5
BACK TO REALITY
For work, October was when the company clientele always picked up drastically, with meetings for new products launching in the new year. Both new and existing clients, as well as campaigns for Christmas, were being finished ready for advertising at the end of October. This was the time to make the most money, and commission, so everything had to be perfect; it became an all-hands-on-deck situation which included very late nights and extra weekends in the office. I was drowning in both work and home life. It was a good busy as time passed in a blur, it didn’t give me any time to think or have a moment to myself.
Plus, we now had Christmas slowly approaching and my Mum wanted to plan ahead, making sure we were all coming. She always needed an RSVP by November. Kind of explains where my own organisation skills come from. A Henley Christmas was a major tradition in my family. It was a mandatory event unless you were dying or had a good excuse. Ivy had invited me to Christmas Day at hers as it was Ivy and Jude’s first Christmas in the new home. They’d spent a couple years building it from the ground up and now it was finally finished, they wanted to host. My mother understood and accepted my reasoning, that she arranged to move our Christmas to Boxing day instead as Brie couldn’t make it on Christmas Day either. My head was all over the place, so focussed on everyone else that in a way my anxiety had taken a back seat for once.
My maid of honour position had kept me busy in my personal life, it entailed a lot of duties to attend to; even more than work demanded at the moment. In my downtime I helped Ivy to research venues, colours, themes. She was sending me lots of pictures and ideas; some simple and elegant and some over the top like an A-list celebrity wedding, despite her having her dream wedding folder planned since she was twelve.
She had more inspiration overshadowing the folder of things she’d already narrowed down. Pinterest boards exploding with every possible scenario, every venue she thought of and every colour scheme she liked. It was my role to contain it a little, to make sure she didn’t get too overwhelmed and to narrow in on ideas, convincing her she would know more when they pick the venue. All I knew was Ivy wanted a gigantic wedding.
However chaotic the organisation had become, Ivy and Jude agreed they wanted a summer wedding, specifically beginning of June, giving us only eight months, meaning we were already falling behind.
After all the madness of work and weddings, my favourite part of the day was coming home to my apartment, pouring myself a cup of tea and grabbing my book off the bedside cabinet. I alternated between romance fiction and business books to work towards my five-year plan. I knew these next couple of months were going to be busy but I wasn’t going to sacrifice my dreams, I could juggle it all. I snuggled under the covers reading before bed; whether it was an hour or only ten minutes, it was the only thing I had to myself at the moment. I was so busy I hadn't spared a thought about the stranger in weeks. Not since the night Ivy announced her engagement.
On Wednesday, it was a normal day in the office; I went in a bit later than usual due to the stupid train delays. The public transport this morning had gone against me as I decided not to drive into the city. I straightened out my baby pink blazer and headed to the break room to refill my coffee and grab a blueberry muffin before making my way to my desk to complete my final design on the 'Wild' perfume. The launch was New Year's Eve.
Slogan: 'Unleash your Wild self this New Year'
I was lucky enough to be sent a full-size sample bottle by the client to help to really sell this pitch, a tall black glass bottle with a gold leopard print on the bottom corner, the word Wild written in a metallic gold -The W looked like teeth in a 3D metal. The fragrance itself gave a beautiful but edgy, OUD wood fragrance seeping in attitude but giving a cheeky and subtly sweet ‘Honeysuckle Amber’ afterscent once it settled. It was a seductive, alluring fragrance, made to turn heads and I knew I would be wearing this on New Year’s Eve to test out that theory. I was allowed to wear and try products but not disclose any information about it until marketing promotions had been released by the brand.
Later that afternoon I couldn't wait to start brainstorming the new skincare range campaigns as I received a box of the new collection for Spring from a well-known brand. My attention was pulled away by the chatter now circulating the office. The atmosphere had suddenly turned tense, worried faces speculating the unusual office drama.
At my desk I examined the room, Francine leaned over to inform me the commotion was a client trying to sue the company for a breach in contract, but instead of this being an insignificant leverage it had escalated into a massive lawsuit that could destroy the reputation of this company. Usually, a client would do this to make some noise, avoid paying for the work just before our project releases ready for launch. It would usually brush over in a day or so but a lawsuit sounded like it could last weeks, even months. Angelina would usually have it under control, minimising the disruption and keeping it under the radar but for some reason this one was creating a wildfire in the office.
