A Weekend Trip Out of the Blue: Sailing, Seduction, and Sparks of Destiny

Kim and Reilly were excited looking forward to their weekend sailing trip at Lake Starnberg—a getaway filled with adventure, laughter, and the promise of unforgettable memories. The last two hours at the office had felt like the clock ticked double speed. Every time Kim had starred at her watch hoping it to show five there was still an hour to go. But finally they were on their way.

With the sun shining brightly overhead, they donned their stylish swimsuits, exuding an air of confidence and excitement.

“Can you believe we’re actually doing this?” Kim exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Reilly grinned, her excitement infectious. “I know, right? This is going to be an epic adventure!”

As they arrived at the marina, they couldn’t help but notice the sleek, modern sailboat awaiting them. It was a vessel that screamed sophistication, with its polished deck and gleaming white sails. They exchanged mischievous glances, knowing that this trip held the potential for a tantalizing escapade.

With the wind tousling their hair, they boarded the boat, their eyes widening in delight as they took in the luxurious interior. The crew, dressed in crisp uniforms, welcomed them with warm smiles and a playful twinkle in their eyes. It was clear that this voyage was going to be more than just a leisurely sail.

The skipper, a charismatic and charming individual, welcomed them with open arms. “Welcome aboard, ladies! Get ready for a weekend that will leave you breathless.”

Among the crew stood a familiar face—Nick, a guy Reilly knew from work. He exuded confidence and charm, and Reilly felt an instant attraction. Their eyes locked, a silent understanding passing between them. This weekend was about to take an unexpected turn.

As the boat set sail, the atmosphere grew charged with excitement and possibility. Kim noticed the spark between Reilly and Nick, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. She knew her friend’s adventurous spirit was about to lead her down a thrilling path.

Throughout the journey, Reilly and Nick found themselves drawn to each other, stealing glances and engaging in playful banter.

During a moment of respite, Reilly and Daniel found themselves drawn together, their voices lowering to an intimate whisper.

“You know,” Daniel said, his voice laced with a hint of flirtation, “I always suspected you had a hidden side, I would not have expected to meet you at a sailing trip.”

Reilly raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. “Oh, really, I wouldn’t have expected to meet you here either, well one layer we have in commen, don’t we?”

Daniel chuckled, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. “Well, I can’t wait to dive deeper into the mystery that is Reilly. I have a feeling there’s more than meets the eye.”

Their conversations grew more intimate, sharing personal stories and dreams. It was as if the boundaries of the workday had dissolved, allowing them to explore a connection beyond the office walls.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the water, the boat anchored near a secluded bay. The group savored the tranquil beauty, reveling in each other’s company. Kim and the rest of the crew gave Reilly and Nick their space, understanding that something special was looming between them.

Underneath a starlit sky, Reilly and Nick found themselves sharing a stolen moment. The allure of the weekend and the electric chemistry they felt drew them closer, their hearts beating in sync. The night carried the promise of an encounter that could change everything.

As the sailing trip came to an end, they found themselves standing at the marina once again, the boat a memory etched into their hearts. Reilly and Nick exchanged hesitant glances, the unspoken question lingering in the air—would they continue what they had started?

Read more stories by Natalie Hush

🔊#shortstory Dive into a weekend sailing trip where adventure meets desire. 💕Join Kim & Reilly on a journey of flirtation, sparks, and the unexpected. Get ready to set sail with our sizzling audio short story! #SailingTrip #Romance #AudioAdventure pic.twitter.com/kUzaWOPie2

— 𝒩𝒶𝓉𝒶𝓁𝒾ℯ ℋ𝓊𝓈𝒽 (@NatalieHush101) July 9, 2023

The Weekend: Love, Ambition & the Lisbon Dream

OUT NOW!

Listen to Chapter I – JANUARY

Lisbon, Portugal — March of 2022 Paige is sitting at her desk in her retro loft apartment, a 19th-century mansion in the trendy Real area. She looks across the room and remembers her early days in Lisbon.

Seven years had passed since she’d first set foot on the fabled West Coast after deciding to uproot her life and head elsewhere. On January 4, 2015, right after the new year began, she accepted a job offer from a major international technology company to work as an online advertising client adviser.

 By the time she had been picked-up by a company employee who took her to the business complex’s apartment. She would live with other employees in a flat share. The neighbourhood was described as a good middle class district in a suburb of Lisbon named Oeiras, but the sight of the ghetto-like multi-storey apartment houses with a few palms and a supermarket in the middle was shocking.

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Between the years

Pippa arrived at her Belgrave apartment. She knocked at her neighbour’s door. Tess, her neighbour, opened the door.

“Oh, Pippa, Merry Christmas, you are back, that’s great!” Tess looked at Pippa but she did not seem very happy.

“Hey, how are you? Would you like to come over for a chat and a glass of wine?” Pippa asks.

“Oh, yes, or maybe two, you won’t believe what happened. Ryan and I broke up.” Tess tells upset.

“Oh, no, seriously? Come over, you got to tell me, what happened!”

Two hours later, Pippa and Tess are sitting on Pippa’s sofa. An empty bottle of wine and a pizza box with one slice are on the table.

“Yes, who is Ryan anyway!” Tess rustles, now shamelessness. Tess had told the whole story of how Ryan cheated on her throughout their three-year relationship, which also explained why he did not show much interest in Tess’s effort to get a child.

After she had lost her six-month pregnancy in a car accident when she was on a summer holiday with Ryan. He had often found reasons why he would not make it for the weekend. He always had an excuse for having no time. Now she had found out the real reason. Another woman was actually lying in Tess’s bed when she returned earlier from her Christmas break, which she had spent with her mother in Madrid. Tess was devastated because she was nearing the end of her 30s and had invested so much hope in this relationship, but she was clearly just a comfort zone for this guy in a popular city, making the guy’s lifestyle easy. So the best she could do now was to forget about Ryan, he was just not the man for a relationship or family planning.

Tess and Pippa were now spinning alternate scenarios about a 39-year-old single female who wanted a child but couldn’t find a man on the sphere. They were running through plans from “Made in Mallorca” which was a clinic specializing on fertilization, to going back to her ex-boyfriend, who would just wait for her to come back, which would be the next drama as there was a reason why she had left him. The night ended with the idea that Tess would throw herself back into the dating market. The two were scrolling through the internet for the best dating site options in town, creating a new profile on one of the most popular dating apps. Just an hour later, the first hearts were flying in, and Tess had arranged two dates for the forthcoming week.

While Pippa was looking for some extra income and had applied for some online design jobs, she had closed the deal for two projects for an event agency and would be busy for the days up to New Year’s Eve with some designs.

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Bangkok 24 h

Chapter II from the book DESTINATION DESIRABLE

Twenty-four hours later, including an almost twelve-hour flight, Paula and Walt already spent the first impressive hours in Bangkok. They had kicked off the afternoon in the infinity pool surrounded by floating candles, champagne, and a sweeping view over Bangkok.

