24 Kolaches and Lattes

It's night. I'm driving down the mountain at a fast speed. There's no one on the road and the fog is going to roll in soon. I don't know how I know, I just know. There's music playing in the background but I can't tell who it is. Suddenly a man steps out into the middle of the road. He's dressed sloppily in a trench coat. There's only two things that stand out to me. He holds a wooden baseball bat with nails driven through it and his eyes. His eyes are deranged. One look at his eyes and you can tell there's something wrong with him. I slam my brakes but they aren't working fast enough. I'm going to hit him. When I look up He looks me dead in the eye and I can only see one emotion. Pure and unadulterated hatred. This man is going to kill me. I start screaming. He takes the bat and throws it at my head and it crashes through the windshield.

Gasping for air I sit up in bed. I look at the Window and realize it's still dark. I check the clock and it's 2am. Looking down, I realize I'm shaking. How annoying. I drink the water I keep by my bed and try to go back to sleep. Making out the sound of Joe Nichols singing, I realize my alarm is going off. Finally, I was able to get a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. I finish the dough and have a cup of coffee while I wait for it to rise. Once it's risen, I cut and fill the dough and pop it in the oven. While they bake, I open the curtains to let the sun in and do more dishes. Only when I've finished baking all the kolaches do I go to get dressed.

I throw on a cream blouse with navy blue trouser pants and pumps. I put my hair in a half up bun and add some silver accessories. Mrs. Callista needs to know that I'm serious about this job. When I come out, I see my mother eating some of the kolache.

"Not that I mind, but how are we going to eat all of these?"

"I made some for Mr. Wang."

"Great idea! You know the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach."

"His housekeeper is out of town so I'm helping him out. I have to go or else I'll be late for my first day. Love you!"

I run out of the house with two boxes of kolache. I made extra in case I get hungry or run into someone I know. I like the sound of those words. Someone I know. It's nice to have a friend. Now if only I could make some female ones. I put on the Sam Smith for my drive and start the trip to LA. Good thing I left early because traffic is a mess today and early is on time, especially today. As I drive I feel a pit in my stomach. What does Mrs. Callista want to talk about? I hope I didn't cross a line I didn't know existed. I pull into the garage and wait for Ella to pick up the phone.

"Hey chicky, what's up."

"Not much. I just got to work. I have to talk to the boss about something before I start my day so I came in early. Do you mind staying on the phone with me?"

"Of course! You know I don't mind."

"Thank you. It means a lot."

We chat about her plants while I head toward the building.

"Ok chicky, I just made it inside the building. Thank you again."

"Anytime! Let me know how your first day goes."

"Will do! Have a great day."

After I hang up, I start heading towards the receptionist desk and realize that no one is there. In fact the whole lobby is empty. Now how am I going to find her? While I stand there and think, a man in a black suit with an earpiece walks up to me. He screams ex-military.

"Ms. Cyrene?"

"That would be me."

"May I see some ID please."

"Of course."

I pull out my drivers license and he gives it a hard look. Once he knows it's not fake he gives it back with a nod.

"Please follow me."

He lead me to an elevator different than the ones from last time. They must be for the executives. He scans a badge and then presses the button for the top floor. We stand in awkward silence during the whole ride. I'm so nervous I feel sick to my stomach and I'm shaking but I try to steel myself. No one can ever know what I'm feeling. I straighten my back and hold my head up high.

When we arrive on the floor there's a receptionist desk with a man that looked like he stepped out of the military GQ edition. He walks me over to Mrs. Callista's office. There's only one office on the whole floor. The walls of her office are frosted glass except for those looking over the skyline. Mrs. Callista is sitting in her office chair sipping on a cappuccino. She's nonchalant in the way she carries herself but leaves no room for misunderstanding. This woman dominates the room like a great white in the ocean, and I'm about to go for a swim in her territory.

"Thank you for coming in so early. I know this must be a bother."

"Not at all, Mrs. Callista."

"Can I offer you something to drink? We have a fully stocked coffee bar."

"If it's not too much of an inconvenience, can I get a vanilla latte?"

She presses the intercom and gets an immediate response.

"Yes, Mrs. Callista?"

"Please bring a Vanilla latte for Ms. Cyrene."

"Well then Ms. Cyrene let's get down to it."

"Yes ma'am."

"I'm surprised. Most people usually turn down a drink when they come to my office."

"With all due respect Mrs. Callista, you will soon find that I am not most people."

"I hope so."

Marcus, the GQ soldier, brings me the latte. It's one of the best ones I've ever had.

"Thank you, Marcus. You may leave now."

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