The Secret Life of Him

7. The Outreach Program

Days passed, and Floyd didn't know where he was going. It was as if he suddenly lost himself and only stayed in their home. He tried to call his girlfriend several times but she did not answer him. Even on his messages, she no longer replies.

Floyd tried several times to lurk in the building but he couldn't really get close. As soon as the guards see him there, they drive him away. He begged Trace several times to help him talk to Roxane but even he was told it was impossible.

“I thought you would help me?” Floyd asked Trace when they met in a bar. “When can I talk with Roxane?” 

Trace drank from his bottle. “She is not talking with me, Floyd.” 

“Impossible. Are you even trying?” 

“Don’t look at me like I am not doing anything, Floyd. I tried, and I am trying. She doesn’t have an interest in you anymore.” 

Floyd sighs. “What should I do now?” 

“I told you to move on. You are finally free from her.” 

“But what’s the point of living if my family is not beside me? I worked hard because of them. I never think of my life without Roxane.” 

Trace shook his head. “You are really crazy. Fine. We will have an outreach tomorrow. You can go there and try talking with Roxane. I heard that Dwayne is on a business trip now.” 

Feeling hopeful, Floyd looks at Trace smiling. “Really? Where? What time?” 

“You are really out of your mind already.” 

Trace gave the address to Floyd. He also instructs him not to let others notice him when he comes to the venue. Floyd assured him. 

The next day, Floyd went early to the venue. He wore pants and a jacket. He also uses a jacket and masks to cover his face. When he was ready, he went to the place where Trace told him. 

Roxane is the speaker of the quarterly outreach program of the company. They do this to help persons in need. The venue was in a covered court and it was a closed court too. It was made at the request of Roxane because she doesn’t want to go to the barangay. 

Floyd just waited in the parking lot. He could see only a few people who had entered inside. He hadn't even noticed Trace's car. He did not know what he would feel at that time. For him, he just needs to talk to Roxane. Once he talks to her, everything will be fine with them. He is willing to do anything for them to be okay again. 

“Floyd!” 

Floyd looked at Trace's direction from the other side. He stood up and waited for him to get close to him. "Hey."

"Have you been here for a while? Sorry. It's traffic."

"No. I'm good. I've just arrived as well."

Trace nodded. “Here. Wear this and no one will ask you why you are inside. Make sure that no one will recognize you until you see her, okay?” 

Floyd took the ID and white t-shirt from Trace’s hands. “Thank you.” 

“She’ll be here in a minute. The program will start at ten. Make it fast.” Trace sighed and looked into Floyd’s eyes. “Are you really sure about this? You know Dwayne will not stay sitting when he learns that you got near her again.” 

Floyd nodded. “I don’t care anymore, Trace. What’s important now is for me to talk with Roxane. I’m sure that she was just saying those things because of Dwayne. Maybe now that he is gone, she is alone. Everything will be clear to us.” 

Trace shook his head in disbelief. “Fine. Whatever you think. But I just want to ask you a favor, if you get caught. Please don’t tell them I helped you. I can’t afford to lose my job, you know it.” 

Floyd smiled a bit. “Of course. You help me that much. I won’t let anything bad happen to you.” 

“Thank you, Floyd. Please take care.” 

The two of them part ways. Floyd wore the ID and t-shirt Trace gave to him. It has a big imprint at the back of the company they are working with. Then he waited until there were a lot of people going in. Like Trace said, no one asked him or checked up on him because of his ID. He got inside without a problem. There he saw the chairs piled with wrapped relief goods and some other gifts for the unfortunate. Their guest was already seated at the side of the court. Floyd's steps were careful and he only turned because he saw that there were a few guards there.

"Hey!"

Floyd stopped walking when he heard a voice. When he looked behind him, he saw a woman dressed like him.

"Where are you going? Can you put this on the back?”

Floyd looked at the carton she was holding. Floyd immediately took it and said nothing more. He even heard her wondering about him but he ignored it. When he entered the staff area, he simply put the cardboard aside.

"Hey, you! Don't put it there. Put it in the storeroom for counting!” a man stopped Floyd.

Floyd nodded and took the carton again. He saw a few doors in the hallway. He looked at them one by one and read the posters until he found the store room. He opened it right away and put the carton he had brought there. No one spoke to him among the people inside so he didn't speak anymore.

When he got out, he next looked for a room for Roxane. That was not difficult for him to find because the door also had Roxane's name on it. Roxane is like an artist to them, that's why she also has a dressing room. He first looked left and right and when he saw that there was no one around, he immediately entered the room. There were no people there yet and the surroundings were very quiet. The place was cold as if they were really preparing for the arrival of the girl.

Floyd went to the clothes on the side and hid there. He just wanted to be ready. He stayed there for a while until he saw the door to the room open. He tried not to move as he watched Roxane walk inside.