Reality Love
"Do I look fat in this?" I asked having very low self-esteem issues.
"Oh my gosh Erin! You look beautiful!" Hailey complimented.
"Sure?" I asked warily turning in the mirror to see if it was what I wanted. It did look pretty cute. It was black and strapless and hung just above my knees. It had a big bow tie just below my bust. The bottom flared out a little too. The dress was the kind that grows on you. You don't have an opinion the first time and then you leave the store and you want to go back to get it.
"Positive." Hailey said confidently.
"Okay!" I smiled "I'll get it!" Hailey looked relieved when I finally made my decision. We had gone to at least five different stores and I had not found one thing, until now.
"Hailey?" I badgered.
"Yes Erin." She sighed. I had asked questions non-stop this whole day, she was probably annoyed… oh well.
"Do you think I will find a guy?" I asked innocently.
"No" she paused "a guy will find you."
"Mmm." I mumbled, as thoughts raced through my mind. That sounded really cheesy!
I bought the dress and we walked to our apartment that was reasonably close. Hailey lived on the 3rd floor with Ysanne and I. Ciara (Ysanne's twin sister-) Anna, and Zoe lived on the 2nd, Sammi and Sarah lived on the 1st. It was like a sister sorority. We had all been friends since middle school and before, and each had different relationships with each other. I found myself hanging out with some of them depending on my mood.
We walked up the stairs to the top floor. Each floor had 3 bedrooms and a bathroom. So it was a pretty big apartment. Because Sammi and Sarah were on the first floor, just them two, they had a guest bedroom. The apartment was like one big house for us, because we all lived together, just us. We all shared our bathrooms, and would go in to each other's room at night to talk.
My room had clothes thrown around on the floor and had burgundy red walls. Ysanne's room was light green and had a window looking over the small neighborhood behind our building. Hailey's room was baby blue, and looked like a magazine-type room. On the top floor there was a staircase that led to the top of the building and you could see the entire city. Jacob and Ysanne always came up here. Ysanne was so lucky. She had a boyfriend she had been crushing on since middle school, and happened to be Hailey's cousin. Ciara had a boyfriend named Jason. Sammi had a boyfriend with Jeffery. Hailey was dating someone named Justin and Zoe and Anna both liked someone (a different someone). They might even both be dating too come to think of it. Mmmh. Everyone was dating in the whole house, except me. My boyfriend broke up with me and now I was single and lonely. I took all my emotions out of food, good thing I had a high metabolism, and lived with crazy exercise people.
The next morning I headed for work with Ysanne and Hailey. We worked for New York Times. We took Hailey's car today and got there in about 20 minutes. It would be about 10 if there weren't bumper-to-bumper traffic every friggen morning.
I walked up to my office and noticed a bouquet of flowers on my desk of red roses. I quickly scurried over to the beautiful wild flowers and looked at the note card. Hailey walked in behind me.
"ERIN! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME! WHO IS HE?!" she excitedly badgered me.
"Uhh.. I don't know." I laughed. She looked over my shoulder impatiently as I read the card.
"Mom-
Thank you for your love, Thank you for your care, Thank you for everything that you have unremarkably manage to have done.
You taught me well, no one could have done better now it's my turn to treat you like you treated me when I was under the weather. I hope you get well soon, and Ill stop by to visit… Give me a call when you get this… And take a day off of work for a change; it will help you get better!
Your son,
P.S. See you at Christmas… Love ya mum
Taylor Daniel."
"NO! NOT MOTHER! I AM NOT A MOTHER!" I cried out sadly. "It was supposed to be for me!" I huffed! "It was supposed to be from Matt!" Matt was my ex-boyfriend and had literally ripped my heart apart, and I still hadn't completely gotten over him.
"Oh Erin! Don't cry." Hailey hugged me sympathetically.
"Can I keep the flowers?" I asked breathlessly.
"Oh hun, I don't think they belong to you." She said.
"Yeah… I know" I tried to calm my breathing. "I just thought that Matt was coming back to me."
"Oh Erin!" Hailey exclaimed rapping me into a tight, comforting hug. "I am so sorry!" she paused and thought for a second. "You know everything happens for a reason, and who knows, this guy could be a… SEXY BEAST!" I laughed so hard, to the point where I peed myself a little.
"Okay." I considered after I was done laughing. "Though, he's probably taken, or gay! I mean what guy has grammar?" I thought pessimistically.
"Your kind." She smiled, "Now lets go find him!" What a cheese ball, I thought! "Okay so his mom probably works in the building and just got sent to the wrong office. Hmm. Lets go to the staff directory and look up Daniel."
Just as we were heading out the door Ysanne stepped in front of us out of nowhere.
"Geez guys!" She exclaimed, "I heard 'sexy beast' down the hall way. Maybe you guys should consider not getting fired and get to work!" she fumed. We ignored her and kept walking. She was so overprotective. We need to teach her to live a little!
We walked to the main office and got the book, turned to the page with the list of "D's" and were over whelmed at the sight of all of them. There were at least 25 last names with Daniel. Great! We immediately started calling the list of numbers.
The first number I called I asked "Is Mrs. Daniels available please?" the person hung up on me. The second one didn't have kids, the third went to the answering machine, and the fourth had a busy phone line. All the numbers I called were all like this. I looked over to Hailey and saw that she was having more luck then me.
"Hello?" Hailey asked politely. "Are you Mrs. Daniels?" There was a short pause. "Oh well then I have a quick question. I think I have something of yours… Do you have a son named Taylor Daniel?" she laughed, "No he's not in trouble. I just… yeah… I just was wondering if I could drop something off at your house, or work, or something. I got some mail for you, it was shipped to the wrong place." Another pause "do you work for the New York Times? Oh okay well I think some of your mail got sent to the wrong office…Uh-huh… 2rn floor…yup… 240? Oh that would explain it we are office 440. Oh okay yeah we are in the building right now. Yea I work here… Okay my friend Erin is going to drop it off for you. She is the one who received the mail… Yeah I was just helping her find the lucky person!" she laughed, "You'll see! Okay thanks a lot… Marry right? Okay, yes, thanks Marry. Anytime, Hailey… uh-huh… you too, alright bye." She hung up the phone pleased with her discussion. "Nice lady." She muttered happily.
"Her room is where exactly?" I asked curiously.
"2nd floor, office 340, Marry Daniels."
"Isn't the 2nd floor the better journalists? And does that name sound familiar to you too?" I asked questionably.
"Yea. Come to think of it... it does." She thought quickly, "Okay well I have to get to work… better go find your, SEXY BEAST!" she joked and walked out of the office nudging me on my way out.
I picked up the flowers excitedly, went to the elevator pressed the 'down' button and got out on the 2nd floor. I headed to the bigger, nicer, offices and immediately found office 240. I knocked on the blurry glass door patiently.
"Come in!" I hear a lady holler from the other side of the glass. I walk in with the flowers hidden behind my back.
"Hi." I said looking curiously around her office. There was a beautiful view of the city, and all her furniture was mahogany. It was gorgeous. Then I looked at her. She was stunning. Early 40's, tan, long dark brown hair. She didn't have any wrinkles, she could be even younger than 40. She was definitely foreign. Maybe Native American, I thought wistfully.
"Hello. So your… Erin? Hailey's friend?" she asked politely.
"Y-y-ea." I stuttered a little. She was like a supermodel. "I have something that belongs to you." I said dumbly.
"So I've heard." She smiled resting her chin on her hands and her elbows propped on her desk. She looked tired.
"Here you go." I walked over to her taking the flowers out behind my back and handing them to her.
"OH MY GOSH!" she mused "There beautiful!" she smiled turning them, and looking at all the different colors. They really were. I had never seen any of those flowers before, and Sammi had them all around the house. She saw the note and read it silently, she grinned when she was done.
"Thank you so much for returning these to me, I really appreciate it. You're probably wondering why I'm under the weather huh?" She laughed.
"Well, I didn't mean to read it, I thought they were for me in the beginning." I confessed stupidly. "But yeah…"
"No harm done. I just have a virus. The doctors don't know yet if it's serious or not. All they know is that, whatever it is, it's not contagious. But I have been feeling really hopeless recently."
