Changing is a very hard process. It's easy to drive away and pull over when you get to your new destination, but it's a car, you can always go back or move to another place. When you're compromised to a job and you move by airplane it's another story.

It was really hard for me to adapt to a new routine, a different place and a foreign building that now held my job. They gave me everything good I could ask for. An outstanding office, one assistant and a car to drive whenever I needed. Still, I felt very uncomfortable.

The first days were okay considering that it was all about learning processes and getting to know the company, but that quickly changed. The amount of papers and folders on my desk increased, the meetings I had to attend were getting longer and longer and following that the stress and exhaustion came to play. I loved my job back then and I love it just as much now, but things were happening too fast and I knew that the rythem wouldn't slow down.

Living in a different city didn't help it either. Not knowing where to go or how to get there was also an obstacle. I loved driving around just getting closer to the unfamiliar streets that would be my home for the next few months, but it's also bad when you don't know anything, it's harder to get back.

Manchester was the first stop. The minute I landed I felt something different. The air was slightly cold, the rain was falling and the trees waved following the wind direction. What could have been seen as a bad thing turned out to be a good reception.

Sunny weather was always welcome, but something about the rain brought that cosy feeling that I loved. Being outside enjoying the sun was good, but taking a lazy day at home didn't seem a bad idea either. Movies, popcorn and blankets. Who would turn down that? And for someone who just had an 8 hour flight, resting listening to the rain pouring outside seemed like the perfect plan. So I did.

As soon as I got home, I let Tom and my parents know that everything was okay and I was safe in the comfort of my apartment. Then, took a quick shower and burried my head on the pillow.

The following days were all about discovering the city and visit its must-see places. First, the theater of dreams, Old Trafford. Being a fan of Manchester United and not visiting their stadium while being in town would be a crime.

The museum was everything I had imagined. The cups shinning through the glass, the locker room, the black and white pictures with a spark of red... Everything was magic. When I stepped outside and sat on the bench I closed my eyes. I swear I could hear the crowd roar through the arena when Beckham, Rooney or Owen scored a goal or a whisper of relieve when Van Der Sar made a monumental safe. Pure magic.

That was the place I wouldn't miss. The national football museum, the Schambles Square, the Town Hall and the Albert Square followed and just like Old Trafford, they didn't disappoint.

The city was not everyone's favorite when it came to visit the UK but definitely had its beauty, specially at night. From my apartment you could see how the night lights brought the tiny details back to life.

Manchester was an easy city to fall in love with. All it took was stop, sit for a while and watch, and just like everything in life, you would find its beauty in a matter of seconds.

Being at a different city also brought something else: loneliness. There was no visits from my parents on the weekend or late nights snuggled next to my boyfriend. All I had was a cold, empty apartment in a city that would only hold me for a few months. It was my decision though, and despite all those circumstances I was having the time of my life.

Tom would occasionally call to check on me and letting me know how things were going back home. As usual everything was quiet in the small town of Rendville. Some gossip was going around about the fact that I left. Most people thought I left Tom for good, when I simply took an opportunity. I didn't actually cared about it but all the talking was annoying him a lot.

I would learn about his days and he would learn about mine, and somehow, despite the distance, I felt close to him. The heat would rise to my chest as we spoke, my heart rate increased and all those little things were there, just miles away.

As a programmer, Tom was able to work from home most of the days, but at least twice a week had to attend some business meetings. Whether was a client demanding changes to a game demo or a new project, he would always be there to work on them.

We were two workaholics, but that was also one of the reasons why we would understand each other so much. Work takes a big part of your life when you become an adult, so having someone who actually understands how it is to have tough schedules, working until late and sometimes on weekends is very important.

Between those crazy times we would always find a way to see each other and even though now things were different, we would still be able to come back together, right?

****

"Thank you for your support Angela, now go home and get some rest" I said, fixing the papers inside a blue folder before keeping it inside my drawer.

My assistant had stayed longer to help me finish a few things for the project. Just like me a few years ago she was hoping for a break in this very difficult industry. I gladly accepted her help, including her as much as possible so that she could learn and maybe have an opportunity.

