The Love Assignment

Chapter 5

My apartment was not something you define as posh but you could define it as safe and livable. I had rented a two bedroom flat, with walls painted in alternative dark blue and white. One of the reasons I selected this flat was, it was closer to Stacey's but the most important reason had been the security. After making Stacey to roam with me around the streets of Newyork for a good apartment, I came across "The Prestige" which was a half an hour drive to the Company. The apartment looked quite old and something about it shouted comfort to me. Even though Stacey offered me to stay with her in her flat, I couldn't agree as I wanted to live independently.  

I spent a good fifteen minutes preparing breakfast only to leave it on the dining table. My body was still coming to terms with what had happened yesterday, I could still hear the faint beating my heart and it would pick up every time I thought about the assignment. I had lost my appetite and the only thing that could soothe my nerves was the hot coffee that I held in my mug.  

I had a meeting with Sarah today and unlike the last time I made sure I looked even more presentable. I wore a pink formal silk shirt and white pants and let my hair fall on my shoulder with soft make up on my face. 

From when I had gotten up, I realized that my body was somewhat numb and hence the movements slow, as a result I was late to work. After making sure that I had locked the front door properly, I dashed to the elevator. Once in my car, I became one of the many reckless drivers on New york streets to reach my office. 

My meeting with Sarah was scheduled at ten. My nerves took better of me as I was already in Sarah's floor half an early than the scheduled slot, sitting in the same spot I sat yesterday waiting for Sarah to come in. Jane wasn't particularly happy to see me entering the floor. I wondered whether her reaction would be the same if it was Alex. 

"Shit, why the hell am I thinking of him?" I wondered shaking my head vigorously. Just then I heard someone cough. I lifted my head slightly to see Sarah faking another cough to get my attention. "I must have looked a dog trying to get rid of flees with all the shaking of my head" I thought embarrassed.  

"Shall we?" Sarah said pointing to her private office. 

I nodded and quietly followed Sarah who by now had taken her seat and motioned for me to sit. The office looked same as yesterday except that there was a bouquet of red roses on the table. 

Sarah noticed the card and smiled. 

"They are from Mark," she said blushing slightly. 

"They are beautiful" I replied. A small pang of jealousy spread across my chest. I wished someone sent me flowers. The only time I got flowers were when my Grandpa died as part of condolence. I winced remembering the incident.  

"How are you Vallerie?" 

"Oh, I am good," I replied wondering if I should ask her how she was. 

"I am good too Vallerie in fact I am more than good" she replied smiling at me. I stared at her shocked.  

"This women couldn't read minds or did she? Oh! she isn't like Edward Cullen or anything. May be a werewolf or a.." 

"I saw the confusion on your face, you were deciding whether or not you should ask me how I was and by the way I am not a vampire or a werewolf or anything that came next in that line" Sarah said laughing loudly. 

My face paled with embarrassment.  

"Did I say that loudly? I did, didn't I? I am really sorry,I didn't mean to offend you," I said softly not even looking once at Sarah's face. By now all the blood had reached my face and my ears were red with embarrassment.