Monique's New Job Promotion ( a Short Story About Falling in Love)

The alarm clock went off as usual but instead of jumping out with the vigor and vim she usually did; Monique slowly allowed her legs to hit the floor.

As she brushed her teeth she did not give herself the usual motivational talk that would get her through the day. Once she was dressed she looked at herself over in her full length mirror, as usual everything was in place, makeup complete, designer suit and shoes matched, and so she wondered what was her problem?

"Get it together Monique," she said to herself, "You're starting a new job today, you have a position at a prestigious firm, and you've worked hard for this moment. Seize it, embrace it! Look around your home is beautifully decorated; you're driving a Mercedes E 550 class fully loaded. What is your problem?"

Yeah Monique had achieved the so called American dream but at what cost? Always on a business trip from one city to another, she never really had time for family or friends. She had thoroughly convinced herself that working hard and climbing the corporate ladder would get her noticed by him. If she could make him happy and proud of her then it was all worth it.

Every evening after retreating home after work she would sit alone in front of the television daydreaming of how it would be someday. She envisioned them at the dining room table looking at each other over a candlelit dinner talking shop and discussing how their day had been. They would discuss their next plan on how to remain on top in the business world. Here she would be talking to her mentor, her lover, her best friend, her mate for life. Over and over again she replayed their wedding, planning every little detail right down to the silverware and the song that would be rung as their first dance as husband and wife.

From the very first time that she saw the spark in those beautiful brown eyes of his at their very first business meeting, she knew in her heart and mind that he was the one, and even though this was a love affair that existed only in her mind and heart it was still just the same ......love.

And it was not because he was rich and powerful that made him tug at her heart strings or the magnet that seem to cause this instant attraction to him, it was not that at all. She was not that type of woman because she had met many powerful and rich men being the top executive as a investment banker and had been asked and even dated a few of men with old money. Monique had however; never felt for any man the way she felt for him. His walk and his talk, and those beautiful white teeth and the way he seemed to always be in control in any conversation.

He never gave her any reason to think that he was attracted to her, after all he treated all the women employees in the office the same. He would make every woman feel as if for that moment in his presence that she was special, always attentive to giving her praises when she did a good job. After all, a man in his position could not afford to be sued for sexual harassment. There was always water cooler conversation as to why he was not married. Some speculated, "He's just too busy, he probably had more women that he could handle, maybe he didn't trust a woman because of being rich or maybe he was just not into women."

There was however something no one ever doubted his integrity for his business and his loyalty to those who worked for him. He always gave his employees bonuses, throwing swanky parties to show his appreciation and always inviting them to spend time at his vacation homes.

Monique worked hard for her boss. She loved to get up everyday, hoping her new dress or power suit or maybe the way she wore her hair would get his attention or maybe an extra smile or compliment. She never allowed her blouses to reveal too much, or her dresses to go too far above her knees. She was determined to always look and act professional. If he was on vacation or off on a business trip of his own, she would however never quite put as much thought into the way she would look after all not one else was worth the incentive.

Monique has been set up on lots of date by her family, friends and coworkers each one saying that had found "the one." No one however ever appeased or touched her heart. No one could ever live up to his standards. Yet after ten years of pining away for a dream and a love that seemed unavailing, and climbing as far up the rung on the corporate ladder that she could possibly get, she had decided it was time to swim in fresh waters. After quietly sending out her resume, she finally received a job offer that she could not refuse.

So after giving her notice and having received a lavish good party thrown by him last Friday night and spending a quiet weekend in front of the idiot tube with some expensive wine, she was ready to begin her new adventure on her new job.

Still, why wasn't she more excited, a new job and more money? Monique felt horribly empty and sad inside. Being convinced there was nothing more she could do with her attire to improve her mood, she stepped into the hallway and locked her apartment door. All of a sudden it dawned on her: all of these objects in her home and the clothes and the car and even her job never really brought her real happiness, only momentary satisfaction, and she craved something more. She also realized that starting this job meant she would never see him again, never hear his voice, see his smile, watch his swagger as he glided through the office, never hear him say, "good job" ever again.

Stepping through the elevator, her heart sank along with elevator as it went to the first floor. The walk to her car seemed like an hour instead of the regular five minutes. The cold air hit her face with such a rush it seemed to take away her breath.

As she walked to her car, there was a man standing by her car, when he caught sight of her, he immediately turned his back to her. His built seem so familiar. In her heart she wanted it to be him and her imagination even thought it was him. Once again she had to remind herself to get it together. The closer she got to her car; she realized that he was not moving; anxiety and trepidation seeped into her. What should she do, turn around go back, start screaming for help. But still something about this figure seem so familiar to her, and she wanted to believe it was him. Her heart began to race and she felt this sickening yet joyful feeling in her stomach. Slowly the figure turned to face her and with a single rose he clumsily handed it to her.

It was him with this embarrassed, sheepish grin that was unrecognizable to her. This was the same man whom for many years she saw always in control of his speech and mannerisms, but not so much at this very moment.

Almost in a whisper, barely able to breath or even focus Monique asked, "Why now, why today?"

Immediately he regained his composure, held his shoulders back and with that beautiful recognizable smile responded, "Because I never make it a policy to fall in love with my employees."