Selfless (Sequel to "Left and Right in The Dark") - A Julian Casablancas Fanfic

Chapter 5: Shy and Fast Times in the Park

Sophie's POV:

Today was such a terrible day at work. Examining a bunch of graphs and charts about the economic and business trends of our company was not the best start off to a morning. Later, my boss singled me out in front of some other employees, harshly criticizing my work. Luckily, I pushed through and managed to escape the hell at 5.

I just can't wait to come back home and crash on the couch. All I need right now is just some happiness and peace.

I come back home to Zach working on his computer. I kick off my boots, throw my purse on the floor, and give a huge sigh as I plop down on my couch.

"God, I'm tired. Today has just not been my day."

"Good evening to you too," he responds. "So, today's another wasted evening, huh?"

"Excuse me?"

He sighs and closes his laptop before he walks over to me.

"You just said that you're tired. I thought we could spend some time together."

"Well, we still can. What's the problem?"

"I don't wanna do something with you where you won't be fully involved. I thought we could go out together."

"We could. You know, we could take a stroll-"

"No, Soph, I mean go out. Go to different places outside. Have a fun night with each other and be back home late. That kind of a thing. But I'm never getting that kind of opportunity to do that with you."

"I know, I really wanna do that stuff with you. But my idiot boss yelled at me for no reason about some work that I was really proud of. He embarrassed me in front of my other co-workers. I already had a rough enough day; please, I just don't wanna argue with you."

"When are we going to be able to actually spend some quality time with each other? Do you remember the last time we went on a date?" he asks as his voice starts to raise.

I stay silent as guilt slowly consumes my body.

"You're always busy with your work!"

"I'm sorry, but there's not much I can do about my terrible boss. If I write a complaint letter, I could get fired, and it will end up on my record."

"Then why don't you just quit and look for a new job like me?"

"You aren't making any salary currently. We can't both be unemployed. One of us must have a job so that we can support each other. So, until you can find and get a job, I can't stop working here," I justify.

"You're paranoid, Soph."

"I need to clear my head," I say before rolling my eyes and leaving the apartment with a sigh.

I soon get outside the apartment building and walk around that area, which is what I usually do whenever I feel stressed out. But for some reason, that doesn't help me today. I need to go to a place that will make me feel happy again.

After a few moments, I get out my car keys from my purse and decide to go out for a drive. I get comfortable in the leather seat and strap on my seatbelt. A deep breath flows as I clench my bottom lip and tap my fingers on the steering wheel as I think about a good place to go. It doesn't take long for me to find a destination.

_______________

After about ten minutes or so of driving and listening to some R&B that was playing on the radio station, I finally get to my spot. An old spot, a spot that I haven't visited in a long time, but a special spot: