Autumn Dreams

A Blissful Dream

The soft warm lights were glistening on the large, well decorated Christmas tree. Bundles of presents wrapped in red and white paper were propped under the tree.  "Mary's Boy Child" by  Harry Belafonte was softly playing in the background. Mum was baking various flavours of cookies and cupcakes while singing along to her favourite Christmas carols. My brother, Owen was nowhere to be seen on this blissful Christmas eve. Most probably chatting away to his new girlfriend. I was sat on the couch next to my Dad and grandparents laughing along to the old home movies that were playing on TV. Everyone had a smile on their faces and was having a great time. Christmas is simply the season of love and happiness. 

 END OF DREAM. 

The loud, angry force of the rain outside wakes me up from my blissful dream. The clock next to my bed confirms that it's almost time to wake up for work. However the sound of the rain and the dark gloomy sky is making me want to stay in bed all day. The soft cotton sheets underneath me add to my comfort. All of a sudden my mind recalls the sweet morning dream I had. "It is far too early to be dreaming about Christmas" I think to myself. "I wonder if my parents miss me?" I know that I certainly miss them. Moving away to Portland, America was one of the biggest and the hardest decisions of my life. Living away from my parents was not a thought that ever pleased me. It's almost been two months since the big move. However to this day I find myself missing my mum and contemplating if my job is worth being away from her. 

"Better get up now if you don't want to run late Evelyn"I finally tell myself and get up. I brush my teeth, have a warm shower and put on my cream and black pencil dress, followed by my black heels. I towel dry my long brunette hair then leave it to air dry and apply a light layer of lip gloss before heading over to the small kitchen in my apartment, to grab some breakfast. After consuming my usual, everyday bowl of porridge and bananas, I grab my coat and head out the door. 

The outdoors greets me with a gush of wind and cold air. Today seems like it's going to be one of those perfect English autumnal days with lots of rain and slightly cold weather. The streets were covered with fallen leaves and reddening October trees. I quickly make my way down the small footpath and get in my dark blue Toyota Ist before driving off. 

I walk in through the revolving doors of Delap LLP and soak in the large, busy building. It's been two months and I'm still not used to this place. "Good Morning, Evelyn" Victoria, the receptionist greets me. "Morning Victoria, how are you this morning?" I ask with a smile. "Not too bad, thanks. Just a little tired after all the unpacking in the new house". Honestly, I have no clue how she does it. Victoria has moved three times since I started working here. Says she likes experiencing living in different places. "The boss said he left some files for you that he wanted you to finish by tonight, on your desk", she adds. "Thanks Victoria. I better get to work then". I make my way up to level seven of the building and enter my office room. On the desk is sitting, about ten piles of large files. I almost gasp at the sight. I quickly grab the phone and call Victoria, she picks up on the first ring. "Why does he want me to finish all this by today? This is a week's worth of file work. Has he gone nuts" I say sounding almost angry. "Really, there's that many. Well boss wants to close all the cases with our customers before the new CEO takes over. He's coming over to meet all the staff tomorrow". 

 "Right, I almost forgot about the new CEO. Well then I better get crackin'. Thanks Victoria" I hang up the phone and get to work. 

After many long hours of balancing financial statements and attending to customer needs I finally look at the time. 9 o' clock, the clock reads. Most of the time I would already be at home around this time, curled up on the couch watching The Special Victims Unit. I was never one to stay up late partying or drinking after work. I always found myself at home reading a good old romance novel, baking, or simply watching TV. Leaving my home country New Zealand, meant that I had left all my closest friends and family there as well. Although I speak to them often, it is not the same as having them by your side to have a good laugh or cry. 

Making new friends has always been difficult for me due to my shy and closed off personality. However I have become used to spending time by myself without feeling lonely. Having said that, Victoria has been a good friend since my first day at Delap LLP. She is the kind of women who is professional when needed and the total opposite in her casual life. 

Completing the last file for the day, I grab my purse before leaving the office. My stomach rumbles, reminding me that I haven't eaten anything since breakfast. Promising my self that I'll grab a bite to eat on the way home, I get inside the plush elevator with velvet walls and a thick carpet. The elevator stops on the fifth floor and steps in a leanly muscular man. My eyes trace his tall figure from his dark black hair to his shiny, black shoes.  The closer he was the better I could see him. He has his hands in his pockets. His eyes warm, with bags hung under them which makes him look slightly mature. But he surely could not be much older than me. He looks solid and sleek. 

"Okay, he looks way too sophisticated for me to be in an elevator with" I think to myself. I take a deep breath and inhale his strong cologne and find myself almost passing out at the powerful scent. As if he could feel the tension and the awkwardness he turns to me and smiles broadly. "Smile back you dork", my subconscious yells at me. I slightly smile and look away quickly, as the elevator comes to a halt. I quickly step out of the elevator and fasten my pace to get out of the building as quickly as possible. I step out into the cold, dark night and look around to find out that the stranger is gone and I let out a breath I hadn't known I'd been holding.