In the evening, they followed the invitation by the cruise organiser at the Bangkok welcome dinner, which would take place at the glasshouse with Cantonese culinary specialities. They would also meet some more guests who would join the cruise.

Ready for the welcome dinner, Paula and Walt walk down the hall. The hotel lounge with an international flair was busy. Like Bangkok itself, the city contrasts with action at every turn. From glamorous couples, tourists to global and local business people, others arrive to spend unforgettable days in extravagant luxury. While treating themselves in luxury malls, strolling through a sea of boutiques and markets, some prefer exploring local areas. From the marvel of gleaming temples, bustling Chinatown to visiting floating markets by boat and, of course, its’s famous nightlife with bars, nightclubs, lounges and exotic red-light shows, Bangkok never fails to amaze.

Also, Thailand offers excellent business opportunities for solid export and import companies and a rising start-up seen such as for rice, sugar, maise, rubber to electrical machinery, mineral fuels the city was also a great place for discussing business.

The glass house was decorated in a modern, clean chic style with huge glass fronts, an indoor garden and a water lane in the middle that split the restaurant into two main seating areas, one including a bar, and which were connected by a bridge. The waiter crossed the bridge and Paula and Walt followed towards the welcome group’s meeting point at the bar. A tall, woman with a brunette Brigitte Bardot inspired shag, dressed in a navy blue, floral, satin wrap dress turned around and welcomed the couple and introduced herself as Héloïse Lilou, a French actress better known as Lulu.

“Life is beautiful, isn’t it?” She asked with a charming smile pointing towards the indoor garden and the scenery that was behind the huge glass front, the flickering city lights fusing fairy-tale romance and cosmopolitan chic.

“Wow, indeed, it is!” Walt was astonished by the outlook, not just the beautiful brunette woman but also by the scenery she was pointing. He’s never seen such a skyline before.

“So impressive, spectacular!” Paula was standing there with her mobile in her hand, trying to capture the breath-taking moment with her camera.

The three were having their welcome cocktail while watching the astonishing scenery when another person, a mid-thirty something handsome guy with an outdated, medium-long hairstyle from the late 80s and probably a problematic past, joined the group. He introduced himself as Danny, a previous celebrity from London who had reached fame through a national casting show and made the headlines ever since. No matter what he managed to do, if it was a car accident into a sausage van, a new business in solar energy that had managed to make him millions, the media always knew how to tear him to pieces. Finally, he explained that he wanted to join the cruise to get away from it all and that he planned to spend a few months in a retreat after the cruise.

Paula and Walt agreed about how cruel the media sometimes could be, and they remembered some of the headlines about Danny.

A member of the crew, Sue, who would be the tour guide, joined the group, and they moved over to their table. The second round of aperitifs was served. Each member gave a short introduction and their motivation to participate the cruise. Almost everyone was at a cross-road. Lulu had just left her family, she had lived with her partner and their kids, who by now grown-up adults were going their own way. At the same time, her partner had found new adventures with some younger women. She needed a change of scenery. She explained she also had been offered a new role and wanted to take the time to prepare for the role.

Walt was impressed and he remembered some movies decades ago in which Lulu had played. “This sounds almost like one of the stories you played in the early eighties, didn’t you?” he asked. “What was the name of the movie “Celebration”, wasn’t it, the guy cheating on his wife, where you played the daughter who fell in love with this musician guy.”

“Oh, yes, this is ages ago. You remember that movie?” Lulu smiled. “This was the beginning of it all, one of the first movies that hit the box offices. In the movie, I played the loving couple with Jules and my film father was cheating and left the family.”

“I loved this movie!” Paula laughed. “This was the love story of the year. I remember at school. Every girl was in love with this guy, your film partner, Jules.”

Everyone laughed. “Oh, yeah, this was a time.”

“Guess I missed it.” Danny joined in. “But I have seen the movie, too. The story was incredible. You guys were so funny. I loved the movie, too.”

“This wasn’t just a love story in the movies, wasn’t it? So, you guys were together in real life, too?” Danny asked.

“Yeah, that’s true. I remember when we were at the Cannes Film Festival, together with where we got an award for the movie.” Lulu was reminiscing, but she did not want to go down memory lane right now.

“Well, this was a time, and shortly after, we broke up.”

Luckily, they were interrupted by a new member who would join the cruise, Nia. She was a blogger and would report about the cruise. She was also working on an environmental project collaborating with the cruise and other travel companies. The ” ClickATree ” project designed for tourists would allow each tourist to make an ecological impact. When booking the tour, they also provide a share to plant a tree. Participants could decide that a percentage of the travel price was added on top, covering costs to plant trees to create nature reservoirs within the region they travelled. Nia was also looking for further co-operations, and she would meet a new famous influencer from Bangkok who would help promote the campaign.

Impressed by the project, Walt supported the idea, making an environmental impact while travelling, and so was the rest of the group attracted to that idea. Finally, the dessert was served, a bomb of sweet creations from juicy mango, rice hearts, coconut crepe, just anything one could imagine, to indulge in, and satisfy one’s sweet tooth. The group decided to end the day in the hotel’s night club, known for its charming, diverse nightlife scene, awesome laser shows, and one of the world’s best clubs.

For the next day, Paula and Walt had booked a sightseeing tour through Bangkok while the three other cruise members, Danny, Lulu and Nia, had decided to take a local tour guide and explore the city by a TukTuk. Nia originally was supposed to meet the influencer to discuss their campaign, but the influencer cancelled the meeting at shorthand. The influencer was on a trip, and they rescheduled an appointment for a date after the cruise. Nia had planned two more days after the cruise before returning to London.

*

The views were impressive breath-taking on the 78th floor along the Mahanakhon Skywalk, standing on the glass tray at the height of 310 meters. Paula and Walt took some photographs and enjoyed the birds-eye view of the beautiful skyline below them. They then went on for a snack at the King Power Mahanakhon Sky Lounge, which offered a true escape from the busy city below before moving on back to the hustle of city life to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

Sitting in a long crowded boat, they passed by the ships where people sold food, fresh vegetables, fruits, one of the oldest traditional ways of selling goods to customers. Paula felt like in a dream where she was living in a different century when sitting in such a boat would have been luxury. Floating through such dreamy scenery, through a maze of canals, the so-called “Khlongs”, and a sea of colourful fruits and vegetables, the contrasts of the city between ultimate modern skyscrapers, latest technologies and old traditions were hard to grasp. As major tourism attractions, such markets, of course, contributed well to Thailand’s tourism industry, one of the country’s dominant income sources.

*

Danny, Lulu, and Nia had followed the hotel’s recommendation and took their sightseeing trip via the traditional three-wheel vehicle; well, their vehicle was a more modern version of a motorised Tuk-tuk. A private tour with stops that also shows some hidden gems and the everyday life of Bangkok apart from typical tourist attractions.

Their first stop provided a stunning view of Wat Traimit; the temple is known for housing the 5.5 tonnes seating Buddha statue, a gold sculpture dating back to the 13th century before they headed to the temple itself.

