My One True Love

Chapter Two: I am 22

ADALET...

"Adalet, your flight will leave at 2:00am, so be ready," I heard my boss say through the phone.

"Great, thanks Madeline," I said before hanging up and letting myself fall on the bed. The bed creaked under my weight and I frowned. I wasn't fat but I wasn't exactly skinny either but I was a bit self-conscious of myself sometimes. I sighed and sat up before looking at the clock which read, 7:00am. I still had more than twelve hours until my flight left, it was time to take advantage of it.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror and put my uncontrollable, curly, auburn hair into a messy ponytail. I was still wearing my light-blue comfy pajamas so I went through my luggage and changed into dark, black jeans and a sky blue top. Since I had finished all my assignments I had the rest of the day free. I smiled at the thought of taking pictures and meeting a new city like any normal tourist.

Her job had sent her all the way across the Atlantic Ocean, to Europe. London, to be more precise. She took her professional camera and got out of the hotel room in a hurry, she was just so full of energy. She was glad to leave that day, she didn't know if she'd be able to stand one more night in that awful place her company had booked. It was dirty, dusty and smelled weird. Due to her job's expenses, the company couldn't afford to send her to a 5 star hotel but this shack where they did send her was just sad.

Acting like a tourist, she visited as many places as she could in less than 5 hours and she ate along the way, she didn't have time to stop and lose an hour in a restaurant. She'd been lucky, for the whole week she'd stayed in London not a single drop of water had dropped from the sky and the weather actually seemed nice, although it looked as if her luck was about to run out when she saw dark clouds begin to form on the horizon.

She wanted to head back to the hotel to get at least a couple of hours to sleep since her flight was just after midnight. Once back in her room she saw the time, 2:00pm. Adalet sighed and called room service to bring her something to eat.

"Room service!" yelled a young voice. Adalet opened the door and a young girl walked in. "Thank you," Adalet said handing her a tip. The girl didn't say anything and walked out closed the door behind her.

As she ate, she watched TV and also packed her stuff that was all over the room, not a big surprise, she wasn't as organized with her belongings as she was with her work. She felt kind of embarrassed she hadn't cleaned up before her food had arrived but she continued eating. After about an hour, she was looking through the channels trying to find something of her interest.

When she found nothing, she got up and took out a small case that was in the closet. Her most valued possession, her oboe. She'd been playing for twelve years now. Back home, she was in an orchestra as head woodwind player and was proud of it, the position had cost her a lot, literally, the instrument cost more than she cared to admit.

Less than an hour had passed when she heard slamming of a door. "Hey! Keep it down over there!" yelled a deep voice followed by pounding on the wall. Adalet sighed, that had also happened the last time she'd tried to play. Her room neighbor seemed really humorless and grumpy all the time and barely let her play.

In defeat, she started cleaning her instrument before putting it in her suitcase and zipping it up. Once again, she looked at the clock and was shocked to find it was 7:30pm. Time had really picked up. Quickly, she got her clothes and took a quick shower. Before falling asleep she set her alarm clock at 12:30am.

Ring! Ring! Ring!

Adalet opened her eyes, groaned and hit the snooze button on her clock. Sleep engulfed her again.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Adalet answered the room's phone. "Hello?" she asked still half asleep. "Miss Trent, a couple of hours ago you asked us to remind you when your cab would arrive," said the receptionist kindly.

Adalet responded with an 'Mm-hm'. "The cab is here Miss Trent."

Adalet's eyes widened and all sleep vanished. "s**t!" she cursed and then realized the receptionist had probably heard her. "I'm sorry, I'll be there in five minutes." There was no time to be embarrassed, she had to hurry. She hung up the phone and took the clothes she'd prepared for the flight and got dressed. Five minutes later she was sitting on the backseat of the cab and her luggage in the trunk. It was a new record, even for her.

After all the security she had to go through she was sitting in the waiting area with half an hour to spare. Seeing a small coffee shop, she bought a cup of hot chocolate and a brownie. She knew her best friend would be pissed if she found out she was eating a brownie but she wouldn't have to know.

"Flight D32 destination to New York, first class, please step forward to enter the plane."

Adalet threw away her garbage and put half of her brownie away for later before heading over to the line to get into the plane to first class section. Her company could afford to pay her first class seats but not a nice hotel, typical. She found her seat next to a man in a suit, she was a bit bummed that she didn't get the window seat but she pushed the disappointment aside as she rested her head on her seat and sleep she thought was gone, consumed her.

