I felt the crowd around me rush forward as I was pulled out of my thoughts. I noticed the green light had turned red before, I too like the others, rushed to the other side.
It's funny how I ended up here out of all the places. New York has always been my dream city but I never thought of the possibility of me living here. Since I was baby, my parents were always a town person than a city person. They were so attached to towns that they won't even let me visit any city because according to them 'city is where peace ends and people go crazy'. As I was kid back then, always looking up to my parents, I believed them.
But that all changed when things went downhill and I was sent to a foster home at the age of eleven. When I turned eighteen, I moved out and started living on my own on the money that my parents had left behind. But it wasn't enough for my education nor the highly priced rents of NY apartments. And that was when I realised that living in New York on your own is a lot more harder.
I have been looking for a job since three weeks after I was fired from my previous work. In my defence, I merely said anything to that girl in comparison to what she said. Just because I forgot to give her a coke doesn't give her the right to call me self absorbed bitch. If I was the manager, I would've kicked that girl out. But no, my manager thought that mistakes are 'inhuman' and I need to be 'perfect'. So he fired me.
I stopped walking when I saw the Cafe's sign. My friend, Kat, advised me to apply for job here as the manager here is the most sweetest person on earth and hasn't rejected anyone for work in 3 years.
But you see, I have a tiny bit doubt that she might be wrong cause she has habit of telling false info. Like the time when she told a friend group from our class that One Direction just got back on track and are performing in Manhattan that night.
I remember them screaming so loud and buying the tickets online so quickly that they didn't even check whose concert it is. The next thing they knew, they were at a concert of a band named 'The Funky Monkeys'. And from the look of their faces the next day, they had a terrible time there and were pissed as hell on Kat. In my defence, I did advised them to recheck their tickets or something but according to them 'One Direction is more important'.
Too bad it was The Funky Monkeys that were 'important'
I was pulled out of my thoughts when a guy bumped my shoulders and rushed past me not even bothering a small 'sorry'. Guess he must be very busy then. Whatever.
I let out a sigh and gave myself a small encouragement of 'I can do this, I can get the job' because if I don't then let's just say I won't ever get a job here as I tried every shop and restaurant in New York. Which is also the reason why I considered Kat's advise.
I opened the door to the Cafe as the small bells above me started ringing.
God, people still have those on their door?
The cafe's interior is very simple and sophisticated and I can't believe how I never came across this place before. (I am a fan of simple cafés that gives peaceful vibes) The atmosphere is filled with the aroma of coffee beans and vanilla. I went to the counter where a young woman who looks slightly older than me, was taking an order of a customer. As soon as the customer left, I stepped forward.
"Hey, welcome to Blossom's Cafe, what can I get you?" She asked in a voice that I could relate. Tired and bored.
"Hey, I was actually here for a job. My friend, Kat , told me that you were looking for some baristas?" I said in the most pleasant way as I could.
"I'm sorry miss, but we already have a lot of applicants, I don't think the manager would say yes but I'll ask her nonetheless. Just wait a min here," then she went behind the doors, probably to ask her manager.
After a few minutes she came back and just shook her head at me then went back to her work. Okay....so I'll take that as a no then. I let out a heavy sigh before leaving the Cafe.
As I walked on the streets of NY, I can't help but think how miserable life can be here even when it's the dream city of so many people. I remember some wise man saying that money could never buy happiness. But I'll tell you what money would buy you survival in this world because without money, you wouldn't last more than a month.
Not having the energy to go home and dread about finding a job again, I rounded the corner and entered the abandoned-but-not-yet-abandoned building. Basically there are a few families living here but most of them only live here during the holidays. Otherwise, it's an empty building.
Sometimes I feel sorry for Henry, the building's guard. He has to be awake all night for what? An empty 6 story building ?
Most of the times, I would bring something with me, like a takeaway coffee for him and we would just sit there and talk about our days. Even though he's old now, we're still good best friends.
As I entered the building, I greeted Henry, who was siting on a chair, attentive as always like a robber might pop out of somewhere. Man, I really want this guy's determination in work.
"Enjoy the view, kid" he said as I went to the elevator. I felt bad for not sitting there with him and talking about his day but I am just tired of everything.
The only reason I came here mostly everyday is because of the view of the city from the rooftop which always makes me calm. It's the only place, where I could be at peace, away from the chaos of the NY streets.
I stepped out as the elevator gave a small ding and went to the rooftop. As always I was taken away by the sight. Even though, I look at the view everyday from here, I always still find it beautiful.
I sat down on one of the chair that Henry put here. I told him not to, worrying he would get back pain or something since he was aging but as I can see he's very stubborn but kind too.
