12. Mustaf

The rapid pace of work travel and meetings over these past few months have provided a welcome distraction, keeping me from dwelling too much on thoughts of her. But in quiet moments, Meiko still manages to creep into my mind unbidden.

I"m seated at my massive desk, catching a glimpse of my furrowed brow reflected on the polished wooden surface, when I realize my thoughts have wandered to recollections of our passionate night together two months ago. I silently scold myself and try to refocus on the open file in front of me.

Yet her image surfaces again and again – her silhouette in the moonlight, the warmth of her skin against mine, her whispered voice and breathless laughter. Each time memories of Meiko emerge, I hastily compile mental lists of all the reasons she shouldn"t matter. She was just a weekend fling, I tell myself. We"re from different worlds. It was only physical attraction, nothing more meaningful.

But despite my arguments, recollections of our intimate night together persist, challenging my efforts to diminish what we shared. I try to shut out the echoes of her laughter, the tantalizing hints of a deeper connection we"d only just begun exploring. The memories refuse to fade, no matter how sternly I insist they should.

There's just nothing to fill the gap she's left in my heart.

I"m sitting at my desk, lost in thought, when my office door bursts open.

"Mr. Mustaf, so sorry to interrupt, but Mr. Dragan is here to see you," chirps my eccentric secretary, Agnes.

Agnes is quite the character – a chaotic firecracker of a woman with seemingly boundless energy. As a descendant of djinn, she has some… unusual quirks. Like the fact that she leaves scorch marks on the carpet when she"s feeling particularly excited. Which appears to be most of the time.

"Agnes, how many times have I asked you not to singe the rugs?" I sigh, spotting a blackened patch already forming by the door.

"Whoopsie!" She giggles with an impish grin, her skin flickering red for a moment. "I just can"t help spreading a little fire when there"s good gossip afoot!"

Before I can respond, Dragan comes barreling in behind her, plopping down in the chair opposite me. His entrance scatters the neatly stacked papers on my desk.

I shoot Dragan an annoyed look as he makes himself at home, propping his feet up on my desk and helping himself to the bowl of mints.

"Really, must you always barge in here and make a mess?" I grumble, though there"s no real irritation behind it. Dragan"s like an overeager puppy, impossible to stay mad at.

He just laughs and pops another mint in his mouth. "Ah, come on, don"t be such a grump! I know you love my visits."

I roll my eyes but can"t help a small smile. "Yes, they"re the highlight of my day," I reply dryly.

Since he"s clearly not leaving anytime soon, I pick up the office phone. "I"m ordering takeout on the company dime. Want your usual?"

Dragan rubs his hands together eagerly. "You know me so well! Extra egg rolls, too."

As we wait for the food, he launches into the latest tale of his blossoming romance with Lalaine. It's been a whirlwind romance that already resulted in him proposing last week. I keep my expression neutral, filtering out any details that hit too close to home.

Dragan"s smitten rambling continues, but I tune it out, focusing on the reports on my desk. I refuse to acknowledge how his happiness stirs up thoughts of silky black hair and full lips curved in a teasing smile.

"I miss the old Dragan sometimes," I say with a wistful sigh, leaning back in my chair. "Ever since you met Lalaine, it"s like you"ve become a completely different person."

Dragan laughs, popping another mint in his mouth. "People change, buddy. And for the better, in my case."

I shake my head. "But you were such a workaholic before. I remember there was a five-year stretch where you didn"t take a single day off. Now you"re talking about retiring early and having kids?"

"What can I say, love changes a man," Dragan says, his eyes taking on a dreamy look. "Lalaine challenges me. She inspires me to want more out of life than just work and partying."

I snort skeptically at his dopey grin. "Well, I"m happy for you, even if I don"t really get it. Just don"t forget about your single friends when you become an old married man, alright?"

Dragan clasps my shoulder. "Never, buddy. We"ll always be friends, nothing can change that."

His earnest words make me smile. He"s right. Our friendship can weather this storm of domestic bliss he"s sailing into. I"ll just have to get used to the new Dragan.

"You know, you really should come out to Harmony Springs sometime and check out my new place," Dragan says enthusiastically. "Now that Lalaine and I are settling down there, I"d love to have you visit."

"Unlike you, I can"t just take off whenever I feel like it," I say, leaning back in my leather office chair. "Some of us have real jobs that require us to be present and accountable."

"Fair enough. So I have to talk to you… Lalaine doesn't want a long engagement. We already set the date, just two months from now," Dragan says, leaning back in his chair. "I wanted to ask, will you stand as my best man?"

I raise my eyebrows in surprise. "Me? Are you sure you want your perpetually single, cynical friend as your best man?"

Dragan laughs and punches my arm playfully. "Of course, buddy! You"re my closest friend. Been with me through all the ups and downs over the years. I can"t imagine anyone else by my side on the big day."

I feel a swell of warmth in my chest, touched by his sincerity. "Well, when you put it that way, how can I refuse? I"d be honored, Dragan."

"Great!" He grins and claps me on the back. "You can plan a kick-ass bachelor party in between all those brooding sessions."

I roll my eyes but can"t help but smile. "Don"t push your luck. But I won"t let you down. I"ll plan a send-off you"ll never forget."

Our laughter echoes in the office. Despite my lingering cynicism about love and marriage, I"m genuinely happy to stand by Dragan"s side as he embarks on this new chapter in life. I know our bond of friendship will remain strong, no matter what changes may come.

Dragan shakes his head, his eyes suddenly serious. "I know this all seems fast to you, but when you find the right one, you just know. Love kind of grabs you unexpectedly."

I nod slowly, trying to wrap my mind around the foreign concept. Love is not something I"ve given much thought to or sought after.

As we discuss groomsmen logistics, my thoughts inevitably turn to whether Meiko will attend the wedding. While Dragan rambles about bachelor party ideas, I wonder if seeing her again will reawaken the feelings I"ve tried hard to bury these past months. Despite myself, the prospect sends a flutter through my stomach. I silently chide myself to focus on supporting my friend, not dredging up the past.

There"s a knock at the office door before Agnes bustles in, carrying a tray with two steaming mugs.

"I brought some nice hot drinks for you gentlemen," she announces cheerily.

As Agnes sets the mugs down on my desk, I notice wisps of steam rising from the contents. Curious, I bring one to my lips for a tentative sip. I immediately recoil as the scalding liquid burns my tongue.

"Good lord, Agnes! This coffee is boiling," I exclaim with a wince.

"Oh, silly me. I forgot you fleshy noids don"t have fireproof mouths like I do," she giggles, flashing a grin to reveal her sharpened incisors.

Dragan eyes his mug warily. "Yeah, I"ll let mine cool down a bit first. But thanks for the lava, Agnes."

"Anytime!" Agnes chirps before bouncing out of the office, leaving a scorch mark on the carpet in her wake.

I shake my head in amusement. "You know, when I hired a hellspawn as my secretary, I suppose I should"ve expected a few fiery mishaps."

Dragan barks out a laugh. "But where"s the fun in a normal secretary?"

I lift my mug in agreement. Agnes certainly keeps things interesting around here.