The Aftermath

Chapter 3

Monday morning greeted me with the gentle rays of the sun, casting its warm glow upon this beautiful city. "Wakey wakey, Jennifer Riley," I whispered to myself as I glanced at the clock—it was 7:37 a.m. A new day had dawned, and I welcomed it with open arms. However, as I reminisced about the events of the previous night, a sense of shame washed over me. I couldn't help but feel foolish for bringing a stranger I had met on the street into my home in the dead of night. But then again, little Jenn reminded me that Alex wasn't exactly a stranger. Little Jennie, the second part of me or my imaginative companion residing in my mind, often tangled my thoughts in a messy web that was best left unprovoked.

Meanwhile, the sun's warm embrace filtered through the pristine white curtains, enveloping me in it's comforting presence. I made my way to the kitchen and pressed the button on the coffee machine, summoning the rich aroma of freshly brewed latte. The enticing scent permeated the air, filling my kitchen with it's inviting allure. It was the same kitchen where I had shared a moment with Alex yesterday. Could it be that he was merely a figment of my imagination, a whimsical creation of my mind playing intricate games?

I stepped out onto the balcony, greeted by a refreshing blast of cold wind that kissed my face like an elixir of happiness. How wonderful it felt to simply live and breathe the air, using my own lungs, walking on my own feet, and making coffee with my own hands. A smile adorned my face, erasing any trace of yesterday's blues. I was confident Jennifer once again, ready to conquer the world's peaks. My company's office was conveniently located near my apartment, offering a view of the same Dublin Bay that graced my living space.

A business meeting was scheduled for 1 p.m., and anticipation began to stir within me, causing a slight nervousness.

"Hello Sarah, such a wonderful day",- I greeted my assistant with a warm smile.

"Hi, Jennifer," she replied, returning the smile. "You already have a visitor. He said it's personal. He doesn't look like a criminal at all, quite the contrary."

I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, let's hope he's not here to audit us. Our papers are all good."

"To be honest, I don't know who he is," Sarah admitted. "But he seemed genuine. He's in the waiting room."

I entered the room and my surprise knew no bounds. Alex was sitting in the chair. Smiling, he looked at me. I smiled back, unable to explain the reason for my spontaneous emotions. There were a lot of questions in my head.

- How? How did you know that I work here?

- You underestimate me,- he smiled. - You had a pack of business cards on the stand by the door. I could not miss such a chance.

- You are not as simple as I thought.

- Oh, you thought of me,- he smiled. - It flatters me.

Today I felt like the owner of the situation. Confident, beautiful, well-dressed and happy. But he was no less confident. We talk in the manner of an old friends who can afford sarcastic jokes. And I couldn't get rid of this feeling that I knew Alex before.

- I want to invite you to one place. Just to show you that everything is fine. That I'm not a swindler and not a psycho, and not a maniac, as you already thought. And don't you dare refuse.

- Alex, it's me who should invite you, for the fact that I met you, and not some kind of swindler, psycho or maniac.- we laughed together.

- Come today at seven thirty to this address, - he handed me the address.

Mapas Restaurant, Fitzpatrick Hotel, Killiney. When I read this, something inside me turned over. It was the address of one of Dublin's castle hotels, where there was a beautiful and cozy restaurant. And not far from the place I grew up ... the place I lived until I was 18 years old. Where are the memories of mom, dad, Nina. The house I couldn't live in. Why did he choose this particular place? What's on his mind? I had no desire to stir up my memories that had provoked my running away from home last night. But at the same time, I wanted to see Alex and continue our friendship. But for now, I can't afford these thoughts. I need to prepare for the meeting and sign the contract.