Chapter 1: A New Day
- shwdolls
- Oct 28, 2024
- 5 min read
Gabrielle: A Morning Full of Promise
Dawn was still just a promise when I closed the door behind me. The click of the lock seemed to echo in the silence of the sleeping city. It was barely five o'clock and yet the street was mine. The still cold asphalt beneath my feet absorbed my thoughts, confused by a sleepless night of analyzing files.
The morning mist rose gently, touching the grey facades of the buildings like a breath of an ancient world. I loved that moment. Every step was an invitation to reflection, to clarity. The air, heavy with the smell of freshly cut grass, carried echoes of stories, both familiar and distant.
The city, my city, with its winding streets and quiet parks, seemed to be at the crossroads of past and future. Suzanne, my neighbor, is already outside with her dog and waves to me. His sparkling eyes concealed a life full of adventures that I would never have time to hear in full. His stories, as improbable as they were fascinating, added a touch of color to my mornings. But not on this day, because time was slipping through my fingers.
Every morning, and sometimes in the evening if my schedule allows, I find refuge on a park bench. I sit down and let my gaze wander between the trees. The sunrise gradually paints the sky in changing colors and I close my eyes and let myself be lulled by the song of the birds and caressed by a light breeze. This moment of calm is vital for me, it is my calming ritual before I plunge into the hustle and bustle of work.
I'm Gabrielle, a lawyer at the Filip & Associés law firm, a place as charming as an old forgotten book. The office, with its coffee stains and wallpaper from another era, may repel some, but this decrepitude has charm and my boss, Norbert, is a character in his own right, a mixture of genius and madness, always on the edge. He still treats me a little like an intern, although my responsibilities go far beyond that.
Alex: A Morning Full of Promise
Memories of my graduation party were still floating around in my head, enveloped in a gentle haze of music, laughter, and dim lighting. I slowly emerged from the remains of that night, feeling like reality was struggling to catch up with me. The half-drawn curtains let in a pale light, too strong for my still-tired eyes.
I've always had a gift for keeping the party going, making each moment more intense than the last and drawing others into that energy. Everyone knew the night would be long and full of surprises and laughter.
I have always loved the excitement of the evenings, the discussions that dragged on over a drink, the bursts of music that vibrated in the air. The graduation was just another reason to celebrate. Every burst of laughter, every movement on the dance floor reminded me to live in the present moment, that she knew how to enjoy life without worrying about tomorrow, to live these moments to the fullest.
My name is Alexandra, but everyone calls me “Alex”, I had just gotten my
Graduation in Fashion Design. This party was really amazing, my classmates were all there and we celebrated this event with dignity. There was a gentle knock on my bedroom door. I find it hard to open my eyes. I look at my alarm clock, it's already 10:30 am. Five short hours of sleep - certainly insufficient, but inevitable after such an unforgettable evening.
It was Kumiko, my sister who was always there to look after me. She entered silently, a steaming cup in her hand. Her eyes reflected infinite tenderness, a presence that warmed me as much as the coffee she had just placed on my nightstand. I gave him a smile that was still vague.
"Alex, it's good that you're awake, Samuel just called, he'll be here any minute. He couldn't reach you on your cell. A good coffee to get you back on your feet is something you really need considering the condition you come home in. You're really lucky, Dad didn't let me out," she said with a sigh before walking away and carefully closing the door.
There was no time to lose. Samuel, my long-term partner, must have been on his way. We had big plans for today: to approach fashion agencies to launch our careers. The excitement throbbed gently, muffled by the remains of the night, but it grew. However, I suddenly felt nervous.
At six o'clock I was already standing in front of the cupboard. As soon as I opened the door I was greeted by a lingering smell of cold coffee. The forgotten and still-on coffee machine seemed to be groaning in the corner of the kitchen. I quickly opened the window to get rid of the lingering smell, sat down at my desk, turned on my computer and took a deep breath before rummaging through my mailbox. This is how my workday began.
At around eight o'clock, the secretary and my colleagues arrived, breaking the silence with their keyboards and short greetings. At 8:30, like a regular clap of thunder, Norbert, my boss, arrived. He walked straight up to me and shouted: "Harvey! »
Everyone froze, the doors slowly closed, the secretary exchanged a heavy look with me. What else could he accuse me of? Could this be the day he decided to fire me? Impossible, my records are impeccable. Suddenly the door to my office opened.
As I prepared to answer him, my phone vibrated. Strange, at that hour. I glanced nervously at Norbert, who was always on the lookout for the slightest mistake. An impulse led me to answer: "Mrs. This is the Ella Baker Hospital... You must come immediately. »
The suddenly stuffy air weighed on my shoulders. The office walls seemed to move closer, while the voice on the other end of the line still echoed in my head. My hand trembles slightly as I hold the phone. What news awaits me on the other side of that line, beyond the walls of my already stuffy office? Something heavier than any file I've ever handled.
I was just running down the stairs when the doorbell rang. Samuel, ever true to himself, was standing there, his normally cheerful face marked by an unusual pallor. With a shaking hand, he handed me his cell phone. My heart sank before he even spoke.
"Alex... it's Bruno. You have to come to the bar immediately... This is my father..."
His voice broke. It was the first time I had heard Bruno cry. A wave of fear rose within me. The day had begun with promises of a bright future, but fate seemed to have other, much darker plans.
Without another word, I close the door behind me, ready to face the crisis that lies ahead, Samuel and I would be there for Bruno as he would have been for us. It is in these moments that bonds are strengthened and cemented in shared trials.
The day was going to be great, it was a beautiful day.
Every moment is so precious...
Tell me everything
The original singer of the song “Lovely Day” is Bill Withers.
Bill Withers was born on July 4, 1938 in Slab Fork (West Virginia) and died on March 30, 2020 in Los Angeles. He was one of the best-known representatives of soul and rhythm and blues music and one of the most covered. In 2015 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
These songs have often been covered by the biggest names: Michael Jackson, Isaac Hayes, Grover Washington, Jr., Will Smith…
The most famous songs: Lean on me, Ain't no sunshine, Lovely day, Just the two of us...
“Lovely Day” has been covered by Mike Francis, Kirk Franklin, Luther Vandross, Tupak Shakur, Alt-J and José James. ..
Source: Wikipedia
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