Two Worlds

CHAPTER 1

Alsephina

As I am out of the JFK, I am hit with the chilly air of winter. Wrapping my coat tightly around my body, I look around for a cab to take me to the hotel I made reservations for. My new job at the NBC universal  starts in two days from now. To be honest, I really didn't think while applying that I would get this job but my resume that highlighted taking interviews of various celebrities and getting on point information to publish was something that benefitted me. It's been two years since I have started to move on with my life and make something of it. So I left my home in Canada and came here when this job was offered to me for a fresh start.

Taking a cab, I give the driver the address of The Plaza, to which he says, "Are you here to travel, miss?"

I look at him through the rearview mirror, "No, for a job."

He just tips his cap and starts driving, I take in the view as it is my first time in New York city, it looks breathtaking in the evening. As I reach the hotel, I pay the driver and go to the reception with my luggage. Taking the key card from the receptionist, I make my way to the fifth floor through the lift.
Searching for my room number I mumble to myself, "523...523... Ah here you are."

I open the door and lock it behind me, seeing that my luggage has already been delivered.

Finally the exhaustion kicks in and I go to the bed and plop on the mattress ready to have a much needed rest from the jet lag. I'm woken up by the buzzing of my phone, I try to look and see my brother's name flashing on the screen.

As soon as I pick it up, I am bombarded with the hurls coming from my brother's mouth, "Ana, What the fuck? Your plane landed four hours ago, and you couldn't even call? Mom and dad have been worried sick. Why didn't you call us as soon as you landed?"

"Ugh... Adrian I am having a jet lag dammit. I caught the cab and quickly came to the hotel room, as soon as I hit the bed I was out like a light. I would have called after waking up, but you beat me to it."

"At least you are safe. How's New York?" my brother says.

"As beautiful as it can look from a cab. I just told you that I reached my hotel room and took a nap. That's all the New York I saw... from the cab's window."

"Fine, fine lay off the sarcasm, will you?", comes the voice from the ear speaker.

"I'll let mom and dad know you reached safely and that you're having jet lag so you will call them later. "

At times like this I think my brother can be a little caring and considerate. I smile even though he can't see me, "Love you, Addy. I'll call mom and dad later."

"Love you too, baby sis. If you need anything and I mean anything, I am just a call away." he says.

"You know, you are just a couple years older than me, baby sis is a little exaggerated, don't you think?", I try to sound annoying even though this has been our inside joke for many years.

"A couple of years is still two years older, so I will call you that, ok baby sis?" he stretches "baby sis" on purpose.

"Yeah, yeah I got it. Now bye.", I answer him smiling.

"Bye, Ana", says Addy and we hang up.

Now that I am wide awake, I decide to take a shower. What intended to be a short and quick one turned out to be a forty-five minute shower, but it was quite relaxing. After drying my hair, I rummage through my bag and change into a loose t-shirt and pajama shorts. I look out from the window and see that it's already dark. I debate whether to order room service but then decide against it. Lying on the bed, my eyelids become heavy and flutter close and I drift to sleep.

The next morning, I wake up feeling refreshed, I change my clothes and go to the ground floor to have some breakfast in the dining area of the hotel. While eating, I think about my best friend, Cecily, and how we used to have our breakfast together, it had almost become a tradition.

God, I miss her. It would have been more fun and comfortable if she'd be here with me.

Finishing my breakfast, I think about doing a little sightseeing before starting my new job the day after tomorrow.