Alicia

I felt as if I was in a fog, grappling at pieces I couldn't see and trying to fit them together. Colin Evans was the same Colin from high school. When I first read his name, it was like something clicked. The piece I couldn't put my finger on.

When I looked up into his eyes, all the fog disappeared. An image of Colin from before filled my vision as I compared the differences between then and now. His honey hair was shorter with a bit of length on top. Gone were the big glasses, as well as any teen acne that used to mar his face. It all seemed so obvious now that I couldn't believe I didn't see it before. But the big question was, did he know who I was?

He never asked your name. Another piece to the puzzle. He had never asked because he had always known.

I'm sure I must've been creeping him out at that moment. I had been stuck staring for at least three minutes. Strangely I didn't find confusion or even revulsion in his baby blues. I found understanding. He knew I was sorting through and figuring it out. A million questions raced through my mind but I could only manage one. "Why?"

At first Colin didn't answer and I began to wonder if he knew what I meant. Then I detected a slight tick in his jaw like he was clenching his teeth together. He rose from his chair and tugged at his vest. I noticed he was wearing a green one today with pinstripes.

"You hurt me in the worst possible way ten years ago and I never forgot."

I could already feel the tears filling up behind my eyes. I've replayed in my head a thousand times over what I would do if I ever saw Colin again. How I would beg for his forgiveness and how he would gladly accept it. It was obvious that it was not going to be the case here.

Colin took a step towards me. Even in my heels he was still a head taller than me. "You asked for my help last time and I gave it. Well Alicia, now you're the one who needs help. It became apparent that your company badly needed my business when you came up with this crazy plot to get me to accept."

I started shaking my head even though what he said was true. But he was basing it all on the person I used to be, not the one I was now.

Colin just kept speaking. "I'm not that gullible nerdy boy any longer Alicia. I won't fall for your tricks again."

I could feel the anger begin to flare up inside me. He had no right to treat me this way. "So what's your angle then Colin?" I asked hotly. "Get me to work for you then bail? All so you can appease your sense of justice?"

"No, I refuse to demean myself by going down to your level." He jerked a thumb at his chest. "I'll hold to my end of the bargain and by having you work here, I'll make sure that you hold onto yours."

My nostrils flared as I took in shallow breaths. My chest felt tight, as if my lungs weren't getting enough air. This was not the Colin I remembered. The hatred in his eyes was enough to make my blood run cold. Did I do this? Is this the result of my choices all those years ago?

Here I thought I had freed myself from a cage with Zach only to find myself locked into another one. Except this time with a man seeking revenge. How did I get myself into these messes?

I considered the options before me. I could renege on the deal and hope he didn't sue me for breach of contract (which right now was looking like a real possibility). Or I go forward and hope Colin held up his end like he promised. Neither was appealing to me but what did I have to lose? If I walk, Hope Digital goes bust. If Colin decides to backstab me, I go bust. There was a small chance that this would work and we both walked away satisfied. And maybe, just maybe, I could show Colin that I'm not the same stuck up girl in the process.

"Colin Evans," I said, straightening my shoulders. "I am a woman who keeps her word and I will complete my contract. I will be here for the full three months."

His eyes tightened at my declaration. "We'll see."

+++

Colin

Alicia said nothing, just looked at me like she was seeing me for the first time. Which, I guess she kind of was. What I would've given to know her thoughts at that moment. Did she still see me as an eccentric geek? I mean, she didn't even recognize me the first time. Granted, I dress a bit better than I did in my high school days, but I didn't think I had changed that much.

Then as if coming out of a trance, Alicia began packing up her laptop, not even bothering to look at me. When everything was back in her bag, then she turned to me. She raised a perfect arched eyebrow as if to say "until next time," and walked out the door.

My eyes followed her to the elevator, I couldn't help it. Everything was perfect about Alicia, physically at least. It's one thing about her I could say hadn't changed. The hair, the clothes. Not a single thing was out of place. I'm sure she felt my gaze but she never returned it.

When the elevator doors closed, shutting her from view, I rubbed my eyes feeling suddenly tired. The meeting took a lot more out of me than I realized. I always did feel on edge with Alicia. Something else that hadn't changed.

Knowing I needed to get back to work, I made my way back to my office. Logging back into my computer I read my to-do list as I absentmindedly fiddled with some origami paper. Creating more through muscle memory than a coherent step-by-step.

Once I read through the entire list, I glanced down to see what I had created. In the palm of my hand sat a perfect red flower, with petals sticking out in every direction. At first I'm curious as to where I had seen it before. Then, like lightning, a memory flashes in my mind. My curiosity instantly turned into a sneer. I closed my hand, crumpled the flower and tossed it into the waste bin.

I stab the page button on my phone to summon my secretary.

Mrs. Lee quickly walked in, a clipboard already in hand. "Yes, Mr. Evans, what can I do for you?"

"Alicia Hannigan from Hope Digital will be joining the office on a short-term basis to implement some marketing strategies. I need to have a desk prepared for her for Monday morning."

Mrs. Lee nodded as she jotted down notes. "We have a few open cubicles that should work well. Will she need a computer or office supplies?"

"No." I refuse to provide Alicia with anything that will aid her progress. She practically begged for this opportunity. She had to show me that she could do it while standing on her own two feet.

"Very well. Anything else?"

