Last Chance - unedited

Last Chance 
for my family, Vernessa and to Kuya Lhon, my Nicholas....

Her hands are as cold as ice. She never expected that the one she truly loved is asking her for a dance. The music started to play. The face of her prince charming gleamed in a beautiful view. Suddenly…

“Marie! It is almost 7:00 am I thought you are going to the office by that time – Wake UP!”
A dream. A usual thing that happen to her. She is expecting to finish it even she knew that it was just a silly dream. There are things she needs to accomplish more than day dreaming.

“You’re late. Anyway its your first time to be tardy am I right”

Marie just throw a smile to the man in front of her. Nicholas, her boss and a very good friend. Most of it, it was her prince charming that she dreamt before.


“Sorry if I’m late. Anything I can do for you? Big bro?”

“Can you forward these letters to the Treasurer’s office?”

“Of course why not? Do all the names listed here had already signed?”

“Hmm... Yup!”

Another day, same tasks. Marie always forward letters for projects and activities. A very typical secretary. She always do her best not only for the people she serves but also for her so called “big brother”, Nico. She went to the treasurer’s office. There she meet Mark, Nicholas’ Human Resource Manager. He is tall, with eyeglasses and an enthusiastic personality. He secretly love Marie.

She smiled to him and greeted.

“Good morning Sir! Seems like you’re having a great day isn’t it? It looks like you’re in love.”

“Really? Gee… Thanks!”

A sudden blush came through Mark’s cheeks.

Two days after, a memorandum came to Nicholas’ office. It contains an invitation for executive officers of their company. Marie received it and Nicolas let her opened it. The invitation tells there that the party will be held a week after the notice so all can come. He was amazed of the invite but he is desperate because his favorite secretary can’t come to the event.
“Are you sure you don’t like to come?”

“You can go there on your own. It’s a gathering for all of you”

Nicholas just sighed and decided to go. Anyways, he can put up a party for himself together with his secretary.

Five days passed. Usual things happen to Marie except for a day while she is walking along the corridors of their office.

She noticed two men and a woman talking about Nico. The three of them are also executives who are rivals of her boss in business. She peeked and listened. She can’t believe of what she heard.

“By 10 o’clock you must be sure that Nicholas is near the shooting area. You will be dancing with him and you must be near the area where the sharpshooter can clearly see both of you. Is that clear to you Kristine?”

Marie can’t believe that her officemate can do it to their boss. Nicholas love Kristine with all her heart that he even asked her to marry him.

“We must kill him so I can take his place, and we can own the company”

Marie rushed to tell Nicholas not to go to the gathering. But her boss has just left to Guam and will be back on the day of the party. She is very worried knowing that her other officemates had a great plan to do. She has no choice but to go to the party.

“We can’t let you in. You have no invitation” the security said to Marie.

“But…”

“Don’t worry she’s my secretary. Please let her go inside. Tell them that I let her in”

Marie was surprised to what she heard. Her boss was just behind her smiling and told the guards to let her go inside the party. She is quite nervous about it because all Nicholas knew was she is staying in the office to finish some work.

“And what brings you here, young lady?” Nicholas asked.

“huh? Nothing. I just thought to come here cause I already finished my paperwork.”

“That’s good. Why don’t you tell me earlier so that we can have just a dinner?”

Marie was speechless. Her blood suddenly rushed into her cheeks giving it a little red glow. She suddenly look away from Nicholas so that he cant see it.

“Did I say something wrong?” Nico asked again

“Nothing”

“There’s no wrong with a simple dinner” holding her hands by then. “You are the most reliable secretary I’ve ever seen. That’s why I trust you. You’re the only person who knows my secret. Everything. That’s why I want you to relax. That’s what friends are for didn’t we”

Her eyes dilated. After she heard what he said, that sudden gush of happiness turns to deep sadness. She can’t own Nico’s heart cause he loves someone else. She loosened her hand to him and smiled sweetly.

“Don’t worry there will come a time we can both have a dinner” Marie said

Nicholas was very happy that he squeezed her shoulders tightly trying to hug her but suddenly a voice…

“So you’re here already. Such a lovely view.”

“It’s a nice day to see you Kristine” Nicholas Answered

Marie was afraid that Kristine might stick to the plan of killing Nicholas. She doesn’t want to see her loved one get killed.

“ Hi there Marie! It’s been a while since we work together” Kristine told Marie.

“ Yes. Its really quite a while” Marie replied

“Now let’s see… Nicholas, can you help me at the bar?”

“Sure why not!”

Nico turned to Marie, saying, “Now it’s my chance!”

As Nicholas and Kristine walked to the bar, Kristine look back at Marie telling her that Mark is waiting for her at the fountain. Marie suddenly remembered that Mark is also a part of a plan and she’s thinking that they are trying to separate Nicholas from her so that the plan will be successful.

Marie went off to the fountain to look for Mark. He found him there standing near the garden drinking tequila. His angelic face beamed more with his blue long sleeved top that made him more gorgeous.

Well just as I expected. Mark said

Marie was puzzled to what he said that she couldn’t say a word. Silence was all over the garden. Then Mark suddenly hugged her and says these words:

Why don’t you love me? You always care for Nicholas eventhough we all know whom he loves. Kristine loves him too don’t you know that? I care for you… Marie I love you.

