Chapter 5 Requests To Destiny

• "Damn it all!" I think to myself as I drive home, my hands gripping the steering wheel like a maniac. I've worked like crazy on this project and it's only been a few weeks since it started, but it feels like an eternity and I'm already completely exhausted. I randomly change my work location, sometimes the office, other times the warehouse, and I even take advantage of any opportunity to see a supplier or attend an exhibition, just to avoid being face to face with him.
• I'm willing to travel and cross half the city if necessary. In short, I'm running around everywhere just to avoid one man! I should be focused on doing my job as best as possible so that Mike sees my work, so that it shines, so that it catches his attention, to show that I'm a good designer, that I deserve a place in the company. I think I do a good job, but not having a fancy title definitely diminishes my importance. It seems like that's the only thing these people care about, no matter how much I wear myself out working, twice as much as everyone else.
• Of course, it wasn't entirely avoidable, no matter how hard I tried. Brandon was always there, in some meeting, walking around the warehouse as if nothing, but we haven't crossed paths alone again. Of course, when we were in the same place or in a meeting, I felt like he couldn't take his eyes off me. What plans does he have for me? What is his objective? Why is he so determined with me?
• The worst part is that since he arrived, there's only been praise for him. I don't know if it's because he's the new boss, and you know how people are, always trying to please the new master of everything, or if Brandon is really that good. And it's not just Mike, I swear I hear it everywhere, Brandon here, Brandon there, what great changes Brandon Clark makes! I wish I could be like Brandon! And it annoys me tremendously.
• As if that wasn't enough, there are female voices that spare no words and compliments about his physique, his demeanor, his face, his style, his body. How they wish the boss would take them to his office and do things to them, how they would accept an invitation from him in the blink of an eye. Does the new CEO have a girlfriend? I don't see a ring on his finger, that's good... oh yes, very good. With such presence and masculinity, he must have a girlfriend today and two tomorrow... or my favorite: he must be about to marry a beautiful and successful model, or preferably a great businesswoman.
• When the big meetings end, the other bosses approach him as if he were a supreme god, and everyone seeks his conversation, while I watch him scanning the room as if looking for someone. Of course, I slip away as much as I can to go unnoticed, a technique and skill I learned in school, for obvious survival reasons.
• I'm back in school, ladies and gentlemen, and I'm still one of the unpopular ones, the nerds, the ugly ones, the ones who have no chance or opportunity with the attractive and successful ones. Although if I think about it seriously, now we are at their mercy. He has the power to make our lives miserable and leave us unemployed.
• When I step into the elevator, and all I can think about is collapsing on the couch at home, a hand appears in the door, preventing it from closing. Out of nowhere, a moderately tall man with brown hair and eyes appears, dressed in a denim shirt and dark pants. He has a guitar in a case hanging on his back. I try to contain a smile, he's handsome, very handsome. I don't usually see such handsome men around. Control yourself, Adelaida, don't be silly.
• "Hello," he points out, glancing at me as I notice he presses a floor higher than mine. It seems like the cute guy lives here, I say to myself.
• "Hello," I respond. "New around here?" I ask, very curious, and he nods, giving me a pleasant half-smile. I don't usually pry, but if he's a new neighbor, we should give him a warm welcome... right? I can't even believe it myself, but at least I'm being more sociable.
• -Yes... I just moved recently, I've been in this building for a few days," he says, and in the brief seconds we're in the elevator, I find out that he moved to the old place where an older lady used to live. The cute guy's name is Robbie and he's a musician, a real one. He plays the guitar and has a bohemian, attractive style. I get off the elevator and before I do, he says goodbye.
• We won't be seeing each other... at least I hope not...- he says, smiling, while I say goodbye, waving my hand like a fool. Yes, without a doubt, these things are caused by a cute guy. And he lives nearby. Isn't that lucky? I'd like to think so, that luck is finally smiling at me. It would be fair, after so much sorrow. I walk happily down the hallway, as if I were in school and a cute guy talked to me.
• When I enter my apartment, I find Liz inside, who surprises me at the entrance. Oh my god, what a joy to see her! I envelop her in a long hug and we quickly sit at the high table near the kitchen. I could almost jump for joy, I hate it when she's gone for a long time. I miss her terribly! She takes out a large container of ice cream from the refrigerator and two spoons, and we prepare to taste it.
• Now this is a great welcome, my friend really knows how to do things. The ice cream is absolutely delicious, creamy, strawberry and chocolate, perfect. My favorite companion and friend is here with her loose dark hair, big transparent glasses, and a nose piercing. She talks like crazy and quickly, her skin looks more tanned, no doubt the visit to her parents' house did her good. I'm so happy for her. The apartment felt very lonely, everything is joyful when she's around.
• I love that you're here, Lizzie... but if you had let me know, I would have prepared a nice dinner for you. Besides... what if I had come with a guy? - she looks at me surprised.
• Good one, Ady, veryyyyy good. You never go out with a guy! - and we both laugh. Her logic is irrefutable. -I would love to see you with a good guy, you deserve it, but only if he's a really really good one, otherwise, no. You deserve the best, not any of those idiots that abound out there. You're extremely special, - she says, pointing at me with the spoon.
• Although... speaking of guys... we have a new neighbor and he's really cute... - I say, unable to contain a smile.
