Secrets

Two

BEEP BEEP* I jump at the sound of my alarm, I open my eyes and I am still in my beautiful Manhattan apartment I look around for a bit before deciding to get up and ready for my first day at work. That was the best night sleep I've had for years, I didn't wake up to any yelling, or nightmares or anymore abuse.

I take a shower, which was long awaited for since arriving yesturday afternoon, I get out and blow dry and straighten my hair, letting it fall down on my shoulders. I go back to my bedroom and open the closet to find some work clothes, I put on my underwear and add stockings, knowing I would be cold as I look out to snow falling softly from the sky, I pull a blouse over my head and pull a tight black skirt up to my waist, it reaches just above my knees, I look at myself, this is so different from my usual attire.

I pack my hand bag for the day, chucking in a few pens and a photo of my dad a brother so I can put it on my desk at work, I have another copy as well which I place on my bedside table.

I hurry out the door when I realise its almost 8am, knowing it will take me a while to find the building, and I dont want to be late on my first day.

I punch the address of Pandora into my GPS and start following its directions, there is quite a lot of traffic and I many people walking up and down the sidewalks of the streets. I look out and wonder how a city could be any more beautiful. I keep driving forward looking at the people buzzing down the streets, I create stories for them, making a whole life up from seeing what they look like, what they wear and how they walk. I've always loved doing that me and John used to when I was 9 and he was 16, sadness flushes over me as I think of my brother.

I reach over the to the back seats to grab my warm coat from the seat, placing it over my shoulders. I take a deep breathe and open the car door. I feel the chill of the morning hit my face and hands, shivering at it. I really need to get some gloves, I grab my purse and head for the building.

I look at my scheduale to see what level I am supposed to go to, 18. I push the button and just before the elevator shuts i see a hand fly through the door holding it open. Its a young man with blonde hair, he smiles at me and I smile back, giggling slightly looking at how puffed out he is. "oh you must be the new worker at pandora, we've all been so eager to meet you, you're absolutely stunning" He says smiling and putting a hand out, still trying to catch his breath. "Yes, I just moved here yesturday, I'm Millie" I shake his hand, "Oh wow, you must be tired, hopefully Ms Pandora won't be harsh on you! Where'd did you move from?" He questions "DC" I say before hearing the elevator ding open. "I can take you to pandora if you want? so you dont get lost" He offers with a smirk, "Oh that would be wonderful" he starts walking to the very end of the floor before we reach a blurred glass window, "She'll be in there, shes a lovely lady, you two will get along nicely" he smiles and I nod before he turns away. I knock twice on the door "come in" I hear a voice call, I open the door before taking a step into the office. I look up and see Ms. Pandora sitting at her work desk, looking up with a friendly smile, "you must be Miss Good" she smiles "Uh, yes, but you can call me Millie." I smile before stepping close, "sure, I love the name Millie" she holds her arm out offering me the seat opposite her, I step towards it nervously and take a seat. We chat for a while, about my hometown and how much I'm enjoying it here and about what I'll have to do for the job. I have to start out editing small articles for the magazine, before I can work my way into actually writing my own articles, she tells me how much I will be payed, it more than I expected and will definitely stabalise my living here.

I walk out of the office with Ms. Pandora, chatting about good places to go shopping and to eat in the area we finally reach a desk "This will be your desk, Millie." she smiles as I place my bag on the table, "If you ever need help finding your way around Manhattan I'm always here, just give me a buzz.