She was very humble and willing to learn which also made it easier for me. Someone who is thirsty to learn different things is a person that you should keep around. Maybe one day she will be the one teaching you things.

"Goodnight Juliet, see you tomorrow" I simply smiled and waved at her as the elevator doors closed.

Sitting on my chair, I took a deep breath before letting the weight fall on the piece of leather that kept me comfortable.

"Another exhausting day." I whispered  before taking another sip of my tea that turned cold from waiting while I was drown in work. I was not a fan of cold tea, but somehow it made me feel comfortable after a long day like this.

As I enjoyed the feeling of the iced tea coming down my throat, I thought about my boyfriend. What would he be doing right now? Maybe sleeping or having a late night with the guys?

We hadn't talked much this week due to the time differences, only shared our I love you's and said how much we missed each other. I know that I wanted this in the fist place but it was getting harder and harder day by day.

Just the feeling of having someone picking you up on a day like this, holding you against the warmth of his body while walking down the street, or simply borrow his favorite hoodie to keep you from shivering. Those tiny moments were priceless. Sure, we're small gestures but there weren't more as meaningful as those.

M

aking a mental note to call him soon as I got home, I placed the card cup on my desk, grabbed my purse and headed outside.

Manchester had blessed us today with a day warmer than usual, which lead me to walk to work instead of driving until there. By now it was a little breeze flying but nothing too cold that kept me from walking back.

Step by step I watched the dim lights that kept the city awake. Some places were still open looking even better than on daytime.

As I crossed the road near the block of my apartment, a tiny place caught my eye. Yellow lightbulbs were decorating it with small flower breaches between them. It looked like those beautiful houses in the woods in the middle of the busy Manchester city.

A man was sitting on a small bench near it, the owner I assumed. Had a tag above his shirt pocket with his name written, "Oliver". He was alone, reading a book while others were getting drunk, high or maybe home, which intrigued me, so I decided to take a step further and analyze what he was selling.

At first I thought about newspapers, but the content between those wooden walls was way more interesting than a few media pages.

Beautiful souvenirs from the city. Some Keychains were hanging above my head, shinning through the light. The famous fridge magnets were on a shelf on my right and some music vinyls were spread across the table. Yet, that was not what called my attention.

A few postcards were hanging, swaying as the wind pushed them across the place. I grabbed a few, feeling how soft was the paper and the magic behind it.

"Like what you see?" the old man's voice echoed through the darkness of the night. For a second I actually forgot he was there. Fixing his glasses, he stood up and placed his book on top of the bench.

"Sorry for touching them, they're just really beautiful" I said embarrassed, he shook his head and unhooked a few so that I could look closer.

"I get it. Those are my favorites things here too." I nodded, still staring at them. "Here, look. That is a drawing of Manchester in the beginning of the 20th Century." starring at it, I noticed something.

"Is this where we are at?" he nodded, replying straight away.

"You pay attention to the tiniest details." I hummed at his response, not taking away the eyes from the tiny piece of paper. Then, a crazy idea popped on my mind.

"Do you mind if I take a few?"

"Not at all, which ones do you want?" that was a big question considering how great all of them were, but ended picking up ten from the huge collection.

"How much do I owe you?" I said, while searching for my wallet. His hand touched my arm, making me turn my attention to him.

"It's my treat"

"No I really can't accept-"

"Seriously, take them. By the look in your eyes I can see that those won't be lost between several postcards inside a drawer. You will actually do something meaningful with it. Take them."

After fighting against his will for a while I decided to accept. He was right I was ready to do something different with them, hopefully it would make me feel better through this crazy adventure.

****

Hello beautiful people ❤️,

I'm sorry for my absence, work has been crazy and I didn't have any ideas for this second chapter.

What do you think? I know that reading a story when Shawn didn't appear yet is kinda lame, but I need to take sometime before present him to you.

Hope you are doing well and safe. Stay home and healthy.

Thank you for all your support on the book, love you all ❤️,

M x.