Roads of hope

Two

As I convince myself that it was already morning, I stand up from my bed, step into the bathroom, wash my face and try to fix the mess in my hair. After debating on whether or not to brush my teeth before breakfast, I decide with no, it may be a bit gross to eat without brushing your teeth, but having your first food of the day taste like toothpaste is the absolute worst, so I settle with just rinsing my mouth.

I choose cereal over waffles this morning, so I pour some milk in a little pot and put it with high heat on the stove, while I take a bowl from the dishwasher and serve myself a fair amount of cereal in it, just then the milk starts boiling and that's my cue to turn it off and pour it in the bowl with cereal. Most people say their days don't start until they have coffee, well mine doesn't until I get some food. I'm a happy eater, so I need to have food during the first 30 minutes after I wake up, or someone will be faced with hell.

After I finish my breakfast and check my e-mail and social media, I put the bowl and pot in the sink to wash them later when I get back. I go back to my room, pick the outfit of the day, consisting on black jeans, white silk shirt and a burgundy blazer, with black high heeled leather boots and golden long necklace. Working in a publishing office definitely has its perks, such as not having to dress in the same old and boring office fashion, but you can play with your styles and the more original you are, the better. Besides, since the HR department doesn't deal directly with the clients, that's a bonus point for my wardrobe choices.

After brushing my teeth, taking a shower, dress and makeup, I realize I should've washed my hair, so I decide on wearing a ponytail, hoping it doesn't mess the awesome look I picked. When I'm comfortable with how I look, I grab my handbag, cell phone and car keys and head to work.

At the office there's nothing new or out of the ordinary: some paperwork and a few interviews. Since the girl that's supposed to make the interviews is on maternity leave, I have to do her job too. So as soon as the secretary informs me that there was an applicant waiting for me in the meeting room, I pick up the papers I need and head up there.

Trying to open the door for the room, I accidentaly drop some of the papers and inmediately go down to pick them up, without realizing that there was someone who beat me to it and was trying to help. When we stand up at the same time, I guess that must be the person I need to interview, so I introduce myself, and indicate him to sit down. After having said the first few words of greetings and ice breaking, I start asking the questions related to the Creative Director position, the one he is applying to.

After all the questions are asked, we shake our hands goodbye with a promise of a call soon. He's the first one getting out of the room, and it isn't until then that I realize how good looking he actually is, wearing a casual attire consisting of dark jeans, teal shirt and brown boots, going perfectly with his three day stubble, and dark hair that looked like he didn't invest more than five seconds on it. From what I remember, I think his eyes were a golden sort of brown, but I can't remember much details about his face since I really didn't pay attention to it, being divided between my work and the hunger I was starting to feel.

Since it's almost one in the afternoon, I decide to take my lunch break right away, so I head to my office, leave the papers there and pick up my handbag. Since I really don't like bringing lunch to work, I decide to go to a nearby asian restaurant and have some sushi. When I get there, I see it's packed and there are a few people waiting for tables, so I take a turn and sit down to start my 20 minutes wait. Just then I notice there's a man standing beside me, I lift my head up to see his face and realize it's the man I interviewed earlier, Stephen Gilley.
"Stephen?" I call to him.
"Miss Carter?" He asks surprised.
"What did I tell you? Calling me by my last name is way too formal and even more now that we're not at the office".
"Oh right, I'm sorry. Hi Emerson. Big coincidence by coming to the same restaurant at the same time, don't you think?" He smiles and looks at the waitress that's calling him for a table.
"Yeah, too bad I'll have to wait for a while though, I'm starving and don't have much time" I say hoping he gets the hint.
"Well then you can come and sit with me. I wouldn't be so alone and you'd have more time to enjoy your lunch". He says adding a heart melting smile and offering me his hand.
"Wouldn't that be too much? Besides, it could seem like you're bribing me to give you the job". I say holding his hand, but still in my seat.
"Yeah can you hold on a minute please?" He answers to the waitress, who was calling him again. "Not at all. I don't need to bribe you to get the job, I know my worth".
"Ooh aren't you full of yourself? But you're right, you were quite impressive, so let's go before the waitress pokes a hole in your head". With that he pulls me off my seat and lets the waitress lead the way to his-our table.

When we arrive to our table, Stephen pulls a chair and indicates me to sit there. I do so willingly and inmediately place my order.
"I already know what I want. One Philadelphia roll and a lemonade".
"Do you want the 4 or the 8 piece roll?".
"Eight, please". With that I hand her my unopened menu, when she turns to ask Stephen.
"Yeah can I get the chicken broccoli with fried rice, and a beer?"
"Of course. I'll be back right away with your drinks". Then she takes his menu and goes away. Stephen starts with small conversation topics right away.
"So, sushi, huh?"
"Yeah, I love sushi. I used to say I hated it, but as soon as I had a taste there was no going back for me".
"I've tried some good ones, not a huge fan though". Right then the waitress arrives with our drinks.
"And beer with lunch? That's brave".
"Huh not a big deal. I don't have anything to do, so I may as well start the weekend early".
"On a wednesday" I comment with a small laugh.
"On a wednesday" he replies, lifting his jar as if to make a toast "for early weekends, shorter weeks and beautiful women" he says.
"Well I wouldn't make a toast for beautiful women, but cheers".