1st Day in Guelph, Ontario

The blue sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds that drifted lazily in the gentle breeze.The just-risen sun shone softly on the city streets, bringing with it a flurry of the midday activity. The roads shimmered in the heat of the midday sun. The sunlit skyscrapers pierced the hot, blue sky.

The clouds were like white ribbons upon the velvet sky, making a half-spiral as if fluttering in lofty breezes. The leaves rustled in the wind. The wind was whipping through the trees, creaking and groaning like an old rocking chair. Then, the wind dropped and the surface of the sea was still.

I was craving something sweet, and unexpectedly stumbled in the delectable pint of icecream in a nearby dessert store down the road. I had a bowl of a double vanilla scoop with caramel toppings.

I glared ignorantly at the young couples trooping in and out of the store every second that counted. I meant no harm though.The environment was quite unfamiliar but I was certain I was gonna adapt to their lifestyle sooner.

Remembering I had to inform my aunt on my arrival, I hastily picked up my phone and put a call across. She knew the city quite better, which made me insist she came to pick me instead, rather than letting me wander around aimlessly and get stuck up somewhere.

*ring ring, the phone barely rang for ten seconds and she answered the call.

"Hi, aunt Pamela", I greeted with a smiley face.

"Hey girl! Have you arrived already?", she asked. I could hear the delight in her tone on the other end.

"Yes aunt. I'd be waiting at the Pink Cherry store", I said audibly, rather softly towards the end till I confirmed the name.

"I'm sorry; I can't make it there, baby girl. But, my driver will be with you shortly", she stated.

"Okay. See you soon, aunt", she bade goodbye and hung up immediately.

I hoped I was gonna spot the driver out stress-free in the midst of the people coming in at a high rate. I thought of my mom and everyone I had left behind. I was starting to miss them all even if we weren't in good terms in the meantime. This wasn't the life I wanted to live.

She didn't even call to know my whereabouts or if I was dead by now. She clearly didn't care about me anymore. Maybe, she chose to move on without me. Thinking of my past made me tear up again. It was the only way to calm myself. I was lost in my own thoughts. I was the unlucky winner at my game.

"Excuse me, please?", I felt a touch on my shoulder. My mind bounced back to reality. I couldn't risk letting anyone see me in tears. I dabbed my eyes with a hankie, careful not to smudge my mascara.

Then, I averted my eyes to the figure at standstill before me. He looked a bit older in age, modest appearance, 5'4 probably and had a nice haircut. "Are you looking for someone?", I asked nicely. I suspected he was the driver.

"Yes. Sorry, but if I'm not mistaken, you're Mrs. Cooper's niece, right?", he asked. I felt the boldness in his tone, like he was pretty sure. I nodded in affirmation.

"Yeah", I smiled, my mind was already at ease.

"Okay. I'm Albert Wilson; the Cooper's personal driver. It will be in great honor to take you home", he bowed in courtesy.

"Thank you", I said. I pulled a waitress over and cleared my bills. Then, I took up my bag and left the store. I picked up my luggages that I had secured earlier with the outdoor guards. Albert rolled two of the boxes to the car and I carried the last one in addition to my lightweight bag.

We got into a black jeep parked in front of the store and zoomed off. Through the window glasses, I focused my gaze on the collections of the tall and luxurious buildings through the rear glass. The streets ran mostly between rows of exquisite terraced houses.

Doubtlessly, everything appeared coordinated as well. Observing the traffic signs, catching the buses early, no traffic jams, no accidents, clean environment and lots more of things I calmly took notes.

Ostensibly, the city appeared less livelier than that of the United States. Perhaps, because I just moved in and it turned out to be the first day of the week. Monday had always been a busy day for everyone.