Swirling Fervour

"I know you are waiting for me…"

Theo scans the inside of this bungalow, taking in the sleek modern furnishings and an impressive panoramic view of its city skyline— Bern.

Bern, the capital city of Switzerland, is a breathtaking masterpiece of art, where nature and architecture unite in a harmonious ballet. Like on a canvas, the river Aare gracefully meanders, its sparkling waters reflecting a kaleidoscope of colours painted by the sunrise and sunset. The hills that surround the city seem to have been sculpted by nature's own hands, standing tall and proud, confirming a security to the city. Walking through the medieval streets of Bern is like stepping into a painting by some Renaissance savvy— in a few words, Bern is 'a painting brought to life'.

His heart still racing, Theo takes a deep breath and composes himself, "I- I can feel my heartbeats today…so much more than other days. I just can feel them, a little bit different. Today feels a little unknown, today feels a little different?" Today marks a new chapter in his career as a wedding planner at Bern at the most prestigious institution so far, but maybe as a new chapter of something else too, something he does not quite know…yet. The youth is ready to seize every opportunity that corners his way.

Shunning his nerves, there is an undeniable sense of excitement in the air— nearly destiny itself is beckoning him towards something magnificent.

Determined, Theo strides down the expansive hallways marred with air condition, confidence balling at his heels, every person he passes bowing in deference to the newcomer.

The atmosphere feels rich with a palpable sense of prestige and esteem, and Theo feels a deep sense of purpose radiating from every trivial presences of the building. He is soon approached by an escort, smiling, a diminutive woman who leads him to his destination with an efficiency and grace that speaks volumes of the organisation as its whole.

And when they approach nearer the room, Theo's heart pounds even harder, the nameplate announcing the CEO's presence serving as a potent reminder of the weight of this meeting— Louis Garber. And yet, he can't shake the feeling that this encounter is destined to change his life in ways he can't even imagine...yet. Something unexpected is going to happen…

With his steady resolve, unflattering, Theo gathers himself and enters the CEO's office. The glass panels disengage open, acknowledging Theo's presence as a person of significance. He strides forward, his dark features framing his individuality, as he steels himself for what lies ahead— but will that really work?

"Excuse me," Theo's voice catches in his throat soon when he is partially pronouncing, "May I come--" but is quickly interrupted by the sight of the man occupying the CEO's chair. Whoever he may be, his striking features are setting him apart from anyone else in the building. At a glance, it may appear like what these days is known as something like 'love at first sight', but Theo knows, he never falls in love…and definitely not just with anyone…

No. He is not the boss, but there is something about him that's just...different. Theo's heart is not aligning, the beats are not in rhythm anymore…

The enigmatic individual, standing from his seat, glances down at a page of names before addressing Theo, "Oh! You must be Gabriel's new assistant? Theo Davis? If I am not wrong? I heard only Theo Davis was scheduled to pay a visit at this time."

Theo's breath is caught in his throat, the sound of his own heartbeat drowning out all other noise in the room. Is he finally having the so-called panic attack of a newbie? No, it can't be as it is not drowning him in a void of darkness rather he feels like finally getting rescued from something he can't find to pinpoint.

The brunette fumbles with his feet, trying to compose himself, but finds it increasingly difficult when he is gazing into the unknown man's captivating eyes. "S- Soul...soulmate," he mutters, hardly able to get the words out. "I knew- I knew you would be here..."

Lorenzo quirks an eyebrow, confusion furrowing. "I'm sorry, are you feeling okay?" He dampens the parched, broken pair of lips, "You see, you really don't have to be nervous around me, I'm just here to help manage the team and keep everyone on task."

Theo seems to be lost in his own thoughts, not listening nor awaiting any words from Lorenzo. Something is definitely wrong, very, very wrong and Theo's eyes continue to blur, indicating at rightly that…

Lorenzo, looking on in concern, asks, "What the hell is wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell? Just answer me, will you?"

Theo can not even process the words, let alone respond. His mind is racing, his heart pounding, and his breaths pouring in short gasps. He knows that something major is happening, and he just can't shake off the feeling that the man he has never met before, is somehow a part of it. The weight of his realisation is suffocating, and he feels as though he is being pulled out of the present moment altogether— Theo is a stern believer of this universe, has always been…but sometimes, the universe can't answer certain things, or more like, it chooses not to.

Lorenzo's words serve to be a beacon of stability in the chaos of Theo's mind, but they're not enough to snap him out of it altogether. He simply stares at Lorenzo, wide-eyed and unresponsive, caught in a trance.

"Hey?" Lorenzo reaches out towards Theo, his intention to offer the younger man a warm embrace which the newcomer can confide in. To his abhorrence instead, what he encounters takes him by complete surprise. Theo's body sags and begins to slide into a heap…in the unknown man's arms.

A wave of dizziness washes over Theo, followed by an insidious sense of churning stomach, and dread that twists and turns, making his body feel like a tangled mess of chords. The world around him begins to spin, furniture starts to blur, and colours fade into a sea of grey. He feels the ground shifting beneath his feet, similar to what feels like when earth is opening up and swallowing the brunette as a whole.

Theo gasps for air. For a brief moment, he manages to hold onto one last thread of consciousness, clinging to it. But it's a losing battle against darkness. Darkness creeps in, gradually snuffing out all of the senses until there's nothing left but an overwhelming emptiness— Theo feels a sense of resignation, even relief. A surrender to the inevitability of the situation, a momentary acceptance of his fate. And then, there's nothing…

"What the--" the words race. Lorenzo's face twists in vexation, an uncorrupted chagrin to be more precise. "A long day, of all things, is really the last thing I needed today. And now, what the hell is this?" Theo remains unresponsive, Lorenzo ceaselessly but carefully tapping his cheek a few times. "Theo?" Lorenzo attempts to get to his attention, but to no avail. "Hello? Can you hear me? You are Theo, by the way, right? Or someone else?" He shakes his head.

"What in the hell am I supposed to do now? What kind of trouble is this?" He clicks his tongue at the thought of having to deal with this new trouble. While fidgeting with himself, Lorenzo's gaze falls on his now 'sleeping duty'. He seems younger than Lorenzo by two-three years, but definitely skinny for his age. He remembers the grey and gleeful eyes of the boy that greeted him a moment ago. Those eyes. They seem hollow behind the mask of mirth, years of hollowness in his heart taught him to recognise this emotion. His skin is warm, too warm in fact, too warm to be moulded into a comfort. His voice is like he has been ignored for years, he wants to say something, he wants to hear something, he wants something… And what did this lad say— Soulmate? Lorenzo snickers without humour at it. He can be anything but a soulmate. His soul has already shattered and his mate…

"Damn it! What am I even thinking?" Lorenzo shakes his head, before reaching into his pocket for his phone, his frustration mounting, beginning to claw angrily at it. Helpless, impotent, he lays the brunette on the ground. "You are a troublemaker in all senses."

Clearly, these absurdities were not part of his plans for the day. "I guess I will have to drop a call to Louis right now, and he better answer it," he mutters, hastily dialling the contact's number. Of course, as luck would have it, Louis fails to pick up.

Lorenzo chucks his phone in frustration before rubbing circles on his temples, knowing full well that Gabriel's phone is lying right in front of him, he is seeing it, as broad as daylight. The man never carries it anywhere. "Hey there!" Lorenzo attempts to rouse Theo once more to no absolute luck. "Geez! One really stupid day and one more stupider assistant! What a day to be alive!" He cavils before grabbing Theo's phone from his pocket and deftly unlocking it with the owner's thumbprint, no trace of rue railing alongside, nothing that sort, nothing similar even. "Forgive me! I'm just going to call whoever shows up at the top of your call list, assuming they are the most important to you!"

Lorenzo races through the roster of contact names whizzing past, only to halt at the sight of the first one— Zoey. He squanders no time and presses the call button, hoping for whoever this man is to actually receive it; and good for all of them, that he does.

"Hello? Theo?"

"Hey there man," Lorenzo begins, "I am sorry to inform you that whoever Theo is to you, he has suddenly collapsed in his workplace. I am not sure why. The CEO, unfortunately, is engaging with another employee who is slacking, so he is not here to take care of the assistant. Can you maybe come and pick him up or something? I am just…er, looking after the office in the meantime by the way."

"What? What- what happened to Theo? Theo–" Lorenzo cringes at the loud yet expected reply rewarded to his ears.

"I will be there in five minutes. On my way. Thank you for informing. Please look after him in the meantime," comes another scurried, unrehearsed response as the phone goes off after a few shuffling at the other end.

With reassurance from the speaker on the opposite end, the recipient feels a weight lift from their shoulders, grateful to be spared any unnecessary troublesome inquiries. Even so, he can't seem to brush off the sprinkles of an eerie feeling after witnessing the voice. He surely is unacquainted with the owner, or is he?— joggling his head, he pushes those thoughts aside, he has better things to think about, that is for sure. The back of his mind is probably too crowded already.

"So much for this CEO-CEO act. Can this bungler survive even a day without my help?" he grumbles under his breath at the stupidity of his best friend-cum-business partner. "A big show off and nothing more."

