I live in a city that never knows peace, where noise devours every moment of stillness. The cars roar, as if in a perpetual race against time, and people make loud sounds nonstop. Even my elderly neighbor, who never misses a chance to complain with her raspy voice, adds to the daily chaos.
As for my job at "Goja Mart," it's another chapter of misery. The company that many dream of working for, I see as a decorated prison. It's like a monster that mercilessly devours my hours and energy.
I was thinking all this while lying on my bed, my eyes half-closed. I lazily reached my hand toward the phone on the nearby table. As soon as I picked it up, a small shock of electricity stung me, but it was just the sight of the clock: exactly nine o'clock.
A loud voice inside me screamed, "What?! Nine o'clock? Damn, I'm so late!"
I jumped out of bed quickly, hit my head on the wooden shelf above me, followed by a string of muffled curses.
I rushed toward the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face haphazardly, as if I were putting out a fire. I grabbed my toothbrush and tried to clean it as fast as possible, while my heart pounded in my chest, racing against time.
When I glanced at myself in the mirror for a moment, I saw my hair in complete disarray. "No time to fix that!" I muttered to myself, as I hurriedly put on my clothes, my shirt buttons still challenging me.
Finally, I rushed out the door, hoping I hadn't missed the bus.
The streets were as crowded as usual. People walked at a hurried pace, and the street vendor next to the building shouted in a loud voice, "Fresh tomatoes! Today cheaper than tomorrow!"
I looked around frantically, trying to catch a glimpse of the bus. Then, like a small miracle, I spotted the bus about to leave from the far corner.
"Wait! Please, wait!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, running with every ounce of energy I had.
I felt my lungs burning, my heart beating like a drum in a race. The bag slung over my shoulder swayed violently with every step, while my heavy footsteps nearly drowned out the sounds of the street.
When I finally reached it, the bus was about to move. I raised my hand in a plea, and just before I lost hope, the bus stopped.
I climbed aboard, panting heavily, my forehead drenched in sweat. I tried to catch my breath while the driver gave me a sarcastic look:
"Always at the last moment, huh?"
I nodded awkwardly with a smile and said, "It won't happen again, I promise."
The driver chuckled softly and said, "We hear that a lot."
I sat in the back seat, trying to gather my strength. People around me were busy with their phones, or staring out of the window indifferently. I placed my head in my hands, breathing slowly.
"This is just the beginning of another long day at Goja Mart..." I thought silently, feeling the weight of the coming days pressing on my chest.
"Damn my life."
Why does my day always have to be filled with chaos? I sat in the bus, watching the company building getting closer and closer, like a monster chasing me. Oh God, when will I get out of this hell? President Maurice, or "the fat pig" as I like to call him in my head, is just waiting to find any excuse to fire me.
Every day, I tell myself it's time to quit, but I find myself back again the next day. Why? Because there's only one person who makes me endure all this: Lilia. Yes, Lilia, the only angel in the company. If she weren't here, I would have left long ago.
I sighed deeply and looked at myself in the glass of the window. I didn't recognize that tired face staring back at me. When did I become like this? Messy hair, dark circles under my eyes, and a shirt that seemed like it belonged to someone else.
When the bus stopped, I stood hesitantly. "Okay, I won't be late anymore. Let's hope I don't run into him today."
I stepped off with heavy steps, feeling as if my feet were dragging me toward the building against my will. I looked around cautiously, like I was running from the police. "Is he here? I don't see him. Great! I'm so lucky."
The air was suspiciously calm, which only added to my anxiety. Things can't go this smoothly. Something bad is sure to happen.
As I muttered to myself, I heard a voice from behind, a voice that made me freeze in place as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water on my back:
"Who's the lucky one?"
A chill ran down my spine, as if the air around me had suddenly turned colder. I slowly turned toward the voice, trying to control my facial expression, but failed to hide my tension. I gave a forced smile and said nervously:
"Oh, Mr. President! Good morning… How are you? You look… handsome today."
The president raised an eyebrow as if the compliments had fed his vanity, then smiled confidently and said:
"Really? Well, you must have a good eye today, Sylvius."
Leo swallowed and tried to say something that sounded natural, his voice slightly trembling as he spoke:
"I believe you have a date today with... one of the lucky ones, right?"
