A SUMMER ROMANCE

9

Annie's POV

I sold my house and my car, I had enough money to leave the country and start a journey. I decided I can earn my way through the world. But first I had to visit a place I had been fascinated from the time I can remember. "White House". Everyone used to laugh at me when I said my wish was to take a tour through white house. But I was fascinated with that place. All our rules, how we live, everything, all the decisions, the people who make those decisions live there. I wanted to have look at that place. I had heard that you had to submit your request at least 21 days prior to visit. By the time I could wind up and leave, it would be almost a month, so I submitted mine, hoping to get selected.

Grant's POV

I was going through the 100th meeting of the day. I wish I was out on the street listening to street players, dancing to new tunes. These shares, investments, held no interest to me. I wanted to learn how to play an instrument. I wanted to swim with the waves. I wanted to fly with the birds. I wanted to be free. I just wanted to be free, of the pressure money and title had placed on my shoulders. I wanted a life, a life of my own.

I decided to take long lunch break after this meeting, I didn't really have any urgent meetings. I asked my secretary to push my meetings to the evening. The thought of having lunch in the cafe across the street was so relaxing, Mrs.O'Hare was such an inviting and warm old lady.

Shrugging off my coat jacket loosening my tie, I crossed the street and entered an Irish Cafe "The Vikings". Though there was no connection between the name of the cafe and the feel of the place. It was a warm cozy place with fire always blazing irrespective of the weather. There were  wooden stools and tables. The paintings hung on the walls were made by the customers, nothing from any famous artist. They had a few made by me too. I had once painted my ideal girl, hair blazing like fire, eyes like the meadows, lips like delicate rose petals. I wished to meet her every day. She seemed so elusive in my dream, just like a butterfly.

I sat with Mrs.O'Hare, she ordered my favorite Goat Stew and Boxty (potato pan cakes). I started chatting with her, I felt myself relaxing and finding a peace. She pointed towards my painting and asked if I had found her, I shrugged my shoulders and let out a breathy NO. She laughed and said "You won't find her sitting here in my cafe, get out in the world, search for her. Find your One True Love,". I don't know what stirred in me, but I was suddenly on my knees swearing "I would go out on an adventure with her, travel the world, leave everything behind the day I find her,". I ended up on floor laughing while Mrs.O'Hare was saying she would hold me on that promise.

Little did I know she would come and my life would change forever.