Laura’s Dream

For the longest time, this was what Laura had always wanted; to live in a different city, away from everything familiar, experiencing new things all by herself. The plan was to get her second degree, work for some years and travel around the world for a while. Then, rinse and repeat. The plan was going well. Moving to Fairmont for her master’s degree was particularly a brilliant idea. The city had just the vibe she wanted. The last year and a half had been superb; juggling school and a part-time job was tough but she never let that get in the way of her fun. In fact she partied hard and even flirted harder. She left a couple of broken-hearts on her way but she was always honest up front that she didn’t want anything serious. Marriage has never been on the plan. Being a mother maybe, but she learned from her mother that you didn’t necessarily need a ‘husband’ to be a mum and a great one at that. A new city, new friends and new adventures was some of the thrills she bargained for and she was getting just that. What she didn’t bargain for, however, was the effect Aaron Wilsburg’s look had on her. The Graduate Career Forum started off great. She had been part of the planning committee. All the invited companies had showed up and some were already fishing to start graduate recruitment. Vertex Dynamics had the most active recruitment system as their graduate program is almost strictly how they employ new employees. She walked briskly by trying to get through the crowd in front of their booth. Laura needed to get to the Ardent Risk Solutions booth before they packed up. She had been so busy so she hadn’t had time to network. That’s when she bumped into his back. Tall, dark and slender. He turned around and smiled lightly. She said sorry very quickly and tried running off when he asked her if she was okay and needed help. Laura answered swiftly and ran off. After speaking with the recruiters at ARS she headed back to her team to help pack up the props since the program was gradually coming to an end. Then she met him. Again. This time around the vending machine. “Twice in less than an hour huh? Are you stalking me?” Aaron said with a grin as he stretched out his hand and shook hers. He seemed nice even though he works at Vertex Dynamics. Word was that their workers were strict and stuck-up. Rude even. She knew as a data analyst she could start her career there but she wanted a more relax and fun work environment. So if he was trying to recruit her, he was in for a disappointment. “Well I wouldn’t mind stalking you” she said playfully. Shoot. This is a professional event. I need to tame the flirting. Laura said to herself. “Oh no it’s just a coincidence “ she replied quickly hoping he had not heard her first remark. “I hope you guys enjoyed the networking today. The university really appreciates your coming “ she went on. “Ah yes we did. It was really worth it. Thanks for having us. I see you didn’t come to our booth. What course are you offering?” Aaron asked. “MSc in Data Analytics” Laura replied “Amazing. Well this is my card, in case you’re ever interested in working at Vertex just give me a call or text” he said as he offered his card to her. She took it and thanked him. When Laura got back with her team she was somewhat smiling unawares. Nicole nudged her and asked what was making her so excited and Laura seemed genuinely confused. She had no idea she had a smile on her face. Nicole pulled her to the side and whispered to her “I heard that guy from Vertex ask Naomi for your name. I saw you talking to him what did he say?!” Nicole seemed so excited “Oh he was just recruiting. He probably worked in HR. But why was he asking for my name? And when was it?” “Right after you sped off to ARS” Nicole exclaimed “oh my God I think he likes you! He’s so cute!” Laura smiled to herself. She couldn’t help but hope what Nicole was saying was really true. ************** Aaron had had his whole life figured out. Finish college, marry his childhood sweetheart, start a family alongside starting his career. This seemed easy until Selena cheated on him with his best friend. He’d given up on love entirely. The occasional hookup was just enough, until now. He had seen her picture on the university’s website. To prepare for the forum he had read a bit about the graduate students and causes the university had to know what to look for and how to present Vertex Dynamics to them. That’s when he saw Laura Bennett - one of the coordinators. There was something striking about her. She was absolutely beautiful, yes, but that wasn’t it. She had a playful nonchalance in her eyes that made you wonder what exactly she was about. He read about her. Four of the student coordinators were female and yet she’s the only one he read about; Computer Science background offering Data Analytics. When he saw her in person he thought the picture didn’t even do her justice. She was breathtaking. Just by being her. Relaxed and carefree. He could tell by her body language throughout the day. Yes because he watched her. The whole time. When she bumped into him he thought ‘what a small world’. Of all the people who could bump into him - with the crowd in front of Vertex it was likely to happen- it had to be her. He was so glad he talked to her. He wasn’t sure she’d ever call him but just talking to her made him positively giddy. Lying in bed that night, he thought of her, naked under the covers with him. He didn’t even feel bad about it. The thoughts were just there, without him forcing it.