AND THERE WAS ME

CHAPTER 1

Reuben's POV
I strolled into the office bright and early on Monday morning , greeting the receptionist  on my way into my office .
Tess always loved to flirt with me . She loved to flirt with anything with a dick.  I was  sometimes tempted  to give in . But at this point in my life I wanted genuine love , not just one night all strings attached sex.
Taking a seat in my chair,  I swivelled  round and took in the view of downtown Detroit . Traffic moving at a snails pace , people flooding the side walks , more people zipping in and out of coffee  shops and bakeries  .
  Sighing , I swivelled  back around and powered on my laptop . Mentally psyching myself for another day at work .

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      Later , in the afternoon .
Max barged into my office , startling me . We had been friends since childhood . One of the only people who knew me like the back of his hand . The other was Louisa - a story for another day .

"Your audacity stinks " I muttered as he took a seat opposite  me .
"Oh that's on me now ? I see , I see" he replied , raising his hands in mock surrender .
I glared at him and rolled my eyes . Actually  irritated by his presence  .. as much as I loved the guy he sure knew how to be a pain in the neck sometimes. 
Noticing that I wasn't going to say anything any time soon , he continued .
"I just came here to ask if you're gonna head out for lunch or I should go without you  "
"You go ahead.  Just get me my usual"
"Sure thing , man"
"Thanks "
"Don't mention" he replied , strolling out of my office .
I had been swarmped with a shitload of work .  Being the deputy manager of one of the biggest Architectural  firms in the world was not a joke . And for someone who was running for CO , I had to be on tip of my game . And that required a lot of sacrifice  . Initially , I had wanted to wait a little longer but I figured , heck , what am I waiting for ? So here am I,  missing my most cherished lunch break to review a paper and some drafts . God knows it doesn't get any easier than this .
    

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    The next time I lifted my head to check the time it was 7pm . I didn't even realise time had flown by so fast  I hadn't even noticed . Standing up,  I stretched my limbs and strolled to the window .  A feeling of extreme loneliness suddenly settled on me .. sighing , I shut down my computer and grabbed my coat . Turning the lights off , I stepped out of my office into pitch darkness . My phone begun to ring as I strolled into the elevator .

"Hey Max, what's up "
"Just got home . Where are you ?"
"Just about to leave the office "
"The way you enjoy your job is interesting "
"I have nothing else to  enjoy ; even at home "
"Welllll anywayss I've been ordered to tell you that you're expected at dinner on friday"
"And this order was sent by whom ?"
"Moher dearest ofcourse "
"Sure thing  . I'll  be there "
"Hey , you  okay ?"
"Yeah , I'm good .just yknow , the usual ."
"Tinder ?"
"I'm tired fam . I really am . Ik tired of looking for Sophie in every single person I meet , I'm tired for looking for love , I'm tired of trying to feel what I felt  with her . I'm just drained "
I heard him sigh sadly
"You'll be fine bud."
"I hope so"
"Ayt mate.  I'll call you later "
"Sure thing "

At this point , I was already seated in my cat starting it , I reversed out of the parking lot and unto the street . Enjoying the emptiness as I sped my way home .