Their ride continued to the market in Chinatown, a food hub packed with stalls, eateries, shops, and Chinese temples. They then crossed the Memorial Bridge over the Chao Phraya River, taking a lunch break. Next, they aimed for Wat Pho, a Buddhist temple complex famous for its reclining Buddha. A temple, also known as the birthplace of Thai massage.

Back on the Tuk-tuk, they followed along busy streets to reach the Golden Mount (Wat Saket), a man-made hill topped with a gold stupa. Again, a place with phenomenal outlook where they enjoyed a 360-degree view of Bangkok.

Eventually, they had taken a boat ride from Phan Pa Klong, enjoying scenes of local life along the canals. Their tour ended with a drink near the hotel. The group enjoyed a late afternoon in a small outdoor bar, and their tour guide told some anecdotes and what spots to avoid in Bangkok. He also strongly recommended taking the hotel shuttle to the port instead of a regular taxi. Bangkok’s taxi drivers were well known for inflated prices, overcharging their guests by not turning on the taximeter or taking unique routes that ended the double duration and, with this, the doubled price. The guide also mentioned the Entertainment shows, go-go bars and ping-pong shows in some infamous districts in Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya. People would be scammed into the upper floor of the bar and not be allowed to leave until they paid a massive amount of a bill.

On the Star Clipper

With the tour guide’s excellent advice, the three finally arrived safely at the port in Laem Chabang after a four-hour ride with a private coach. They stood in front of the Star Clipper. A vast white sailing yacht with a decoration in the spirit of maritime tradition.

“Wow, this is a sailing ship!” Danny stood there with an open mouth staring at the boat.

Read the full story here

Nights out, Charity & boat trips

from the book Blend 37 – Pippa Bow

A week later, Pippa was sitting on her study project a case study for a new female tech gadget while clicking some likes from Tess party pictures and a sunny day on her cruise. The pictures looked amazing and she could almost get jealous, but Tess really deserved this break and the two looked so happy together. Pippa’s messenger popped-up. “Hey, how are you?” Brendon, the study colleague who had joined the Java Programming course the week before a course Pippa took as a minor subject in addition to her design studies. Brendon had previously studied in San Francisco and had just lately moved to London.

 “Hey, hanging on this marketing strategy for my nature products, what’s up?” Pippa writes back.

“Uh, on a Friday night?” He asks.

 “Well, yes, on a Friday night, when else?” Pippa replies.

“Wow, yeah, you are pretty busy I’ve seen. How is your new part-time job?” Brendon asks.

 “My, new job? Don’t remind me!” Pippa writes “Not on a Friday, night, please!” she adds.

“And what are you doing on a Friday night?” she asks. “Chatting?” he replies.

 “Oh, yeah, obviously, and anything else?” Pippa questions.

 “Well, I got an invitation for the Icetank party tonight, I was wondering if you want to join? Alexa will be there, too she was asking if you might like to join?” he adds a smile.

“Being spontaneous? Yes, why not.” Pippa confirms the invitation, the Icetank parties are always amazing and the invitations are always very limited handed mostly to the It-people and the celebrity kind of crowed.

“Ok, ten o’clock, I pick you up?” Brendon asks.

“Yep, sounds great!” Pippa writes with a blink.

 “Cool.” He replies.

Pippa quickly jumps under the shower. She puts on her Vata dry oil an Ayurveda oil with almond and basil to re-vitalize a little. She was almost falling asleep as she was sitting on her study.

Now standing in front of her open walk in wardrobe she has quickly to decide what to wear, dress or trousers? No question, she puts on the new Lipsy trouser with a white blouse combined with a lace top underneath and her high heels with the red sole.

The doorbell already rings. “I am coming one sec!” She shouts. Taking off the shoes again to get quicker to the door.

“Oh, hey Brendon, time passed so quick, already ten, is it?” She asks.

“Yes, it’s already ten.” He says with a smile.

 He’s looking damn good, Pippa thinks, and can’t help to bite her lips, she swallows than in a stuttering voice. “Yes, I will be ready, give me a minute.”

She still has no make-up on and rushes into the bathroom and has just time for a mascara. She gets all her stuff together, grabs her coat than stops in the corridor with a critical look in the mirror and quickly puts some lipstick on. She turns around looking at Brendon: “Ready!” she says.

“Wow, you are looking beautiful, let’s go.” He replies, and they walk over to his car and make their way to the Icetank at Covent Garden.

Brendon and Pippa are standing on the buffet chatting with Alexa who takes a refill for the empty champagne classes. Her boyfriend Hendrik, the initiator and sponsor of the party one of the most popular and elitist events in town held once a year but who is on a business trip in Asia, so the party is on Alexa’s patronage. “I just welcomed our Russian special guests you know Victor and his precious wife Anastacia? I will introduce you later to them, they are responsible for the draw that we will hold at midnight. You won’t believe the first prize. Actually, you might want to help me to get some more tickets out. You moving your sexy ass through the crowed, is going to double the charity’s revenue.” Alexa jokes.

 “Or triple it.” Brendon laughs while taking a look at Pippa’s backside.

 “Well okay, I see the conversations go flat here, so let me help you out, darling.” Pippa replies and smacks her hip on Alexa and they all have a good laugh.

Pippa starts giving out some tickets and the people are very generous. They buy tickets in total from 500 to 1000 pound per couple at least. Pippa talks to a Chrissy a US model who Pippa had met on her last holiday in Ibiza who currently is on a Europe trip with her boyfriend an international lawyer who also has to do some business in Brussels.

“Oh, let’s meet next week, I really would like some advice on our new apartment, you got such great style Pippa, I would love to go for a shopping tour with you.” Chrissy suggests.

 “Of, course sweety, I’m quite busy, apart from my study I just started a new part-time job and you cannot believe what kind of asshole I have to work for. I will make some space for an afternoon, a shopping tour with you and nice dinner would be lovely.” Pippa agrees and they set a date.

Pippa turns around and looks straight into the eye of exactly the asshole she was just talking about.

“Good evening Mr.” she pauses. “Oh, Toby, what pleasure to meet you here.” Pippa forces herself to a smile.

“I wonder, what someone like you is doing on this party.” He then looks at the draw. “Ah, you are working here, of course, I would doubt you ever being on the invitation list of that event.” Toby comments with the utmost condescending look at Pippa.

“Well, I’m sure you want some draws supporting the charity, helping some less fortunate people who did not grow up with all the advantages you have, don’t you?” Pippa asks pretending a sweet smile on her face. Knowing that he must have tricked himself into this party, probably by stealing his boss’ invitation or any other kind of scam. Knowing that buying even one single ticket of the draw would hurt his empty pockets. He was the kind of guy who everyone new came from a low social background who tried too damn hard to play like he was a rich guy. With his whole attitude so overdrawn and who had the generosity of a small man with his biting marks on everyone he could not imagine could have a much better fortune than himself. Exactly like he was now standing opposite Pippa trying to make her small with every word that came out of his plebeian mouth not even knowing that for her this was just a favor, a small gesture to her friend.