I tapped my desk with my middle finger as I thought. "I'm going to bring over the marketing department from headquarters as well to work with Alicia. Do we have room for two more workers?"

Mrs. Lee frowned as she checked her notes. "We only have two open cubicles left."

I pondered the dilemma. It would be very beneficial to the company if Alicia could include the marketing team as she carried out her work. That way they could go on without her and I won't have to pay for another consultant.

A sly grin formed on my face as an idea developed. "Do we have any furniture left from Tech Security?"

"I believe it's all still in storage waiting to be trashed."

"Find me a desk from there and we can shove it in a corner for Miss Hannigan."

Mrs. Lee raised both eyebrows in question but wisely chose not to comment. "Okay..." she said slowly, writing everything down. "If that's all, there are a few emails and an event invitation I need to go over with you."

"Invitation? What invitation?"

Flipping over a page, Mrs. Lee scanned down. "The Toronto Tech Fest Gala."

I rolled my head back and stared at the ceiling in irritation. These gala's were important events that showcase up and coming technology as well as how CyberSecure could benefit it. The fact that I received an invitation is a compliment in itself. But it was black tie and involved a lot of schmoozing. Two things I did not do well.

"When is the event?"

"In three weeks."

"Fine. Confirm an RSVP with a plus one." The first year I went solo and it was a disaster. I stood alone in a corner for most of the night feeling dumb and awkward. Last year I caved and hired a service that someone had recommended that actually lets you rent a date for the evening. A little pathetic, I know, but at least I didn't have to be alone all night. I could use the same service again this year.

"If there's anything else Mrs. Lee, just email it over for me to look at."

"Will do," she said. "Oh and please call me Sandy. Mrs. Lee is my mother-in-law." She flashed me a warm smile then returned to her desk.

Leaning back in my chair, I felt the heavy burden of running a company. It had always been a dream of mine but no one tells you how long the days could be or how hard the decisions. I thought about Alicia and her struggling company. Did she have a backup plan if it fails?

I shook the thought from my head. It was none of my business and the last thing Alicia needed from me was sympathy. 

+++

2010

It was like a huge weight had been lifted off my chest. With Colin on my side I'd be able to ace that assignment for sure. With a bounce still in my step I walked back into the cafetorium and took my honorary seat beside Dirk, the school football star who also happened to be my boyfriend.

"Hey babe." Wrapping an arm over my shoulders, Dirk continued to chat with the guys. Apparently my absence had gone unnoticed for which I was grateful. I still hadn't quite figured out how I was going to explain going AWOL for the week.

"Alicia, did I just see you walk away with that creep Colin?"

My jaw tightened. Of course there was only one person who would be watching my every move, waiting for me to slip up. I put on my most sickeningly sweet smile and leaned in over the table and looked at Cassidy who was staring back with a smug expression.

The table had gone suddenly quiet, as if everyone was holding their breath for my response. "Yes, you did." I turned away and began asking Dirk about the year-end pep rally. I didn't offer up any explanation, choosing instead to act like it was no big deal. But I should have known that Cassidy wouldn't drop the topic lightly.

"Why would you leave with him? I'd be afraid of him leading you out into the woods so he can hide your corpse."

Cassidy always was a little bit dramatic. But I think in my case there was a bit more purpose behind it. Another problem with being Queen Bee, there was always a drone beneath you trying to steal your crown. Knowing that I wouldn't be able to put off Cassidy, I flipped my hair over one shoulder and shot her an icy look that said I wasn't impressed with her prying. However, it did give me an idea.

"Colin practically begged me to go talk with him. Apparently he needed my help with something."

Cassidy snorted. "What help could you possibly give to him?"

I glared at her. Did she always have to make everything sound so conniving? "He needed help with a project about social media. If he didn't ace the project he could lose out on his scholarship. So he went to the person who he knew would be an expert on the subject."

I was finally able to silence Cassidy for the moment. Everyone knew I dominated the social media circuit. I had a huge following on my Facebook account.

But Cassidy could smell a rat from a mile away. "But why are you helping him? Don't tell me you're doing it out of the goodness of your heart?"

Her sarcasm was not lost on me. It would seem strange for me to help out such a lowly classmate. I needed to get back into character.

"To be honest," I said slyly, "I may have some ulterior motives for helping Colin."

This time Dirk snorted beside me. "What could that scrawny guy give you?"

I smiled smugly over at Dirk. "He's going to help me become Prom Queen."

Everyone went silent again as they all looked at me like I was crazy. Then Cassidy cackled.

"How could he possibly help you with that?" she said incredulously.

"Don't you get it?" As if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I help Colin with his assignment, saving his scholarship and I've just earned the vote of the whole nerd community in the school." I look over at Cassidy with mock sympathy. "I know you were also hoping to claim the title, but with the nerds on my side, I'm afraid you will be sorely lacking in votes."

A few snickers rippled around the table. The glare Cassidy gave me bordered on murderous but fortunately the warning bell rang to signal the end of lunch. Standing to leave for my next class, I felt confident in having been able to dodge any suspicion from working with Colin. I plant a kiss on Dirk's cheek, while batting my eyelashes. "Sorry I won't be able to hang out this week babe. But you understand how important it is that I help Colin." I wrinkled my nose in distaste at the mention of his name, acting like it was going to be a horrendous week.

Dirk gave me a cheeky grin in return. "Of course babe, there's only one queen I want beside me on prom night."