She was stunned. His arms are tightly hugging her and repeatedly telling her those words. She wants to let go thinking Nicholas is unguarded there with Kristine. She feels sorry for Mark because she can’t leave Nico behind. She slowly pushed Mark away telling him that her emotions are centered to Nico and she sees Mark as a good friend. Marie hurriedly turned away to go back to the party, leaving Mark behind.

"Go! For this is the last time you’ll see him alive and you will be mine." Mark whispered with full anger deep inside.

The place was majestic. She searched the whole place but there is no trace of Nicholas and Kristine. Marie sat for a second, thinking what could happen while she was talking to Mark. Did they kill him already? Why all the people are still relaxed? Where is Kristine? Did they kidnap Nico? Will she ever see him again? Many questions burst out in her mind. She wants to cry not seeing him. Suddenly she saw a hand infront of her. She slowly turns her head to see who it is.

"May I ask the beautiful lady for a dance? "

Marie was surprised. Nicholas was standing in front of her asking her for a dance. She slowly stands and replied.

It’s a pleasure to be offered by a gentleman. How can I refuse?

Both of them laughed as they walk along the dancefloor. He held his hands to her waist and another to Marie’s hand.

"It’s really a great evening" Marie said

"I know. And let it be. " Nicholas replied

The stars shone brighter as the song came to its chorus. And the wind slowly caresses the evening with its cool breeze.

"I remember when I was in college, I once asked Kristine to dance with me on the prom. I didn’t know that his boyfriend was the varsity star and he and his friends bullied me. I even lost the promise ring I wanted to give to her. Good thing there is a girl who saved me. he talked to the guy and off he goes." Nicholas told Marie

"Do you really lost the ring?" Marie asked

Hmmm… Oh no! I recall giving it to the girl but I didn’t ask her name. I hurriedly go home incase Kristine’s boyfriend came back, I wont get beaten up.

Marie looked up to the sky thinking of something. She turned to the terrace of the mansion and she saw a man wearing a black suit. He is holding a long armor aimed at them. She suddenly remembered the plan and turn to look at her watch 9:59 it says.

The whole place is quiet. All eyes focused in the center of the dancefloor.

"Call ambulance hurry!" A voice shouted.

Marie was shot at her back. After several seconds her eyes suddenly opened.

Remember the girl whom you gave the promise ring to?

Yes. Do you know her?

"It was me"

Nicholas can’t say a word. He didn’t expect it is Marie because the girl is very plain compare to what Marie is now.

I didn’t tell you because I know who is the one you love since college. But I kept the promise ring with me always… everyday.

But why I cant see it? Nicholas asked her

I have it as a pendant. Showing her necklace to Nicholas. I have loved you before you gave me the ring. I always look at you when you are walking the school corridors. You are intelligent and handsome but I’m afraid to approach you because I’m no one.

No, don’t say that. For me you’re my angel. You are the only person I can turn to.

Don’t worry… I’ll always be your angel.

Months passed after the incident, the investigators came over Nicholas’ office to give him the results. He hurriedly called Kristine and Mark and have them arrested. They also arrest Nicholas’ rival in business.

I have them arrested darling! Hope your happy now…

He hurriedly went to a building. There in front of him is a beautiful child together with a lady.

Thank you Mother superior. Nicholas said
Her name is Francine. She’s a shy girl.

Hi there Francine. From now on I’ll be your daddy. Turning to the girl

The little girl smiled sweetly to Nicholas. Letting him know how much she was happy. Francine is only 5 years old when both of her parents died in a plane crash last month. She has blue eyes and long black tresses.

Do I have a mommy? Francine asked

Yes you do have a mommy. Nicholas replied to her

We will visit her today

Really! I can’t wait to see her daddy

Nicholas and Francine went to a place where they can visit Francine’s new mommy. The girl was puzzled because the place was familiar to her.

Is mommy in here?

Yes.

But this is also the place where my mom and dad sleep.

Nicholas suddenly cried when he saw the child’s eyes were filled with tears.

Don’t tell me my new mommy is also sleeping here.

Yes… she went to a place where your mom and dad is living right now.

Francine look down where Marie was sleeping. She weeps for a while and tells Marie.
Mommy! I’m here. I hope you’re happy there with my mom and dad.

The little girl asked Nicholas how Marie had died. And he told Francine the whole story on that evening.

Mommy Marie really loves you. Francine said sweetly

"That’s why I want you to have this." Putting the necklace to the girl’s neck. This is a remembrance from her. It was the promise ring that I gave her.

I will take care of it daddy! Look mommy I have your promise ring. I’ll keep it safe always.

Suddenly, a cool breeze came over the cemetery. That breeze was slowly hugging Francine and Nicholas. Marie was in the place observing the both of them. And by that day, Nicholas thought to himself.

"You always kept your promise. Thank you for being our angel. Even on that night, it was also my last chance to make you mine"

Nicholas had regret that evening because he was too late to ask Marie to marry him.

____________________________________________

- by heaven_sent1022 (2002)

*Last Chance won 3rd place in INKlined in Arts, sponsored by Education Journal, University of Santo Tomas