In Time

Chapter 7

It's the cold that wakes me up. Disheveled, I sit up and am surprised to see myself naked before I remember the events of last night. Phew, I sigh, for a moment I admit I had wondered if I'd done the unthinkable and brought a man to my bed.

I look around for my phone but it's nowhere to be found. Draping my kimono around me, I walk downstairs and find my bag on the couch. It's faintly light outside and I see that it's 5 am on the clock. I know that I won't be able to go back to sleep so I just decide to get ready for the day. I put the kettle on for my morning tea, and go back up for a quick shower. I think that a pop of color will lift my spirits so don a bright pink silk camisole-type blouse, along with the sober grey tweed skirt and blazer. My makeup is normal- the usual eyeliner, a bit of blush and pink lipstick. I step into my grey flats and I'm the assistant editor of Willow Publishing house.

For breakfast, it's a cup of hot chocolate milk and oatmeal with milk and strawberry. I decide to make some chicken sandwiches for lunch and snack and quickly stuff the Tupperware into my matching grey tote bag. It's 7 and I still have two hours at hand before I have to show up at work. So I decide to work on the selection of the cover stuff. There are quite a few pictures I love and I somehow, finally, narrow them down to 7. I decide to call my editor and tell him that I have chosen 7 and would mail them over to him. So I quickly find a brown manila envelope and do the necessary things so that I can send it to the post office situated around the corner from my office.

I keep away all the things and get out of the house. By 9.15 I'm at my office and getting ready for the day. I look at my planner and see that I have quite a few meetings scheduled for today. The first one is at 9.30, so I go over the profile for the client. It's one Samuel Manchester; we've had him for two years now and the book he has turned over has made it to the national bestseller lists. He's actually a nice guy and I've liked him from the few transactions we've had over the year.

I smile and tell myself it'll be a good day. I've made progress since yesterday and I don't want to go back to the hellhole I was in last night. I decide to pick up the manuscript I have been reading this week- I like the person's work- it's raw and poignant- about two star-crossed lovers- a Romeo and Juliet retelling set during the gold rush.

After what seems like only a few minutes, my door opens and Sarah comes in along with Samuel behind her. I stand up from my chair.

"Hey there, Mr. Manchester!"

"Hi, Miss Foley!" He slowly walks in leaning on his walking stick. Yeah, he's a septuagenarian. But, he's livelier than me, so I guess that makes up for his age.

After he's settled, he gives me the news I was hoping for. "I'm done with the manuscript for the sequel," he says shyly.

"That's great! Here, let me call up your team!"

"That's alright. I just wanted to give you the heads up before I met them. After all, it was you who insisted on taking up my work, against everyone"

I smile. "Well, I can't help it if you write so well!"

I make a call to Ashley- who was the team leader for Samuel's group. Pretty soon, she's inside my cabin as well and we are celebrating. For this accomplishment, I call them over for dinner this coming weekend at my house. By the time we disperse, we are all looking forward to this upcoming party.

I pull the sliding door aside and go over to Mrs. Bradford and relay the news. She's ecstatic of course; she's always liked Samuel which made Mr. Bradford quite possessive over it. The whole situation was comic and pretty cute as well.

Pretty soon, Sarah comes in to remind Mrs. Bradford about a meeting she has to attend at the other side of town and so, I leave her to get ready for it and say goodbye. I prepare myself for another meeting with a client. This is how my day goes- pretty much. By the time lunchtime comes, my cheeks are hurting from all the smiling I have been doing. Nevertheless, I take my lunch to the common room attached to the kitchenette and look around for my guys. I spot Colin waving and make my way towards them. This time, Ann is with them and I quickly give her a hug.

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I hope my readers are liking the story so far?

Major incident coming up! ;D