The Journey

The First Step

(REN POV)

'Beep!! Beep!!' "Cursed is the inconsiderate brute that made alarm clocks!!!" I roared in my mind as I turned to end the horrid noise that prematurely ended my sleep. It was six thirty in the am and I felt grumpy. I am not a morning person. As I walked passed the mirror to go the bathroom to start my day, I caught a look of the creature in the mirror.
It was a scare to see every morning.
It's eyes were puffy, the sides of it's mouth had a dried up river going down to it's chin. It's skin had enough oil to run K.F.C. Groaning, I shook my head at my reflection. 'I am really not a morning person', I thought as I continued to the bathroom to start my tedious day.
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"Doctor Golden, please keep in mind that you have an appointment at two with the Josephs." My receptionist's voice rang smoothly over the receiver. It was only one fifteen. So I had some time to myself. Being a Psychologist had its perks but to each pro there was a con and that was life. Being my own boss was great but the demands were hectic.

''I wonder what Kadmiel wants to do tonight." I thought aloud as I texted my best friend of twelve years. It was thursday and thursdays were Ren and Kad's out night.
Me: "Kad! Sup? What r the plans for tonight?"
Kadmiel: "typing..."
She always had an epistle of a response to a simple question.
Fifteen minutes later after filling me in on her newfound love interest in Indian cuisine and debating on whether to go a club or bar. We decided on dinner at Scarlet's and clubbing at Club Future, which was a new club opening tonight. Finally finalized on our plans, I realised that we did so in record timing. Normally being as indecisive as dear old Kadmiel, we would take over an hour to get on common ground. Checking the time, after preparing my notes, I saw it was One fifty-five. 'Great!' I thought as Two o' clock rolled in with the usual bickering of Jane and Nick Joseph, my last of five couples for the day. They were a very interesting couple to observe which made my demanding job all the more to enjoy.
"I'm afraid this is all the time we have left but ill see you next Thursday at two" I said apologetically to the English couple as three o clock came like a gift from God. "Oh Dr. Golden, I don't know what our marriage would be if it weren't for you. Thank you for what you're doing for us. Although Nick here doesn't show it, he is very grateful too." Said Mrs Joseph as I escorted them to the door. Elbowed in the side by his wife, Nick jerked upright and mumbled, "Yea, yea I guess she's doing a good job," with an impatient look on his face. "So can we please leave now Dear???" He pleaded as he tried to get his wife to move towards the exit. Not moving an inch, the red headed beauty replied, "What's with the hurry Nick? It's not like you have any thing better to do than to go home and watch T.V and fap off to, what's the name? Ahhh yes, youporn. I, on the other hand have work and I'm not rushing." Red with embarrassment Nick got silent and slouched his six foot figure as he waited for his wife. "As I was saying, we are really grateful, Doctor. However I think we need to discuss how we can work on the youporn situation." She said in a lowered voice. A bit taken aback I said, "Sure, Mrs. Joseph." Smiling and seeing the look on Nick's face, I quickly thanked her for the compliment and lied about a call I had to take in the next five minutes. And that was what it took to get them to leave. Accepting the silent thank you Nick mouthed, I went back inside my office.

It was five already by the time I was finished packing up. Saying my farewells to the other doctors that shared the four storey building, I started my journey home. My apartment was half an hour away without traffic and an hour with traffic. Unlucky for me there was traffic. Not minding the long drive I blasted Fire FM on my radio and sang along to 'Closer' by Chainsmokers as the traffic crept like a newborn baby.
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"Are you ready??!" Shouted Kadmiel at my door. "Yes! I'm coming!" I responded as I rushed to the door with my left shoe in my hand and my purse in the next. "Gosh Ren! You always take forever to get ready and its almost nine thirty! Come on!!"

"I dont care! I love it! I love it!" The music roared as Kadmiel and I jumped till our hands almost touched the ceiling. "Wow! This club is amazing!!!" I shouted to Kadmiel as she tried to order some Scotch on the rocks from the negligent bartender. Finally after half an hour, we we're served. With drinks in hands we heading over to an empty booth and rested our tired feet. Glancing around the bar I spotted the most beautiful specimen of a man. I became lost in his green pools of eyes.

"Kad! Kad! Are you seeing what I'm seeing?!" I shouted over the music, unable to stop staring. Kadmiel then turned in the Greek god's direction. "Yyyyeessss! Yess! Yessss! Oh if I wasn't married! I'd eat that bowl of vanilla ice cream in one scope!" She replied in a drunken loud voice. "Oh my Gosh Kad! You are unbelievable!" I laughed. By this I had somewhat managed to tear my eyes away and turn to face my friend who was now drowning a bottle of water to sober up. Still laughing I took a sip of my own drink and saw my green eyed blond haired friend straighten in her seat. Confused I turned to see what caused that reaction and locked eyes with those mesmerizing pools of green.
"Is that seat taken?" Frozen in time, the British accent played gently in my ears. With a tight lip smile, I nodded no and watched as he eased his over six foot frame into the booth. 'What a majestic creature', I thought as he introduced himself. During my drooling I caught that his name was Mike Bran and that he was a British athlete.
A sharp pain attacked my side and I realized he had asked me my name. "Ren, Renetaaa" I said as I tried to play it cool. "That's a unique name, Ren, Renetaa" he mocked and laughed. Oh Lord, he had no idea that at that very moment I was hooked like druggie on that glorious sound.
"You look familiar, Mike." I heard Kad say to my handsome companion. "Doesn't he, Ren?" At the question directed to me, I nodded no still enchanted by his heavenly features.
He smiled and looked at me, "Would you like to dance, Ren Renetaaa?" Laughing and nodding my head, yes. He continued, "Please excuse us Kadmiel." Taking my hand and leading me to the dance floor, I looked back at my friend and we shared a look, both impressed by his politeness.
The beat slowed down as we got to the dance floor. 'Girl you worth it. You deserve it. Girl you eeeeaaaaeeeeerrrrrnnneeeedddd it!' Mike pulled me close as The Weeknd's smooth voice filled the air. "You don't remember me don't you?" He whispered in my ear. "No I don't think I do but it would be great if I did know you. You seem nice." With my head resting on his chest, I felt him smile. 'You feel nice too', I thought as I snuggled close. "Why, thank you, Reneta. You feel nice too." Widen my eyes, it dawned on me that I had spoken aloud. 'Way to keep the thoughts in, Ren.' A voice chastised me. Listening to hear a response indicating I had spoke aloud again, I heard none. Going back to the booth, now smitten by the dance, we sat and got to know each other better while Kad kept interjecting with embarrassing short stories about my life. His laugh though made it worth it. His laugh could brighten the mood of the most pessimistic soul.