Don't try to Escape

Chapter 4 - Part I & II

II

A happy song wakes me up from an agitated and turbulent sleep. My eyes are half opened, and I see a cell phone vibrating on the bedside table.

"Hello" I answered with a weak voice.

"Sarah?"

"Yeas, it's me."

"Good morning. Were you sleeping?"

"Yeah, hm... I was," I rub my eyes.

"I'm sorry for that," says the voice. "Then, it looks like that's the first time I get you out of bed."

The voice on the line is strong and polite. I know this voice. It sounds familiar and, at the same time, weird. I wave of adrenaline run through my veins, and I sit on the bed, alert.

Thomas Mai is on the line.

"Thomas?" I ask, surprisingly.

"You recognize my voice. That's great news."

I know he is smiling. He never loses an opportunity to joke around. I snuffle and roll my eyes.

"What is it so important for you to wake me up?"

"Have you got plans for lunch?"

My eyes were itching when I open them more.

Damned, I shouldn't have answered without knowing who it was.

"Hm... I don't know." I mean, no.

I've just woken up, and I can't even remember my name, neither make up an excuse to don't have lunch with him.

"Great! I'll pick you up at eleven-thirty."

"But I'm not... Catch me for what? " I ask shocked.

I hear the engines of my brain trying to work. Things happen very fast when I'm next to Thomas. What does he want?

"Let's have lunch at Sharon Hotel, the one located at the street that runs parallel to Lobo Negro. That restaurant is our main competitor, " he says .

Are we?

"I intended to go alone, but I want to write the brief for LN with you around."

He knows about advertising. Of course, he owns an agency!

"But I thought I would be evaluated before we take the next step."

"I've been evaluating you, Sarah. All the time," he lowers his voice. "I just want to anticipate the process in case of you be hired."

My heart gets full of hope. I notice that the will to get the Lobo Negro project is not a mere whim, it's a strong feeling. I was touched by that place, and that doesn't happen every day. I want this job, it's done. I will give my best to get it. I'm not afraid to take a "no" as an answer. That's my new mission. I'm going to show Thomas that I'm not kidding around. I'm a professional.

"All right. Eleven thirty."

"That's great," he seems satisfied. "See you soon."

I'm taken by an intense excitement. But I'm not sure if it is for the chance to become an advertiser for Lobo Negro or for the opportunity to see Thomas again. I prefer to take the first option.

I hang up and jump out of bed. When I see what time it is: ten-thirty!

Damned, I overslept

I run to the bathroom and take a quick shower. I don't want to be late. I leave the bathroom, my hair is wet, and I open the wardrobe looking for anything to wear. How to dress? Formal or casual? If Thomas suspects that I want to tease him, I can say goodbye to Lobo Negro. I'm going to wear something simple to be clear about my commitment to this project.