Brittany's Dream Wedding: Book 5 (Completed)

Chapter One

Brittany's POV:

I was rushing down the street taking care that I didn't trip over. I had accidentally slept in and I didn't want to be late for work.

It had been three years since I left my cosy, country home for the bright lights of the city.

I worked at one of the major newspapers in town. I was the reporter for the lifestyle section. It wasn't hard hitting journalism but I really enjoyed my work. Writing had always been a passion of mine but it wasn't till I left school that I really came into my element.

I lived in a small flat in the CBD close to the newspaper headquarters. Usually I had an impeccable work record. Today would be the first time that I broke it.

My boyfriend Zac had come up from our hometown to visit. He had started working in a local garage his final year of high school and had now worked his way up to managing the place. His boss had given him indications of his pending retirement and offered Zac and his best mate Kai a unique opportunity. To purchase the garage jointly to run as their own. I couldn't have been more thrilled.

I absolutely loved the city. I loved the electric static in the air and non stop atmosphere but I also missed my hometown greatly. It might be sleepy but the people I loved the most lived there. My parents and of course Zac.

I always dreamed that I'd get married and raise my children there. I wanted them to grow up with the same happy childhood I had as well as be surrounded by their loving grandparents. Living here in the city was only temporary until I was ready to move onto the next stage of my life. That was always the plan.

Zac had delayed me this morning. Not that I was complaining. "Come back to bed" he said as I got up to get ready. I couldn't resist his charm. We rarely got to spend lie ins together. Five minutes quickly became one hour and then before I knew it I running was late.

"So nice of you to come in Brittany."

Of course my boss, Mr Stephens had to be standing right near my desk as I scrambled towards it.

I smoothed my hair down and checked my emails for today's assignment.

There was the usual wedding announcements and a restaurant review to cover. I didn't mind the work. It was my bread and butter. I did however long for articles that had more substance. After all this was the reason why I had become a writer.

"Brittany. Come into my office. NOW!"

I heard my boss holler from the other side of the office. Damn. Surely one day late wasn't going to marked on my employee record.

"Come in and take a seat."

I sat down obediently and started to talk.

"Mr Stephens. Before you reprimand me for being late today I should point out that I have an impeccable attendance record and..."

He put his hand up to silence me. I stopped talking.

"Brittany. You have now been working here for what, around three years and in that time you have demonstrated great skills and technique."

Hmm I thought to myself. Maybe I wasn't in trouble after all. Perhaps I might even get a promotion out of this.

"So after due consideration and reviewing of your past history we have decided to offer you a new position."

Yes! I couldn't believe it. I was getting promotion. I couldn't wait to tell Zac.

"We have an opening for a new foreign correspondent. We have looked over your file and noted your experience overseas."

My brow furrowed in confusion. Experience overseas. Surely they must have me confused with somebody else. All I had worked on here were local issues. I hadn't even written an article outside this city.

"Mr Stephens, I think there must have been a mistake..."

Again he put his hand up silence me. It was starting to annoy me. How old did he think I was? Five?

"Your employment records show that you participated in a cultural exchange program in London during high school. That along with the fact that you currently have no family commitments make you the perfect candidate for this position."

I tried to digest the news. I had spent a Summer in London on a cultural exchange program but what did this have to do with the job.

"So does that mean the job is in..."

"London yes. It will be a year long contract with great benefits with an option to extend. Accommodation and travel included. We need you to start pretty much straight away. You'll need to give me your answer by the end of this week."

"Who will take over my articles here?

"We will reassign somebody internally. I need not remind you of the great opportunity here. I know you have been keen to get your teeth into some meaty journalism. Here is your chance. Don't disappoint me."

I thanked Mr Stephens and took my leave. Foreign correspondent in London. I liked the sound of that. I had always wanted to return there one day. I had always thought it would be with Zac on our honeymoon. I looked down at my bare hand. Zac hadn't proposed yet. I mean we were only 21 so I didn't expect it anytime soon but we had been together for so long that it had always seemed the natural progression of our relationship.

Now I had been handed a different future. Definitely not a permanent one but a different one. I could return home after one year but was I prepared to be so far away from home for that long. It was bad enough that Zac had stayed in our home town while I lived in the city. Regular visits were hard enough now let alone me moving several thousand miles away.

I thought about Mr Stephens words carefully. Yes this was a fantastic opportunity and I was grateful to have received it. The question was, would Zac feel the same way I did?