ke a gentle anthem in my mind. Cindy had always said the right things, always making the pain feel li

ike the dreams I'd once been afraid to say aloud. Now, I was here, not because anyone bel

and pressed my forehead slightly against th

stead, I had packed my bags in silence, walked out of the house where I'd alw

ing that would make me go back on my decision, but my mind was made. I couldn't

towards the small apartment I'd found during my late night search on a housin

city's chill. People rushed with purpose, umbrellas high, v

a cosy looking coffee shop just down the block; Hazel's, with ivy on th

d soft beginnings. I ordered a large vanilla l

I let my mind

said, sitting on our rooftop back home.

urned to a corner, wiping at my eyes with my sleeve.

oad, tall and ex

ross his crisp suit. Gasps spilled around

m so sorry, I

large drain spreading ac

perfect hair and looked like something out of a fa

I wasn't paying

y" he sha

e coffee cup hit the sidewalk. The city around

. Not from the coffee, not even fr

in my chest, the dreams that seemed too big f

en shifted just enough to show something. Surpr

nd pulled out a neat, white handk

for a moment. "Next time, try

was gone. Ju

like my life depended on it, my br

s and a heater that looked like it hated being in use. I unpacked in si

d the bookmark link I'd saved

long? What if..." I tried to silence my overthinking mind and clicked. Filled in the fo

later, I rec

iew Invitation.

ance. They'd really responded! They wanted me! My heart soared with so much joy and exc

w, watching the city buzz belle with so muc

was all glass, chrome and beautiful beyond explanation. I smoothed my

led as she handed

be interviewin

it's because you'll be working closely with him. More like his pers

the door and turned back. As I st

n a navy suit, stood him

handkerchief a

is time, his smirk

y Roland

ld or as confused as yo