BOUND BY DESTINY

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Arielle.

Two months later, ...

The past months have been more than a little hectic and a constant swirl of emotions, mostly from my perspective. The turmoil of sadness, confusion, relief and gratefulness in my mind, have been the mantra, directing my days, all this time.

The sadness and confusion were for the loss of my lover, Kyle, which I haven't completely recovered from. However, it had gotten easier to forget, at least for a while, easier to deal with the pain and dissilience of losing someone so essential to me.

My family and friends have been wonderful with this recovery process, organizing outings and activities to cheer me up and bring me out of the shelf I'd built around myself. I was so grateful to have them with me, knowing I wasn't alone. Sometimes, their affection could get suffocating, but I reminded myself that they cared and loved me dearly.

However, the person who'd given me the strength to move on with my life is Megan. Our encounter was unplanned, our bond unexpected, but she somehow became my greatest comfort and support, in the face of my loss. I felt I could always unload all my pain in her arms and she would be ready for it.

As days progressed, we've struck up a great friendship and I've learned to admire, the amazing woman, she is. Needless to say, Megan was now a huge part of my life and I was hoping to keep her in it forever and always. I couldn't imagine my life anymore, without her. It was just unconceivable.

Besides, I finally recovered my job at CATCO, after a month or so of suspension, much to Vanessa Adam's great dismay.

I was told, she fought against my reinsertion, insisting my conduct had been highly inappropriate towards others.

Thankfully, the committee of managers had taken count of the context of the situation and the fact that I had always shown enormous respect towards partners and colleagues, throughout my years at the firm.

I had to address a lot of apologies towards my interns and the entire staff, but I did so willingly, acknowledging that my state of mind, did in no way justify my lack of ethic.

It's been two months now that everything in my life changed and although I've experienced loss, I felt like I've gained too. I managed to make of this reality, the new normal and I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for accomplishing that.

***

I stepped onto the open balcony attached to the loft apartment of Media City Tower of the town of Salford, situated almost eight miles away from my office in Bolton. The balcony overlooked the city and the quays of Salford.

I had high hopes about this visit. It was the first home presentation I'd done since regaining my job at the firm. I was hoping the client, will be satisfied with the rendering of the apartment, and sign the contractual agreement.

I turned to the sound of heavy footsteps emanating from the living space and advancing towards me. I smiled politely, when the visage of the bearded man appeared behind the glass doors.

"So, Dr. Dickson, what do you think of the décor of the apartment?" I said.

Dr. Phil Dickson was an important VIP client and a reputed politician in Manchester. He was known for being very critical and opinioned about his affairs, a big piece of work to deal with. Nonetheless, he equally made for a great asset in one's portfolio. Needless to say, that his review counted big in the percentage of the firm's goodwill.

And now the responsibility of his accountability, fell upon my shoulders. No pressure at all.

"Just one-word Miss Leroy, picturesque! The design is exactly as I imagined it in my mind; the appliances, the paintings, the layout of the furniture. It all brings out the vintage style of my younger years."