• Oh really? How cute? What does he do? Where does he live? What's he like? Is he tall? - she asks, interested, and I tell her about our encounter.
• Very interesting, I like how you describe him, Robbie, the new neighbor who's a musician, he's cute, definitely sounds like a good candidate. But... please tell me about Brandon, - she says, putting a big portion of strawberry ice cream on her spoon. I slump in my seat dramatically. Why did we go from a very good topic to the worst topic of my life?
• Ohh Liz... it's been a nightmare. The man is stalking me, he goes wherever I go and always seems to want to tell me something. He has told me several times already that he wants us to talk. He's like my stupid shadow, honestly, I wonder what the hell he wants or if he has something more important to do.
• But what does he want to tell you? - she asks, confused. I know! I'm confused too.
• I have no idea, but I don't want to find out either. You know what annoys me the most? That he acts with me as if nothing had happened, as if we were close friends who haven't seen each other in years. As if we were a lost family. Oh Ady! Oh Princess! Let's go out for coffee and talk about the good times! Who does he think he is? I never contacted him again, it's true, but the reality is that he didn't either. And besides, his presence is interfering with the best opportunity I've had in my job, Lizzie. It's a unique occasion. And he's not helping me, - I say, exhausted. These past few weeks have brought out the worst in me.
• Ohh my dear... Brandon's arrival is really inconvenient. And is he just as you remember him? It's hard to see your childhood love, sometimes they look worse, or they age quickly, or... - I let out a long sigh and rest my elbow on the table, my hand on my forehead.
• "But Lizzie... he's more attractive. Seriously, he was beautiful as a teenager and now... he's better than ever. It impresses me and at the same time annoys me. How is it possible that he becomes more beautiful as he ages? Enough with what he did to me, now he has to come back looking like a model. And as my boss! Isn't there a more unfortunate situation?"
• "I can't deny it, friend... it's truly unfortunate, especially because he won't leave you alone. He should acknowledge what he did to you and step aside, if possible, so that you can progress in your career. But being your boss, or your boss's boss... damn," she nods, "it's bad, I know. Has your sister or Annie said anything to you?"
• "My sister is in her own world with her long-distance boyfriend. Every week she plans a trip to the city where he is, but something always comes up and she can't go. I think she's dying to bring him to Annie's wedding—of course, no one wants to go to a wedding alone, unlike in my house where Brandon literally told Annie that he wasn't going to bring anyone because he was completely alone."
• "Could it be more embarrassing? Your ex crush, childhood friend, and tormentor from stupid school knows that you're completely alone. I don't have the option of showing up stunning and accompanied by a very attractive man at the wedding. I don't think I'll achieve that ridiculous dream anyway, it was highly unlikely, but well... dreaming is... dreaming."
• "On the other hand, Annie is very excited about her wedding and wants me to be part of the bridesmaids, as horrible as that sounds, and as if that wasn't enough, she wants me to be involved in the preparations. She even wants my opinion on some designs for the wedding venue, the invitations, and all the stationery. That means I'll see him more," I comment and we talk a little more about the wedding. I ask her about her visit to her parents' house and about her life in the past few days.
• "Ady, surely Brandon is coming to the city for his sister's wedding, in addition to his new position in the company, and maybe... maybe he wants to reconnect with you... I don't know... to make his sister and family happy. You yourself have said that they miss you a lot," Liz suddenly mentions. It's true, Charles and Eva Clark are not as insistent as their children, but they have left me a couple of messages. They want to see me, and they are the most adorable couple in the world.
• My whole life is summed up in this room with a few things, the small belongings that I love, the memories of my childhood, a few from my adolescence. I have mostly photos with my mom, with Billy, and with Lizzie. Also, gifts from them, silly things like movie and concert tickets. A card with a nice message, a short trip to another city. It's true that my life has had ups and downs, but good things have also happened. I have people who love me for who I am, people who have been there for me and vice versa. Without that small handful of precious human beings, I don't know what I would do.
• I also have some design books, romantic novels, some on art, photography, and general information. Small spaces that help me travel to a better world, away from all my problems. We all need to disconnect from reality from time to time, I am convinced of that. Sometimes I feel like I haven't lived my life as I should, that I still have a lot to do, but my past and myself limit me. It's sad, but I acknowledge it, I suppose that's the first step to improvement. At least I try.
• Although I have a couple of things that Annie has given me over time. She has an incredible taste, and her gifts are so beautiful that I haven't been able to get rid of them. One is a music box to hold accessories, and the other is a picture of London. I always imagined myself traveling a lot and seeing wonderful places. As a child, I imagined myself as a famous designer, undoubtedly studying, with a good job and traveling, being free in the world, doing beautiful things, proud of myself. "
• That has not been possible, but who knows what the future holds for me? There is still a lot of life to live, as Lizzie always tells me, and I believe she is right. There is still so much to experience. Do you know what I would ask for? What I would most desire, what I hope for, is a happy and peaceful life, without Brandon in sight, bothering me, disturbing me, and shattering my dreams as he has done for the past few years. I wish for the opportunity to be happy, to excel in my work, and to be far away from the nightmares of my past.
• That is my only request, universe, destiny, whoever is listening... I earnestly ask for it.