“Well, I take one, yes, to support the less fortunate people like you.” Toby demands with his bold lip. Pippa puts a smile on.

 “Just one?” Knowing how expensive the tickets are and knowing that he talks much bolder than his pockets are. “Oh, come on Toby, no one, went under ten here, I am sure you want to be on top of the sponsor list, don’t you?” Pippa keeps teasing.

“Of, course, then give me ten.” He strikes a pose and continues in his arrogant tone of voice.

“Sure, that’s a five than.” Pippa smiles. “Toby opens his purse and pulls out a fifty pound note.

“Oh, honey, I mean five thousand, it is fife hundred per ticket. That’s a problem?” Pippa asks.

“Are you sane, are you putting this money in your own pocket, if you want to rip me off, you got the wrong one.” He grabs Pippa’s arm.

 “I will report you, that you tried to rip me off.” He drags Pippa over to one of the security guards.

“This girl tried to get money out of me by selling me overpriced draw tickets. She demanded five thousand pound. She’s a criminal, who is responsible for this draw?” Toby lifts his nose, looking around. Even the security guards know who Pippa is and they know the price of the draw. They hardly can hide their laughter.

 “Well, yes, leave this to us, we will take care of that.” The guard pauses.

“Mistake.” He puts his hand in front of his face to hide his bursting into laughter. “Go back to your more important business talks.” The other guard suggests.

“Well, thank you.” Toby, nods and turns around disappearing back in the crowed.

“So, you little criminal!” The guard claps on Pippa’s shoulder “how could you?” They burst into laughter. Meanwhile the other guard informed Alexa who is already on her way and joins the three with a tablet of champagne glasses in her hand.

 “Need a drink?” she asks. “Who was this asshole? How did he got an invitation to the party?” Alexa looks at Pippa.

“He is the asshole, I have to work with at my new part-time job for the One Event agency.” Pippa explains.

“Jesus, and who is he?” Alexa keeps asking.

 “He must have taken the invitation from Sarah the director, he does her mail.” Pippa suggests.

“Well, thanks for the entertainment.” Alexa cheers the classes.

“Let’s chill and cheer. I’ve seen you made already over a million in the first half hour, with the draw. Unbelievable. Take a break and watch out better, that you don’t hit another of such low puns.” Alexa jokes and the two walk back to meet some guest from Asia.

An hour later the tombola is announced together Alexa and Pippa present the winner and the prizes. The first price goes to an Italian couple who just lately had married. They are screaming out of happiness when they hear their name. They win a week’s cruise on the superyacht Joy.

The turmoil let go and the evening gets a bit quieter Brendon comes over to Pippa.

“Wow, you are pretty busy, what a prize, a honeymoon on the Joy, I wish would win that.” He smiles at Pippa.

 “Yes, that cruise is amazing.” Pippa agrees. They both walk over to the dancefloor the music has slowed down and they have a dance together. As she leans her head on Brendon’s, which feels good by the way, looking over Brendon’s shoulder, Pippa sees how a guy disappears through the front door, the shadow of Toby. By now he must know that Pippa was not just a servant on the party and Pippa senses that this will have quite an impact on her work with Toby at her part-time job and probably not a positive one and she knows that she better puts on her knight’s of armor next time she enters the office. But for now here on Brendon’s shoulder she can rather strip off and she turns her head around Brendon is looking at her, coming closer with her head, she looks into his beautiful shiny eyes and then she can feel his lips touching hers and she get’s lost in a long kiss. He is pulling her a little tighter and they dance away in the rhythm of the night.

*

Waking up in Brandon’s Chelsea apartment. The day couldn’t start any better. Brandon was still sleeping. Pippa hushed out of the bed, grabbing the jumper on the floor, Brandon’s, pulling it over and walking barefoot over to the kitchen to make some coffee. Secretly she loves the instant Nescafe coffee and she knows despite there is a bright selection of Nespresso on the shelve that every English habitant had a hidden Nescafe glass somewhere in their kitchen shelve. And there it was, Pippa takes a tablespoon of Nescafe and waited for the water in the cattle to heat. She takes a look out of the window starring in the flat opposite the street. She sees how a couple is arguing, an older man with a British look in his morning robe and a somehow younger latin looking woman heavily gesticulating, than the men is walking toward the woman hitting in her face. He looks over to the window and seconds later the curtains are pulled to cover the window. Pippa is shaking her head while peering the hot water on her coffee. This was the kind of relationship that was an absolute taboo to her, but some woman would take just anything. The woman surely was capable to make her own money but instead she would accept that to live a good live. If any man would hit her in the face she would be so gone if she would not even hit first.

Pippa nipped on her coffee checking her email, she had received a text message from Tess who had had her own kind of magic dinner night.

Tess’s new boyfriend Gibson had invited Marco and Letitia to a dinner night on the boat. Marco was in politics and Letita a known journalist, the two were together for a long time. Gibson and Marco new each other from old times as they had studied at the same University Stanford. Some of Marco’s clients were high ranking politicians as well as celebrities and during the dinner, he had told his anecdotes from his latest case one of those prominent divorces. Probably one of the reasons why he would never get married he said. Some couples have contracts you would not need to get married with that kind of contract in the first place. But unfortunately, this couple had not such a contract. The guy an actor had married one of those Latin girls and would now need to pay a hell of money but of course Marco tried his best to keep the guy’s Millions together. The woman was much younger and had only married the guy for money and now wanted the divorce. She claimed violence from his side and betrayal that he would cheat on her. But in truth she was the one who used every opportunity when the guy was on set or traveling and had been seen with some other guys. She also was friends with one woman who was known for a divorce scandal where the truth had revealed that the woman had made up all allegations. This was the situation Marco had now to prove that his client was the victim and not his wife. Which was not easy as she was so shrewd, but he had a strategy, as Ms Olivera was not the actor’s first wife. Whereas he had reputation and history of woman but none of them had ever reported any violence. So, his strategy bringing them up in court as witnesses was part of his strategy while the actor felt quite embarrassed about the situation meeting all of the woman again. But this was still better than losing it all to this woman. Tess could understand she would not like to meet all her ex-lovers again. But Marco found it kind of exciting.

 “Wow, I will meet all Hollywood’s beauties and some other of the World’s top models, he had had them all!”

 A comment that was followed by a side-punch from his girlfriend sitting next to him.

“I will join you on each of them when you interview them.” Letita suggested not all, too serious. “Actually I like the idea, I could make some contact which could get me some good interviews to write about, would you mind, darling?” She teased.

“Ah, here there is the synergy of our relationship. Of course, my sweetheart knows her own way how to get her slice of the pie.” He snugged a kiss on her cheek.

“My win of the case on the front side of our number one newspaper and media cover at best times, is then mine, isn’t it, sweety?” Marco looked at Letitia and they both couldn’t hide a smile and they all burst into laughter.

