The Night Bird (Ch. 3)

Chapter Three

5:21 AM.

Robin’s alarm went off, and she hit snooze—just like grandpa always did. She always griped about his morning routine, but here she was doing the same thing. As her old alarm clock rang for a second time, she opened her eyes, and a grin as big as the sun instantly swept across her face. Today was the day—it had FINALLY arrived; her last day at both jobs.

Robin was overcome with joy. Was it really possible that only five days earlier she had received that call she was longing for? Did it really happen or was she just dreaming?

Harvey finally called last night. Almost a week had gone by without a peep. Robin was frustrated with him, but she was glad she had heard from him. She wanted to scream at him. She wanted to tell him she was done, but she couldn’t find it in her heart to do it. Robin couldn’t remember what it was like without him in her life.

The day dragged on like always, but the moment had finally arrived. The end of her last shift at the pizza parlor.

“Whew!” she exclaimed as she closed the door to her ‘03 Nissan.

The next day Robin would start her first day at her new job. 8 AM sharp. She was so excited.

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The first day was such a blur, and before she could even breathe it all in, two weeks had gone by. Robin felt like she was settling into her new job quite well. Everyone was so friendly. She felt like she fit in right away, and so far, life was good. Things with Harvey were still in the same place. They hardly talked on the phone anymore, and Robin had only seen him once since she started her new job. It was back—that feeling of the world around her crumbling. She was tired of it.

Robin’s head flooded with frustration. She was angry. “Why am I the only one that cares?!” She thought to herself as she sat there pondering. “I should just run away. Start over. Get a new identity. Fresh start. Then I wouldn’t have to deal with it.” Just then, Gabbie walked up to her desk. She was the CEO's secretary, and she had taken Robin under her wing since the first day. They were becoming fast friends, even though Gabbie was younger than her. Twenty-five. Only a three year age difference, but nonetheless, Robin respected her. Gabbie always had the answers. Need something done? Call Gabbie. In a pickle? Yup, call Gabbie. Everyone knew about her, but only a few got to know her. Robin felt like she was part of the “in crowd” and it made her feel good.

“Want to grab a bite together? ‘Cause I’m starving!”

“Sure!” said Robin excitedly.

“Yay! Great! I invited a friend of mine. Is that okay?” Asked Gabbie.

“Of course!”

Robin was secretly nervous about meeting new people that worked in her building, but she figured it would be a great way to build professional relationships with everyone. That way, when it came time to move up, she would at least know some of the people she would be potentially working with.

“I’m ready to go. How about you?” asked Gabbie.

Robin opened the drawer to her old, faded wooden desk. She grabbed her purse and quickly stood up.

“I was born ready Gabbie” she said with a laugh.

Robin and Gabbie made their way downstairs, and walked towards the double glass doors. They walked out into the parking lot, and right when Robin looked up, there he was. The mystery man who she had been thinking about from time to time for weeks. That smile. She wasn’t over it. It was still engraved in her mind.

Robin quickly shifted her gaze back to floor. “Be cool Robin. Keep walking. Don’t be weird” she nervously told herself.

“Hey Victor!” Exclaimed Gabbie, waving at him.

“Shit!” Robin said in her head as she realized THAT was the friend Gabbie had invited to lunch.

“Victor! I want you to meet Robin. She’s the new secretary,” Gabbie said as she turned to look at Robin with a smile, gesturing her over to Victor.

“Hi Robin. I’m Victor. Welcome to Four Aces. How are you liking the secretary life?” He said, as he gently shook her hand.

“Hi Victor. Nice to meet you. So far I’m really loving it! Well, Gabbie makes it a lot easier, so no complaints so far,” Robin said, blushing, as she brushed her hair behind her left ear.

“Great! You’ll fit right in here,” Victor said with a smirk on his face, as his eyes met Robin’s.

He had such gentle eyes. Robin felt oddly comfortable with Victor. It was like they had already been friends before today’s meeting.

“Shall we ladies? I have to get back on time today. The boss has a meeting right after lunch, and you know how it goes,” he shook his head as he led both of them to his car.

All through lunch Robin couldn’t look Victor in the eyes. She stared blankly at her hot chocolate as Victor and Gabbie chatted about work and life. Robin would give an occasional nod. A quick smile to show she might still be listening. Then it happened. Robin’s first sexual fantasy about Victor. She couldn’t escape the images flashing in her head like an old film reel. She could see the back of Victor’s hand running gently down the side of her face and neck. Her head slowly falling back in ecstasy. She could feel his lips on the base of her neck while he held her waist softly. She could feel his smile on her skin as he moved his way down her chest, kissing her ever so gently. His hand moving upward along her spine.

“Hey! You ready? Vic’s gotta go,” said Gabbie, bringing Robin back to reality.

“Huh? Yeah, uh, sorry. Just thinking about… something. Yeah. Let’s go!”

Robin smiled. There was no turning back. She knew her mind was becoming a dangerous place, but it thrilled her.