"I am so sorry." I stated.
"It's not your fault" she joked. "I have just been so tired and working just as much as usual, nonstop you know?" she huffed tiredly.
"Follow your sons advice, take some time off." I suggested.
"Its hard for the boss to take time off work." She stated giddily. I looked at her tag at the same moment she stated that. Sure enough it said "Marry Daniels" and under that "Head Editor" written under it.
"Oh my gosh. It's an honor! I am so sorry your sick. Do you need anything? Wow, I thought your name sounded familiar. Can I do anything for you?" I asked babbling excitedly.
"Its okay." She said "Breathe."
"Sorry." I apologized. We both laughed.
She paused, "There is actually one thing you could do for me. I really want to see my son Taylor. I was wondering if you would want to go pick him up at the airport? He just flew in. If you don't mind, I just have some paper work to finish. I can give you time off of work to do so. If you would that is. Don't feel pressured."
"No, no. I would love to go pick him up. What time?" I asked.
"Um..." she looked at her watch "now?" she asked.
"Course. New York Airport right?"
"Yup, here ill give you my card." She took one of the cards from her desk and handed it to me. "For any questions. You will know it is Taylor when you see him, but ill tell him you're coming too. Hey are you single?" she smiled a devious smile.
"Umm thanks." I said grabbing the card, "and yeah, I am single." I blushed.
"Thanks, I appreciate everything. Nice meeting you Erin."
"Anytime, but how will I know its him."
"Just… trust me." she winked and I headed out the door confused. I heard her chuckle just as the door closed. Weird.
"WAIT ERIN!" she hollered after to me. I turned back around and opened the door.
"Yea?"
"He's coming off of the Miami flight, and he's single too." She smiled and waved goodbye to me trickily. That's what she was up to. I laughed and left the room once again. Mmmhmm. Maybes she's desperate to find her son a girlfriend.
I hopped in the jeep, got to the airport and headed to the "Miami flights." I waited patiently at the baggage claim. I didn't know what I was waiting for. A chubby teenager, geek of the school. Glasses. Lets be positive Erin. Maybe hot magazine model. An African… who knew? Just then I saw a really ugly looking foreign dude look at me. He had baggy clothes, hood, and tattoos. Total drug dealer. My heart skipped a beat as he walked closer. Please don't be him… I thought desperately. Suddenly he regained his train of thought and walked by me. YES! I thought excitedly, and relieved. I would hate to drive him home. Why did I say yes to her? Oh gosh, this could be bad. I felt a tap on my shoulder and jolted around. I probably looked like a freak, randomly standing in the middle of the baggage claim. I looked up at his face and our eyes locked instantly. He had a gorgeous bronze tan, had at least 12 inches on me, and a tight shirt revealing all his sexy beast, abs. He smiled a huge smirk showing all his white teeth. His eyes were a sparkling light green and he had spiked up brown hair. Made my mouth water!
"Uhh... are you. Taylor?" I choked up.
""Erin?" he asked gazing into my eyes.
"Mmm." I said star-struck. The amount of urge coming from me to attack his body was indescribable, but I held back amazingly enough.
"S-s-s-ooo" he stuttered hotly looking away from my gaze. I swear I was drooling.
"Umm, my car… ride...you." CRAP! I sounded like a total LOSER! "Uhh, sorry, I mean.. I think I am giving you a ride to your moms work." I looked away embarrassed.
"Ha!" he chuckled. "Yeah, think so."
We walked out to the friend circle jeep. Or the jeep that all of us use. Yup all of us. Ysanne, Ciara, Sammi, Sarah, Anna, Hailey, Zoe, and Me… all of us. We all borrow it on different days. But I guess Hailey, Zoe, and Sammi are planning to get new cars. They are fun destroyers!
He jumped in the passenger seat after loading his luggage in the back. I told him to excuse the bras, and underwear's, stuffed in the trunk. What do you expect in all-girl-car? He laughed and said it was fine.
"Soooooo." He started when we got onto the busy road. "Where do ya live?"