After her sleep she yawned and her blue eyes found his brown eyes. Embarrassed, she blushed but was thankful he hadn't noticed her blush, or at least that's what she like to think. "And who might you be?" Adalet asked still a bit shaken up with embarrassment but trying to sound unaffected and casual. The man's gaze seemed to analyze her and she fidgeted uncomfortably in her seat.

"I am William Johns," he said after a while and looked at her expectantly. Not sure of what to do, Adalet held out her hand, "Nice to meet you William, I'm Adalet Trent."

William looked surprised and unsure but then shook her hand.

Attention passengers, due to some bad weather, we will reach New York 30 minutes late. Thank you for flying with us. Said the captain through the loudspeaker.

Adalet sighed and realized she had slept through half of the flight. She knew she would get bored easily so she decided to have a small talk with William. "Where are you from Mr. Johns?"

"London, United Kingdom." He wasn't taking his eyes off of his computer but she nodded her head and stayed quiet. What else could she say?

"And where are you from Mrs.-" William said beating her to it but she decided to interrupt, "Miss," she corrected.

"Where are you from Miss Trent?" he smiled and looked at her with humorous eyes.

"I'm from Texas, United States," she responded trying to say it with a southern accent but it didn't come out as great as she'd hoped. Still, it reminded her of her birth home.

William stopped typing and looked at her, "are you not really far from home?"

Adalet shrugged her shoulders, "not really, I've lived more than five years in New York now, that's why I no longer have a southern accent."

Satisfied with her answer, William looked back at his computer. "How about you? What are you doing flying away from home? Are you running away?" she asked jokingly, she didn't know why she was teasing him, she had never acted like that in front of a stranger much less in front of a very hansome stranger.

"I am on a business trip," he responded, nonchalant.

"Really? Me too, actually I'm going back home because I've finished my business trip," she said taking out her laptop. She had a meeting in an hour, thank goodness she had woken up just in time. "I hope you don't mind, I have a meeting in an hour and some work to finish."

"Take your time, no worries," was the last thing she heard as she put her headphones on and began typing.

Hours later, the plane was ready to land. A flight attendant stopped and looked at Adalet and William. "Miss, Sir, we are going to land pretty soon, please put all electronics away."

Adalet had felt relieved her meeting had ended after two hours and began zipping up her computer case. William did the same right after her.

After a graceful landing, Adalet followed the rest of the passengers to where they would pick up their luggage. When she saw her suitcase she reached for it and tried to carry it of the rails but it was heavier than it looked. "Here, let me help," said William as his strong arm reached out to help. Once her suitcase was on the ground Adelet thanked William and started to roll her bag behind her.

"It was a pleasure to meet you William Johns and welcome to New York," she said after turning around hesitantly and then walking away to find a cab.

"The pleasure is all mine Miss Adalet Trent," William called after her and she smiled sheepishly.

She quickly found a cab and got in. When it started moving she felt a bit disappointed for not staying longer in the airport but she had things to do back home. Adalet's stomach began to rumble and she remembered her brownie in her bag and that's how she spent her ride back home.

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At 7:00pm there was a knock on her apartment door. "Coming!" yelled Adalet as she opened the door. Her best friend, Judy McKenzie walked in, Adalet could hear her heels on the ground. Her blonde hair neatly brushed and her night out make-up on. "What is going on?" asked Adalet confused, she was already guessing what was happening but she hoped she was wrong.

"We're going to a club," said Judy taking out her make-up and walking towards her. Adalet stepped back and shook her head.

"I'm tired Judy, I just got back from London," I said, trying to convince her with my lame excuse.

Judy smiled and I cursed myself, of course that wouldn't work on her. "One more reason to celebrate. Oh come on Adalet, you spent your 22nd birthday in London and we couldn't go out like we planned. Please, this is all for you."

She was right, her business trip had ruined her plans with her best friend but she wasn't sure about going to a club, not on a weekday and not when she still had a lot to do. Judy pouted, she knew Adalet couldn't say no to that face. Adalet sighed and crossed her arms over her chest, "fine." Judy jumped up and down cheerfully.

"Wait, there'll be some boundaries," Adalet continued, "just two hours, no drinking and especially, no hooking up." Judy nodded her head eagerly and started doing her make-up.

At 8:00pm both of them were at the front of the line, ready to go in. Inside, lasers and lights could be seen and the music played loudly. Judy led her friend to the dance floor once they were inside and after a long time of dancing, both friends were tired. Come on, mouthed Judy and Adalet followed behind her.

Judy handed her a drink. "Judy, we said no drinking, remember?" said Adalet warily.

Judy rolled her eyes, "oh come on, Adalet, it's just one drink, what's the worst that can happen?"

Hesitantly, Adalet took the drink.

"Happy birthday Adalet!" Yelled her friend loudly before taking a big gulp of her drink.

