The wish.

Helen woke up to the sound of her alarm blaring in her ears. She groggily, reached over to turn it off, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. As she sat up , her head felt so heavy as though she didn't get any sleep the previous night .

*Yawn*. Helen scampered out of bed with arms stretched out wide heading towards her bathroom. After a quick shower, she got dressed in black trousers and a white blouse .

With her hair tied in a pony tail , she finished off her outfit with a pair of black pumps and a classic silver watch.

Helen moved hurriedly to her kitchen and grabbed a bottle of juice and an apple from the fridge that she saved for later in the hand bag she'd carried her gaze landing on the watch around her wrist ." Oh my, I'm gonna be late" . She had a meeting in 30 minutes with her boss .

Now was the best time for Helen to start panicking she hurried out of the kitchen , locked the door to her apartment and ran breathlessly to the parking lot where her car was parked .However, her morning was about to take a drastic turn.

Helen stepped into her black SUV and started it only to hear weird noises." What" . She tried it again but it didn't bugde.

"No, no, no!" Helen muttered to herself frustration mounting with both her hands and head rested on the steering wheel.

"I think l should just get a taxi." Helen picked up her bag and left the car in the parking lot .

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The taxi finally pulled up and Helen hastily got in giving the driver the address to her office building. As they sped through the morning traffic, Helen couldn't help but feel a sense of unease . She hated being late and clearly knew that Mr. Thompson wasn't going to spare her this time.

The taxi dropped her off Infront of the office building . Helen rushes out grabbing her hand bag and documents. She sprinted through the lobby weaving past other employees and burst into her office.

Her coworker Gina looked up from her desk with concern etched on her face . " Mr. Thompson wants to see you now ."

" My car broke down and l had to call a taxi ". Helen replied breathlessly but Gina only nodded sympathetically." Well you're here now . You'd better hurry. I'm afraid he's not in a good mood."

"As if he has ever had one." Helen rolled her eyes making Gina giggle.

Helen.

I stood outside Mr. Thompson's office , my heart racing with anticipation . I took a deep breath, smoothing out my blouse and knocked on the door.

" Come in" . His voice boomed from insidel pushed open the door and stepped inside . He was standing gazing outside the window with his back facing me . His fists were clenched that l took a step back.

" Ah, Helen" he said , turning to face me .

His eyes narrowed and his voice dripped with disdain." I suggest you have the Johnson report ready?"

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure clueless of how I'm to tell him about the incomplete report. " I apologize Mr. Thompson, I'm running a bit behind."

"Running a bit behind?" He almost yelled with creased eyebrows and a sense of frustration in his voice.

" Once again, I'm really sorry sir ." My gaze fell to the ground as l held tight on the documents in hands .

" Helen, do you think l pay you for apologies? Do you ? How can you be so worthless and on top of that lazy?" I bit my tongue at his words trying so hard not to lose it . I know I'm in wrong but no one should be talked to in such a manner. He won't even believe me when l tell him about my car.

" I understand Mr. Thompson, I'll do better." I answered but this time , l raised my head and looked him straight in the eye.

" You're so lucky the meeting has been postponed . I was this close to making you leave my company " He emphasized every word to me as he showed me the small gap between his index finger and thumb.

" I'll work on it before our next meeting. I promise." I answered feeling relieved that at least l wasn't loosing my job.

Mr. Thompson looked away honestly at nothing as he ran fingers through his mid length blonde hair."Just leave my office".

I nodded and without a word, l left his office.

Gina looked at me curiously as l walked into the office to my desk. I settled down in my seat ready to work on the report but Gina still had the same look plastered on her face. She wasn't going to stop till when l had told her what happened in Mr. Thompson's office.

I looked up from my desk and curved my lips into a slight smile." Gina, I'm not in trouble. The meeting was postponed."

" Oh, that's quite a save for you girl." She answered seemingly satisfied with my answer and we both went back to work.

Time went on without my notice as l worked. Gina had asked me to have lunch with her at the cafeteria but l kindly declined the offer because l was no where close to finishing.

I worked tirelessly with eyes focused on my computer screen. However, l started wondering if this was the kind of life l wanted.

Being yelled at , having a busy schedule even where it's not necessary. I barely get any time for my personal interest.

****

Finally as the clock struck 5 p.m, Helen had finished working on the report. She was so exhausted, she wanted to go home in a blink of an eye .

Helen packed her stuff and strolled out of the building. It was almost empty that the remaining workers were also packing for the day. She rolled her eyes at the scene. This wasn't her time to leave the office. Unlike the multiple assignments Mr. Thompson gave her, she still managed to make her way out if the building afternoon.

As Helen stepped into her taxi , she remembered her meeting with Sarah. She picked up her phone and dialed in Sarah's number .

" Hey there, where are you" . Sarah spoke her voice in a warm and sweet tone.

" Sarah ....." She didn't know how to put it.

"Today was really a long and tiresome day. As l speak now , I'm on my way back home. I can't meet you today but l..." . Helen paused realizing she wasn't even breathing. "l promise to make it up to you Sarah" .

"Girl you don't have to say all that. I know what you pass through that side. I understand if you say you won't make it . Go home and rest I'll pick you up for lunch tomorrow ." Sarah answered still maintainimg the same tone .

" I'm glad to have you Sarah. Thanks for understanding." Helen felt relieved." Okay, bye now." Sarah ended the call.

Helen's apartment wasn't so far from her office building and before she knew it , the taxi parked Infront of her apartment.

" Thanks" she paid the driver and left for her apartment. The moment Helen stepped into her room, she collapsed on her bed facing the ceiling.

" What a day!" She sighed head turning to the right her gaze falling on the same book from the old lady.

Helen rolled to her belly and reached for it from her bed side table. She managed to read a couple of pages before her eyes started feeling heavy .

With the book still clutched in one hand she rested her head down her last words being far away from the cruelty of this world.

Helen was too tired and deep asleep that she was clueless of the golden blinding light that emanated from the book filling her room.