Precious
Precious
Shadows lingering in the dark.
Pitchblack eyes hovering over me,
eating me alive.
Closer…
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Aaaahhh!" A scream escaped my mouth and I woke up.
I felt the sweat on my forehead.
That dream again…
My heart pounded hard against my chest, my breath going heavy.
Suddenly I saw blonde hair falling over my face.
"Sakura, is everything alright? I heard you scream…my god, you look horrified!"
Ino was leaning over me and observing me as if I was some kind of test object.
"Did you have that dream again?" a worried voice asked me and I nodded silently.
This was the 5th night in a row that I dreamt of the ravenhaired man…at least I thought he was ravenhaired. I never saw his face or body completely, just a pair of at times dark and other times crimsonred eyes staring at me out of the shadows, calling my name…
"Sakura…Sakura…"
Sitting up straight in my bed I shook my head.
My eyes wandered around my room, stopping at the wall of portraits I drew.
There he was…those eyes…
A shiver ran over my body and Ino gave me a quick hug.
"It's alright…it was a dream…I would say rest a bit as your new job starts tomorrow but I think right now you need a special cup of tea ala Ino!" Her voice was calming, though I could definitely see that she was worried.
We were friends for over 15 years now, back since kindergarten and living together in a nice apartment in New York now.
She scored a top job as an assistant for a top fashion designer while I got an internship at Uchiha Publishing. I didn't know much about them but since we wanted to stay together, our big dream was New York for ages already, I applied for an internship with them.
They published one of the biggest fashion magazines nowadays, Delicious, and I, through some miracle, got the job.
It was nice that Ino and me kind of worked in the same field of interest, so she could give me tips for columns, about what is going to be on the catwalks over the next months and so on.
Though it would probably be better if I didn't ask her unless I had a lot of time and was very bored, she could talk for hours about fashion, makeup and the likes!
I guess the word fashion victim really described her well.
Even know, in the middle of the night, she wore a nice satin dress that emphasized her curves perfectly.
Despite me being a woman myself I had to admit Ino was attractive.
Large blue eyes framed by long blonde hair, you could call her a vixen.
Men were head over heels for her, surprising kinda she was still single.
While I was moving over to the living room with a gorgeous view over Manhattan Ino made some tea.
The apartment was spacious, on the 7th floor of the Hilton Hotel.
Luckily for us Inos' parents were quite rich and wanted only the best for her daughter, allowing me to live here with her if I kept an eye at their daughter.
The open side of the living room was covered in glass, thousands of tiny lights glowing outside, giving the effect of a raw diamond, which perfectly describes what this city was and meant to me.
Yellow cabs buzzed over the streets, now and then a plane crossed my sights and the siren of a police car was a sound I was so familiar with by now, if it wasn't there I'd be worried.
New York really never slept.
The smell of something fruity pulled me back to reality.
"What tea is that? It smells amazing!" I asked curiously while Ino handed me the cup.
"Vanilla Kisses, my all time favourite!" – "And why is it special now? You said ala Ino…"
Whenever she said something like that my head made up all kind of weird scenarios what Ino might have done with the tea, food or whatever was the subject of Inos plan and I waited, a bit uncomfortable, for the answer before sipping on the tea.
Ino stared over to me, pouting.
"You really don't trust me, huuu?"
Her voice had a playful undertone of shock before she exclaimed: "It has a shot of vanilla liquor in it which goes well with the already existing vanilla and raspberry flavour, giving it a bit more of a sweet taste without needing the sugar. The alcohol will make you fall back asleep easier as well!"
A sweet and caring smile formed on her lips.
Taking a sip I told her all about todays dream and before I even noticed I had fallen back asleep on the couch.
The next thing I remembered were those eyes again…before my alarm clock (or in other words Ino) woke me up harshly.
"Sakura wake up or you will be late! Not to mention me as well!"
Rubbing my eyes I opened them slowly…I must have fallen asleep here as I was greeted good morning by Manhattan instead of the Hudson River which could be seen from my own bedroom.
