Tomorrow is the day that Odette and I are suppose to fly to France. I could tell she was nervous when I reminded her at breakfast this morning, the countless number of times she ran her manicured hands through her silky hair gave it away, I can understand why she would be anxious though - she hasn't been back home in three years, everything is probably completely different now. We have a connecting flight to a city close by to the small town where Odette grew up, and I'm actually really excited; it means that we'll travel to her town and I'll finally get to meet her family. Reliving precious childhood memories that I'm yet to know, hopefully I'll get to learn more about the complete mystery that is my neighbour.

Despite all the excitement, today is the day of the board meeting and the reaction to my travel booklet. I'm hoping Illuminate Airlines' CEO and board of governors are satisfied with the prototype, this promotion would be an incredible opportunity for me and I'm hoping that I actually get it; I spent an entire month of no sleep to perfect this project and I don't want to get a phone call explaining that my work just wasn't that good enough.

It's currently midday and I am yet to receive any word from the board meeting, Margaret left early this morning to attend the meeting - obviously they haven't set up a meeting to discuss one measly intern, it was a prearranged meeting but the topic of my promotion will be discussed nevertheless. I can't believe the amount of people that are going to be there; every director from each of the companies divisions, the CEO's of our company and the CEO of Illuminate Airlines, and then to add more pressure to my shoulders they all have to stare at one prototype made by an intern, from the third floor no less. Holy shit, breathe Harry, just breathe.

Margaret looked emotionless when she walked past me this morning, successfully giving nothing away but making my anxiousness skyrocket. This company is one of the biggest in the country and it would be an incredible achievement if I could excel here, the experience and prestige would be amazing; so many people envious of where I worked, imagine the amount of consumers I could help.

My skin shivers in agony as I await the dreaded news, is it good or is it bad? I have no idea. Take your mind off it Harry and think of something else, my subconscious hastily breaks my mithered thoughts.

I'll think about this morning. I found another note after I'd woken up, written in that same familiar cursive writing. She had slid it under my apartment door, and by the time I had arrived outside of her apartment, I could already smell freshly made pancakes and golden maple syrup - my stomach grumbles even now at the memory, it was certainly a breakfast for kings.

After a kiss on the cheek and a brisk goodbye I then made my way to the agonising hell that is my work. I swear the wait is going to kill me, it's been at least two hours, maybe they had a lot to discuss. I don't care, I don't care about anything other that what they have to say about my project, and even if they don't like it, I need feedback...oh god I hope the like it though.

A slap breaks me from my panic as the familiar bounded prototype that is my project adjoins with the glazed wood of my desk. Margaret swoops through us all and straight into her office, the etched glass door closing quickly behind her; I rush from my seat and over to the door but am halted by a smaller frame in front of me. "Oh," I breathe, my eyes glancing behind him as I aim for the door, "sorry sir."

"Harry," he calls and I turn reluctantly "Walk with me," the man asks, my head spins as I glance back and to from him and to the frosted glass door - I need to know what Margaret has to say, what happened in the meeting. I'm torn by my own kindness and my urgency for information. "I'll explain son." The man offers and I frown, his body leaned against his walking stick just like I remember.

What could he possibly want from me, I mean I don't really even know the guy - we've only met on a few occasions, so what does he want now that's so special? "Sit down son." His voice is hoarse yet strong and bold. "I know your mind is reeling, and believe me, I've been through that myself." His chuckle is comforting to me somehow. "I haven't formally introduced myself to you son, and I think now would be a good time to start, my name is William James, former co-CEO of this company."

Shit.

My jaw drops and I take a minute to myself in hopes that we could wipe the slate clean and start fresh, although reality isn't as kind as my imagination. Squeaks leave my body, I can't comprehend this. Harry why didn't you know what the fucking ex-CEO of the company looked like?!

"It's okay Harry, I understand it's a shock. But I wanted to talk to you from one professional to another, this is very serious now." His navy blue blazer blows in the cool morning breeze, the both of us seemed to have walked outside and sat down beneath the smoking shelter at the back of the building - I've never been here before. Mr James pulls out a cigarette and perches his walking stick on the large plastic shelter wall.

"My project." The only words I am able to faintly utter at this particular moment in time.

"Yes, I attended the meeting and your project was discussed." Holy fuck! This is it, this is where my life starts or where it ends - take a deep breath Harry. "Harry I wasn't lying when I said that you're an asset to this company. We need more workers like you," he blows out a thick puff of ash grey smoke and I watch as the breeze catches is elegantly as if it weren't a deadly killer, "you graduated top of your class, you do everything to the best standard it can be, and instead of ordering people around you use them as an actual team and work alongside them as an equal, with authority that you never take advantage of." My body remains paralysed whilst I take in his kind words, where is he going with this? "Therefore we would like to offer you the job of branch director at this companies branch in Devon."

