STRANGER AT THE
OTHER CORNER
BY AnonYMous
COPYRIGHT 2016 AnonYMous
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PROLOGUE
She looks herself in mirror and thinks “how many years have passed?” she put her grey hair strand back at her ear; she sees that her hairs are so thin now. Morning sunlight came in her room through window; she saw her hand is so fragile now that vein of her hand clearly shows.
She’s old; she is standing in her bed room, light pink color on the walls. Her bed was placed in the middle; a rocking chair at the corner and on the roof fan was running…it was month of May.
Today is a big day for her; she feels tired so she sits on her comfort chair and look around her room.
It was small room then she smile as she feel satisfy. She was waiting for her husband to make morning coffee for him, who’s gone for a morning walk.
As she sit on the rocking chair she remember her big room, her white pearl necklace, her thick hair which she tie back, her office suit… her white top and black skirt and… signal crossing… she closed her eyes.
CHAPTER 1
He wears his shoes, and then wears his tie and look in the mirror while putting it under collar of his white shirt. He combs his black curly hairs and put them back, his black eyes shine as he smile. He looks himself in the mirror for a moment, he have French beard on his face, and he looks so handsome today.
It was Monday morning; his bedroom has little light as windows were still covered with curtains. He looks at his watch and realizes that he will be late so he grab his black lace coat quickly and move to leave but then stop and step back.
He moves toward his bed then kissed his wife on her cheeks who was still sleeping, then wears his goggles and leave the room. His name is Bradley Rick; he was in his mid-30.
He takes his briefcase and rush toward the main door; his black car was waiting outside the house with driver in uniform. He doesn’t sit in the car and signal the driver to drive the car. His driver takes the car to his office without asking anything like it was the routine.
As the driver left, he starts walking toward the Wall Street.
She put her blonde hairs back and ties them back as she standing in front of her mirror and huge dressing table.
Then looks herself with blue eyes, her hairs strand fall on her face so she put it back to her ears then she has a thought and she take it out again. She wears pink lipstick, then smile at her. She was extraordinary happy today as today is Monday.
She was wearing white blouse and black pencil skirt and she was tall so she wears black leather shoes. She wears her white tops and white pearls necklace; she was standing in her bedroom.
It was huge, it was so much decorated and everything was very expensive and it also have balcony which was open that time. It was covered with curtain and wind was blowing it up.
She grab her Gucci bag then move to leave but stop and turn as she forget something then take her wedding ring from the table and wear it then slowly leave the room, an expression of disappointment and shame come and gone on her face.
It was huge house; she goes down stairs in the dining room. “Good morning” said Mr. Simon Wilson black hairs and blue eyes, tall and handsome man who was in his mid-30. His hairs style and dressing shows him that he is a politician.
“Good morning to you too” said Claire Davis Wilson, his wife, she seems in very good mood and Mr. Wilson notices it so he asks as he takes a sip of his coffee “someone is in the good mood... Do you want me to drop you?”
Claire get surprised then controlling her emotion she said simply “yes I am... and no thank I like to walk” Mr. Wilson smile then said as he was not surprised “of course how can I forget my lady’s routine” then he get up from his chair and move toward her as Claire was making a sandwich for herself and did not notice him coming.
He kissed her on her cheek then said “good bye” she smile at him in surprised then walk out of the house in hurry.
Mr. Bradley was walking to toward the Times Square, his office building was two block away now. He stop to cross the road as so many other people, he looks around to see. Everybody was in rush it was the busiest place of Manhattan, he was standing at signal crossing, wearing his goggles, it was month of June.
He keeps looking at the other side, there are so many peoples around him, talking, yelling... laughing but his mind was thinking the same thing.
He sees the timer on the signal poll then the other side then again the timer then the other side, there are a lot strangers on the other side. Then the signal sign turn red and everyone cross the road.
Mr. Bradley was tense as he misses something, he look around to see like he misses someone. But then he gets normal like he found what he’s looking on the other side.
In the other side crowd Claire walks towards Mr. Bradley, at the moment he came close to her he wear off his goggles and she put her hair strand back to her ear. They were going to pass each other, like everyone else. They were in the middle, they don’t stop but when they look in each other eyes the time was.
They were stranger to each other, but at that moment they feels that they are the only one who knows each other, there foot step are not stop... They were still walking and pass each other. He wears his goggles again and they walk in their directions, no one turn to see the other… like they know the other one won’t turn to see.
CHAPTER 2
“YOU ARE SO ON TIME BRAD” said Mr. Bradley friend and colleague Andy O'Connor, curly brown hair and brown eyes. He has very friendly nature. “Well... Thanks and why is that” Mr. Bradley asked.
