The basket outside the glass window is bursting with yellows, purples and reds. The Petunias intertwine with the marigolds and sit snug under the lavender. It's a treat to the eye and I sigh before I gaze back at the interiors of the café.
After weeks of rainy, grey days, the sun has peered out finally. A perfect summer day. Another job interview, another fail added to my wonderful list of experiences and here I am sitting in a café, once again, clueless how I will pay next month's bills. Someone said New York is the land of opportunities. Only if you manage to get hold of one. I twist my mouth and blow a large breath, my fringe blows and falls back above my eyes.
"Damn them. They can keep all their jobs up their..." I mutter to myself.
When I look up, there's a hint of a smile. He is looking straight at me. Is he laughing at me? After a few moments, I slowly return my gaze to him and yet once again there it is. A smile at the corner of his lips as he sips his coffee. So incredibly rude with his smug grin.
I finish my coffee, tug my blue chequered dress lower to my knees and stroll over to him.
"You have a problem, mister," My voice sounds shrill and completely out of control. Keep your cool, June.
"Excuse me?" he asks as if he wasn't sneering at me just now.
"I saw you smirk at me. Why don't you mind your own business?"
"Many people say I smile a lot." He isn't looking at me anymore when he talks which is strange after his sneering.
"That wasn't a smile. You were clearly laughing at me. Listen, I have had a really bad day and I don't need more from you. Can you not be so rude, please? At least have the decency to apologize."
"I would apologize if I knew what crime I committed."
"So you weren't looking at me and smiling to yourself on what a loser I am. You heard me grumble, right?"
He removes the earplug from his left ear. "Sorry, I was listening to a song. What were you saying?"
"Oh, sorry. I must've..." I tug at my dress not knowing what to say. I totally read this dude wrong.
When I turn away he says, "I did hear you mutter something about how miserable you are."
"Ah," I fold my arms. "So you did hear me after all? You think it's funny to laugh at someone."
"Once again, I didn't laugh at you for that. But anyway, what is it that you have to whine so much about?"
"What do you know what problems I have? Who are you to judge?" I plant my palms on the table.
"It's a perfect summer day. Enjoy the day rather than sit and mope." He tilts his head closer to me. "What would you do if you had just one day?"
"Great. You want me to die?"
"No. That wasn't what I said. I asked what would you do IF you had one day."
"I don't know." I run my fingers through my hair. "Have lots of fun I guess."
"So what's stopping you now?"
"The small thing called money and the big thing called – I ain't dying tomorrow. Well, at least as far as I can help it."
"Okay, let's take away one of your problems. I will throw in the money for today. What would you do then?"
I narrow my eyes and look at him, not sure where this is heading. Judging from his clothes, he doesn't look loaded but who knows nowadays. All the IT billionaires look like they just strolled out of their beds.