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Adalet woke up with a pounding headache. Events from the night before came crashing back. Without thinking, she got up, causing her headache to worsen. She sighed in relief when she saw she was in her room with all of her clothes on.

Soft snores caught her attention. Adalet saw Judy sprawled on her bed. Her blonde hair looked tangled and her make-up was smudged. Hesitantly, Adalet looked at her reflection on the mirror, she didn't look too bad. Her hair wasn't as tangled and her make-up was still intact.

Her clock caught her eye and she cursed. "Crap, I'm going to be late!" She quickly jumped into the shower. After that she got out and into her work clothes. Her head hurt from how fast she was moving but she had to keep going.

In the kitchen, she found Judy there with her head inside the fridge. "Good morning!" she yelled and Judy jumped and hit her head.

"Shut up! My head hurts so don't yell!" she said annoyed as she rubbed her head.

"Sorry, I have work to go to, feel free to take an aspirin and eat. If you want to leave lock up," Adalet instructed as she headed out with her laptop strapped across her torso. Judy glared at her but nodded.

Her head was still throbbing, why did she have to be so influenced by her friend?

She got into a cab and 10 minutes later she was sprinting towards her job. The elevator was filled with people and it was hard to breathe. When she reached her floor she sprinted towards her work station and only acknowledged her companions' greetings as she passed. Once seated, she took out her computer.

She turned it on. "Oh my god!" She gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. Instead of my dog and me on the screen, there was a picture of William and a young, very beautiful woman.

"Adalet, you're back," said Madeline behind her. Adalet quickly closed the laptop and turned to face her boss with a smile.

"Oh, good morning Madeline," stuttered Adalet nervously.

"Good morning Adalet, how was your trip?" Madeline asked curiously.

"It was tirying but interesting," I said, trying to keep the conversation short.

Madeline raised an eyebrow, clearly that wasn't something very common of me, "I see, well I have work to get to. Please send your article to my office and here are some drafts you have to revise and edit." Her boss placed a stack of papers on her desk.

"Drafts?" asked Adalet confused.

"oh yes, Erin Duke is starting to write again and this is her come back," explained Madeline. Adalet sighed and nodded. "Oh and Adalet, happy birthday."

After Madelin left, Adalet got to work. It was noon when she finished editing the first part of the draft when the secretary, Elizabeth, an old looking woman who was probably 60 years old, came to find her. "Adalet Trent, there's someone wanting to see you at the entrance."

Adalet's eyes widened but she nodded and followed Elizabeth down to the main floor. Once both women stepped out of the elevator, her phone rang. "I'll catch up in a bit Elizabeth, thank you for getting me."

Elizabeth nodded and walked away. The caller ID was blocked. "Hello, Adalet Trent speaking."

"Ms. Trent, this is William Johns speaking," he said with a very British tone but of course, he was British.

"William? Oh what a surprise, actually I needed to talk to you but, how did you find me?" said Adalet nervously crossing her arms.

"I am aware that you have my laptop Ms. Trent, I actually realized that yesterday and went by to where you work and the secretary told me she would forward me your number. Now, I really need my laptop and I would like to get it back as soon as possible," William said in a serious tone. "How about we have lunch today?"

Adalet was taken aback but she smiled none the less, "I have lunch break in 10 minutes."

"Great, I'll meet you at the hotel I'm staying at: The St. Regis New York." After he gave her the directions they hung up. Adalet stood there with a big smile on her face, then she remembered someone was waiting for her at the entrance.

"Adalet!" yelled Judy looking better than she had in the morning. Her blonde hair in curls and her green eyes shinning.

"Hey Judy, what's up?" I asked confused, she had never come to her work before.

"Is the job as secretary still open?" Judy asked with a hopeful gleam in her eyes.

"Yes, I think so. Why?" Adalet asked crossing her arms, now she was beyond confuse, Judy McKenzie did not work.

"I need a job and... David just proposed to me!" she yelled and Adalet did the same as she hugged her best friend.

"Oh my God! We have to celebrate Judy!"

"Yes! How about after my interview we go have lunch together," suggested Judy with a smile.

"Oh Judy, I'm so sorry, I can't right now. I have a bussiness lunch in 10 minutes," exlpained Adalet feeling guilty. She really wanted to go celebrate with her friend.

"Hey, it's fine. How about dinner?"

"Sure and we'll go to that restaurant you love," said Adalet trying to make it up to her friend.

"'kay 'kay, I'll see you tonight girl," said Judy before kissing her cheek goodbye and heading up to meet my boss. Things were really moving so fast since she returned. Adalet sighed, that was all part of a normal life in New York.