They were really the perfect couple, Tess thought, and she exchanged a look with Gibson who pulled her a little closer for a long kiss.

They all had another bottle of champagne before everyone went off in their cabins.

‘

Tess had sent beautiful pictures from a Majorcan coast. They had set the sails in the morning and would be in a little bay in Paguera in the afternoon where they had another dinner with some of Gibson’s friends. They had arrived in the afternoon and Tess had jumped straight from the yacht into the blue ocean. They had spent an amazing candle-light dinner with a private piano concert and had returned at their yacht at around ten. The next day was a short turn to Magaluf where they had an official party to attend from one of Gibson’s business partners a massive pool party including caviar, champagne and VIP’s from all over the world. Also, Chrissy and her husband had joined the party.

Read the full story here Blend 37 – Pippa Bow

New Beginnings

from the book Blend 37 – Pippa Bow

A week had passed. Pippa had worked all week on the designs for an event agency who had planned a massive opening party in spring. Pippa had created the whole concept including the Artwork. These were the kind of jobs you could get on the internet. You would work like a hundred hours not knowing if the client finally approves the work and if he did you would end up with a few hundred bucks paying a tenth of what the work would be worth.

Pippa was proud on her piece of work and it had been approved. But these jobs would not be enough to keep her running alive during her study and she would not have the time to work non-stop on a project she also had to do the homework for the study. She also had applied for a part-time job with one of the most prestigious event agencies in London. She would start in two weeks. The job was paid well for a student job, enough to pay the rent and avoiding the risk of starving. Tonight, she had planned to go for dinner with Tess, and later on, they would meet some friends in a bar.

Tess and Pippa had enjoyed their dinner at the Arcadia, a colorful restaurant with Italian food. They were at their Tiramisu and a cup of cappuccino while Tess were reporting from her last date that she got through her dating app. The first date had been a nightmare, but the latest guy in her dating series somehow had blown her away. She was sitting there full of excitement:

“We went to this place near Lancaster gate, the new restaurant Fire. He had been waiting there already on my arrival, but I did not even recognize him. So, I had taken a seat at the bar and ordered a Martini. After ten minutes I started texting him, where are you? And he wrote back, I am already here I am waiting for you, I am the man who is sits next to the window near the open fire-place.”

 “Wow, you did not recognize the guy?” Pippa was laughing.

 “No! He was wearing a suit and on those pictures on that app he had been wearing more casual T-Shirts and sunglasses.” Tess laughs.

 “Was it a disappointment without sunglasses or does he look that good?” Pippa questions with a bright smile on her face.

“He is handsome, damn handsome, he looks amazing – he actually is amazing.” Tess couldn’t stop she was absolutely impressed by the guy.

Tess had had her date on Tuesday with Gibson and they really had enjoyed it. He was one of those financial sharks who worked for one of the prestigious financial companies. They had met again just the day before and had spent the night together. She had left his apartment on Belgravia this morning as he had been heading off to a business trip.

Tess was sitting opposite Pippa flying on cloud seven and swarming about Gibson like a teenager. They both giggled while Tess were talking what he had done to her last night. Gibson had also sent Tess an email just before she had left the house to meet Pippa saying: “I hope you give me a reason to come back.”

The two women finished their drinks and moved on to meet their friends Michelle and Alexa at the Lobby Bar at the foot of The Strand. A shiny light filled space with classy drinks and an even more classy clientele. The four spent a sophisticated time out. As they haven’t seen each other since the last semester they had a lot to tell. All of them had had major changes in their relationships and were now single except Alexa she had just gotten engaged flashing off her ring and was about to marry in summer. Michelle was already flirting with one of the guys on the neighbor couch while Alexa, Tess and Pippa disappeared on the dance floor.

By the early morning hour around five Tess and Pippa arrived at their apartment house standing on the corridor. ”I will see you tomorrow?” Tess murmured while leaning at the door.

 “Yes, good idea, or maybe the day after tomorrow, in case I sleep a little longer.” Pippa grinned than opening her apartment door and disappeared.

The weekend had past and Pippa was sitting on another project for the event agency she worked online and was on the last edits as the deadline was set for five pm in the afternoon. She had worked out the whole marketing plan, including the graphical parts, venues, contacts and much more. So, her rent was saved for this month.  The following day university started again, and in the afternoon, she had her first day at her new job at the prestigious event agency. The receptionist opened the door for her, and she got introduced to the team. Two girls both around their early thirties, one from South London the other girl was speaking in an Eastern block country accent. The head of digital was not in, like most days he would delight with his absence. Last, but not least, Pippa got introduced to the Digital director’s assistant who on the other side would shine with his presence even more. He would be the one Pippa would work closest with to her delight which she already knew the moment he shook her hand with such a soft arrogant, dismissively handshake.

 “Welcome Pippa, we are already expecting you I got lots of projects already waiting for you, show us how you will delight us here.” Toby the assistant pointed to his desk. “Well, you might want to have a seat.”

Pippa could only feel how her stomach acid rushed up and she swallowed it down. Yes, this was exactly what she was looking for; working with the asshole assistant.

“Thank you, Toby.“ She smiled. “Nice to meet you, I am so excited.”

Pippa took a seat and Toby started explaining his role, since when he was in the company and what important work he was doing, which prestigious clients he worked with and that Pippa’s forerunner had been from the Netherlands and had returned to his study and he wasn’t really sure if Pippa had what it takes to talk with his important clients.

“But we will see, I have a number of projects in mind you could work with and then we will see where you fit best.” Toby suggested. Pippa agreed in a friendly manner and repeated.

“Yes, well, let’s see what fits best.” She was impressed what asshole this guy was, how someone that age could talk with such arrogance and she was wondering what his capability was apart from talking bullshit. It seemed like as more asshole the people to work with, the better the pay. Pippa forgot about the thought to simply go for another job as it was hard to find a job that fitted to the hours and that was paid that well. Otherwise she would need to ask her father to support her with her living costs which she wanted to avoid under all circumstances. She was so glad not needing to ask him to support her, despite of course he would pay her lots of extras that made life damn comfortable and allowed her to live in such an area. She would rather have to find a way how to get along with this assistant director. Toby kept talking himself into heaven. In between he was looking at Pippa.

 “You are in your third year of your design studies, aren’t you?”

“Yes, and in programming as well.” With her proud voice.

“Very good, I need your help with this than.” Toby nodded. “We are working with a designer and programmer they are specialized in this and I need a list of all those activities and the payments.  Can you work with excel?” 

Wow, what an eloquent question, Pippa was stunned sitting on her chair, trying to fake her politeness with a smile.

 “Excel? What is this?” she asks jokingly. “Well, we do a lot of calculation, what did you study?” Toby was asking with his missing sense of humor.

“I was just joking, it is like you ask a drawing student if he knows a pen, isn’t it?” Pippa replies.

 “Like a pen?” Toby repeated. He was lacking the link to Pippa’s comparison and she thought, let it be.