Lorenzo deftly returns the phone to its rightful owner and settles back, he really has nothing better to do until the CEO himself takes over— when, the eyelids of the comatose figure begins to what feels like flicker, hopefully Lorenzo is not imagining things now, or else the day can't get any weirder.

The older gentleman can not really afford another fainting episode triggered by the sight of Lorenzo's own face, that is what he is worried about the most right now, yes. All in all, he reckons he wasn't too bad looking for someone who could cause such a reaction, not half as bad looking for someone to just simply pass out like Theo did. Then again, he does not want to take any chances and opts to cover his mouth with a face mask and wears a complimentary pair of sunglasses. In his view, better safe now than being sorry later— even if it is none of your fault.

Lorenzo's soothing voice stirs "Are you finally okay?" he asks.

Muddled, Theo surveys his surroundings, trying to make sense of whatever is going on, "And why would I not exactly be okay?" He half squeezes his eyes.

"Wow!" Lorenzo scoffs, outwardly amused yet inwardly relieved. "Well... let's just say you weren't feeling your best a while ago. But no worries, I'll fill the CEO in, that you need to take a sick day."

"B-but I'm not sick!" Theo vehemently protests.

Lorenzo's tone gentles and surprises himself with this yet-to-discover ability. "I've already called Zoey or whoever it was. He was at the top of your contacts. He'll be here anytime to pick you up. On his way. Now, please don't put up a fight. I'm not exactly in the mood for that," he pleads.

With a heavy, muddy heart, Theo acquiesce. He knows this unknown man has his best interests at heart, besides what good would it do to the stranger to get Theo in trouble? The phrase 'stranger danger' was erased from Theo Davis's dictionary a long time ago, and even if it exists, it is in one of the pages that are rarely visited.

"If you say so," he allows himself to be led by a few words, his head swirling with confusion and uncertainty, as he waits for Zoey's arrival.

"Excellent," Lorenzo dusts himself off, relocating in the CEO's chair and gestures to another nearby, addressing the now befuddled brunette. "Perhaps you might prefer to sit in the chair across from me? The ground is hardly an ideal place to relax. And forgive me for saying this, but I am here to support my best friend in the reopening of his management, and not to nurse his assistant."

Theo nods in agreement, obediently taking his seat opposite Lorenzo. They settle into an easy conversation, however, Lorenzo's phone beeps shrilly. Glancing down at the screen, he sees an unknown number flashing in bold letters.

For a moment, Lorenzo's usually fair complexion pales with concern. Who could be calling him now, of all times? Though he tries to maintain his composure, the moment is fleeting. Soon his mind begins to race with all sorts of possibilities— but he picks up nonetheless.

A woman's voice rings out, interrupting Lorenzo's thoughts. "Hey there, babe," she cooes, "Care to take a guess who this is?"

Lorenzo hesitates for a moment, feeling the weight of his ignorance. "I'm afraid I am not supposed to recognize your voice," he says, turning away from the presence of the other person in that room.

But the woman persists. "Your father did mention he was going to introduce me to you today. Didn't he?"

Lorenzo furrows his brow, ruminating on this new information. "Hold on," thinking carefully, "Could it be possible that you are...as my father says, my 'fiancée'?"

"Why does your father seem to be the only one labeling me?" she purrs, her tone a tad too forced, seductive maybe, "Surely, you should be happy about it too?"

Lorenzo hesitates, searching for a diplomatic response, but the woman cuts him off. "Nevermind. Don't answer that," she says smoothly. "It's unreasonable to expect you to have warm feelings towards me when we've yet to meet. So, now listen carefully. I've set a date for us today, and I don't take no for an answer."

Lorenzo's response is a thunderous "Hell no!" but he reins in his emotions when he notices Theo's continued persistence, dropping his voice. "Hell with your date! I'm drowning in work," he explains, trying to remain cordial. "I'll be heading to my office soon."

But the woman is undeterred. "No problem," she says lightly. "We can always meet during your work, or after. And I might even drop by unexpectedly. It would be best if you do not oppose me," she laughs, "You have no idea what I'm capable of doing to your father. By the way, remember my name. It is Emilia. Emilia Bieri." With an unsettling laugh lingering, she hangs up, leaving Lorenzo without a word to say.

Theo coughs discreetly, attracting Lorenzo's attention. "Pardon me, but Zoey just informed me that he's arrived. Could you kindly let my employer know that I'm stepping out?"

"No problem," Lorenzo assuages with a stretched exhale, already mentally organising his own departure for the office. "Go ahead."

"Thank you," Theo says with a nod before walking towards the exit. He can not shake the feeling that this day is shaping up to be a rather unusual one, this day is a little…different.