Chapter Five

One Year later

"Merry Christmas Rose."

"Merry Christmas Todd." And I walked away to my destination. New York City shines like the sun at night. Little clouds of snow are coming from the sky and it looks beautiful all around. Today is Christmas night and I'm one who's walking alone. But I'm happy. Reflection of lights on snow like they’re meeting with each other in the mirror. Couples walking and enjoying themselves with white clouds that continuously fall from the sky.

One year ago, my decision to leave the town was not so easy. After hearing them talking about me, I lost all control and packed all my stuff and came here. For this I sold a Ronald ring that is a part of our memory. He gave me a ring when he kissed me for the first time. In those years, I lost him so many times by selling our memories. Once upon a time, I dreamed about spending my night in his arms and where I'm now?

He's my memory and one year ago I lost him completely by giving him things one by one. Came here with empty hands and now I'm still empty handed. But now I have a decent job and a small house to live in. It's a suitable house. Small but okay.

In one year, I learn a lot of things. Just forget and move on. No one knows about me here. Who am I? What happened to me? I feel comfortable around people here. At least for them, witch word never existed. The coffee shop where I work is small, but I impressed everyone there. Todd is my friend and his girlfriend is not jealous of me. That is a good thing. I also lived in a clean environment. No food from trash, good looking clothes and a clean face.

Happy that I'm a girl.

After coming home I changed my clothes and wore a Christmas cap. My last saving for Christmas clothes and gifts. First time I gifted myself. Looking in the mirror I found myself so silly in a green sweater with a red cap. Ronald always gets so excited when Christmas comes. He told me to bake his favorite cookies.

Why Ronald?

He's not here

Stop it

One hour of making cupcakes and after that I went out. There's not just me alone here. I saw a poor person everyday sleeping near my house so I went to him and offered him some cupcakes. He always looked happy when he saw me. It's Ronald's favorite cupcake. We secretly spend Christmas together. I don't know where he is now. After offering him cupcakes, I walk towards my house.

Alone, I prayed for everyone For Ronald and Jessie, for dad and mom. Why I eat not my favorite food? Why do I always prefer them first? Taking a deep breath, I eat. All around the music and happiness running in everyone's home. Laughter in joint families and music but here nothing. Silence, sorrow and pain. This is my life now, alone and miserable. No one around me and no one here to take care of me. Closing my eyes, a fountain ran through my eyes.

Throwing my clothes I check my reflection in the mirror. A low smile spread across my face. My body, not mine. I'm not Rose. Shaking my head, I came out from the bathroom and lay down on the bed.

"I.. I sleep well Ronald."

'She's the one.'

'Kill her.'

'Witch.'

'I saw her... with blood.'

'Kill her.'

'Kill her.'

Shit! My eyes snap open. It's light everywhere. Where am I? Running my eyes around, I find out it's my home. Again nightmares. It's always so dark nightmares and scared me till the end where my body is covered with sweat. Christmas morning and today is my holiday. It's my first holiday exploring the surrounding city, so with no delay I take a shower and go straight outside. Frosty morning full of fog and snow welcomed me. I love snow. It's a habit for me to look for snow. Two hours and I'm walking on the street. Turing on one point, my body crashed with a body.

"Shit! I'm so sorry." Some stuff spread on the road.

"Sorry." A woman in a business suit picks her things. Oh god her expensive phone and tab on the floor and I think it's broken now.

"I..I'm so sorry. It's my fault." I help her. Today is a holiday, so why is she wearing office clothes?

"Oh, no my phone." Her expression tells me it's broken. She's trying to see inside, but it's blank. I'm so embarrassed right now. She's looking so horrible because she is continuously trying to do something with her phone.

"I.."

"No, it's my fault. I'm running without my eyes. It's such a bad day. My boss' entire day schedule, notes inside my phone and it's broken. I have no time for repairs. He's going to eat me alive." She looks like start crying. I need to help her.

"Mm.. I can help you if you know the notes." She stops and looks at me for a minute.

"I.. if you want." Then a wide smile on her face.

"Of course you can. But let me grab my things. Can you hold this for me?" She gave me her phone and a diary. We sat on a bench and then I helped her. Looks like she's someone's personal secretary. When we did with a long list, I'm holding in my hand I hold my breath for a second. Who the hell worked so much? Her boss is like a machine.

"Thank you so much for helping. Actually, I really like to take my notes on my phone. You know technology, but today I know the importance of paper and pen. I lost all my notes, but you helped me so much. Hey by the way, I'm Olivia." A beautiful hand comes towards me to shake. A diamond ring in ring finger tells me she's engaged. Her shining and painted nails look beautiful in front of my hand. Before I thought she would grab my hand and shake it.

"Don't hesitate."

"My name is Rose." She stops for a moment and then smiles. Really smile. Then I realized she's a gorgeous woman.

"Rose, I'm asking you something straight. You have excellent skill in business work. I'm going to be married next week so my boss gave me one week to arrange a new secretary. Can you please take my position?"

What? I pull my hand away.

"Umm.. I already have a job."

"Where?"

"In a coffee shop."

"If you take my position we can offer a car and a big house." Here, my mind stops for a moment. What I'm thinking now? This is what I want? I know my skill that I learned from my dad. When dad is alive I can take care of his business.

"Please don't let me down. Think about this, my boss is a jerk. He's going to kill me." I'm so confused right now. What if he doesn't like me then?

"I want time." Her eyes fall and she opens her purse.

"Hey don't be upset. I'm going to think about it, really." She nodded and gave me a card.

"Don't call the second number. Just call on the first number if you agree." We both stood and she said goodbye. I stand motionless, watching her gone. A girl offered me a job in the middle of the street.

A card

R. P written in red color with a black rose on the back side. Her boss' taste is very different. Who prints that kind of stuff on a card? It's after eight and my fingers can't stop running on the card. I can see myself there. I'm feeling. Some butterflies are running in my stomach. How does it look from the inside?

My own office

My boss

Whole day the card inside my fist. I thought it's going to be lost from my side so I took it with me everywhere. When night came, Grabbing my phone, I dial the number. It's running and ringing. She said she'll be waiting until Twelve. Before I cut the phone, a male voice came from another side and everything stopped for a moment.

"H..."

"Hello." Wait! How? It's Olivia's number. Then how? The voice I will never forget in my whole life.

"Who's this?"

"Your nightmare." My breath stops for a second. He's trying to scare me. The flashes.. stop.

"Hello it's Olivia."

"H.."

"Who's this?"

"Hi.. it's Rose."

"Rose, I'm waiting for your call to tell me your decision." Why do I feel it's Ronald's voice? No, he's not here.

"Olivia, who picked your phone?"

"No one." Why is she lying? It's male voice then, or maybe it's my imagination.

"Are you there?"

"Actually, it's yes from my side."