#rc henry

Liz hasn't enjoyed her life as a ghost so far.

There's the uncertainty of being between life and death. There's the fear of missing out on what she used to love. Like coffee... the fragrant aroma combined with the bittersweet taste, oh how much she needs it.

Although it may have its upsides. Going through buildings with ease, overhearing random but interesting conversations left and right. With the hilarious one at the hospital, to the tender, almost intimate one, while she tried to enter the apartment.

There is one conversation she regrets eavesdropping on, Meggy. Who Liz thought could be her shoulder to cry on in the hellscape that is the corporate world, but Meggy only let her for the sole purpose of planning to replace her while she's gone. That two-faced bastard. Buttering Liz up with flattering compliments, being considerate of all the woman's mistakes, and assisting her with utmost kindness on Liz's journey. All that to climb the ladder and put her success over a friend's well-being. Liz didn't need to see her colleague weep every single day for her, it wasn't that. All she wanted was comfort. Support and affirmation could probably help her cope with the coma.

She was a good person, too. Shame it came to something as horrid as this. It'll be so awkward once Liz gets back to work. If she even does.

No. No, don't go to that! Breathe in, breathe out.

She walks... or floats... to a nearby park to get some fresh air from whatever's been happening the past few days. Reconnecting with childhood friends, hospital stuff, and almost getting scammed by a "medium" who can't even see her.

She looks at the people having the time of their lives in the open space. Kids playing with their kites, families having picnics, couples making out at the biggest trees... Actually, she hates that last part, but they're so common nowadays that she knows it's bound to happen.

She misses feeling the warm, sunny rays that shine down on her. Or feeling the leaves rustle beneath her feet. Or chatting with friends over some decadent food and laughing over stupid things. Now, it's just nothing— feels quite lonely as a ghost. Liz sighs deeply, lips curled to a frown. Her shoulders are slumped, practically dragging herself to the nearest bench to sit. Maybe— it's not like she'll feel it anyway.

That is... until some man rushes to sit down. Briefcase in hand, he put down his black coat in a hurry.

"There aren't a lot of days available to reschedule. I'll meet you at 7, and maybe we can talk about the logistics then."

He scrolls on his phone, face looking so concentrated. As still as stone. But Liz could recognize that mellow, deep voice and slender, tall figure with almost no hair from anywhere.

"Henry?" Liz shouts, immediately covering her mouth in case it is Henry. Sometimes, she forgets there are still four people who can see and acknowledge her, even as a ghost.

The bench is in an isolated part of the park, but it captures a gorgeous part of the city and its nearby lake. She hides behind a nearby tree, which is just about eight steps away, holding her breath. God, she wasn't like this when she was alive. Why is she so jittery now?

The man looks around and taps his wireless earbuds. Leaning forward to check his surroundings.

"I'll... call you right back. Would that be alright?"

Assuming the person on the other side of the phone agreed, he removes his earbuds. Looking in the same direction the tree is, Liz finally has confirmation that the name she shouted was right. Seeing no point in hiding, she steps out of the shade.

"Henry!"

"Liz...?" He stares at her, confused. That expression quickly goes away when he scoots towards the edge of the bench and gestures for her to sit. She knows she won't feel the comfort of the hardwood surface, so she rejects.

"Come on. I insist," Henry reassures, a small smile on his face. Well, it won't hurt, would it?

She accepts the offer and sits down, facing him and his stern, dark eyes.

"Seems like you're a busy man, huh?"

He nods, looking at his watch.

"Yup. I have about..."

He looks at his watch again, "Twenty minutes before lunch break's over."

He now turns to face Liz, eyes narrowed and cautious, but compassionate and warming. His voice goes softer, easy like the wind.

"What are you doing here? Are you done with the office? I thought you were going to Matt's?"

Liz goes forward, voice fragile and almost silent. As if she caught something she shouldn't have.

"My coworker, Meggy, she... I heard her wanting to be my replacement while I was gone. I left before I could do something stupid. I just need some time alone to process it."

Liz is usually upfront about her feelings. Does she like a certain thing or person? She'll say it. If she's not into it, she'll let them know. But since now it's like she barely existed, she seems more... restrained. She seems more doubtful of herself. But consoling her worries to this man did help. Well, not like she has a lot of options anyway.

Henry nods along, looking sympathetic, "Well, I'll get out of your hair."

He says bluntly, starting to gather his belongings. As he grabs the collar of his coat, she grabs his hands. Well, the better wording is that her hand goes through his. It makes the man stop in his tracks.

"NO!"

She forcefully closes her eyes, briefly letting the wind silence her lips. Thinking of a better way to ask him to keep her company.

"I mean... can you stay here? Even for a few minutes?" Liz pleads.

Diana's got other orders to finish, Kate has a meeting with her assistant, and Matt... she'll get to him in a bit. God forbid she wants to hang out with one of the busiest people she knows. Maybe one of the most handsome she knows, too, but that's a story for another time.

Henry's jaw relaxes, and he exhales, flashing a small smile to her.

"Of course."

