Let's walk together

Beep, beep...

I know this sound, but... I can't tell from where it's coming. Who knows what's that... I was just thinking how to introduce myself to the guy who called me to come to the... "The interview!" I jumped from the bed, rapidly opening my eyes and realizing that this familiar sound that was ringing in the back of my head was actually the alarm.

As I finished university only a few weeks ago, this job interview was a big deal. The guy from Harrington's news called me after I got my journalism diploma and literally invited me to this interview. And when I think about my collected knowledge... well, I would say that this is my best shot to get the job in my profession.

"Oh, fuck..." It's really coming down out there! I leaned at the beige building facade and let my head rest against it. When I just thought to leave, a girl rushed next to me, almost pushing me to the side as she stared at the angry sky. "Oh come on!" She yelled before she turned around and looked me directly in the eye. "Did you see the taxi waiting here?"

"No, actually..." I frowned a little. She is a complete stranger to me, but yet...here we are under the same canopy, looking at the same sky.

She tried to call a cab a few times before she fished out a small umbrella from her bag. "Do you want to come with me? I know it's a small umbrella... but it is what it is. Let's walk together."

I smile genuinely at her. She raised her hand and put the umbrella between us. The scent of vanilla spread around me as soon as I got closer to her. That scent forced me to secretly take a look at her and only then I noticed her icy blue eyes under the sunglasses after which she put her glasses on the top of her head.

"Where are you going?" She moved her bag to the other hand and I subtly took over the umbrella.

"To the Business Center. You?"

She pursed her lips as she was asking her the same question. "Well, I was supposed to go on a date but then, when I saw all this rain, I thought how it's not meant to be."

That answer is so strange to me. I never expected so... honest reply, so personal. "Maybe you would realize how in fact it was a destiny, you never know." I'm not sure what I am doing here. These words just left my mouth, leaving me behind with a quizzical expression.

"Well, I don't know. I didn't catch your name?" She looked at the other way, avoiding my eyes.

"It's Evan. And yours?" I coughed, clearing my throat.

"Maria. Nice to meet you, Evan." She smiled revealing her perfect teeth. "And what do you do in the Business Center?"

I was amazed how she was just going for all these questions, even though she never saw me before. If I'm being honest, I didn't have that much courage to do something like this myself.

"I'm going to an interview. But I have a bad feeling about it."

"Why?" She said it so quickly like she had known me for my whole life. Maria didn't shift her gaze from me and I didn't also. Her eyes felt so deep that I could drown in them.

"Same thing as your date. I think it's not meant to be."

"Have a little faith. Maybe your luck is waiting around the corner." She wickedly smiled and at that moment I realized that she evoked something in me. I just can't understand how this stranger can feel so familiar in a way.

"I always wanted to work in Harrington's newspapers! They have so much history, I mean could you imagine all kinds of stories they wrote in a time of WWI and WWII? Or in a time of the best movie stars? Google it, it's awesome." For some reason I wanted to tell her everything about it, and I felt a bit sad when I realized that we are already on a bridge and we have only a few more meters until we never see each other again. "Did you know that this company was created by The Harringtons? Their love story is on another level! She died at the end of the WWI, because she didn't want to say to the soldiers where she hid the orphans. So they captivated her and tortured."

"That's awful." She said with watery eyes.

I stopped in front of the glass building and took a look at the doorman that was analyzing me to see if I'm coming in or not. "Well, this is my stop." Some strange feeling spread across my body. For some reason I didn't want to let go, I feel like I talk to her so easily without any pressure.

"Good luck, Evan." She smiled facing me before she turned on her foot and continued to walk.

"Wait!"

She turned around again and stared at me with a sparkle in her eyes.

"What's your last name? I will add you on Facebook."

"Harrington." She smiles wide.

"Oh, come on. Just tell me." I chuckle as I watch her moving further away.

"You need to figure it out on your own!"

I shook my head before I entered the building. This woman is something else.

"Good day, sir. How did you pull that off?"

"What?"

"To not get soaking wet? It's crazy outside!"

I shrugged as I thought he didn't see Maria. The doorman pointed me to the front desk where the assistant of the CEO was. As I walked to the desk, I noticed framed family portraits on the main foyer.

Golden picture frames are laid out perfectly across the wall. I walked closer to the main two portraits and I almost choked. Left portrait is me. That's literally me! Is this some kind of a joke?

I turn around to see if there is some camera and HAHA sign, but no.

My heart is beginning to flatter... I have to find the courage to look at the portrait next to Mr Harrington's. This is so awkward and I think that I'm already so late.

I exhaled and quickly forced myself to look at the other portrait, as I was getting the bandage off.

"What the..." I frowned in horror as I'm starting to realize what I'm looking at right now. This can't be happening! "It's..."

"It's Maria Harrington, the one of the creators of the Harrington's newspapers." The doorman said as he stood next to me. He leaned forward and examined my face for a quick moment before he took a look at the left portrait. "You are the true image of Mr Harrington! Truly unbelievable!" He murmured beside me.

I smile even though I'm feeling a true panic attack. My palms get sweaty and I can't breathe properly. "This can't be happening..." I say to myself as I enter the elevator that goes to the CEO office.

The interview went well, I think. I can't remember exactly because the only thing that I'm thinking of is Maria. How the fuck did that happened?

As I walked off the building I realized that it's perfectly sunny outside. The sky is clear and because of that, this event is even more surreal.

We talked about what is and what is not meant to be... And maybe, just maybe ... this little encounter was meant to be? Deep down in my bones, I feel like I know her and now...

I sit at the bus station, too tired to walk home. Mentally tired, not physically. I raise my eyes from the rock that I was kicking from the building until this station, to the other side of the road and there she is.

Maria waves as she shines at me with all her beauty.

I immediately jump to my legs, "Maria!" I shouted, literally not giving a fuck anymore if I'm being crazy or not. A double decker passed and she disappeared.

My heart missed a bit, before I returned to my seat again. I rubbed my hands as it's getting colder, I mean it's the end of October in London.

I put my hands in the jacket and I can swear that there was nothing in there before. Carefully, I pulled out the little note and there was a text written in a familiar handwriting.

My dearest,
Don't matter how far from each other we are, we will always find one another.

This job is my gift to you for now, please continue what we started so many times and know that I'm here and I'm waiting to be with you again and again.

Until then,
Stay well and always double check your article draft if you didn't accidentally write in Poland instead of English. You know you make that mistake often.

Love you,
Maria