Forgotten Memories

"Elara"

The familiar voice snapped me out of my thoughts and I looked up from my computer. In front of my desk stood the companies most annoying employee.

Steph Davis.

A.K.A my arch nemesis. Her silky, copper hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, her green eyes shining in a way that nobody could resist. She was wearing what looked like scrubs for some reason. Why do I hate her so much? She had been tormenting me since day one, and I had worked here for three years. You might be thinking It can't be that bad, right? Wrong.

Flashback:

November 20th, 2048

I walked into the food court, and before I could go anywhere, Steph suddenly jumped onto a table.

"Attention, everyone! I have something important to say!" She yelled over the chatter. Everyone immediately quieted into silence, staring at her expectantly. An evil smirk appeared on her face and she looked right at me where I was standing by the entrance.

" I believe Elara should be fired." Everyone turned to look at me, confused. " I caught her playing hooky with a former employee of the company last night, in her office!" My eyes widen. What nonsense was she spouting? I never did that. I think the last time I kissed someone was in high school, and that was 10 years ago. She pulled out her phone, tapping away until everyones phones chimed in unison. Everyone else pulled out there phones and started whispering, staring and pointing at me. I fumbled for my phone, my hands shaking slightly as I saw it. It was a picture of me kissing this guy in my office, but my back was facing the camera. It was later proven to be AI, but that almost got me fired, Not the person who tried sabatoging my job and reputation.

Current time:

"The boss wants you" Steph said while closely inspecting the figurines on my desk.

I sighed. " The boss? Why would he want to see me? This isn't one of your elaborate plans to humiliate me, is it?" She scoffed, feigning innocence and placing a hand over her chest dramatically.

" Who? Me? I would never" she said mockingly, her voice dripping with sweet venom. I rolled my eyes and stood up, my chair scrapping against the floor loudly.

"You can leave now" I said coldly, pointing towards the door. She glanced at the door, before looking back at me with that same smug expression I hated.

"As you wish" she strudded out, and I waited a few extra seconds before leaving myself. I walked through the office, my heart pounding against my rib cage. What did I do? Was this Stephs doing? Normally, I wouldn't trust her, but I would rather not risk getting in trouble with the boss if I didn't follow orders. Once I reached the office, I knocked a few times before peeking inside. The boss, Mr. Rodriguez, was sitting at his desk, staring at some papers. He had sleek, black hair slicked back, a dark beard, sharp eyes, broad shoulders and a muscular build. He was wearing a black button up and black pants. He was pretty intimidating, so nobody tested him. He looked up from his papers, his eyes cold, empty.

"Come. Sit. " He nodded towards the chair in front of his desk. I entered, shutting the door as quietly as possible and walked over, hesitantly sitting down. We sat in silence, the air thick with tension as I waited for him to speak. I gripped the hem of my shirt, nervous and mind racing. Am I going to get fired? Oh no, what if....

I was brought back to reality when I heard Mr.Rodriguez speak.

"Mrs. Hayes" he said, his voice deep, icey cold. I stopped biting my nails, which I didn't even notice I was doing, and looked up at him

"Yes?"

He sighed, organizing the papers into a neat stack.

" I've been getting complaints from your clients about you being less engaging, forgetful, even rude and irritated. "

"Sir, I-"

"I don't want to hear your excuses. You even forgot to book a few clients an appointment for the memory erasing! " He said, eyes narrowing and his gaze shooting daggers at me. I gulped nervously

" I know, and I apologize. I've been a bit off lately, tired, and coughing. "

He leaned back in his chair, propping his feet up on the desk and crossing his arms.

" Really? Sick? You cost us a lot of money. Look, you're a hard worker Elara, but you have caused some problems for the company over the past few years. I don't want to have to fire you, so get your act together. "

I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from snapping back. I took a deep breath to calm down before speaking. I nodded.

" I understand Sir. I promise this behavior will be fixed soon"

" Soon? No, fix it Now" he said coldly, his face darkening. He put his feet down, leaning forward on his desk. I nodded slowly

" Understood"

" Here at MAC I don't accept this behavior." MAC is the company name it means " Memory Archivist Company". It's a huge place, and jobs are different here. My job is kind of like a therapist, clients call me, then we meet in person in one of the rooms there and the client tells me about the relationship they had that they want erased. Then I help set an appointment with them. After that, when they come for their appointment, they get taken to the lab where the actual memory erasing happens. My job is done at that point, so I don't know much about the memory erasing, but I do know that the client gets put into this chair like thing and gets all these wires stuck to their head before they get put to sleep. The company itself makes lots a money from this business, it's really popular, but I don't get paid a lot.