"Your beautiful." I smirked looking over at his body. It was a red light so my eyes were free to wander. Suddenly I realized what I said. Crap! "Oh… I mean!" I quickly regained my train of thought. F, F, F, F! He smiled patiently.
"You too." He announced unexpectedly. My heart dropped and I suddenly realized it was no longer a red light. The horns bombarded me immediately. I quickly got control of the wheel again.
"Where do you live?" he asked again, noticing I had not heard him the first time.
"Here, New York City. What a bout you?" I asked concentrating as hard as possible trying to keep my eyes from lingering at his luxurious body, and face, and… everything.
"Florida. I'm a carpenter. My mom and dad live here." He stated and suddenly noticed my melancholy face. "But I visit a lot." He added quickly. He smiled when my face lit up again.
"So I take it you go the flowers? Sorry bout that, but did you like my choice?"
"NO! I mean ummm no. Your mom loves them. Don't apologize, I don't mind, and they're absolutely beautiful." Of course I didn't mind. I met the most gorgeous creature on the face of the earth.
"Good to know." He grinned. "Beautiful." He stated.
"Who? Me?" I asked star-struck once again.
"Uhhh…" he paused "I was, talking bout the view." Just then I realized that he was talking about the ocean view we saw from the bridge that we were currently going over.
"Oh," I blushed looking straight forward embarrassed. "I was kidding." I lied horribly.
"No," he paused "I was."
"Oh, hehehehehe!" I laughed very squeakily and abnocshious like. "WELL DON'T!" I threatened.
"What… joke?" he flirted challenging me.
"Yeah!" I laughed. Whoa this was confusing.
"Oh," he blushed like I had.
"NO! Now I was kidding." We suddenly both burst awkwardly into laughter.
"So… What did your mom say on the phone about me?" I asked curiously after we had both stopped laughing.
"Wondering what the boss thinks of you, huh?" he joked. "No, she said that there was a really pretty girl coming to pick me up named Erin. Also that you worked for the "Times" too, and you seemed nice."
"Annnnnnnd?" I dragged on to see if there was anything else left for him to say.
"And," he copied me. "I thought she was just trying to set me up with another girl. She was, but in this case, I don't mind so much." He smiled a breathtaking smile.
"Now why is that?" I flirtatiously asked taking a moment to look at his face, and I quickly got distracted and swerved a little. I tried to focus again imminently.
"All the other girls were so," he paused thinking, "so materialistic. You know? Like they were like so, so, so, annoying!" he changed his voice so it was really high pitched- he sounded gay. I chuckled at his imitation.
"Um like Taylorrrrrr," I extended the 'r' on Taylor so it sounded really bratty, "so like how do you know what I'm like?" He grinned.
"I just… do." He stated confidently. I swear my heart melted. "Hey, you've asked a lot of questions. My turn to ask some."
"Okay." I agreed warily.
"What were you expecting?"
"Of you?" I asked.
"Yeah."
"Truthfully I thought you were going to be a 12-year-old chubby kid." I laughed at the thought that already seemed so distant.
"Annnnnnnd?" he grinned.
"And? Ha ha. No, and you weren't." I smiled.
"Thanks for … returning the flowers, he appreciated.
"No problem."
Crap! We were there! Why did their have to be no traffic right now? I didn't want him to leave me! I parked the jeep and we walked in together. Hailey was passing by the main office when she saw me. She walked up to us excitedly.
"Hey!" she approached us. "You must be Taylor!" she eyed me with the look "Told you he would be a sexy beast!"
"Have I met you before?" he tried to remember.
"No. I am a close friend of Erin's. My names Hailey." She informed him. "I helped return your flowers." She smiled brightly.
"Ohhh! Nice to meet you! Thanks for that." He appreciated.
"Your welcome." Hailey looked like she was in a hurry. "Sorry, nice meeting you, but I have to go. See you around maybe."
She passed by me whispering into my ear "Sexy beast, alright."
"What was that?" Taylor asked eyeing me.
"Uhhhh, nothing." I -embarrassed- tried to cover up.
