Failing Moon

Savior of the Day

Taking a left on to the sidewalk, she headed straight for the Terrace Pharmaceutical building. Even being four blocks away sitting on a main intersection, the tall building loomed over the city, visible enough, Josey could never lose her way.

Passing by a bus stop, she was grateful for being able to walk and save money. People standing their waiting for the bus were dressed in business attire and it made Josey hopeful that she would soon be dressed the same, day to day.

Checking out the city, the feeling of cool summer nights boosted Josey's mood. Bundled up and visiting the night time markets along the shore, facing the vast ocean, was one of her favorite things to do. Her and Emily would only spend a little for a snack, but still enjoyed looking over all the handmade dishes and items that vendors had to offer.

At the last block, passing through the familiar smell of coffee and baked goods, Josey was lost in thought. She wasn't giving notice to the red blinking hand at the intersection before crossing it, to the pharmaceutical building.

Suddenly she heard the yelling of a car horn, the screech of tires as she looked to her right to see a car only moments before hitting her. She squeezed her eyes shut fearing she was about to be hit but instead she was wrapped in warmth.

Realizing her feet weren't touching the ground, she suddenly felt the warmth move. She was being carried, but the idea that someone was carrying her to Heaven after a sudden death seemed a bit odd so she slowly lifted her eye lids.

Looking up to her savior she could see his dark features framing a smooth skinned face. From her angle she could tell he had a strong chin and kissable lips. He was walking as he carried her with ease so it dawned on her he must be muscular too. Lifting her left hand, she placed it on his chest and felt no give, telling her he most definitely worked out.

Mesmerized as she was poking and prodding at his chest, she failed to feel him stop walking. Once she realized it, she looked up at her savior's face to see his deep hazel eyes looking back at her.

"Are you finished?" He asked, annoyed.

"Oh! Yes, sorry!" She answered startled and embarrassed.

Letting her down abruptly, causing her to almost trip into him but he moved aside, brushing down his arms as if she was dog who shed on him.

Catching her balance finally she took a brief once over realizing he was handsome. Taller than her by quite a bit, his broad shoulders stretched against his black suit jacket just a bit.

"Next time you decide to stop traffic with your daydreaming, make sure I'm not a part of it." He snapped at her.

With his sudden scolding, Josey stumbled over her words, trying to spit out a half apology, half explanation.

"I was..it wasn't on purpose, I said I was sorry, and thank you. Can you not just take an apology? It really wasn't intentional, but I am grateful you saved my life. If you're wanting compensation..." Josey started digging in her purse looking for something, anything to give the stranger.

Pulling out a 20% off a box of chicken coupon she had been saving to use for the celebration of getting the job, she hesitantly handed it to him bowing her head, ashamed, it was all she had to offer and not something she wanted to give up.

The stranger looked down at it and back at her just as a black tinted window sedan pulled up. Turning, the stranger ignored Josey and went to the vehicle as another man opened the door for him.

Lifting her head, and looking around, she was shocked. She noticed the vehicle pulled away, and was offended by the man who just saved her life.

"You could have taken it! 20% is a lot if you think about it! Geesh, what kind of stranger saves you, then scolds you, then just leaves before they even accept your apology. Stuck up piece of *$@%*!" Yelling after the vehicle was pointless but it made Josey feel better briefly.

Her heart beat finally calm, she pulled out her phone and realized she had less then 5 minutes left looking at her phone right before it died. The phone being the least of her concerns, seen she was back on the other side of the street again so she had to wait for the traffic to stop. Traffic that almost killed her.

Going into a full sprint entering the building, she ran up to the reception desk, and quickly filled out her information, and mentally rushed the receptionist behind the desk to hurry up. All that was left was getting her a badge so she could proceed.

"Ma'am, your name isn't on the list."

"What? That's impossible, I received the confirmation text last night." Pulling out her phone, Josey clicked it but had forgotten it was dead.

"Look again please, Josephine Parks, it has to be on there." Agitated, the receptionist picks up the clip board to look again, flipping the pages roughly.

"I'm sorry, your name, it is definitely not listed. Next!" Looking around Josey the irritated woman called for the next person in line.

Looking back, Josey noticed several people were giving her impatient stares. Turning back to the irritated receptionist, Josey knew she was already late, but tried one more time.

"Please, this must be some mistake, I really have to make this interview, my life depends on it." The receptionist repeated herself, louder this time, ignoring Josey.

Thinking of the disappointment she'd see in Emily's eyes, though her sister would do her best to hide it, Josey slammed her hand palm down on the desk. Making a loud smack and causing the lady behind the light marble desk to jump, murmurs started behind her from the people that were waiting.

Looking at Josey with pursed lips, and very ticked off by this point, the receptionist picked of the phone in front of her.

"Security, please report to the entrance, please report to the entrance desk." The request was announced over the speakers, and Josey could feel her stomach churn. She felt she had failed her sister, failed her parents. She was even momentarily angry at the attractive stranger for saving her earlier, at this point, the car should have just hit her.

The lady in front of her suddenly bowed behind the desk as Josey felt someone come up next to her. Not wanting to fight security and make more of a fool of herself, Josey defeatedly gave in.

"I'm leaving, no need to help me out, I know the way." Josey was a little sarcastic with her comment from frustration and turned expecting to see a band of security officers there, she was suddenly relieved. A REAL savior had arrived.

"Goodmorning Mr. Chaser." The receptionist said lifting from her bow.

Nodding at the secretary, Jared looked at Josey and smirked.

"Causing trouble again, I see." Chuckling, Josey smiled at him.

"Not intentionally, but my name isn't on the list, and I am already late now. I thought you weren't coming until later?" Josey asked Jared, grateful but embarrassed as the secretary watched them confused.

Reaching his hand out to the secretary, while he just shook his head at Josey, Jared waited. The secretary just stared at him with a giddy smile. It wasn't surprising, Jared's tall slim length, and golden locks were enough to swoon any women, not to mention his deep blue eyes surrounded by thick brown lashes. They were just icing on the cake.

"List?" He asked her with a short smile full of straight teeth.

"Huh? Oh, yes, yes Mr. Chaser, here it is." Handing him the list, the receptionist continued staring at him dreamily. Josey covered her mouth, not trying to laugh at her. It was nothing new, but still always funny. Josey wondered if Jared knew exactly how good looking he really was sometimes.

Jared started flipping through the pages on the clip board as people in the line behind them were suddenly helped by another woman appearing behind the desk. Josey looked back up at Jared and prayed the whole situation could be fixed.

"Ahh, okay, they have you listed as Parker, not Parks." Lowering the clipboard, he pointed to where the name was. 'Josephine Parker'.

"It must have been a typo Mr. Chaser, I do apologize." Looking at the name, the receptionist glanced at Josey cooly.