Paradise Bound

CHAPTER 1 - JUST LIKE ANY OTHER DAY

                                                                                               ALAIA'S POV

I can feel it in my bones, it's not only in my bones I can feel it everywhere. The thumping pain in my body. My body is aching like anything. I massage the side of my neck as I sip my morning cappuccino. I feel tired and frustrated even while imagining myself at work today.

It's not like I don't like my job I love my work more than anything in this world, I do, but these days I think I am taking too much of load on my shoulders. Too much of what my shoulders could even carry.

I drag myself to the bathroom after finishing my coffee. I look at myself in the mirror. Sure I see myself, black curly hair flowing down the shoulders, hazel eyes, rosy skin and a tall and slender figure. This is me but at the same time I don't feel like myself.

Without giving it any other thought I get into the shower and turn it on, hot water slides down my body and somehow I find it very comforting. "You will get through this. Relax". I remind myself.

I walk out of the shower and wear a black pencil skirt with a beige shirt and black heels. I comb my hair and leave it untied. I take my bag, some files and car keys as I head out of my penthouse.

***

As I reach my building I am greeted by some of the most annoying creatures on the planet. They are 7 people and they all work under me, they are smart no doubt and I really like them sometimes, but are overly inclusive in everything which makes me doubt them.

"Good morning ma'am, how are you this fine morning" They chimed in together.

What the hell. Why are you all speaking in together, what are you in 3rd grade. And what is so good about this morning.

I realized that I might come out as rude if I don't respond. So I settled with a smile on my face.

"Good morning" I said.

I reached for the elevators just in time as it was almost full. I pressed for 12th floor.

*ding*

I quickly go to my cabin without making any eye contact with anyone as I don't want to talk to anyone about my morning where I feel pathetic.

I look at the huge stack of papers on my table and start reading them for editing. I got myself busy as I was proofreading, making notes and selecting prints that I didn't realize Adam was standing at my doorway. He is my colleague and also a very good friend.

"Hey Alaia, busy morning?" he smiled.

"Busy morning or rather a bad morning" I say

He laughed.

"Well I was thinking that you might want to take a good break for yourself, to you know re-energize yourself"

"What will I do, if I take a break from work, I will go bonkers"

He started to say something but I cut him off with something else to talk about.

"Anyway Adam you were here for?

"Oh yeah I almost forgot. You remember I gave you the edited magazine sample for the October issue. Well I wanted to know has any one of your junior editors emailed it because the head department just called this morning asking for it".

I looked at Adam thinking is he serious to be talking about the sample like this. That sample is the most important thing that my life and the future of this company are depended on and now he's telling me that the sample was not sent.