"Sexy beast huh?" He rose up his arm and pointed to his muscles. "I do have some guns going on don't I?" he flexed and his arm tensed um sexily.
"Y-y-eah." I stuttered.
We walked up to Mary's office and let ourselves in.
"Hey mum!" Taylor greeted her running over to her to give her a hug. She cupped her hand over her mouth.
"Oh baby! Its been to long! I swear though, you have gotten bigger!"
"That's what the gym will do to ya." He joked.
"Isn't he just something?" Marry asked me laughing.
"Yeah." I smiled gazing at him.
"So mum. Trying to set me up with yet another girl huh?" Taylor asked her.
"You caught me!" she laughed. "But I told you, you wouldn't mind this time!"
"So how've you been feeling?" Taylor asked changing the subject. Was that true? He didn't mind this time because I was different then the other girls?
"Not so hot." She stated.
"Mum, really, take some time off of work already!" He begged.
"I know! I know!"
"Hey why don't I take you out for dinner tonight?" Taylor asked her.
"Umm." She paused looking up at me. "I have a lot of work to do tonight. I'm sorry Hun. But hey, why don't you take Erin out. I am sure you guys will have fun. We have a month to catch up, one night wont hurt." She sneakily stated. Yes! He was staying a whole entire month! WOOHOO! I think Marry saw my eyes lit up when she said a month.
"You sure?" he asked grinning widely.
"Go have fun!" she smiled at us both and gave her son one last hug before we walked out the door. Taylor paused in the doorframe behind me.
"Hey mum, can I take the car?" he asked.
"You know you can." She informed. Marry opened up her drawer and tossed him a set.
"Thanks! Good night. Love ya!" Taylor smiled.
"Hey you don't like my driving?" I accused after we had left the office.
"No, no that."
"Than what?" I asked.
"Well, sort of that. You almost hit four cars! I counted."
"Not true! I actually drive pretty well, I just can't be distracted."
"Now what exactly were distracted by?
"You." I smiled looking into his bright sparkling eyes. I quickly remembered Hailey and Ysanne. I pulled out my phone and texted them that I had a ride home and that I was going out somewhere with a sexy beast!
Taylor's P.O.V
I swear you're whole world can change in a second. One minute you're on the ground hopeless, and the next your flying. That was the case for me, about an hour ago. I had gotten a call from my mom telling me she sent someone to pick me up. I was imagining yet another one of those materialistic sluts, but I was amazed before my own eyes. Her name was Erin. She makes my heart go pound, Erin. When I tapped her on the shoulder intentionally planning to ask her if she had seen someone that fit the description I knew about her, I was suddenly dazed with amazement. I was so glad she had turned out to be Erin too! When I looked down into her green eyes, I suddenly saw things I hadn't before. It was like I was traveling alone at night in the dark, and someone brought me a light to guide me. Her precious blonde hair fell into her face and a pain so forceful urging me to push it behind her ear so I could see all of her face.
I went to the car garage and unlocked the red Porsche. It was shiny, newly waxed, and good-looking. Perfect. Her mouth opened when she saw it.
"Sick ride dude!" she commented. I smiled at her astonishment. We got in the car and I headed to the fanciest restaurant in New York. "Armadillos." She was very curious to find out were I was taking her, but I wasn't going to ruin the surprise. We were madly flirting the whole way.
When we got there I hopped out of the car and opened the door for her. She looked the restaurant and gaped unexpectedly. She punched me real hard right on the bicep.
"YOU ARE TAKING US TO ARMIDILLOS! YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME! IM NOT DRESSED UP ENOUGH!" she hollered.
"You look beautiful." I commented truthfully. She was wearing a low-cut red shirt with a jean skirt, and boots. Erin made my mouth water.
We walked into the restaurant and were suddenly bombarded with a huge long line of people. I grabbed her hand and pulled her to the front of the line.
"Do you have a reservation?" A female server I didn't recognize sated. Suddenly Ben (the manager) scurried over to Erin and I.
"Mr. Daniels! Ahhhh how nice to see you." He shook my hand grittily. "Long time no see. Are you in need of a table?" Ben had a British accent so when he said words like table its sounded like "Tab-EL."
