I've finally made it.
It was on Saturday, October 13, 8 o'clock in the morning that I arrived in what would be my new hometown - London. It was a really cold autumn morning, the rays of sun barely making way through the thick clouds.
After eleven hours spent in the train, I got off, barely maneuvering my huge luggage and my backpack at the same time. It was more practical to travel by train during the night, even though I was never confident to sleep in the sleeper compartment, afraid that someone might rob me. Even so, it was the first time in a long time that I was so excited arrive in a new city.
Wide smile and big, bright eyes, I took a deep breath to feel the cold air in my lungs and to chase away the smallest thought of sleep and exhaustion I had.
I come from a small town, east of Romania and I've graduated recently from the Faculty of Letters, foreign languages. After numerous searches, I was granted a small paying but satisfying internship at a magazine in London as a writer for a column. For me, it was the opportunity of a life time as an aspiring writer, dreaming of publishing my own books one day, to move here and write about gossip, fashion and so on. Granted, not really my cup of tea but I can't complain.
Grabbing my suitcase, I walked to a taxi, gave him the address where I needed to go and fifteen minutes later I was there: a brick surfaced building that looked like it could collapse at the very first earthquake. I starred at it for a good minute, wind passing by and ruffling my hair and spraying my glasses with tiny drops of water. I shrugged my shoulders, for the money I had available, what did I expect ...
After carrying my luggage all the way to the third floor, I was ready to drop on all fours, sweating and breathing as if I ran a 5 km race. I already had the keys from the owner for this little studio and after opening the door, I was stunned. It was a really small flat, with one room where you slept and also cooked and a bathroom. At least the couch was really big, it was retractable and I had a small desk in front of a window where I could setup my writing workshop. The kitchen had a gray refrigerator next to a counter, near a stove. I wasn't too much of a cook, but if there was a time where I had to start, this was it. Overcoming my initial shock, I found myself to be pretty satisfied with my little apartment. I had heating, hot water, internet connection and a blue sofa with no weird stains on it.
I moved around the flat, almost automatic. I was still very anxious because of this huge move and the adrenaline just kept pumping. After finding some basic cleaning supplies in a closet, I started making this place hospitable and after a couple of hours I was really happy with the results.
The day flew by pretty fast and at night I slept like a log. On Sunday, after waking up pretty stiff, I went down to the grocery store for some basic shopping. An omelette with with vegetables and cereals will do for now, I was still really nervous about my first day at my new job.
Monday swiped in in the blink of an eye. I was up at 6 AM, pretty restless, my heart pounding really loud. I did my morning routine, showering, eating some cereals and getting ready in front of a mirror I did my best to clean but it was still pretty dirty.
My brown hair was in place, arranged upwards with lots of effort, and my blue eyes were complimented by my glasses with a deep blue frame. I decided to wear a white shirt and black pants that always made by butt stand out. I have to be honest, I was feeling my look and was really keen to make a damn good impression.
I smiled at myself in the mirror, trying to adjust it so I don't look like a horse and after a couple of minutes, I was ready to go. Black shoes and coat on, I was out.
The good part was that the office was five minutes away from my flat, which was great as my new shoes were already killing my feet.
Everything was swirling around me, people rushing to get to work, each minding their own business, traffic like I've never seen before and for a second I felt suffocated. It was a huge scenery change for me, but I had to get on with it, face it upfront. Taking a deep breath, I tried to bury my anxiety and moved on so I wouldn't be late on my first day at work.
Arriving at a huge glass building, I tilted my head, allowing myself to be amazed by this wonderful structure. After a couple of seconds I shook it off and entered with a huge smile on my face, although a bit painful.
Inside it was chaos. The phones wouldn't stop ringing, people were rushing back and forth and I felt lost. Who do I talk to? I staggered for a second, then I stopped someone who I thought was the receptionist.
"Excuse me, this is my first day here, can I speak to miss Dana?"
The man turned to me, surprised for a second. He was taller than me, gray hair, green eyes and at my sight, his thin lips curled up, obviously appalled by my gesture.
"How dare you? Do you know who I am?" His voice shrieked through the room and everyone stopped, as if a bomb just detonated.
"I ... I really don't ... I'm an intern here and today is my first day. I will be working with miss Dana and I would like to know where I can find her." I replied innocently. My heart was beating loud as a drum and I had no idea what was happening.
He closed his eyes for a second, murmuring something only he could hear then looked at me with his piercing gaze: "I am mister Dana, nice to meet you... intern."
Everyone around started to chuckle, amused at my humiliation. I felt as if the sky crashed on my shoulders and I wanted the earth to swallow me.
"I'm so sorry mister Dana, I just assumed that-" I tried to mumble when he interrupted me.
"Yes, that's all really nice dear. Now please go and brink me a black coffee, no sugar, non-fat milk and a sprinkled doughnut with no sprinkles." Dana's voice was cold and he managed to bark all those orders without blinking.
I stared in disbelief, my mind empty. "So, you want a normal doughnut?" I said, smiling shyly.
His eyes focused even more on my face and then he looked around and asked: "Did I just say a normal doughnut?"
"No, you didn't Dana." replied the people standing around, shaking their heads.
He then turned his attention back to me: "Then why would you ask me if I want a normal doughnut?"
I thought that this must be a bad joke or a prank so I just looked at him in disbelief.
"I don't care if you must pick every sprinkle yourself from the doughnut. Move your half-fired ass and get me what I asked for!"
His shout nearly sent me in shock. Luckily some part of my brain was still functioning so I nodded and rushed out of the building in panic.
The second I was outside, I started to breathe heavily. This couldn't be happening to me right now. I felt sad, enraged, I wanted to cry.
Still, I need this opportunity more than ever now.I shook my head, gathered my thoughts and I looked around for a coffee shop, or anything like that.
My dilemma now was, how was I going to explain my demand to the seller. In the corner of my eye I noticed a small bakery with a big window and some white roses in front of it.
I rushed like a maniac inside and luckily there was no one in line.
"Good afternoon, how can I serve you today?"
I was too busy staring at the doughnuts put on display to even notice who greeted me.
"Hello! I would like a no sugar, non-fat milk black coffee and... this will sound crazy but could I also get a sprinkled doughnut without sprinkles?" I asked, lifting my head, trying to show that I'm aware of my ridiculous request.
"Sure, no problem."
A tall, handsome man with very broad shoulders and an athletic body flashed a bright smile. He had very warm, brown eyes and messy black hair.
I felt all giggly inside and my cheeks flushed instantly. Damn, I really didn't need a crush so soon here ...