The president laughed loudly and placed his hand on his hip, clearly enjoying what he had just heard. He said proudly:
"Actually, yes. Today is the day. I'll ask Miss Lilia out."
Leo felt as though the words hit him in the chest. He tried to hide his surprise, saying in a fragmented voice:
"Miss Lilia? ... That's great. I hope she agrees."
The president took a step closer to Leo, making the space between them feel suffocating. He stared at him with sharp eyes, then changed his tone to one of serious authority:
"Uhm... That's not our topic now. You're late again, Mr. Sylvius. And this is the fifth time! Do you have an explanation for that?"
Leo raised his hands slightly in an attempt to calm the situation, speaking hesitantly:
"I... I'm sorry, sir. I was a bit tired because of... personal matters."
The president showed no sympathy, crossing his arms and looking at Leo with a stern expression:
"Personal matters? Do you know that I hear this excuse from you every time? If you're this tired, maybe you should look for a more comfortable job."
Leo felt a pang in his heart, but forced himself to smile, saying:
"I promise, sir, it won't happen again."
The president kept staring at him for what seemed like an eternity, then said firmly:
"I hope so, because my patience is running out."
After a tense silence, Leo spoke in a low tone, trying to hide his anxiety:
"Ah, I'm sorry, sir. It won't happen again."
The president looked at him coldly, as if his words weren't enough, then said in a stern tone that showed his impatience:
"This will be the last time, Mr. Sylvius. Understand that well. Now, go to your office before I change my mind."
Leo quickly swallowed and nodded, saying:
"Thank you, sir. I won't disappoint you again."
With heavy and slow steps, Leo began to walk away, feeling the ground beneath him grow increasingly heavy. As he headed to his office, he muttered under his breath in a low, angry tone filled with frustration:
"Ah, damn that fat pig... or rather, Director Maurice! That man is the living embodiment of annoying authority. He's the general manager of Goja Mart. The only reason I'm putting up with all this is Miss Lilia... just Lilia. That fat man is so infatuated with her, it's maddening, and because of her constant pleas to keep me in this job, he overlooks my annoying mistakes one after the other. Without her interventions, I would have been on the street a long time ago."
He stopped for a moment and looked up at the ceiling of the hallway, then continued his monologue with even more frustration:
"They say he once fired an employee just for not responding to his greeting. What madness! I think it's time to quit. The working hours are long, the salary barely covers my expenses, and I can't even think about starting a family. What's the point of all this?"
When he reached his office, he threw his bag onto the table carelessly, as if emptying all his frustration into it. He sat down in his chair, visibly annoyed, resting his hands on his head, trying to gather his thoughts.
At that moment, the door opened quietly, and Miss Lilia entered with her usual calm smile. She spoke warmly:
"Good morning, Leo."
Leo slowly lifted his head, trying to smile despite his bad mood:
"Good morning, Miss Lilia."
Lilia sat on the edge of the desk facing him, arms crossed in front of her chest, her eyes filled with a mix of concern and curiosity. She said casually:
"It seems like you got another scolding from the president today, right?"
Leo let out a short, sarcastic laugh, then spoke in a teasing tone:
"Ah, yes... as usual. It seems my day isn't complete without it."
He sighed deeply and said in a low voice:
"Ah, about that... I'm starting to feel tired of this annoying job. I think it's time to quit."
Lilia was shocked by his words, giving him a faint smile as if she couldn't believe what she had heard. Her eyes filled with concern as she quickly said:
"What? Quit? But, Leo..."
Before he could respond, she rushed towards him and gently took his hand, as if trying to absorb all the frustration he was feeling. Slowly, she brought his hand toward her chest where it lightly brushed against her breasts. Her gesture seemed to be an instinctive attempt to reassure him, as though trying to protect him from himself, unaware of the impact of what she was doing.
"Leave, and leave me here alone?" she said in a sad tone, as though she were about to shed a tear, though she hadn't yet cried. Her heart raced with anxiety, while her eyes searched his.
Leo couldn't help but feel a deep sense of embarrassment as her touch stirred conflicting emotions in his heart. He lifted his eyes to her, his face filled with hesitation.
