My Endeavor

Chapter 1: "Dreams"

Dreams... you would think that people look forward to dreams, I mean they are an escape from reality as you lay down in your sleep. But not me, my dreams are more like nightmares that just remind me of my past, my present and maybe even my future.

Most nights it even gets harder to go back to sleep. I just stay awake in my apartment looking out my window hoping the warmth and sweetness of my honey tea will ease my stressed anxious subconscious. But honestly... there's only one recurring dream that always keeps me up at night, in this dream, there's a man... I can never see his face; I can only see him down on his knees struggling to get out of the chains that bind him. But what's worse it's hearing his screams of pain and agony and being too afraid to even move, feeling, as my body is as heavy as a bag of wet cement. I feel powerless and useless...

And before I know it, it's already Morning...

As usual, my alarm goes off at 6:00 am on the dot, do I wake up at that time? Of course not! Must admit I snooze the darn thing 4 times, to then later regret it, then I barely have time to even have a decent breakfast. I get ready as fast as I can, always tie my messy hair up, I mostly just concern my self with having the time to put some concealer in my under eyes, lord knows I may look like a dead raccoon from my lack of sleep.

As I put my lipstick on I realize it's 7:45 am, my heart races as I have to be at work at 8:30 am and my boss has a zero tolerance for tardiness. You see I work at a hotel, but not just any hotel, it's one of the fancy hotels in New York City. I work at reception I greet and Book, clients into their rooms, it is an easygoing job cannot complain, pays the bills. It is privately owned, I have never seen the owner, which is a bit weird, but he's probably a busy man.

My clock strikes 7:55, I mad dash out my door not caring if I locked it, which I should considering the part of town I live in. Going down my steps as fast as I can and out the front doors of my apartment building. Then it happened... what I feared most, I tripped down my stairs and ripped my stocking on the pavement. Typical me I may add, you would say I have a contract with the floor since I'm always on it. I get up and run to the edge of the sidewalk to yell myself a taxi:

"Taxi! Taxi!" I yell at the top of my lungs while waving at the upcoming taxi.

As soon as the taxi stops, I open the door and throw myself in:
"I see you're in a hurry today Ms." Asked the driver.

"Oh yes I am, can you please take me to the Hotel Marino?" I say while picking up all the things that fell out my purse when I got in.

"Of course Ms. I will see if I can take a faster route so you make it in time" driver sets the timer on his dash.

"Oh thank you so much! That would be amazing." I finally lay back.

The taxi driver steps on the gas to get me to work as fast as he can, I'm contemplating the buildings outside my window but can't help but think of that man I see in my dreams. Flashes of my dreams cloud my mind, and the feeling of uselessness takes a hold on my body, good job Vicky! What a great way to start your day.

We are getting close to the hotel, I can't help but always look at the building it's breathtaking; the structure is so sophisticated always clean it has a strong presence most hotels cannot even compete. As we arrive at the front, there's a huge commotion going on at the main entrance, I have never seen so much press here.

"Well, Ms. We are here and right on time. Hope you have a good day" says the driver while tipping his hat.

"Thank you so much, sir!"I grab my bag.

I exit the car as fast as I can and battle my way into the front entrance, I must have gotten elbowed at least 7 times. Finally managed to get inside and to the front counter where I set all my things down and punch in...now to finally start my day. Kelly comes through the main dining room doors and notices I'm already here she waves and meets up with me at the front desk:

"Have you heard?" asks Kelly with much enthusiasm.

"No, what's going on? Why are there so many reporters out?"I reply.

"The big boss is coming in today, you know, the owner!" SHe says all excited

"No way! So are we finally going to see his face, this is epic!, I wonder what he looks like?"

Kelly smirks, "I bet he's probably ugly and old, kind of makes sense since he's barely here," said Kelly while picking up some paperwork.

"Well whatever he looks like, I can't wait to meet him," I said while turning around.

The sliding hotel doors open up and the commotion Outside gets even louder, 4 men fully dressed in black are pushing people to the side, as if they were making a pathway for someone to get through, they look like secret agents I felt like I was in an action movie.

And finally it happened, the boss walked in and to our shock he was not ugly, neither was he old, This handsome specimen of a man walks into the lobby, and I froze, his presence is overwhelming, his suit was so well fitted, the fabric looked like it was worth millions, hair as dark as night and eyes as green as emeralds, I turn to take a look at Kelly and she was just as perplexed as I was with this Adonis standing before us. But nothing can compare to what I felt when I glanced at the man that was with him. Felt my heart skip a beat, he looked like the boss but younger and his eyes were as blue as the sky, contrary from the boss he was just wearing a fancy shirt and tie, but that man looked like he could wear anything and make it look good.

While I'm gazing deeply at these two perfect Greek gods I didn't notice one was standing right in front of me:

"Miss?, Miss? You there?" with his low rough voice he asks

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry I got distracted," I said while cleaning up the minor drool from my mouth, "how may I help you Mr.?"

"Marino...I'm Luca Marino" looking at me with his piercing eyes

"Nice to finally meet you sir!, I've been waiting forever to finally get to meet the owners of this fine establishment," I said with a huge smile on my face. Just to hide the fact I was completely nervous.

Luca chuckles. "Yeah, that's not me, that guy you are looking for is over there he's the big boss, I'm just the brother, he just likes to keep me around"

"I'm so sorry I didn't mean.." I blush and panic like an idiot.

"Oh, no worries you are fine sweetheart!" says while letting out a small laugh.
"But anyhow, we are heading to the meeting room I just wanted to ask, If we could get our drinks delivered into the room and soon as possible"

"Okay, I'll get right to it"  I'm still blushing and I feel it.

"Thanks, sweetheart," he says in such a sweet tone while turning away.

Those words felt like a song to my ears, his smile is so perfect It hurts me. As he turns around to walk away I get caught up in his eyes, and he to mines, he gives me a smile and a wink and goes on his way, I try to keep my composure but deep inside I am screaming like a pubescent teenager.

"I see you got the butterflies for the boss's brother?" says Kelly making fun of me.

"I do not!" I say while sulking and with my arms crossed.

"Then why are you blushing?" Kelly replied while giving me that look all friends give when they do not believe you.

"Oh stop! I just have a fever, let's get back to work!" I replied with an annoyed tone and looking the other way from Kelly.

"if you say so" Kelly walks away.

I touch my face and I can feel the warmth in my cheeks, I was totally blushing like a dork, in front on the boss's brother... why must I always do this to myself? I go to the bar to order their drinks; I already feel it's going to be a very long hectic day.