I forget to breathe. Fuck. This can't be right, I can't be in that role, that's too important - I may be qualified but I'm not that qualified! He furthers my bewilderment by adding, "I will personally train you myself Harry, once I feel that you're ready I will step aside. You're an incredible worker, my son agrees with me and he looks forward to meeting you."

I start to breathe again, one deep breath after another before I finally find the courage to speak, "I'll be on the board of directors, I'll essentially be the head of every section of this company. Mr James, I'm just an intern, are you sure about this?" This is a big risk for the company, surely they can't have that much faith in someone.

"We've never been more sure. Talent is rare to come by and when you find it, seize it. It's not just your knowledge that we like Harry, it's how you work with others. You act like a leader and people follow you, people trust you because you trust them, that will make you and excellent branch director." William finishes his cigarette, blowing out one last slow puff and throwing his tired butt to the floor; his calloused right hand goes to my shoulder as his left holds tightly onto the wooden walking stick that is keeping him upright and balanced.

We begin to walk back to the third floor, "I can't do that job sir. What if I'm not good enough?"

"You will be Harry, I'll be there with you if you need me. And if you're not good enough then you will simply move down a step to a manager role, you don't think we'd get rid of you, do you?" He smiles and my heart eases it's pressured beating. "Now enjoy your trip, and congratulations, we'll see you in work when you get back."

He leaves me at my desk and I am met with several multi-coloured balloons and smiling co-workers. I see everyone has heard the news..."congratulations Harry!" Margaret pushes through everyone to embrace me, her thick glasses falling accidentally from their position atop her silvery hair, and then reaching their final destination at the end of her nose. "I wanted to tell you myself but Mr James insisted, he said he'd been keeping an eye on you and you'd grown to know each other. I'm so happy for you!" She hugs me yet again.

After several more congratulations and the same bewildered stare from me, everything seems calm again, almost as if nothing had happened in the first place - like I hadn't just gone from the absolute bottom of the company to the job just below the top. As much as I love it here it'll be nice to leave tomorrow, the last time I went on holiday was when I was thirteen with my family, we went to this really nice place in Turkey - the beaches white sand and the sea almost clear, such an amazing holiday.

A massive weight has been lifted from my shoulders to say the least, I feel as if all my muscles were bunched and twisted and they have just now released themselves - like a massage to a full body cramp; the release is welcomed, I don't need to worry about work anymore - well I do, but just in a completely different way. At least I know that I'm not delivering six lots of coffee or doing people's printing.

I wonder how Odette's day is going so far, she was so nervous this morning and I wish I could have been a little bit more supportive, I haven't had any text messages from her, is she okay? Maybe she's just really busy today, I know how hard she concentrates. Send her a message, my mind reels at the thought and I finally listen to my subconscious, rather easily persuaded when it comes to the topic of interaction with Odette.

Harry: Hey babe, just wondering how your day is going. Thinking of you .x

She must be busy because I don't get a reply at all. After a short conversation with mum full of squeals and crying (on her end), I call the lads individually and inform them of the news - all of them momentarily taking time from their work just to wish me congratulations, I think they're all just as stunned as I am; I mean, they knew I would get a promotion but not to this standard - it's still a lot to take in.

My day zooms and before I know it Elliot starts packing up his things in front of me, placing several documents and his familiar bright orange pen drive into his satchel so he can work at home. He asked me for a lift home during lunch and I happily oblige, apparently his car is in the garage and he had to suffer walking this morning - if I'd have know I would have picked him up but I don't think he wanted to inconvenience me, not that it would be an inconvenience.

"So, France tomorrow. Have you packed?"

"Yeah, everything is sorted. I'm really excited about it."

He turns to face me from the passenger seat, the radio droning lowly in the background. "What are you going to do there? Visit sights?"

"Probably. We're getting a connecting flight to a town close to Odette's village so I'll meet her family too."

"Wow meeting your girlfriends family, that's a big step. She is your girlfriend isn't she?"

"No." She's just someone I'm madly in love with, I tell myself, "but we're there during Valentines Day. I might ask her out then, I don't know."

"I think you should," he interrupts me, "it's clear that you have strong feelings for her. And she seems to like you back, you should go for it." Elliot's shoulders shrug simply and I take in his honest words. Maybe I will.

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Early update due to people waiting in anticipation. I hope it was worth it :)

I wonder what's going to happen? Let me know what you think!

Comment and vote please! Thank you :)

- Pianogirl56