"This is really me, confused... I don't know what to do," Leo's words tumbled out like he was trying to find his way through scattered thoughts.
Lilia gazed at him with a sad look, and despite knowing he was in a fierce inner battle, she began to try and calm him with gentle words. She spoke softly, "You can't leave, can you?"
Leo tried to avoid answering directly, but his dry expression said it all. After a moment of silence, he cautiously replied, "Umm... okay, okay... I won't leave." Those words were enough to bring relief to Lilia's heart. She smiled a small, bright smile, and it was evident on her face.
"Great, thank you," Lilia said, her eyes gleaming with happiness that slowly returned to her face.
But at that moment, Leo sensed something strange in the air. He looked up and noticed someone watching them from a distance. It was President Morris, glaring at them with an angry look.
"What are you two doing, Miss Lilia and Mr. Sylvius? Flirting during work hours?" Morris said sharply, his eyes flashing with anger.
Lilia was momentarily stunned, then looked at the president, her body tense with anxiety. She quickly tried to defend the situation, her words rushing out as she tried to ease the tension.
"No, sir, of course not. We were just exchanging ideas and notes about the new project," she said, her voice a little tense as she tried to remain calm.
But Morris wasn't fully convinced. He eyed them suspiciously and then asked, "Then what's with the hugging?"
Lilia gave a faint smile, as if trying to turn the situation into something lighthearted to avoid escalation. "About that... I praised Leo for his brilliant idea, and I just wanted to show my appreciation."
Morris stepped back slightly, appearing to buy her explanation, but there was still something in his eyes that suggested doubt. He said seriously, as if enforcing some order, "I understand. But remember, work is the priority here."
Morris glared at Leo as he backed away, muttering to himself in an angry tone, laced with a hint of a threat. "Damn you, fool. Do you think just because of your pretty face you'll take her from me? You'll see what I do."
Leo tried to avoid looking at Morris, answering uncertainly, "Of course, we'll focus on work."
Morris left, and Lilia breathed a sigh of relief, while the tension on Leo eased just a little. However, the atmosphere between them was no longer the same.
Leo was trying to regain his composure after Morris's departure. The air between him and Lilia had grown tense for no clear reason, but he knew that focusing on work was the only way to overcome the feeling.
Lilia looked at Leo, studying his features for a moment, then pulled out a stack of papers from her bag and placed them on the table in front of him.
Lilia in a calm yet practical tone: "Your colleague Jonathan asked me to bring you these papers. He said they contain some information you'll need for your project."
Leo quickly raised his head when he heard Jonathan's name, a faint smile filled with respect appearing on his face. He gently took the papers as if handling something precious.
Leo in a serious tone: "Jonathan? I didn't know he was following my project. That... makes me proud. I'll read them later, but... thanks for bringing them."
Lilia noticed a slight gleam in his eyes, as if her words had eased some of the pressure he was under. She felt a sense of relief seeing him smile, even if just a little.
"Are you going to take a look at them now?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
He shook his head lightly, replying, "Later. I need some time to collect myself before I get back to focusing. But I won't forget."
Lilia nodded, smiling lightly as she saw his obvious appreciation for his older colleague. Then, with a surprising boldness, she changed the subject.
Lilia, curiously: "By the way, did you hear about the latest Joja furniture catalog sale? I was reading reports about it this morning."
Leo raised his eyebrows in mild surprise, leaning slightly toward the table.
Leo, interested: "Yeah, I heard some details. But let me guess, did they manage to sell it at that astronomical price?"
Lilia, laughing: "Of course! The catalog, priced at 25,000 grams of gold, includes a lifetime subscription to the Joja THRIVE collection with 40 exclusive furniture pieces. And the crazy part? The orders completely exceeded their expectations!"
Leo whistled softly, shaking his head slowly as if he couldn't quite believe it.
Leo, sarcastically: "25,000 grams of gold for a catalog? Seems like someone thinks furniture can create eternal happiness."
Lilia, with a mischievous smile: "Maybe happiness isn't in the furniture itself, but in belonging to something 'exclusive.' People love feeling like they're part of a special elite."
They both fell silent for a moment, as if processing what Lilia had said. Then, they resumed reviewing the papers, making notes and analyzing, delving into the report figures and data. Leo traced his fingers over the numbers, while Lilia focused deeply on the tables.
