The quiet street of San Anglico was something long forgotten. From what Alison can recall, this street was the busiest, and she hated driving through it both during the day and at night.
But here she was, in a car she didn't even own, driving through a street as quiet as it was seven years ago. At this time, the city was still under development, and there were only a few big companies around.
The driver took a turn into the parking lot. It was the biggest company in San Anglico at the time, and Alison used to work here even before she met Alexander. She had quit the job to be with him, and if she remembers correctly, the company crashed and was never heard of again a few years later.
But all of a sudden, the company was right in front of her, and Alexander didn't exist. Alison wondered why she was still very calm about it; she ought to have visited the hospital and had the doctor check her brain for signs of a mental disorder.
"We are here, ma'am."
Alison was startled by the driver's voice; for a moment, she had forgotten that she was in a car until he called back her attention.
"Thank you." She managed a smile that vanished from her face as soon as she stepped out of the vehicle.
She stood at the entrance for a moment, her heart racing. Knowing that she was about to walk into a building full of people she once knew was unsettling. Alison had ghosted most of her workmates, and only still kept in touch with a few after her resignation.
"Oh Alison, thank goodness you are here!"
Alison turned around, her eyes fixed on Karen, an elderly lady with pale white skin, red hair and a radiant smile. She held onto a white cup with a plastic cover, which she handed over to Alison and said.
"I was taking it to your boss when I didn't see you drop by the coffee shop earlier, but now that you are here... you can take it to him yourself."
Once again, Alison faked a smile and took the cup from her,
"Thank you, Karen."
"You are welcome, dear. Say hello to him for me."
Alison nodded, she turned around and walked up to the entrance, took a deep breath and walked in as the automated door slid open for her.
"Good morning Alison!"
"Morning love!"
"I was about to call earlier to know if you were okay, but you came in late."
"Morning! Morning!"
These voices echoed in her ears. It felt so strange that she couldn't answer anyone's greeting. To her, the atmosphere was suffocating, as though the walls were closing in on her, and she couldn't help but sense that all eyes were on her for reasons other than just to say hello.
Ignoring her colleagues, Alison rushed toward the stairs, ascending quickly and making sure that the coffee didn't spill. Her colleagues exchanged curious glances, but continued their work shortly after.
She arrived on the first floor, and couldn't quite remember if Dylan's office was to the right or left. The receptionist noticed this from her desk and called out to her.
"Good morning Al, is everything okay?"
Alison looked up and didn't even bother smiling.
"Yes," she nodded and proceeded towards the left wing, reading the sign on every doorpost, hoping to see one with Dylan's name written boldly on it.
She had only walked past four doors when she spotted Dylan's name on one of them. And although hesitant, she took a deep breath and knocked twice.
"Come in!" His voice came from inside the office.
Hearing his voice again was like reliving a nightmare, one that she had tried to forget. There was no man on earth that she hated like she hates Dylan; this was a man that Alison would kill if she had a legal right to do so.
"Okay," she sighed, twisted the doorknob and walked into the office like it was a normal day at work.
It was very easy to fake a smile in front of Karen, but it was hurtful to do so in front of Dylan. Yet, she had to pretend long enough to figure out what was wrong with her.
"Lock the door," Dylan reminded her with a smile, before standing up from behind his desk and walking to the other side.
He was a handsome man, with black curly hair, the most beautiful moustache and an average male body build.
After locking the door, Alison walked up to him and handed him the cup of coffee.
"I met Karen outside," she said,
"So I figured... why not bring it to you instead?"
"Forget that," Dylan retorted. He took the cup from her and kept it aside on the table. Then with a swift hand movement, he pulled her close to himself.
"I missed you," he confessed, inching closer to her lips,
"I wish I were there last night, to hold you... I'm so sorry I couldn't make it."
"Hmm," Alison muttered, shifting uncomfortably in his arm. She leaned backwards as he tried to kiss her on the lip, and when he tried to force it, she placed her palm over her mouth, stopping his lips from touching hers.
Dylan was stunned,
"Babe!"
She had never blocked his kiss before, even before their relationship became official.
"Are you still upset?" He asked.
"I can make it up to you, just tell me... where do you want to go, I can take you anywhere for dinner."
"No," replied Alison.
She pulled herself out of his grip and stepped back,
"I... uhm, I am late and I have a pile of work on my desk. I must get them done."
"Wait!" Dylan caught her arm before she walked out the door,
"I can have someone do that for you, you don't have to lift a finger."
"You are just the manager, Dylan." She replied,
"Not the CEO okay? I still have to do my job. I will talk to you later."
With that, she pulled her arm away from him and walked out the door without looking back. His mere presence drives her insane, and she no longer wants to make the mistake of letting him get to her; she can't be foolish, twice.