Emily's PoV

It was that night of the year where people sleep with too much of dreams about the change they fool themselves to make in their lives from the promising dawn of the new year.

I had no belief in all such hullabaloo. Working hard brings changes in your life. A new year is just a change in calendar sheet and an unfathomable excuse for all kinds of wild behaviour in the streets.

But one never knows, when comes a challenge for one's rationality. That new year of 2019 made me do all such crazy things that I never imagined.

It all began from a dream...

The sleepless night of the so-called-new-year tormented me with a  dream. It would be a gross underestimation to say it was just a dream. It was so real, more like a vision. I've slept like a log when I've had the most grotesque of dreams but this simple one kept me wondering for an entire night.

All I could remember from the dream was black outfit and deep ocean blue eyes. Strangely I couldn't get those eyes out of my mind.

'Come on Emily, go to sleep, you have to work tomorrow!!' I tried forcing myself to sleep with the threat of work that I have to do in the morning, but in vain.

If it was my father, he would obviously have said 'Which psych goes to work on a new year morning?'

I would, not because I loved the work. No  have I loathed it to the extent of strangling my employer. Still I promised to work on a holiday just because they promised for an extra pay. I have taken a break after completing high school to earn money for college and the extra money by working on holidays would take me on a fast lane to college. I was so determined not to burden my parents to pay for college thought they insisted they would.

"Em why are you creating a tornado above there?'' yelled Jasmine who was sleeping in the bunk below. Jasmine is my colleague. She became more a family to me in just three months of working here. We were roommates in the dorm where ALL AMERICAN SPORTS store employees stay. Yes, that's the place I work.

''Had this dream Jas. Couldn't sleep.'' I replied lazily. I must have caused so much creaking by stirring in the bed that made her wake up. Jasmine will be accompanying me in the work the next morning. Her boyfriend was in the army and would be arriving home in a week. Jasmine worked on holidays to take care of her boyfriend once he returns home.

''Dream? I hope it is a good dream because people say dreams on a new year night come true'' she remarked half asleep.

I clicked my tongue disapprovingly, ''Rubbish. People still do believe in such new year fantasies. I'd better sleep than listening to this.''

''Good for you'' mumbled Jasmine and slept like nothing happened. I was envious of her born talent to sleep. I plugged my earphones and listened to one direction songs as I slept into the deep mysterious night.

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''Wake up sleepy head. It's getting late for work'' hurried Jasmine. I ignored her as I believed it to be one of the pranks she used to play to wake me up early.

Sooner I realized that Jasmine was indeed true. It was too cold and dark outside that we didn't know we slept in. I immediately jumped down from the bunk. Any delay in work would result in a pay reduction so I took a quick wash, changed into my comfortable jeans and winter jacket and covered the tangled mess of my short brown hair with a beanie.

The city of Colorado springs was too asleep that we were the only ones rushing through the streets amidst the snowfall. We stopped for a minute at the café to pick our breakfast and to admire the snow. The streets were so picturesque with the snow blanketing the roads, parked cars and the roof of buildings. The snow was cleared from the roads and it was quite delightful to watch the warm sunlight shining on the snow as it melted. Jasmine picked up our breakfasts and we left for work.

''Morning girls'' wished Dylan and Joe as we entered. It was only four of us for the morning shift. Dylan and Joe belonged to the merchandise department and Jasmine and I worked in the sales department. Holiday mornings were a God given gift for us, as there wouldn't be much customers reaching for a sports store in a snowy morning. We played games, rode bicycles and did all sort of stuff that would cut our pay for eternity, but Joe had a knack for corrupting the CCTV cameras.

The evenings were totally opposite. We had hectic work as the store was crowded with customers. In the course of time we had more people for help, still putting up a facade to please the customers was an overwhelming job.

Our shift was over by six in the evening. Jasmine and I left to celebrate the remainder of new year's day while the boys stayed back to account the merchandise sold.

Jasmine suggested that we should have coffee before leaving to enjoy the night. I agreed with her as I too was exhausted.

On entering the coffee shop I felt stunned all of a sudden. A slight shiver crept up my spine and I had difficulty in vision. It was such an intense feeling in my gut that could shortly be described as déjà vu. I couldn't walk any further.

''Jas get me an iced vanilla latte. I'll go get a seat for us'' I murmured to Jasmine and took a seat by the window. The thought was so disturbing in my head that I couldn't think of anything else. Usually thoughts about my college and future studies will keep me engaged but that time nothing could.

Mentally freaked out, I laid my head on the table before me. Hearing slow paced footsteps approaching me I felt it was Jasmine and raised my head with relief.

But it wasn't.

Instead I saw a tall and handsome stranger before me.

Unknowingly my pupils dilated.

''Excuse me, the seat is already taken'' he said, pointing to the bag that was placed on the chair by my side.

I didn't move, not even a single inch.

Because I was too petrified.

The man was in a black outfit.

Moreover he had deep ocean blue eyes...

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Hola dear readers, hope you enjoyed this new chapter of my new book. Stay tuned to know more about this mysterious character!

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