The air suddenly becomes more humid. Henry feels a slight tingle on his cheeks, and in an instant, he knows he's blushing. With hints of a subtle rosy red tint on him, he covers the lower half of his face with his own hand.

"So, is there anything you want to talk about?"

"I want to walk in the park and catch up on stuff."

Liz leans closer to him. Her lips near his ear.

"As long as it can fit ten minutes, can you do that?" She adds.

Henry's lips parted, but any word that was on the tip of his tongue didn't slip out. His feelings toward her felt like a bonfire. Light at first, but eventually lights his heart with some passion, and it burns so brightly that it's somehow uncontrollable. Especially when she whispers to him, it's been so long since someone's been upfront to him in that way. And he's into that, but that's another story for another time.

Breathe in, breathe out. Liz is still there, just make the most out of it.

"Consider it done."

And so, for the next few minutes, the pair walk around talking about their life and achievements. Henry receives the occasional phone buzz. While it becomes tolerable for the first few vibrates, or so, Liz can notice him getting visibly more irritated until she stops prancing and stares at him dead in the eyes.

"I think you need to take that," Liz suggests, also somewhat irritated with the volume of the vibrating phone.

"I know. I'm sorry it's-"

"You don't have to apologize. Just do that first. We can talk again once you're done."

As soon as Henry opens his mouth again, Liz puts her finger to seal Henry's lips, gesturing for him to shush.

"Don't worry about me. I won't be mad, but maybe that person will be if you ignore them," Liz smiles.

Henry wants to protest, but picks up his phone and uncases his earbuds anyway.

"Hello?" He finally answers the phone unenthusiastically, giving Liz an apologetic smile before facing away from her, taking a few steps farther.

In the meantime, Liz strolls through the big and peaceful park. Listening to the birds chirp, the slashes of water as people skip stones, and the crunch of the leaves as they fall down trees in the windy sky. Then, she spots a florist's booth selling small bouquets. Daffodils, roses, daisies, forget-me-nots, and so many others. Oh, how she misses their fresh scent. She looks at the few people lining up to get some. It's mostly men—presumably for their partners or other family members, or to add an elegant flair to their home.

She wished she could get that. She wishes she could get that for Henry as a simple thanks for sticking with her. It sucks that she can't do anything. No flowers, no kudos, no kiss on the-

"Hey!"

Liz turns back to see an exhausted Henry. Stopping to pant from running for how many minutes just to find her again, putting down his briefcase.

"It was only a quick one... for a meeting later."

Henry's breathing quickens as he continues to pant.

"I spent most of that time looking for you," He quickly adds.

"I'm sorry! I really am. I wanted to buy a small bouquet from that booth, and it was supposed to be for you. But then I forgot I couldn't pick it up or ask because it only goes through my hands, and she can't see me. I just wanted to surpri-"

"It's alright. I'll get it for you."

Henry's sudden interruption somehow cheers Liz up. She could feel her cheeks go red and sparks go off inside her. Even though she's still a ghost, she felt human. Even for just a second, it made her happy, just like every other day they talked.

"Are you sure?"

"Yup. Don't worry about anything. Just tell me the one you wanted to get."

An older woman stops in her tracks and looks at Henry quizzingly. Observing him like he's out of his mind.

"Sorry, I'm on a call with someone," Henry assures her, tapping on his earbuds.

The old woman nods slowly, hesitant to agree with his answer. Nevertheless, she walks with her three dogs further down the pavement, brushing off what she saw with her own two eyes.

"Which one were you planning to get?"

"Uhmm..." Liz did NOT think that through, so on a whim, she blurted out the nearest ones she thought were the prettiest.

"The white roses, the freesias, and those two-colored ones."

After Liz and Henry pick a bouquet, which was quicker than they expected, Henry looks at it in awe, then adjusts his gaze to Liz. Perhaps with the same soft stare, comparing her beauty to the colorful, pleasing bouquet. Of course, the flowers are pretty, but Liz looks prettier, but he's not gonna say that out loud, is he?

"Thank you. They look so nice."

"What can I say? I've got good taste. Both in men and flowers."

Both of them quickly look away and blush. Those sudden words are enough to make his day, just like when she called him charming that one time. It hasn't left his mind.

"Wait... isn't your lunch break going to be over soon?"

That question snaps him back to reality as he swiftly checks his watch.

"I guess so. Such a shame twenty minutes go by quickly," Henry says, disappointed.

Liz sighs. But before Henry can say or do anything, she steps forward and hugs him. Her arms don't fully wrap around him since they'll only go through, but she knows Henry can take the hint.

"When I'm alive and well again, I'll treat you to the best flowers and take you to the most beautiful park anyone's ever seen," Liz mumbles.

He laughs softly and lets himself loose under her ghostly touch. Like what she did a while ago, he leans nearer to whisper in her ear, letting his words cut through clearly under the guise of adjusting his earbuds and lowering his tone for a more disclosed, almost intimate conversation.

"You can pay me back some other time. How does that sound?"

He can see her lips curl into a smile, and she tilts towards the side to see him better.

"I'd like that."