Current time:

Ring! Ring! Ring!

"Hello? Oh, ok. I will, I'm coming. I love you too honey." Mr. Rodriguez's voice softened, a hint of a smile appearing on that stone face of his. He hung up and looked at me before standing up and grabbing his jacket and phone.

" Look, you should go home early today, ok? Get some rest. " He said, quickly putting on his jacket.

" Ok....have a good rest of your day." I bowed slightly.

" Thank you, you too." He said before leaving. The silence was deafening after he left. I just sat there, staring at nothing.

Ugh, I hate this life.

I feel like my life is worthless. I have nothing. My dad left me and my mom when I was little, and as I got older, my mom got weaker. She got sick with cancer, and I couldn't do anything to help her. I was just a teenager. I worked multiple jobs to try and earn money to get food, pay the bills, and even get enough to pay for her treatment. But it was useless. I watched her die with my own eyes. On the couch, her skin slowly turning cold. Only then did I realize she'd never open her eyes. After that, I just struggled, going place to place, job to job, only eating Ramen. Then, when I was 24, I got a job at MAC. I was happy, thought I'd finally be able to make good money, but I only got minimum wage, $8 an hour. So much for a break through. The rain started pounding against the big, glass window wall behind Mr. Rodriguez's desk, gray clouds coverings the sky, everything more gloomy. I sighed and stood up, making my way out of the office.

Flashback:

"Honey? Are you home? I made dinner!" Her voice echoed through the house. My eyes widened in surprise and excitement and I threw my school bag to the ground by the door, running to the kitchen to see mom placing plates of food on the table, her movements slow and shaky.

" Mom? You did this? " I said, walking over to look at the steak, mashed potatoes, and peas in awe. It looked and smelled delicious. She smiled weakly, leaning on the table for support.

" Mom, you know your not supposed to be up. You could hurt yourself" I said, concerned.

" Honey, I'm ok. I haven't made dinner in months, I wanted to do something nice for you."

I sighed in relief, relaxing slightly. I pulled her chair out, but she suddenly groaned, grabbing her head in pain, breathing heavily.

" Mom? Mom, are you ok? What's wrong?" I said, my previous concern coming back as I put my hand on her shoulder. She suddenly ran over to the sink, vomiting up blood and coughing loudly.

" Mom!" I ran over, wrapping my arm around her waist. I helped her wipe her mouth and walk to the bedroom. When she was in bed, she grabbed my arm sleeve before I could leave.

"Sweetie ..... I'm sorry. " She whispered weakly, her face pale.

" Mom....what do you mean?"

She stayed silent for a moment before speaking again.

" Elara...listen to me. I don't have a lot of time. I know I'm a burden to you, and I'm sorry you have to take care of me. Please, just promise me one thing...." She coughed violently

" Mom... stop it. Your not a burden, don't say that.." I said shakily, my eyes welling up with tears at the thought of her being gone.

" Promise me you'll find love, someone to cherish you and make sure your happy" she grabbed my hand, squeezing it. I stayed silent , slowly shaking my head, the tears falling freely now.

" Promise me" she said firmly, her grip tightening on my hand. I didn't want to promise her, I knew I'd break it, but I didn't want her to worry. I sniffled, wiping my nose with my sleeve.

" Uh.....yeah. Ok...I promise" she relaxed a little, finally letting go of my arm and getting under the covers. I got up, grabbing a wet rag and walking back over, gently dabing her face with it. When she finally fell asleep, I went back to the kitchen, staring at the food. What if....she doesn't wake up? What if....

The lights buzzed softly above me, the food cold. I just want her to be happy again, to not be sick....

Current time:

click!

The door opened and I walked in. My apartment was dark, cold, the only sound was the rain pounding against the windows. Ugh......what a long day. Stupid clients complaining. They should be greatful I'm even trying to help with their stupid love life's and heartbreaks. I threw my jacket onto the couch before sitting down, letting out a sigh. I tossed my keys onto the coffee table, looking out the window. Will I ever be able to feel....alive again?.