 “Well, yes, I am quite familiar with excel, Toby. I work daily with the program, for calculations, forecasts, budget calculations, things like that.” Pippa explained and couldn’t hide her non-excitement about calculations.

“Good, we will see.” Toby replied. “But entering some data shouldn’t be too difficult, I guess.” He commented. “So, well I have a meeting now. You will come tomorrow afternoon. Here is what you can start with, you will sit at the side to Rebecca at the reception, she will show you the computer.” Toby finished.

Pippa couldn’t believe her luck about this new job. This was going to be like working in hell. She said good bey and left the office texting Tess: “Ready for a drink? Meet me at the Kay’s Bar!”

A Victorian bar in South Kensington that somehow had become Pippa’s second home during the last summer semester.

“Will be there at around six. I’m with a client here.” Tess replied.

“See you, there. Drinks waiting.” Pippa wrote.

Pippa was on her second Martini when Tess arrived.

“Hi sweety, how is it going, you are impressed by your new job as I see aren’t you?” Tess asks ironically.

“Yeah, I’m so impressed, you can’t believe what kind of asshole this assistance guy is who I have to work with, unbelievable, a total sexist!” Pippa states with anger.

“Well, you better get used to this, when you enter the working sphere, that’s the first thing they will pick on, after all it is all about competition, honey.” Tess tries to calm Pippa down. “You have no idea what I experience with my colleagues even in our law firm, half of the energy goes into fighting against our colleagues. Jim lately sued Kathrin for dealing with one of her clients and that’s within our own firm. Imagine that!” Tess keeps going.

“How do you get through that?” Pippa asks. “Every morning, when I look in the mirror, I tell myself, it’s best time. You can do this, if you want to drive a Maserati, you better be bitch.” Tess said.

“You say what?” Pippa laughs out loud.

“Yes, that’s what I tell myself every morning, and it works.” Tess says, “and don’t take things personal, darling. That’s rule number one. People don’t do all this because they are against you, they do it because they are for themselves.” Tess continues.

 “Well, I was thinking changing this job, looking for another one, but this again takes time and I am in my final year now, so I don’t want to waste too much time on job hunting.” Pippa says.

“You know most of these bricks are just insecure or feel threatened by you in some way, that they might don’t appear that smart. That’s the main reason why people bully. There is always the one, the one asshole. Get your own strategy how to get along with those idiots, you will find your way. This event company is good for you to work with. Rise above it, just think about the money and know your why, your study, you are not doing this for him! You do it for yourself!”

They both have another drink and change the topics. Tess is again reporting the details and latest news about her new lover and they are big. “He asked me for a boat-trip. Can you imagine?” Tess giggles.

“A boat-trip?” Pippa asks and was astonished by that idea as most guys would simply ask for a weekend-trip to the country-side.

“Yes, he suggested a turn from Mallorca to Ibiza, he has an invitation on a party in Magaluf, one of his friends is throwing a party there. It sounds amazing and I really would love to go there, but I have this case with that merger running so I don’t know if it is a good idea to take the whole week off.” Tess says hesitating.

 “Well, come on, you are almost through with this case, can’t your associate do this paper stuff, you will be back at the opening day.  Imagine what a great time you will have there, go for it, girl!” Pippa keeps motivating her as she worked so hard since the break-up and really deserves a good break.

“Yeah, you are right, it is just the paperwork that needs to be sorted and the form of order sought is through already, you’re right. I should go for the trip.” Tess agrees with a big triumphing smile on her face. “I’m going.” Tess was working along on a merger between a global media company and an Asian production company and it had taken her endless nights to get the deal finally together but it was all set and it seemed like it was never the right time for taking time off for a holiday, so if it wasn’t now, then when.

Read the full story here Blend 37 – Pippa Bow

Part V – “What is it you think I don’t want?”

Chapter II Sisley’s first day at Cargo City South from the book Airways – I’m not in Hollywood

“I would like to turn the car around, seeing you?”

Sisley swallows and repeats: “You want to turn the car around to see me and you don’t know if I want this?”

“Yes?” he repeats while questioning.

“Mhhhh, so yes, you can turn the car around and guess, I think I want this, too.” Sisley now stumbling.

“Yes, really? Okay, I already turned around, I’m with you in five minutes.” De Rick answers. Sisley smiles from ear to ear.

Five minutes later, the doorbell rings. Sisley opens the door taking a step out to the corridor. Hearing his steps on the stairs. De Rick walks up the stairs and there he comes up to the third floor. She can hear him saying in his Flemish accent “Oh, these stairs they get me breathless.” De Rick jokes, looking at Sisley and flashing his brightest smile. Sisley is smiling at him, too.

“Oh, the stairs leave you breathless, do they?” she’s kidding. De Rick reaches Sisley’s door, grabbing her around the waist both stumbling into the room. The door falls into the lock. In the background the radio is playing. Standing in the middle of the room. De Ricks arms around her waist, Sisley slinging her arms around his neck. Both slow dancing starring in each other’s eyes and smiling at each other. “I wasn’t sure if you like it but I’m so happy you said yes.”  De Rick says, feeling relieved and smiling from ear to ear.

“Well, it seems like the absolute perfect summer night, tonight. Both kissing and starting to take the clothes off. Sisley got her hands in his trousers back pockets and they are stumbling over to the bed. De Ricks lying on the bed, Sisley taking off her last bits and they start rolling on the sheets.

*

She walks over to the bath then opens the balcony door and steps out. Rick comes over puts his arm around her and kisses her neck. Outside the temperature measures thirty-four degrees.

 “It is still so hot in the middle of the night,” Sisley says with a sighing sound in her voice.

“Yes, this is actually the hottest night in the year, they even reported that on the radio and the heat is still in the air.” De Rick replies. He kisses her and they slowly walk in again.

“Wow, we stick together like glue,” Rick comments with a smile. Both laugh. “Oh, my god!” Sisley is laughing.

“Let’s see if it’s a good sign or a bad one.”

“It must be a good one of course!” She adds and there they go for round number three.

*

Five o’clock in the morning. ”Wow, two hours more to go and I have to get up!” Sisley says astonished. “So, this means you want to go to sleep, now?” de Rick is looking at Sisley.

“Yeah, at least two hours sleep wouldn’t harm, would it?” Sisley jokes.

“You can come with me! I take you to the airport. At what time do you have to be there, latest?” de Rick offers Sisley a ride to the office.

“Ten would do.”

”Cool that gives an hour more, does it?” He kisses her. “That’s true, okay then I come with you.” And there, they both fall asleep.

Hotline & Bills

Treasure passes by with the Airways slogan. “I’m not in Hollywood” Treasure sings in a melody while already on Sisley’s door, he stops “Does your phone work? I can get calls but can’t do any outgoing calls.” He asks Sisley.