Angelina was strong, she’d played this game more than once, never a pushover, and our legal team would be acting quickly on this as we had the best lawyers in London. However, the commotion was more intense and rumours were spreading faster this time round. Usually as deputies, Jennifer and I would have been made aware and we would be able to shut this down but this time none of us knew what was going on which only made the whole thing worse. We looked over at each other shrugging, not sure what was going on, just watching. We would have to wait until Angelina’s office was free before we asked questions.
Standing up behind my desk, I looked over at Angelina's office out of curiosity just as the door opened. Sipping my coffee from the large speckled white mug, subtly watching the events unfold, and there, in the distance illuminated by the sunlight that leaked out the office was a figure.
A tall, handsome stranger suited up from head to toe, a black leather briefcase in his right hand, olive skin. I studied him a little harder until he became familiar. He shook Angelina's hand and turned to find the exit, glancing my way. The thick coffee curls perfectly positioned into place just like they had been the night we had met, framing his chiselled face. It was him. The stranger from the hotel. I never forgot his face.
As he turned, his gaze caught mine, pausing for just a moment, his eyes turning dark for a split second before he cleared his throat and proceeded to leave. My heart was hammering in my chest, my throat constricting as I subtly gasped for air. This was impossible, it couldn’t be him. Was this a one in a million chance or was I just hoping it was him?
The romantic in me was just trying to manifest what I desired and working to create something like a romantic dream. My head was all over the place, to the point where I had started to feel like I was crazy. I wanted to see him again so I had clearly manifested an image of him.
“I wouldn't mind being in trouble with him,” Francine stated as she bit her lip in his direction before fanning herself with her notebook, practically drooling. Francine reacted this way about anything that had a pulse, even the maintenance man who came to fix the copier last week. She was the definition of a man eater. Was I jealous? Yes, I was! Jealousy consumed me over the idea that my co-worker viewed him as a piece of meat. I couldn’t even talk myself out of this nonsense. If this was reality, then I was jealous that he might show an interest in someone else, thinking of him making someone else feel the way he made me feel. The lump in my throat formed, a sick gut feeling appeared.
I popped my coffee on the desk. It was a short glance but I was sure that was him. I looked back towards where he was standing; he was gone. My mind was confused, I had to know. I snatched my coat from the chair, flung my bag on my shoulders and grabbed my phone.
“I'm going to lunch,” I called over to Francine who was already back to work.
“Enjoy,” she replied, oblivious to the urgency in my actions.
Casually, I strolled through the corridor not wanting to draw any attention to myself before rushing into the lift, frantically pressing the ground floor button. I need to see if it is him. I mean if it was, what would I do? What would I say?
This was insane to be this invested, this hopeful. I tried to practice some speeches in my head of what I could say. Praying that my mind was playing tricks on me, all to avoid the embarrassment I had yet to discover. I burst out the office door, the busy London traffic greeting me. The roaring noise of cars and buses rushed past, a contrast from the peaceful office just a few feet from it. I froze on the pavement by the office door and scanned the area until I landed on my target.
It was him. He was putting his stuff in the matte pitch-black Porsche positioned roadside, a couple of cars down. It was close enough to get a clear view but far enough not to be able to speak. His hand rested on the top of the door as he flung the briefcase into the passenger seat along with his suit jacket exposing his crisp white shirt; identical to the one he wore that night. He threw on some inky sunglasses just as he glanced back towards the office. He noticed me.
He gave a brief smile before climbing into the car and speeding off into the city. The loud rumbling sound of the Porsche disappeared, blending in with the midday London traffic.
My heart broke a little as he disappeared out of sight. I needed a moment to catch my breath. My hair blew in the slight breeze grounding me and I steadied my breathing, convincing myself that it wasn't him. I'm sure he would have said hello or something. Or maybe it was him and it simply would have been too awkward. If I’m honest, I'm not sure what happens in these situations.
Maybe it was best if it wasn’t him; I would never know now anyway. The thoughts swirled around my head; I needed to regain control and make it through the rest of the day. Defeated, I wandered to my usual coffee shop to grab a chicken salad and latte for lunch, as I normally did, before taking my daily stroll along Westminster bridge to take in the sunshine and watch the calmness of the Thames. Waiting for Big Ben to chime to signify the end of my lunch hour before I returned to the unknown chaos.