Time passed, and evening began to knock on the door. Leo finally lifted his head, noticing how the darkness outside was starting to creep in.
"I can't go on any longer... I feel like I'm drowning in the details," Leo said wearily, wiping his forehead gently.
Lilia smiled softly, trying to lighten the mood.
"How about a short break? Maybe a cup of coffee will recharge you."
Leo responded with a faint smile, despite feeling exhausted: "I'm tired; that would be great."
Their steps led them to a small break room, where the dim light gave off a sense of comfort. They sat together, sipping their coffee in peaceful silence, while Lilia carefully observed Leo, as if trying to give him the strength to face the pressures of work.
Leo looked at her with a faint smile and humorously remarked: "If dealing with it means staying alive, maybe you'll need special training."
He chuckled a little, then added: "But it's okay, if you're by my side, I'll feel like things are better."
As they rested, the conversation shifted to lighter topics. They laughed together and exchanged a few simple jokes, easing the tension that had filled the day. Those moments felt like a brief escape from the pressures of work, as if they were far from the bustle of everyday life.
As the end of the day drew near and it was time to say goodbye, the two left the office together. When they reached the train station, they paused for a moment before bidding each other farewell.
Leo felt something strange in his heart, something he couldn't define, but it was unmistakable. He stepped a little closer, trying to find the right words to thank her for the support she had given him all day.
"Thank you for today, for your support. I really appreciate it," Leo said, looking at her sincerely.
Lilia responded in a calm tone, trying to hide the slight awkwardness she felt, as though the words were somewhat uncomfortable for her.
"No thanks are necessary."
But Leo noticed something different in her eyes, something unexpected. It was as if there was something else she wanted to say, but hesitation overcame her. She extended her hand slightly, as if about to say something important, but then suddenly withdrew, ignoring the feeling that overtook her.
Then, without saying anything more, she smiled a gentle smile, tilted her head slightly, and said: "Good night."
Before she could continue, she turned quickly and ran toward the train, moving away from him. Her steps were quick, as though something had urged her to leave suddenly.
Leo stood still, puzzled by her actions. His eyes followed her movement until she disappeared from sight, and he felt something strange stirring in his heart. That moment was filled with unanswered questions.
"What's happening here?" Leo whispered to himself, trying to process the situation.
As he walked back to his apartment, he threw himself on the bed as if the fatigue had suddenly vanished. Leo sighed deeply, closing his eyes for a moment, as if his mind wanted to escape the pressures of the day.
"It was a long day... but in the end, here I am," Leo whispered to himself, feeling a sense of quiet contentment despite the exhaustion.
Leo dropped his bag on the floor by the door, then removed his coat and threw it on the chair. He felt the need for rest, but he didn't mind preparing something simple for himself. He walked to the kitchen with a calm spirit, wanting to make a light meal.
In the kitchen, Leo stood and began running the knife over the chopped vegetables with tired hands, while the song that never left his mind echoed in his thoughts. The melody was like the tunes his mother used to sing to him when he was a child, those melodies that carried with them times when life was simpler, less complicated. Maybe he needed those simple moments more than ever.
"Everything's fine here, you can find me somewhere in Neverland, way up high, I'll stay young forever here."
The song brought back memories of his childhood, and he sighed with nostalgia as he placed the vegetables into the pan. The aroma of food filled the air, and in an unexpected moment, he began to dance lightly as he listened to the tune, feeling a joy that started to emerge from deep within, despite all that he had gone through throughout the day.
"I bathe in the bluest waters I've ever seen in this beautiful place I've ever seen in my life."
His voice was filled with contemplation, as if trying to escape from a bitter reality to a faraway place. He sighed sadly, his heart filled with longing for the past.
Leo, looking at the ingredients on the table: "I wish there was a place like Neverland... where I could live a simple and happy life. Wouldn't that be nice, Mom and Dad?"
His gaze drifted into the distance, as if the words from his childhood song had become chains on his broken dreams over time.
A faint smile spread across his face as he tried to convince himself: "I think I'll just enjoy now."
He finished preparing dinner, enjoying the moments of stillness, and the scent of food lingered in the air like a refreshing fragrance in this strange time.