“Because boss wants to see the report for our new product... And he also wants to know that what you got for the advertisement ... Wait did you still walk the whole ways to office” Andy asked as he raise his left eye-brow.
They were in Mr. Bradley’s office. “Yeah... So what’s new about that” he said putting his coat in stander. Then sit on his chair to check the files.
“Man Brad... 3 years... It’s been 3 years; I mean you are the managing director of marketing... You own a house in New York... You got two cars at your home but you still walk to your office and you don’t care about the seasons too, no matter there is snow, wind, rain... Or like now today, very hot weather... You still walk to the office... Why don’t you come in car bro?” Andy asks in annoying voice, he was sitting in front of him.
Mr. Bradley smile at his tune then says politely “because walking is good for health... OK let’s go” and they leave for the conference room.
“Hey Clair” said Trevor Wade, a golden-black hairs and blue eyes, tall and simple nature guy is her colleague. He stops her in the hall of their office... Brooklyn Advertising Agency, it was the one of the best advertising agency of New York City.
“Hi... How are you?” said Claire but before Trevor continues he was interrupted by Claire’s team member and her best friend Annie cornfield.
“C
laire... Why are you always silent your cellphone ...” brown hairs and light brown eyes Annie shouts. She was very talkative person but deep dimple on her cheeks when she talks makes her so cute.
That’s the main reason Trevor never minds her and never told her about his feeling for her. Annie never notices him and Claire knows about Trevor’s feeling but she also knows that Annie will never look him that way.
“I've call you like thousand times... And you haven’t returns my calls” Annie shouts. “Hey Annie... You look good today” Trevor said in modesty.
Claire smile at him but Annie grab her towards her as she says “thanks Trevor... I always look good” and move toward Clair’s office.
They reached Clair’s office; she was advertising manager. “That was so rude Annie... You could’ve say thanks Trevor it’s so nice of you... It won’t kill you to say this” Claire said as she put her bag on her table.
Her office was decorated with so many brand advertise that she designs.
“I know... But what is so new about Trevor admiring my looks... Claire... But what kills me is when you don’t pick up my calls” Annie said in rude tune as she manages the pages in the file.
“I was on the way of office” Claire said as she takes file from her. “Of course... Your fitness plan WALK THE WHOLE WAY TO YOUR OFFICE!! How can I forget” Annie shouts “I don’t get you are on very good post... Your husband is very handsome politician” she smiles.
“And you are not that fat... Then why you walk so much it’s like 5... What 6 blocks away from your house”.
Claire gets afraid but she didn’t raise her head then she said like she didn’t hear her “so you got any idea for this new brand” showing the file to Annie “oh yeah... I totally forget this product is from very huge company i got few ideas let me get from my office” Annie said and run to her office while Claire takes a deep breath.
CHAPTER 3
“WHAT... Andy I told you I can’t take project out of the city... No matter how important they are” Mr. Bradley said, he was standing in his lounge at his home.
He was stress about the new project he’s working because it demands off field work which worries him so much. “I told boss... But he wants you Brad... C’mon man it’s so important project Brad plea...” “No Andy... I said no” Mr. Bradley voice get high.
A woman enters in lounge, she was in her early 30’s black hairs and golden- black eyes and she was very pretty... Her name is Judy Ann Ramos. They were married for 3 years; she was surprised with Mr. Bradley behavior.
“OK... Fine the ad agency is coming tomorrow to you... Can you please be there? As you know our office is in the city... You don’t have to go anywhere” Andy said with annoyed tune.
“I will be there and then you take the charge” Mr. Bradley said and hang up the phone, “why you reject the proposal... You should take the trip” Judy said as she gives him the coffee mug. “You want me out of the house” Mr. Bradley joked to change the subject.
She looks at him and smile then said “I mean it Brad... It’s been two years you are not going anywhere... And for about one year you are not even leaving the city... Same schedule each morning...” Mr. Bradley didn’t say anything so she continue and start sweeping her finger over her mug like she thinking about something but she can’t say it to her.
“I don’t know it’s me or... what but I think… this city gets you...” then she feels like she shouldn’t have to say this so she try to say something to cover but Mr. Bradley said looking at her
“You are right this place get me... I feel like home and I don’t like to be away from my home... Away from you” the last word was not as he says, his expression doesn’t support his words but they still work for Judy.
“Oh... That’s so romantic thank you honey” Judy said smiling.
“Yeah… I complete the project, I will take it tomorrow but I’m not going to England ok” Claire said sitting on her table in her bedroom, working on her laptop. The project she’s working was very big project and she was offered to visit England for advertisement but she refused to her boss again for going out of the city.
“Ok… meet you in office tomorrow… and one more thing we have to go to the product company…” Annie said and hung up. Claire realizes Annie rudeness and it was her right to be rude with Clair… she always told Claire to came with her to Claire refused her every time, Clair’s boss likes her work that’s why he listen to her.