Read the full story here Chapter II Sisley’s first day at Cargo City South from the book Airways – I’m not in Hollywood

IV Sunday afternoon

Chapter II Sisley’s first day at Cargo City South from the book Airways – I’m not in Hollywood

Sisley takes off to London for her exams. Wednesday a quarter to ten she sits in front of the university staircase, smoking a cigarette when her Phone rings. Sisley looks at the display the phone number of her charming boss, Riveri lights up. She answers the phone. ”Sisley, is it you, where are you? I’m in the office now, when do you come in? I called for the last two days but you did not answer the phone?” Riveri keeps wondering.

“Riveri? I’m in London I got my examen in fifteen minutes, this was agreed! You signed the holiday sheet and we talked about it, remember?” Sisley talks in a hurry.

“Oh, well, you’re in London, you got your exams then kick-ass it, see you next week.” Riveri immediately replies.

”Sure, I’ll do my best. See you next week Riveri.” Sisley replies and puts the phone down. She can hardly believe this was really her boss, asking where she is.

Taking a deep inhale of her cigarette, blowing out the smoke, she’s shaking her head. Two girls and a guy are having a fag, too, next to Sisley, now looking over to Sisley. “My boss, Riveri. Asking where I am? Today it’s Wednesday? He realized after two days I wasn’t in the office, great! This guy? Unbelievable!” Sisley shouts out. They all laugh out loud.

The class starts and Sisley gets in the classroom. She got her media module exams and gets well on with them. Two hours later she’s done and walks over to the café Nero. Some more guys from her university from her media studies, graphics, and business studies are hanging out there. Sisley joins the group. Lee, Kimberly, Tony. ”This was quite interesting questions, wasn’t it? I could have written a whole book about this present Hughe’s scandal, but time was too short.“ Tony states.

“I went to the BBC Organization. I had my training there for six months so this was easy to describe for me, have you heard about this Atkins reporter? They kicked him out, lately. A recording came out lately, one from his Voicemail where he was shouting about a caller this f…. asshole and they had made it public.” Lee reports.

“It’s amazing how such shit happens to those people, actually I liked his show, yeah actually a show about the dumbest caller is not what the caller wants to listen to, too. Maybe they should do something like the caller with the funniest voice that comes better on the radio.” Kimberly suggests.

“Yeah, that be cool, I love that listening to real serious stuff like news in a Dagobert duck voice,” Sisley replies.

“Yeah, I like that, too but some people really have funny voices, I just can’t help it.” Kimberly giggles and imitates some.

“Hey, you girls have great ideas, maybe we should start a project like that, what do you, think guys?” Tony asks.

“Yeah, that be cool, let’s do something together.” Kimberly agrees.

The hour break is over and the next examen starts, they all switch numbers then go back to the campus.

As a distance learning student, Sisley gets seated in any class. This time she’s placed into the Arabic class while she has to create some PR stuff for a campaign. She chooses one topic and starts working out the campaign. While the Arabic class has a test including a dictate. The teacher starts reading a paper in the Arabic language shouting out loud. After fifteen minutes he asks: “Sisley, is this okay for you, can you concentrate on your exams? Sorry, I forgot you are working on some real heavy stuff on your exams.” Ali, the Arabic teacher is asking.

“Oh, Ali and you realize that now that she needs to concentrate, after 15 minutes?” A guy from the second-row comments.

“Sounded to me like you’re upset about something, so I didn’t want to interrupt you. Ah, but that was Arabic?” Sisley jokes. They all laugh.

“Okay, it’s only five minutes more anyway and we’re done,” Ali replies.

*

Back in Germany, Sisley has another exciting day in the office with nothing to do. She goes for a break with the receptionist and starts talking about her London trip, Riveri’s smart call and some other London stories. De Rick’s office door is open. He is sitting at his desk. De Rick can’t hide his interest in Sisley and how he fancies her. He smiles at her and winks her in. “So, do you have any plans for tonight?”

“I’m going to the gym after work and I got a logo design to do. But sure, it’s Thursday night I got to go out! Do you have plans for tonight?”

“No, I don’t go out much here, I’ve told you that only when my boss is asking I join him but we go only to that one place here at the airport.” De Rick replies.

“Do you know Hanauer Landstraße? They have a really nice rooftop bar, have you been there?” Sisley suggests.

“No, but yes, that rooftop bar sounds good to me. I Would like to go there for a drink tonight after work or your Gym?” De Rick asks.

“Sounds, good,” Sisley replies and agrees. “I pick you up at eight o’clock, that’s okay?” He suggests.

“Yes, that’s great, so see you tonight,” Sisley replies and makes her way out winking at de Rick, while one of his other female admires enters his office.

Eight o’clock Sisley is in her flat, she has just finished her logo design for a woman’s fitness club, three sporty women and the text mark in a bright magenta with the words shape. The design looks damn cool. A weeping sound on Sisley’s phone an SMS from De Rick he’ll be a half hour late. Sisley thinks “great” so she got some more time to get dressed up, she puts some makeup on, chooses her favourite three-quarter length jeans and a black silk top finally puts on her favourite sandals that she had bought on her latest London trip.

Arrived at the rooftop bar. All the glamorous people are enjoying cocktails. De Rick and Sisley walk through the crowd to the bar at the end to get a Hugo’s, the summer cocktail of the year, a mix of elderflower, white wine and champagne. They slowly move over towards the dance floor. “So, this is where the jet-set parties?” de Rick asks.

“Jet set? Well if you call it jet-set?”

De Rick smiles at her “Yes, jet-set people who are one week in a city like London and the next day standing, on a roof-top in the next city like Frankfurt. Just like you do. Didn’t you just come from London and are you just standing on a rooftop in Frankfurt, partying?” de Rick reviews Sisley’s travel agenda from the previous week and makes his definition of jet-set visible to her.

She smiles “Well, if you say so, yes, that’s where we party here in Frankfurt.”

A couple comes over. The guy approaches Sisley. “You two look like honest people. Could you have a look at our bag? We want to spend a little time on the dancefloor.” Both agree and they keep an eye on the couple’s bag.

“Oh, no one has that ever said to me before. That must be your look, Sisley, so trustworthy.” De Rick comments.

“Oh, I look trustworthy, do I? I thought I look like you might want to commit some crimes, tonight, don’t you?” She asks and moves her hips to the rhythm and smiles at de Rick.

“Yes, you do look so innocent but maybe I am wrong.” He smiles and comes a little closer towards Sisley and both swing to the rhythm of the night. “It’s really a great location here, I don’t see this normally, the only thing I see is the airport.” De Rick is impressed by the city’s skyline.

“And you don’t go out once in a while with your mate Rob?” Sisley asks.

”Yeah, we do but we only go to the restaurant near the airport.” De Rick explains.

The couple returns. “Thank you very much, you are really nice guys. It’s great when you are around people that you can trust like that.” The guy offers the two another drink and they have some small talk. “Yes, we just came from Bali today, so it’s a great place for overcoming your jet lag but now it’s time to get some sleep, so we wish you a nice evening. Bye,” the couple says.

“It was nice meeting you, good night.” De Rick and Sisley shake hands with the two.