"C'mon, work waits for no one! Did you hear about the handsome young heir to Uchiha Publishing? I heard his parents and big brother died in a car accident a few years ago and he has been on his own ever since. No grandparents, uncles or aunts to talk to. What a lonely life…could you even imagine not having your mum or dad?"
While she ran all over the place, putting on her makeup, making breakfast for us and picking the perfect high heels for the day I was still a bit dizzy and thinking about what she said.
Just the thought of my parents being dead did put a lump in my throat.
But she was right: I had to get ready for work. Who'd like an apprentice that's already late for her first day?
Ignoring how Ino went on and on how excited she was I went into the bathroom and closed the door behind me. I loved my best friend but she was a lot to take, especially in the morning where a normal human being still needs a bit of peace and quiet.
Staring back at me from the mirror was an average young woman that looked extremely tired.
Strawberryblonde hair that was messy as hell, big, bright green eyes with a hint of blue and pale skin with rosy cheeks.
Nothing to complain really but also nothing extraordinary.
After brushing my teeth and washing my face I wondered which makeup would be the right one.
I didn't wanna make a statement but going completely without was weird for a fashion magazine intern as well as it would be hideous for anyone to look at her dark under-eye circles.
I decided for a foundation with matte finish, some winged eyeliner and deep black mascara. My hair fell in soft waves over my shoulders, thanks to blowdrying!
Next were the clothes…hard choice.
When I finally entered the kitchen in black skinny jeans and heeled ankleboots, paired up with an emerald green blouse Ino looked at me, let off a whistle and put some freshly pressed orange juice in front of me.
"Thanks.." The juice was gone in one go, fresh juice was just the best!
She smiled at me, knowing full well that the thanks was in regards to both her complimenting whistle and the orange juice.
"Let's meet up for lunch later, will we?" she asked me while we made our way out of the flat.
Our offices where close by each other and the company of our best friend would probably help both of us relax a bit more on the first day of our new jobs.
"Sure!" I nodded in agreement, still being amazed at the pace the cabs went by.
Having nearly given up all hope of getting one, a yellow car stopped in front of us with squeezing tired.
"Get in ya two, will ya? Where ya headed?"
The man seemed to be from Mexican background and quickly drove us to the heart of New York.
After giving Ino a big hug and wishing her good luck for her first day I stepped up the stairs of Uchiha Publishing.
The building was impressive, marble stairs leading up to the entrance in which you were in a foyer that greeted you with a fountain and portaits of big names in the fashion industry, like Karl Lagerfeld or Anna Wintour, hung upon the walls.
Gazing at them in amazement I tripped over my own feet and fell down on the floor.
Typical…this just had to happen on my first day.
Just when I wanted to stand up after making sure no one saw me falling down, a hand was extended to me to help me get up.
"Nh…thanks…" I stuttered and accepted the hand but what I saw when I was back up on my feet was a shock.
The eyes. The hair. So pale…
The guy in front of me was literally the image of the mysterious man from my dreams.
Dashing, a presence that spoke of power, wearing a black suit and a red scarf that was hanging loosely around his neck.
Giving me a little smirk, he replied with the most beautiful and alluring voice I had ever heard.
"No problem, anything else I can help you with?"
I shook my head slowly, still baffled at just how much he looked like that guy..which he must have noticed.
"Everything okay…or did you hit your head on the floor?"
Hold yourself together, Sakura!
"N-…no, everything is alright." I replied while noticing that a crowd of people, mainly female, had gathered around us and was quite actively chatting about, what I could only assume, the incident that just happened to me.
He gave me an intense look before he turned away and disappeared in the elevator.
The bad thing was…I had to take it too, the office where I had to work at during my internship was on the 22nd floor of the building.
Entering shortly after him, an awkward silence fell between us and I was more than glad when the electronic voice announced the 22nd floor and I could get out.
And thus my first step towards heaven was made.
At least that's what I thought.