I looked at how beautiful and elegant the world looked from up here. How the sky filled with pink and lavender colours beautifully blended with the city and the lights. It's truly magnificent how everything looks so heavenly and pure even when truly it isn't.
I was lost in my thoughts when I felt someone had taken the chair beside mine. Was I so lost in my thoughts that I didn't even hear the person come in? Maybe I guess. But I didn't care cause I was just that lost in thoughts and amazed by the beauty in front of me.
"It's quite amazing isn't it? How everything looks so beautiful from up here but the minute you go down there, everything is a chaos,"
For a moment, I was still. The person's voice is so warm yet deep. It felt like I could listen to his voice everyday but when I turned to look at who he is , I could much more look at his face everyday.
He had brown hair that were a bit messy as if it had been pulled back by his hands too many times but yet they still looked perfect. But what was more perfect was his jawline and nose which was sharp and precise. His eyes were emerald green colour which reminded me oddly of dark and deep forests. Everything about him screamed power and money, from the way he looks to his suit and tie which I am pretty sure costs a year rent.
I quickly looked back ahead, hoping he didn't saw me literally checking him out. After a while I spoke up, forgotten he had said something before.
"I'm pretty sure not every part of New York is a chaos," I replied.
"I highly doubt that. Name one place where there is no noise of drivers yelling at each other, women fighting and random YouTubers filming while screaming at the top of their lungs," He said and smirked when he noticed my silence.
Come on, New York is the life of the party. Of course, it is going to be a chaos everywhere. Why did I even disagree with him on the first place?
Stupid brain.
"Okay, you win . It is a chaos but at least we get this beautiful view from up here.....right?" I raised my arms in front of me to show the view.
"You are right," He said as he let out a small laugh.
I tried to look at the city from his point of view and I can't help but think how similarly we see it. Everything looks beautiful until you get too close and realise it has thorns too.
After a moment of silence, he spoke up.
"So what's your reason for being up here?" He asked while taking a glance at me.
I took a moment of hesitation before replying.
"I just wanted to distract myself. Being up here is like an escape from reality. It's like for once, I could forget about all the turmoil of my life,"
I turned to look at his reaction, worrying he might find my talks annoying and depressing.
Maybe I shouldn't have overshared.
Maybe I should've just lied like I always do.
But the moment I saw the look in his emerald green eyes, it felt like he could understand me. Like he knows me.
I turned to look away when I realised I was looking at him for too long. For a while it was quiet before I broke the silence.
"What about you? What's your reason?"
For a moment, he looked hesitant.
"Just wanted a break like you. Was fed up with all the work so I decided to come here to get some fresh air and relax a bit but maybe I think talking with a pretty woman is much more better," He said and his lips pulled upwards in a playful way when he saw the blush creeping up my neck.
Is he actually flirting? Because I'll tell you what, just looking at him makes me want to-
Okay, no. Let's not get there.
"I wonder who that pretty woman is..." I played along and pretended to think as he let out a chuckle.
He was about to say something when his phone started ringing. He pulled out his phone and every trace of playfulness wiped from his face when saw the caller ID. His body stiffened as his face grew dead serious. He excused himself before going to the back of the rooftop to probably take the call.
I started to wonder who he maybe talking to. From the look on his face, I took pity on whoever the person may be because he looked pretty intimidating and maybe a tiny bit hot too.
I looked out at the streets below and saw a small girl and her dad walking down the street. The girl was holding an ice cream, laughing at something her dad said. He then scooped up the girl in his arms while giving kisses on her cheek as she laughed uncontrollably.
Sometimes I envy the relationships that many daughters and fathers have but at the end I am happy that at least they get to have it. At times, I wonder if things had went different , will my father would be here by my side, supporting me? Or would he be like how he always had been?
I was pulled out my thoughts by the sounds of retreating footsteps. I glanced back to see if it's that guy but I couldn't see him here anymore.
Maybe he had left.
I started to feel a bit empty but I have to remember that people aren't permanent in life. After a while I realized that I didn't even get to know his name.
It's funny how much I could relate to that guy when I didn't even knew his name. Though I really regret not getting to know it.
I stood up to leave but abruptly stopped when I caught a small piece of paper lying on the guy's chair. I slowly picked it up, thinking how I didn't even notice him leaving this. I noticed something written on the back in a neat and precise handwriting.
I'm sorry, that I have to leave suddenly. But I hope the next time you'll remember to get my name cause I think you must be regretting not getting a chance to know it.
I don't know what is more shocking, the fact that he knows exactly what I thought or the next four words written on the bottom of the page.
See you later, Celine.
How the hell he knows my name?