The Memory Keeper: The Sin In Our Name

Rain's POV

I was so deep in work that I hadn't realized how late it had gotten. Glancing at the clock, I was startled to see that it was already 9 PM. My desk was a sea of paperwork, and I felt the weight of it all on my shoulders. But before I could fully dive back into it, a text message popped up on my phone.

"Hey VP! You're so busy now that you couldn't visit your best friend here at the marketing department-what a shame?" The playful banter came from Therese, of course.

I smiled at the message and decided to give her a call. As the phone rang, I leaned back in my chair, letting the brief break take the edge off the stress.

"Hello! Finally!" Therese's voice rang out the second I picked up, clearly excited. "You remember me! When are you coming home? Can you please drag Khai's ass here back to the apartment so you guys can stay with us? It's been too long!"

I laughed softly at her playful tone. "Oh, I wish I could, but hey, that's a great idea. I'll let you know if we can make it happen."

Therese sighed dramatically on the other end. "Alright, alright, we hate to admit it, but we missed you so much. Just don't work yourself to death over there, okay?"

Before I could respond, Kroft's voice chimed in from the background, "Hey VP! Come visit us sometimes if you don't mind."

I chuckled. "I'll definitely try to make some time. I've been drowning in work lately. But it's nice to hear from you both."

Therese let out a mock groan. "You know, it's like we're invisible over here, just doing all the work while you're busy running the show. But seriously, we miss you around here, Rain. You and Khai are always so caught up in your lives now."

I smiled softly, touched by her words. "I miss you guys too. It's just... things have been a little crazy lately. You know how it is."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Therese said, sounding a little more serious now. "But hey, take care of yourself, okay? And don't let work swallow you whole. We need our VP at her best, not burning out."

I nodded even though she couldn't see it. "Thanks, Therese. I promise I'll take a break soon."

After a few more minutes of catching up, I said my goodbyes, feeling a little lighter than before. It was always good to hear from my friends, even if it was just a quick chat. I tucked my phone back into my pocket, the weight of my duties creeping back in, but now with a renewed sense of balance. Maybe I didn't have to work myself to the bone. Maybe I could find a little space for the things that mattered too.

With a sigh, I refocused on the pile of reports in front of me. But this time, there was a small smile on my face, thinking about how I might just take Therese and Kroft up on that invitation.

Rain's POV

After the call with Therese and Kroft, I packed up my things and left my office. The weight of the day was finally starting to lift as I made my way through the lobby, ready to head home and unwind for the night. I dialed Kevin's number, letting him know I'd be waiting for him at the driveway.

As I stood there, the cold night air brushing against my skin, I took a moment to glance around the quiet surroundings. The area was mostly empty, save for a few dim lights casting long shadows along the edges of the driveway. It was then that I saw something-or rather, someone-across the driveway in the distance. A figure standing in the dark, staring directly in my direction.

My heart skipped a beat as I instinctively took a step back. There was something about the figure, something so familiar, yet I couldn't place it. Her face-those eyes-there was no mistaking the intensity in her gaze. The moment I locked eyes with her, it felt like time slowed down.