Bad Decisions

CHAPTER ONE

September 4th

I'm the type of person who is always on time. I always make sure I'm out and about with plenty of time to spare before I actually have to be somewhere. I always take at least one bus earlier than I have to, I'm always at the airport at least three hours in advance, I always pack my bag the night in advance and I always have enough credits on my phone. I like to think of myself as organised and punctual.

However, today I'm neither organised nor punctual.

The rain beats down against my bedroom window as I frantically search my wardrobe for my umbrella. As always, last night I'd laid out what I'd be wearing today and packed my bag before going to bed. Unfortunately I didn't think I'd need an umbrella, since the weather in London had been exceptionally good for the past few weeks. Waking up to torrential rain had not only put me in a bad mood, it had messed up my whole morning routine.

I let out a sigh, sitting down on the side of my bed. I'd scheduled an appointment with my manager at 9 o'clock, meaning I'd have to be at his office in less than twenty minutes. My boyfriend often reminds me that my manager does not mind if I'm running a little late, since we get along quite well. But in my opinion, an appointment is still an appointment, no matter with whom it may be.

"Eric, would you mind calling me a taxi? I can't walk all the way to Robert's office in this rain," I call out, giving up on finding the damned umbrella at this point. Instead of searching any further, I head over to my dresser to fix my hair.

"I'm watching the news," he shouts back and I imagine him seated on the sofa, eyes glued to the television as he drinks his morning coffee. It sometimes surprises me how he can watch television for hours on end, without getting bored. He can sit through reruns of soaps, repeats of the news and even films or TV shows he's already watched many times before. Especially now that he's temporarily out of work. "It must be at times like this you wish you had a job that came with a company car, am I right?"

"I could afford my own car if I actually wanted one," I retort. "Driving around the centre of London is murder, and I'm perfectly fine with walking everywhere or taking the underground."

"Then put on your walking shoes and get out there."

"If I could find my umbrella, I would..." I reply, heading for the hallway to retrieve my phone from my purse and call a taxi myself.

"I suppose you could just cancel your meeting. It's not like you get paid by the hour." Eric continues, and I feel myself getting annoyed at him for never taking my work seriously, especially now that he doesn't even have a job himself. He likes to remind me that anyone can be a blogger or social media influencer, since you don't need brains or a degree to do so. He thinks I should do more with my life, since I do actually have a Bachelor's degree in International Law. However, I specifically chose to start a blog instead of staying at University for two more years.

"It doesn't work like that. I'm off, see you tonight," I say hastily, after finally having rung the number for my usual taxi company. Checking the time as I head for the door, I have little less than 10 minutes left to get to my appointment, so if the taxi shows up as quickly as the driver promised, I should make it just in time.

"Have a good day, I love you," Eric replies from the living room, but I'm out of the door before I have time to answer him. I take the stairs instead of the lift, and a few minutes later I'm finally on my way.

+ + +

"Come again?"

My manager, Robert, sighs. He runs his hand through his hair, something he's been doing an awful lot this last half hour, and looks up to meet my eyes again. "I think you heard me the first three times, Brooke."