Mortal Love

My breath was staggering, making it hard for me to get enough oxygen into my body, as I walked down one of New York’s many streets. The feeling of anxiety weighing heavy on my shoulders. Pressing down on my chest. There is no way out of your own head. I was supposed to be happy, my parents did everything they could. But when I followed my dream, it all became too much. Never did I know that a nobody like me would become a billionaire. A five star rated designer, owning my own company at the age of 25. People always tell me I’m too young, I wanted to prove them wrong. But maybe they were right? Why do I never listen? It’s my stubbornness that makes life so hard and it is all my own fault. My own damn fault. “Excuse me, sir?” A female voice spoke to me, I stopped dead in my tracks and looked around. Right in front of me, my eyes were met by a pair of green eyes, glistening in the sun. “You wouldn’t know where the Carterson Fashion building is?” I looked at her with suspicion in my eyes. She stops and asked me? Did she ask me? Where my building was? Does she know who I am? Maybe not? Maybe she does? Maybe that is why she asked me. “It’s quite a walk, if you have to be there a special time,” I looked around seeing a few taxis here and there. “I would take a taxi, otherwise I’ll be happy to show you the way since I pass the building on the way to my office.” It wasn’t a total lie that I would be passing the building. I would be passing it and then take another entryway inside. “Thanks for the offer sir, but I am unfortunately in a hurry. I hope we’ll meet again.” She replied in a haste, before running off to get the attention of a taxi. I looked over at her before I continued my walk. It wasn’t that far, to be honest. I just couldn’t deal with a partner on my morning walk to the office. * * * Arriving at my office I did my usual morning routine. I greeted my secretary and my assistant, before placing myself at my desk and looking over all the papers. When that was done, my assistant arrived with a cup of extra strong coffee. “Thank you, Miles. You're a lifesaver.” “No problem, boss.” Miles winked at me before leaving. I know that it’s weird having your best friend working for you, but I could really not have it any other way, he knew me the best and could calm me down in any moment of stress. That and we shared a condo, with two levels, three bedrooms, four bathrooms, one kitchen and one big communal living room. So it just seemed easier for us this way. Plus we could share the different household chores since we both were firmly against having anyone else but us in the condo. “Mr Carterson, there is a model here who is applying for the photoshoot of women apparel summer.” “Let her in, miss Heart.” Miss Heart, another one of my friends. I know that it’s not really fair for hiring your friends in well pod positions. But they were competent and had the education needed for their line of work. The door opened and the woman from earlier entered my office. “Good morning Mr.Ca....” She stopped mid-sentence when she saw me sitting behind my desk. I quickly looked down on a paper, reading a name. “Good morning Miss Samantha Aurelius.” “I’m so sorry Mr Carterson, I was not aware that it was you on the street.” She explained hastily, looking scared that I would throw her out. “Don’t worry, take a seat and we’ll talk.”