Ryan: Is it love - The original story (Game walk through)

Chapter four part one

I just can't get to sleep! I have tried everything! Counting sheep, concentrating on my breathing, getting up to drink a glass of water, turning into a yogi master. Nothing does it, it's 2:00 in the morning, my eyes are as wide open as those of an owl and my heart is beating strangely ever since Carter's announcement. What troubles me most about all this, is that I don't know if it's due to stress or excitement... Reason is trying to overcome my twisted brain: "No, no, you don't feel anything for this Carter, you're just stressed out about going away with him far from here". And that's perfectly understandable, isn't it? There you have it. It's been about two hours now that I've been playing questions and answers with myself, alone in the dark. If I go on like this much longer, I'll go mad!

In desperation, I try one last thing and start repeating a mantra: "I am serene, all is well, I am serene, all is well...". But, quickly, my little conscience gets the better of me! I decide to get up! Bobby is in full session of running on its wheel. I am going to avoid taking it out its cage if I don't want to spend hours trying to catch it to put it back in again. I heat a little water up in my kettle and I choose a bag of herbal tea, called "Peaceful night". I wonder if you can also get it on drip, I would need it right now! I grab my computer and log on to my blog. Maybe there are other night owls about? I'm dying to write about my insomnia problem but I'd like to stop thinking about Carter, just for a few minutes. Dreary eyed, I look over the comments on my last publication. A message attracts my attention. The mysterious Persephone has struck again: "Keep playing and you will know defeat". What does he think he's doing? A remake of The Professor...? I don't like it! That won't help me sleep! I'm gonna start thinking that a psycho, dressed as a cook, is on his way to murder me in my sleep. I close my computer with a sigh. Mad World!

I go to the window to take a breath of fresh air. The city is quiet. At this hour, everything is still asleep. Some lights are on in some of the buildings. Probably night workers or maybe lovers ready to love each other till dawn... I suddenly start wondering what Carter is doing right now. Is he asleep in his king size bed? Is he working on files? Is he drinking the bottle of rum to himself? I sigh shaking my head! I'd better let Carter do what he wants and go back to bed if I don't want to look like a zombie tomorrow!

This morning, no devilishly sexy CEO in sight. Which is a good thing, considering what I look like today. I'm finding it difficult to focus on my screen. My eyes are all over the place. And to make things worse, I have a terrible headache! All of a sudden, somebody knocks at the door of my office. I straighten up, as straight as a rod, like if somebody just pricked my butt by surprise. Lisa gently opens the door, smiling broadly. Phew...

Lisa > Hi, sweetie! I brought you coffee!

She proudly hands me a paper cup marked with the Starbuck logo, the coffee shop next to Carter Corp. I smile at her warmly without moving from my chair. Too exhausted. It feels so good having a friend in a million!

> Lisa, have I ever told you how great you are?

Lisa > Yes. But you can tell it to me again, it's the kind of thing I never get tired of.

She drops herself into the visitor's seat opposite mine, looking all around her.

Lisa > Your office is pretty nice! Looks like madam doesn't often deny herself anything!

> Yeah! On this floor, everyone has his own office. Except of course, for the grumpy secretary at reception.

She glances at me sideways.

Lisa > Did you know that Gabriel was looking to replace you on the 42nd?

> Yes... Matt told me about it. He was already fantasizing about the girl who was going to take my place.