The New Client

*Jenny*

I was running again, running towards the lake. This time with excitement all over my body. I know why I was running there, to see him. I stopped in the middle of the lake, controlling my panting as I searched for any sign of the man I wished to see. Not long, I heard a rustle from the bushes. I squinted my eyes to see what it was and there, it was him. A smile crept from my lips as my heart rejoiced. Everything seemed a detailed view of my frequent dream since I know now that this person is real. I grew excited to see more from this dream but then something strange started to happen.

As Noel walked towards me, his physique seemed to get bigger, more muscular. He then started to walk on all fours, like a dog. And hair grew all over his body. He also grew claws and fangs. It was horrifying but I was just standing there. I did not know why I wasn't scared. If this wasn't a dream I would definitely start running. He then started running towards me and from what I see he is definitely huge. Though, the closer he gets the more my heart throbbed. It got me confused as to why am I feeling like that. I should be scared but no, instead I longed for him. He was a few meters away when suddenly… I woke up.

Wow, that was new, I thought. I sat up in my bed and reached for my purse by my nightstand. I then took out the calling card containing the name of the man I have dreamt about. I stared at it as if its the most memorable thing ever. Then I examined the card, the paper used seemed to be very expensive. You can feel the texture when your fingers brush the surface of the card. And the paper itself is thick, it won't easily crumple. The text was embedded smoothly and was colored gold. One might conclude that the owner of the card is of high position just by the feeling of it.

Noel Darcy Locke, are you really the man in my dream? It just might be a coincidence but after meeting you at dinner, my dream had turned into something new. However, looking at your card makes it a bit harder to believe. Chief Operations Officer? Really? How can I, a simple employee, be able to reach someone so high?

I sighed at my own disappointment. I can't possibly think he really is the one. And besides, he turned into a dog-like creature in my dream, something that happens in movies or stories. Something supernatural and never in real life. Creatures like that do not exist. And why would I even think of it being real, anyway?

I placed the card back in my purse and went back to bed, hoping to get some sleep again. Tomorrow is a bit of an important day because apparently, we have a new client visiting our office. Everything must be in order as our manager announced it. The client is some big shot so we need to be impressive. I need to have my game face on.

But the universe went against me. First, my phone ran out of battery causing my alarm to not ring. Luckily, Ebony woke up a bit earlier than usual and we hurried to get ready. Next, traffic was never an issue in Portland before but not today. Apparently, an accident happened on our route, we really don't want to be late so we decided to walk. And then while we were walking, it got so windy that it ruined our hair and left leaves all over our clothes.

As we got to our office, we quickly tidied ourselves. "My goodness! Why is this happening to us, for all the days, it just has to be today?!," Ebony complained as we got inside the elevator. "Something good should happen today, that was insane!" She exclaimed that I concurred with a hum.

Our elevator door finally opened and it surprised us to see our manager by the hallway. "Ah! great timing, some of our technicals are here.". Both of us looked at each other and then at our manager. He seemed to be addressing people that is out of our view. "Come, come, both of you.", he gestured to us to go to him. We complied though, straightening ourselves and ready to flash our work smiles. We slowly walked into our manager's office to greet whoever was in his room.

"Let me introduce two of our best Technical Officers, Ebony Blades and Jenny Del Cruz.". Our manager introduced us to the people in the room. There were two men sitting by his office. They stood up upon seeing us entering and to my surprise, one of them was rather familiar to both Ebony and I.

"Well, this is a surprise," the man flashed his mesmerizing smile, "I did tell you we would meet again, didn't I?". It was him, the man in my dream, the man named Noel. Ebony let out an obviously surprised chuckle then looked at me. I couldn't find words on my own because I was still in shock, is this really happening?

"Oh, have you two met Mr. Locke before?", our manager asked which helped me to snap out of it. I briefly replied to him, "Coincidently yes, we have met before but it was a brief moment."

"I came across these lovely ladies in a restaurant last night." He added with a small grin on his face. "I see.", was the only response our manager made.

Noel then gestures to the young man beside him, "This is Johnny Lace, my assistant.". The soft-looking man gestures a handshake, first to Ebony and then to me. It was a firm and steady handshake contrary to how he looked. Johnny is a head-turner for the ladies, his golden locks matched perfectly with his greyish eyes. He looks more like royalty rather than an assistant.

Then Noel unexpectedly got closer to me and reached something by my shoulder. A rouge leaf was left there which he gently shoved away. He then steadied my eye glasses and made eye contact. "I think this is the start of a beautiful partnership.". That gesture gave me the electric feel again, the same feeling when his hand brushed my back last night. I can't help but stare back. What in the world is happening to me?

"Well isn't this great," our manager then proclaimed, "Mr. Locke's company recently availed our services, they will be in our care starting today."