Roman

|01|

AURORA

It is getting dark outisde. 

I sigh and lean back in my chair, I have been working on the details for this charity for hours now. and I'm exhausted. I lean back in my chair and listen to my grumbling stomach. Sliding open the bottom drawer of my desk, eyeing the goodies I have hidden inside my good ole secret snack drawer. Its a secret not because I am ashamed of how much I eat or anything like that, but because my coworker, Tim, that works next door of my office will hear the crinkle of chip bag and come clean me out again. So I have the rule, never get in the stack drawer until nights like tonight, when Tim leaves.

I pull out a packet of Skittles and slide the drawer shut. I stare at the lit up screen of my computer screen while I chew my red skittle, I told my fiance, James, I would be home late tonight because I wanted to finish up these details but I'm so tired, I'm not sure I can stay up much longer. Its just a few small details that I can always come in early and finish, The banquet isn't for another two weeks anyways. 

But then again my boss, Charlotte is a total hard ass. I chew on my lip debating whether I want to risk not getting this done tonight and having to listen to a lecture tomorrow. 

"Marks!" Comes a clipped voice from the doorway of my office. Oh boy speak of the devil and she shall appear. 

I plaster on a fake smile  and spin to face Charlotte. She is an older lady, in her mid 50s, and stern looking. Don't get me wrong, she looks good for her age, but she has a serious case of RBF, that goes along with the way she carries herself. She has on a black pants suit with cute blue flats on.  I let my gaze travel back up her body and meet her frowning face. 

"Hows it going?"

"Good." I say as I pop another skittle in my mouth. "I was just-" 

She waves a hand. "Nope, all I need to know. I'm here just to give you an new assignment for tomorrow." 

My heart picks up. Why is she being nice? She is never nice. I have to hold in a gasp when her lips tilt up at the confusion on my face. Maybe shes met a man? Is that why shes being nice? Who cares. I look toward the outside of the door to see if anyone else is around, No one will believe me when I tell them about this strange encounter. 

"Its a new charity for sick dogs and cats. They want a fundraiser banquet next month." She says when I fail to respond, "Here are all the details, When you are finished with the Cancer Organization Banquet, Please drop it by the office."

Please?

I blink, she blinks back. "Y-yeah, I mean yes m'am. Sure thing."  I finally choke out. "Thank you."   I let out a breath as soon as she turns around and walks back out. The clock hits five thirty and I can't help handle my eyes drifting close anymore, I start to pack up. I just want to go home and curl up with James on the sofa with a big glass of red wine, while we watch some trash reality TV show. In fact, that is exactly what the Doctor ordered.

It takes nearly forty minutes to get from my office to our loft in downtown NYC. James is lucky, his father owns a firm across the street from our loft, all he has to do is walk over. Its so cold tonight, I pull my jacket tighter around me as I step off the subway and to our apartment building.  I walk up the steps and into the waiting elevator, dreaming of how warm the apartment is going to feel.