden lion that fell from the heavens, you will be blessed with immense wealth. If you manage to catch the beast, any wish you make can come true.

 Since the dawn of man, mankind has hunted the elusive lion; searching and praying for riches and power. In present day, whispers of the beast still float around. Most discard such thoughts, but some...some still hold onto the hope that their ancestors once chased after.

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 Camille wiggled her nose and dabbed it gently with the back of her index finger. Neil's office always had a disgusting musty odor that she dreaded facing whenever she had to visit her fiancé in his work space.

 Dust particles floated through the air, caught red handed by the sun shining in through the giant floor to ceiling windows.

 Stacks of documents and office supplies littered Neil's giant hand crafted, wooden desk.

 It was such a shame, she thought, that he didn't keep his office tidy.

 Marble floors and beautifully hand painted wooden panels created, what should be, a beautiful office space. His desk had been carved with such incredible detail, it grabbed her eye every time.

 The office was large, suitable for the CEO of a billion dollar company. Yet, instead of filling it with works of art and comfortable sitting arrangements for visitors, Neil had filled it with the stuffed trophies he had gained from hunting.

 She glared at the animals with disgust as Neil ushered her in further to his office, motioning towards a tiny uncomfortable chair that sat in front of his desk.

 Hunting for sport was the thing she hated the most. As if it wasn't bad enough to kill an animal solely for pleasure, but to then display its body for everyone to see? It made her sick.

 "Get that look off your face, dear. It's unbecoming of you." Neil stated without looking up to see her expression.

 It was the same thing every time she came into his office, and so, they began each meeting with the same conversation.

 "I'll get it off my face as soon as you stop your disgusting little game and stop displaying your trophies like this."

 Neil rolled his eyes as he began to look through the stack of documents on his desk, pen in hand.

 "The least you can do is say something, isn't that right?" Camille glared at him with pure loathing.

 A sigh escaped Neil's lips as he frustratingly ran his hand through his neatly combed back hair.

 "What is it you want me to say? Since when were you like this? You used to be so obedient. Now all you do is complain with such a nasty look on your face. I have half the heart to break off our engagement."

 His words held no emotion, and were rather flat, causing Camille to roll her eyes and scoff to herself.

 'If only.' She thought as she leaned back in the uncomfortable chair and looked around his office.

 They'd known each other since they were children; school-mates who were forced into each other's lives when their parents befriended one another during a school event.

 At first, they were annoyed by one another, not wanting their parents to choose their friends. However, that slowly evolved into a close friendship.

 For a time, Neil – who was three years her senior – had served as a protector for her. He'd support her and cheer her on.

 Admittedly, she'd developed a crush on him in their teen years. His warm personality, protective nature, tall frame and dazzling good looks would make any girl go mad and Camille was no exception.

 Yet, after high school, they had grown apart and gone their separate ways.

 Their parents, however, had not ceased to maintain their close relationship. Once Neil was passed the CEO position of his father's company, he was arranged to marry Camille.

 At first, neither had much of a problem with it, they'd become their own people and had practically become strangers in their time after their school years. They took solace in their memories and thought, it wasn't a completely terrible idea.

 Neil had lost his protectiveness and warmth somewhere along the way, and Camille had developed a voice of her own which was often times too loud for him.

 On top of that, after a hunting trip with his father one summer – a sort of coming of age ceremony – he'd found pleasure in the killing of animals. Something that Camille couldn't wrap her head around.

 It also wasn't much help that Camille had been forced into the position of Neil's personal assistant.

 After some time of silence, Camille finally piped up.

 "Have you forgotten that I am here or are you going to give me the work you brought me in here for?"

 "Can't you see that I am busy right now?" He snapped, still without looking up.

 "I'm not a ghost Neil. Look at me when you address me! Yes, I see you are busy, I could be too if you'd give me the work you have for me already. Does efficiency mean nothing to you?"

 Neil sighed and looked up at her. It pained him to do so.

 He loved her. That long auburn hair with the most subtle of waves, sparkling caramel colored eyes that decorated the smallest, most delicate face he'd ever witnessed.

 She looked almost like a drawing and to him, she was the most perfect woman alive.

 They were engaged, and he knew she was loyal. He had her, and yet at the same time, he did not have her.

 Each time she caught his eye, it was a painful idea to recognize. He wished she would just go back to how she was before – the old Camille who looked up at him with those eyes full of enamor and love, who leaned on him and stayed quietly by his side.

 He didn't even have any work for her, he'd just wanted her presence.

 "Does it matter? You're getting paid regardless. Shouldn't you be thanking me for paying you for doing nothing?"

 Camille leaned forward, ready to say something, but decided against it and leaned back in the chair.

 She wanted to get out of that office ASAP.

 All she could think was of the stuffed animals staring into her soul, asking her how she could be with such a man.

 With an aching back, she stood up and slowly walked to the giant windows.

 That chair wasn't meant to be sat in for long periods of time like that, and his office had a perfectly good view.

 It was such a shame she was being forced to be cooped up in his dingy office, it was a beautiful day outside.

 Sun shining bright, birds singing their songs, people out walking arm in arm – it was picturesque.

 That's where she wanted to be. Outside and free.

 Free of this job, free of this engagement from this man she couldn't stand, and free of this horrendous cage of an office.

 To be free was something she longed for, but her circumstances wouldn't allow it.

 Unfortunately, she was tied to Neil and there was nothing she could do about it.

 Neil glanced over at her, breaking from the paperwork he was filling out.

 "Would you like to go out for lunch later? There's a wonderful new restaurant with a beautiful view that just opened up not far from here."

 "No thanks. I've already been to it." Camille responded curtly.

 "You have? When? It just opened. What are you doing at a place like that alone?"

 There was the slightest hint of worry in his voice.

 "Who said I was alone? I went on the opening night. The view is beautiful that much is true."

 His right eyebrow lifted ever-so-slightly.

 "Who did you go with? Why would you not wait to go someplace like that with your fiancé?"

 It was an expensive restaurant, and he knew it was not a place she'd go normally.

 Camille looked up towards the sky, never once turning around.

 "A few of us coworkers went together. Maybe I would've gone with you, had you not been busy with your disgusting little hobby."

 Neil sighed.

 "You women just don't understand the thrill of the hunt. It's a man's thing. You should be proud that your man is such a talented hunter. Rest assured, I'm excellent at it, none of them suffer."

 'You women,' she repeated in her head, 'You women….'

 Those two words irked her.

 "I still don't like it." She mumbled, just loud enough so he could barely hear.

 "Well my dear, I will go on another trip tomorrow and I promise you, I will bring you back a prize that will change your mind."