Redesigning Fate (Revive #1) - A. M. Wilson Page 0,14
me not thinking clearly.
Quickly paying the cab driver, I climb out, and take a deep breath of the brisk night air, relishing in the calm it brings me. Sauntering up to my apartment, I unlock the door and flip on the light. There’s something bittersweet about coming home to an empty apartment. It can offer the solace I desperately need after a challenging day, or it can intensify the loneliness, allowing me to wallow in my retreat.
I kick off my heels, peel the dress over my head, and dig out the comfiest pair of sweats I own. Tonight, I’m definitely finding more loneliness than solace.
But as I crawl into bed, the images of striking cerulean eyes follow me into my dreams.
CHAPTER THREE
The rest of the weekend was uneventful. I spent Saturday in sweats, lounging around my apartment, and enjoying the last days before entering the full time career life. Sunday, Carly dragged me out of the house to buy a new wardrobe. A few pairs of black slacks, a pencil skirt, and several blouses later, she deemed me ready to start my new job. After hearing how I had first run into Elias at my interview, she picked out some extra sexy clothes in case he stopped by again. For all I knew, the guy worked there. We hadn’t exactly spent much time talking. We were too busy rubbing our bodies against each other while we danced.
Monday morning, I wake up an hour earlier than necessary to give me time to map out my day and calm my nerves. Planning helps to keep my anxiety at bay, a trick I’ve been practicing the past couple of years.
After a quick shower, I choose the black pencil skirt I purchased the day before, pairing it with a white ruched blouse belted at the waist with a gray belt, and my black pumps. They are my favorite and only real expensive shoes I own. Some girls like purses, but I’ve always been a shoe girl. If I had an unlimited amount of money, I’d need a separate room to house all the shoes I’d buy. I’ll never have that kind of money, but it’s a nice daydream.
With my nerves so high, I can’t stomach more than a piece of toast and a cup of coffee for breakfast. I fill my travel mug with the rest of the coffee from the pot, grab my purse and tuck the work packet Michelle gave me after my interview into my black portfolio folder, and head out the door.
A topaz blue Chevy Impala parked behind my car across the street catches my eye under the early morning sun. The color is striking. I’ve never seen it before. Normally I’m the only car parked out front. Tenants park in the underground garage, but it gives me the creeps. Something about parking underground and walking through the dimly lit garage alone freaks me out. I’ve watched one too many horror movies, and I don’t care to live one myself. I’d rather scrape the snow and ice off my windshield than park underground.
Climbing into my car, I shake off my paranoid thoughts. What I wouldn’t give to feel normal and not have to deal with anxiety all the time.
The drive over was smooth again, so I pull up to the law firm with ten minutes to spare. I park near the middle of the empty lot, not wanting to take any front row parking from our clients. Gathering my things, I stroll leisurely up the concrete sidewalk, daydreaming about seeing Elias here again. My new mission is to find out if he’s an employee or a client or a boyfriend (God I hope not, my stomach clenches at the possibility), I’m stopped when I almost run smack into the locked revolving door to the building. I jiggle my key ring from my purse, stupidly excited to break in my new key.
“Hello?” I call out as I cross the threshold.
The lobby is lit by overhead security lights, but there isn’t a sign of someone else being here. I walk toward the elevator, my heels making a horribly loud, echoing click-clack on the floor. My hair stands on end, skin tingling as if I’m being watched. I can’t help glancing over my shoulder; my paranoia of being alone intensifying with each loud slap of my shoes. I speed walk to the elevator and stab the button hard as if this will summon the car faster. I can’t climb into the elevator fast