She was stressed, she feels pain in her back so she presses her neck from hand and down her head, suddenly she feels someone hands over hers, she slowly raise her head like she know the touch…it was Mr. Simon, she move away her hand from her neck as he giving her neck massage.
Claire was quiet; sitting on chair… there was a silence in room, Mr. Simon move slowly close to her ear and say softly
“Are you okay now?” Claire nod.
Mr. Simon move to kiss her neck, Claire suddenly say loudly “Simon … I got a work to complete…” Mr. Simon move up then say after a moment pause “it’s okay… baby good night” he kiss on her head and leave for dresser.
He was sleep, she can’t. Sometime her stair at him, sometime down her head. She was sitting on her bed, at the middle of night. The room was dark and quiet, only her side lamp little light in which she can see Mr. Simon’s face.
She never meant to hurt him, but there was some feeling in her… some part of her heart that doesn’t like Mr. Simon’s touch and it’s killing her, maybe she can’t name her feeling neither tell Mr. Simon .
They were family friends, she know him since they were kids. Even though Mr. Simon is six years older than Clair, they were very good friends. Mr. Simon loves her since he was a teenager, but never dare to tell her. He was afraid that it might destroy their friendship.
He knows that Clair, only love him as a friend but still he wants to propose her. She remembers when he invites her on a cruise for a dinner.
“I’m glad you accept my invitation” Mr. Simon said smiling at her, he stand for her as she walk in. he was wearing black lace suit with red tie, his hair finely comb.
Claire laughs as she heard him, wearing sliver, one shoulder dress with silver heels. Her neck hairs fall down and clipped from left side.
“Shut up Simon… like it’s the first time we are dining together?” Claire said as they hug each other.
“Hmm… so romantic Simon… a dinner on a cruise alone… candles on dinner table, soft music… what’s in your mind?” Claire said as she picking on Simon.
He smile and dinner served, all dishes was Clair’s favorite. Now Claire hesitates, she’s getting the idea of what’s going on. “Simon… what’s going on” she asked seriously.
He holds her hand in his then softly says “Claire we know each other for a very long time and we are very good friend, who share almost everything with each other… we understand each other” he take a moment then said
“There is something I always wants to tell you… but never get the nerves to tell you, I…” Claire realizes what he’s going to say, she wants to stop him.
“I love you Claire… and I want you in my life no matter how long it is…” Mr. Simon said so many things but Claire was not listening to him, the only thought she’s having was its not possible.
After a while Mr. Simon realizes her reaction when she takes her hand back he says “I know you don’t love me like I do to you… Claire but atleast as a friend I can’t see you alone… I know you been searching for someone…but what do you think about me?”
Claire raise her head to look him “Simon… you are my good friend but you know I never feel that for someone… still!!” she down her head. “And I don’t know if I can ever love someone… you are very nice guy and you deserve someone better than me…” she said in low tune.
“And I only want you Claire… please take all the time you want and I respect your opinion with all my heart… we are friends first and then a
nything else” Simon said, smiling at him.
She thought about his proposal for days, she always have an image of a person whom she loves and she waits for that person, she never attached to any guy. She met so many guys but still she was single.
She also doesn’t know what she’s searching. Her father like Simon proposal and she don’t have any reason to say him no… and also she lost hope of finding for that person.
She remembers when she was wearing her wedding dress looking herself in mirror standing alone in her room while everyone in garden celebrating. Long white sleeveless gown, hairs tie back and sliver necklace in her neck, she wants to cry, wants to stop this… but what for… she don’t have any one.
And now after two years… looking at him, she thinks “still I don’t have anyone to look for?”
CHAPTER 4
“Yes Mr. Wong we will send you our report as soon we final our meeting with ad agency” Mr. Bradley said and hang up. He turn and surprise to see Judy have his tie.
“You awake… early today?” Mr. Bradley asks, Judy moves forward to him and wear him tie then softly “why? I can’t awake early…” Judy said seriously. “No I mean…” “Relax, I’m mocking you… I got a meeting for an event” Judy said smiling at him.
“Okay…” he turn toward mirror and placing his tie, Judy grab him from back, it was unexpected for Mr. Bradley, but he didn’t show her.
“Honey… do you know what’s today?” Judy said. “Hmm… I don’t… what?” Mr. Bradley said then think and she say as he mumble “our anniversary” he think for moments, looking himself at mirror.
“And I plan a party… please attend if you can” Judy said smiling, as she sits on dresser table, folding her arms. She grabs his glasses to give him “you did not attend it last year…”
“Because it was out state… and I have a job here” Mr. Bradley said wearing coat then take his rain coat and his brief case. “Fine… what about my birthday party, you did not attend it…”