The sound of rain hitting the ground fills my ears. I forgot to bring an umbrella. Who would remember something like that anyway? Lucky for me, I love the rain, the water hitting the earth, the smell of rain and how it never bothers me to get wet. Each drop ruined both me and my clothes, soaking them, but I didn't give a care in the world. Spinning and splashing in the little puddles along the way like a kid.
Walking home from work in the alluring weather. I work for a project management company and sometimes also perform tasks as an architect, but usually working as a project manager. This is the first time I am getting to do both roles side by side, but this new opportunity needs to be remembered and doing something as simple as walking in the rain really defines my day.
My clothes are soaking wet and I am staring up at the dark sky. The sun is setting I think. I can barely see anything due to the dark clouds hovering over me. Then I remembered that I was holding a few drawings in my hand.
“Oh shit! God, why is it always me?" The drawings that were drafted for a new building in a secret government facility have just been ruined. A week of hard work washed away in minutes. I quickly ran to get some shade, but my clothes are the least of my worries right now. I cannot take the drawings out as they are top secret and extremely classified.
I ran home, not bothering to catch a bus. I just ran. It was a stupid decision really. I live quite far away. Good thing I go to the gym every week then? I ran most of the way home. Ah, I am done with half my gym routine. “Oh shut up" I muttered to myself, struggling to find the keys to my house. I guess walking in the rain was not a wise decision after all. I found it in my coat pocket. I love wearing suits, all different shades and colors, maybe like Taylor Swift from the ‘ME!’ music video. She has been my inspiration for a long time.
I get into my house and walk over to the living room and lay the drawings on the coffee table. It is not that wet to be honest. Only if I can redraw all of this shit within 24 hours, I might not get fired. I quickly ran to the bathroom in my heels and soaked clothes that now are dripping with water. I undress in the bathroom and slide on a shirt. Everything looks humongous on me due to my height, and I like it that way.
I assume I am 5’1’ but who knows, it is not that distressing when I wear heels every day. I'm so used to it now that sometimes I think I walk on my toes without them.
I tie a towel around my wet hair, which is unusually till my waist, and with the hair dryer in hand I plug it into the pocket beside the TV. I slowly move the dryer over my job, but the paper is damp, sort of. It got wet at the edges and spread a bit to the middle. Thankfully, I drew it with a pencil, hoping to do it with something more permanent at home in the comfort of my floor with hot chocolate and depressing Taylor Swift music.
I give up, a few minutes later and bring my iron. “This should work right?” I ask myself before pulling that in and setting it on the lowest heat. I slowly ironed the paper, but it is a bit different from your usual drawing paper. It is a bit thick and sturdy, like a papyrus. It works but takes a long time. I put the hairdryer and iron back in its place and walked back down. The floor plan is almost okay.
It struck eight and I decided to clean up my wet rain mess. I picked up my clothes and tossed them into the washer except for my coat. I hung it to let it dry, then dry-cleaned it. Hungry, I made my way into the kitchen to make something. I am not a big fan of cooking, although I cook decently enough. I wish I had dated a chef, but that would be a dream come true. I cuddled with my blanket and watched a crime documentary on Netflix while eating pasta. Pasta is made using pizza sauce. I know how to use my resources.
It is almost ten when I turn my TV off and put the dishes in the sink. I walk over and find a big load of my work incomplete. Turning on some upbeat music, mostly by TayTay and dancing to the beat all over my house. Taking a pen, I start singing the lyrics and that is when I realize I am going off-topic. “Okay Thea, you have to get your head in the game, you have to try and finish by tomorrow evening” I sat down and started tracing over the lines, making some adjustments our team decided on earlier today.
I never knew how quickly time passed. Being a night owl usually does not bother me, but I needed sleep, because I was so tired from running three miles and then fixing that stupid rain mistake. Not that I do not love the rain; it is just the damage after the rain. The ruined clothes, the messy hair and the makeup running all over your face. I played some music to help me sleep. I was too lazy to walk all the way to the bedroom so I decided to sleep on the sofa. Thankfully, I had my blanket and my phone was charged enough.
………………………………………..
Waking up with no alarm, I stretched my arms as the sunlight poured in. The sunlight was not supposed to be pouring in; I picked up my phone and looked at the time. It is 9 am, and I am late, so I scramble to get up and rush to the bathroom, but I snatch my charger from the bedside table and rush to the bathroom with my midnight blue suit on. I take a quick shower and try to brush my teeth at the same time. I didn't bother to wash my hair since the rain did it for me.
I get out, roll up the drawings and grab my keys. I got out of my house and got into my car. I did not use my car yesterday since I felt like walking. I got in and drove away.
I quickly flash my badge and walk into the building. I got into the elevator with a team of engineers. Some of them were really good looking and the whole elevator smelled of cologne. It made me question their purpose here. Please tell me they are the team of engineers, and we are meeting today for the new floor of the FBI building, and that would be really amusing. One of them caught my eye. He was wearing a classic black suit with a bright tie, a tie that did not match his personality nor his style. His tie seemed like it was meant to be worn for Christmas, with white candy canes all over the red tie. Being the nosy and stupid girl I am, I waste no time for my curiosity to get the best of me.
“Did you mean to wear that tie?” I asked, as he looked towards his colleges and pointed towards himself. “Are you talking to me?” I nodded and he chuckled. “My nephew wanted me to wear it today for my first day”, he said, looking into my eyes. “Aww. That is adorable” I awkwardly looked down. Getting off on the 14th floor only for the team to follow after me.
I doubted the worst or the best and walked to my team waiting for me. I walked over. I was the project manager also assisting with the architecture, seeing over the other 4 architects and working with them. They walked over and I tried to wave back, but they were not walking towards me. It's only been a week since we started working together. I looked back to see the other team of 5 people walking, looking confused. I stopped, but I stayed there for a second, turning back and forth between my team and the other team.
That is when my brain finally hit. This is the team of engineers I shall be working with. I quickly cleared my throat and, with the plans in my hand, stood awkwardly in between the 2 teams. Luckily, Avery put her hand on my shoulder and whispered “You are late, anyway, and this is the new team joining us. You are supposed to introduce yourself like a responsible person that you are” I turned to the team who was standing in front of me now, and I quickly said “Hello, I am Thea Wood, the project manager and for this project, I’ll also be assisting with the architecture” I put my hand forward for a handshake, a few seconds pass and I feel stupid. I was about to pull back my hand but the man with the Christmas tie shook it. “Hello Thea, I am Carl, Carl Marshall, lead of the engineering team” I nodded and pulled my hand.
I knew then that today was going to be a long day. Guess I should not have begun the day by listening to music because all I can think of now is how I hoped for a good start, but the day had already started out awful. The teams introduced themselves, and we gathered in the meeting room for a meeting before we began our work and will run for the next 3 years.
