CAPTURED

The smell of coffee and toast greeted her in the morning, a privilege she had gotten used to. Having a boyfriend who could cook was gold, and Stephanie was grateful for it. Two cubes of sugar, three scoops of milk, and a dash of cold water - just the way she liked it. The bread had to be sliced into triangles with a medium-cooked omelet slapped on the side. Stephanie could go on a crusade for Troy's fried eggs. "Thanks, babe." She planted a gratifying peck on the guy's face as she lifted breakfast off the kitchen counter. "Did you get the dinner reservation for tonight?" "Yes... as a matter of fact, I have a few patients to attend to, and my shift ends at four-thirty, so we can have more time to ourselves if you make it back at five." Troy turned off the stove and found a seat across from Stephanie. She had to take another bite before letting him down. "Sorry, babe, I got a meeting at four, and it's gonna take long." Troy paused with the fork stuck in the omelet. "Another assignment?" "Possibly, but that's not certain. I just have to run by the boss's office to find out." "Will you even make it to dinner? Because I know how long meetings with your boss take." The cutlery clanked on the plate, reflecting that the young man was indeed becoming agitated. "What's that supposed to mean?" Stephanie tilted her head, not being defensive or offensive. She just wished to understand what he was insinuating with that look in his eyes. "I don't know. Maybe you should let your boss know you have a life outside your job. I have to be at work when someone so much as sneezes or swallows a spoon, yet I make time for you... for us!" Troy stressed. "Please don't do this now. This breakfast is delicious..." Stephanie sighed. "Come on, you'll be at the OR today; don't let this hardheaded girlfriend of yours spoil your mood." Starting the day with an argument never ended well for either of them, and she needed to be focused on her pitch today. "You always do this, Steph. I'm not buying it." Troy jerked his head when she tried to kiss him. "If this is your way of settling things - shutting me up with kisses just so you don't have to talk about it - then count me out." He kept swerving until she was forced off his legs and he could get on his feet. "Stop being unreasonable..." Stephanie massaged the point between her brows, taking her gaze away from the blue-eyed man who didn't want to listen. "I'm being unreasonable? Can you tell me the last time we spent time alone without talking about the crazy things happening in New York or the world? Has there ever been a moment we got to discuss our future - about prospects, getting a house, or getting a dog - or something?!" He had both hands on his waist. "You want a dog?" Stephanie squinted. "This is not about a - You know what, forget it." He shook his head and let go of the conversation. "Where are you going, Troy? At least have breakfast." "...," The only reply she got was the slamming of the door in a matter of seconds. "Great... Juuuust great." Stephanie sank back into the chair and continued eating. If there was something she didn't joke about, it was the horrors of stomach ulcers. Her stomach didn't care if she stepped on her boyfriend's toes or not. ********* The key went two inches beneath the steering wheel, then vrum! - the car came alive. Stephanie adjusted the rearview mirror, checking the smudged mascara right beneath her eye; it barely even showed up close. To heck with it, she reasoned. Why did she always have to kill herself to get pretty when the men at the office hardly did anything to their boring gray suits and unmatched shoes? Besides, there would be professionals working on her before she went on air. She smiled at the mirror, appreciating her bronze skin, sighing contentedly at the thick curly locks she worked hard to tame. She didn't get her compliment from Troy this morning, but she shook it off, convincing herself she would make it up to her man by the end of the day. "Don't worry, girl. You are strong... You got this!" She put on her fierce face, pressed down the handbrake, and stepped on the gas. The streets of Manhattan reminded Stephanie of a fantasy book. The gigantic skyscrapers stood tall like temples of the gods, headed by some of the most notorious yet industrious people in the world. It was a beautiful world, bright and golden during the day and even more amazing as a lighted city by night... "Good morning, Steve." It was a ritual to say hello to the old security guard at the foot of the building. "Morning, Miss Door." The Caucasian man always replied by tipping his hat politely. Staying still and waiting for the red light on the lift to keep shifting was a little unnerving for her. "Get to ten already," Stephanie muttered. *Ding* "Hey, Steph!" "Hi, Sam." Stephanie nodded and continued strutting in her stiletto heels. "What's up, Steph? Did you get my article?" Jude stood up from her desk. Stephanie smiled and waved like a doll, not ready to get into it. She had learned the hard way not to let amateurs take her mind off actual work - especially when it was based on a wild goose chase. "Steph, you've got an hour to go live," a woman in a gray sweater and baggy pants came out of the editing room. "Thanks for the heads-up, Mary," Stephanie spared her a glance. Fisher passed by, tossing a little high five to his favorite reporter. "Hello, Steph... Did you catch the news?" Stephanie twirled around sharply, winking just as she reached the Director's office. "Fisher, I am the news," she said with confidence.