"Yes, it has been a long time. A table would be fantastic, thank you." I smiled politely. Erin was looking at me, charmed by my magic of getting a table so quickly- when people had been waiting for almost an hour. I smiled at her.
"Very well then, right this way." Ben smiled. He brought us back to the reserved booths that had a view of the city. "May I ask who has accompanied you on this lovely evening." He asked gingerly.
"This is, Erin." I pulled her in front of me delectably. "Erin this is Ben."
"Lovely to meet you Erin." Ben greeted her, kissing her hand. That made me actually, really jealous.
"You too." She smiled at the gesture.
"May I start off with something to drink?" He asked, as we sat down at the booth.
"Red or white?" I questioned Erin.
"I don't mind. I like them both." She grinned.
"Okay uhh," I looked back at Ben, "Can we please have Red Shiraz?" I asked Ben carefully watching Erin's face. She smiled at my choice.
"Indeed." Ben said. "Coming up." He smiled and sauntered away.
"Thanks." I called after him.
"My favorite." Erin stated cheerfully.
"Favorite what?" I asked forgetting.
"Shiraz." She informed me.
"Oh yeah. Good." I grinned at her, getting caught up in her sparkling green eyes. She blushed and looked down at the menu carefully.
"So what are you goanna get?" she asked me curiously, noticing I had put my menu aside.
"Steak." I grinned, "with mushrooms, onions, sweet potatoes, and vegetables. Its my favorite." She laughed at my eager face.
"Sounds good. Veggie sucker huh?" she asked me, putting her menu aside, decided watch she would get as well.
"Excuse me?" I asked sounding offended- but I meant to- I was just playing with her. She was adorable.
"Oh…" she blushed again. "I mean uh," she paused clicking together with what she said had turned out differently than she intended. "Like you're a sucker for veggies huh?" she regained her train of thought.
"Yeah. Ever since I can remember. Oh, and Erin?" I asked.
"Yeah?" she warily responded.
"I knew what you meant when you said 'veggie sucker,' I laughed.
"That's not funny!" she joked. "Why is my embarrassment so hysterical to you?" she sounded so small.
"It's not," I paused, "its adorable." I said truthfully. Her face went blank, and her eyes filled with love and compassion. She was beautiful.
"Oh." She looked into my eyes and suddenly the world stopped. Nothing mattered at all, just, well, her. I sensed my role to protect her. To keep her protected from all the dangerous things that could easily harm her fragile body. We stared at each other both forgetting everything entirely. Hoping that one of us wouldn't look away from the love forming instantly. So this is what love felt like. Amazing. Boy was I naïve to think it was just an over used and fake term. F'in Ben! Why do you have to come right when the timing is absolutely horrible? He seemed to sense the unease and looked around awkwardly. I gave Erin an apologetic look that I had to look away. She nodded solemnly.
"Oh, Ben, thank you." I gestured him the wine glasses.
"Yes, yes Mr. Daniels." He smiled and poured wine into our glasses resting the bottle on his arm as it poured.
"So do you know what you're going to be ordering yet? Or do you need more time?" He asked.
"I think were ready," I paused and looked Erin to make sure she was set. She nodded. "May I please have steak, with mushrooms and onions, sweet potato and steamed vegetables?"
"Of course." Ben smiled. "And for you Ms?" He asked looking at Erin.
"Same as him please?" she smiled.
"Sure thing, thank you." Ben walked over away satisfied. Ben served the reserved the reserved seats, and left the waiters to the rest of the tables.
Erin's P.O.V
"Oh my gosh! It was amazing!" I gushed excitedly to the girls all huddled around me.
"Tell us everything!" Sammi chirped grittily.
"Okay…" I started. I told them every single detail. His looks, personality, the connection between us, his car, his mom, dinner. They were all overjoyed for me.
When I finished talking it was 1 am. We all headed to our bedrooms drowsily. I got on my lace underwear and push-up bra, feeling reveling tonight. Not like anyone else was going to see me, but secretly I was wishing Taylor would.