“Whatever was in the bag, I hope it was legal and they did not rob a bank. When someone talks so bold about trustworthy people this gets one suspicious, doesn’t it?” De Rick jokes.

Sisley laughs. “Yes, that’s true, but you talked bold about my trustworthiness, too, so you must think I’m a thief, do you?“ Sisley spins his theory.

“Well, I don’t know if you want to follow the couple, who knows where we end up?” de Rick keeps joking and pulls Sisley a little closer who replies.

“Well, I’m good where I am right now and, yes, it’s a wonderful night being around such beautiful people.” Sisley has finished her Hugo’s and the two make their way to the dance floor.

“Jet set as I say, they came from Bali, you came from London just last weekend, so how was it, you were so excited yesterday when you were talking to the receptionist talking about London, what did you do so special there, no one would be so excited about exams, would you?”

Sisley smiles. “Yes, exams were quite good so far, my charming “boss call” did I tell you about? After two days he’d realized I wasn’t in the office for two days, so he called me on my mobile when I told him I was in London doing my exams.” Sisley tells her story.

“He realized after two days that you didn’t show up?!” He bursts out in laughter. “He’s such an idiot!” De Rick states. “Anything else? Come on you girls always talk about the guys don’t you?” he asks teasing Sisley a little.

“Do we? You talk about all the girls, like the waitress, receptionist and who else you were seeing, that’s why we have to talk the same kind of stuff, that’s what you think?” Sisley tries to slow down on an answer.

“Oh, come on you girls talk the same way about us as we do about girls.” He plays on her.

“Maybe?” Sisley questions.

“So, it’s something I shouldn’t know about?” He asks and says: “Okay!”

“No! What do you want to know, just ask me? But maybe we should make our way to the door now, we got to go to work early tomorrow.” Sisley brings in.

De Rick smiles. “Ah, you are trying to escape my question, I have to be in by twelve only, so, we still got time.”

“Yeah, but I have to be in early I got this presentation to do.” Sisley explains.

“Ah, okay, let’s go, it’s the quarterly result, that silly stuff is it? I have to do that, too! But I will wait till Tom calls me to do it otherwise I will  tell him on Sunday I have no time to do it, he should have told me earlier.” And he smiles like a dog with two tails.

“Oh that’s you’re strategy, is it?!”

“Saves me work and I can use my time for better things. Drinking coffee with you, for example.” He smiles.

Sisley and De Rick leave the roof terrace taking the lift down. The lift-boy is nicking with his head and comments. “Looks like you guys had a good night, you’re looking good guys!” Both smile.

“Yes, definitely worth coming back here.” De Rick replies.

They walk over to the car taking the drive back to Sisley’s apartment.

”Wow, you really know where to go out, I’m impressed, it was a great night, I did not know you have a place like that here in Frankfurt.” De Rick is impressed.

“So, you enjoyed that evening?” Sisley smiles. “Me too.” She confesses. De Rick stops the car in front of Sisley’s flat.

“It was a really great night, we should do that again.” De Rick suggests. “It’s the perfect summer night, yes we should go out together again.” Sisley agrees. She kisses De Ricks cheek and gets out of the car. “Bye, De Rick, see you tomorrow.”

“Bye, Sisley, see you.”

Sisley walks up to her apartment. The first thing she does taking off her shoes once she’s in the living room area. She goes over to the fridge, taking a sip from the grapefruit juice bottle. Her mobile phone rings. “Sisley?” It’s De Ricks voice softly calling her name.

“Yes, De Rick is it you?” Sisley is surprised.

“Yes.” De Rick keeps his soft voice.

“Anything wrong?” Sisley wonders.

“No, hmm, I would like to ask you something but I don’t know if you would want that?” He stumbles.

Read the full story here Airways – I’m not in Hollywood

Part II – Sisley’s first day at Cargo City Sout

Chapter II from the book Airways – I’m not in Hollywood

Three days later: Sisley has arranged everything the new filing System is ready, she had prepared and printed all reports that are again well trapped on the table, the one from the weeks before she had placed in the bin. All her digital data is up to date. Sitting at this table tight on the wall she’s thinking about exchanging her furniture with the ones from the room next door. She sends an e-mail to Treasure who agrees to eleven o’clock. She calls Ernie from the IT department. ”Hi Ernie, how are you? I’m sure you are very busy, aren’t you?” Sisley asks with her a charming voice.

“Yes I’m so busy, I’m playing the new golf game all morning, is your boss in today? He wanted that game as well.” Ernie replies.

“Oh well, no Riveri hasn’t been in a single day this week, but he will be in next week. That’s what he said. How about you, having a little break from your business, I would like to get that table from the office next door into my room, could you come up and help me to get my old table out?” Sisley asks.

“What? Are you crazy?!!! That’s the CEO’s desk, you are not entitled to have such a desk!!! I won’t do that!” Ernie shouts into the phone.

“Oh, I talked to Riveri, he said it’s okay, he actually supports the idea. By helping me, you actually do it for him, too. So, are you going to help me?” Sisley asks again.

“Ah, so it is for Riveri, of course, I’m going to do that.” Ernie agrees immediately.

“Oh, great then you’ll be here at eleven o’clock? Treasure will be here too, and we’ll move it.” Sisley replies happily.

Eleven o’clock and Treasure steps into Sisley’s office. She offers him a Senseo coffee that she knows he loves. It is fifteen minutes past eleven and still, no Ernie is insight. Sisley calls the IT Department. “Ernie, where are you? We are waiting for you.” Sisley wonders.

“Mmmhh, you really want to do this?” Ernie mumbles into the phone.

“Of course, we agreed that already, didn’t we? Even Treasure is here with his assistant, so just come up helping to get out the heavy desk, the new table we can move alone. So you have nothing to do with the CEO’s table. Just helping to get my old one out, alright? It’s for Riveri anyway, he had said this looks so rubbish and tight”. Sisley arguments.

“Okay, I’m coming up,” Ernie replies.

Eleven thirty Ernie comes through the office door and they get started, removing the old table outside the corridor. Sisley has the idea to set the table diagonal, so she has more space and can see towards the door instead of looking at the wall. Treasure’s assistant who is also the quality officer critical observes the office. “Oh, that table has to stand 90° to the window according to security guidelines and the table has to be distanced 60 cm from the wall.”

The quality officer states. “No, then it’s the same setting as before and again I don’t have much space to move. I want it diagonal.”

“But the sunlight is coming through the window and shines straight on the screen that is not allowed according to the safety guidelines!” Treasures assistant insisted on his guidelines.

“Is it? But that table has an L-Shape, so I can place the screen on that side! And again the screen is set 90° to the window. Perfect!” Sisley solves the issue.

“Oh, that table is much too big to turn it that way” Treasures assistant finds another argument why not turn the table.

“Oh, a woman always has their very own estimation when it comes to furniture in rooms, this will never fit!” Treasure giggles and shakes his head.

 “Why, there is more than enough space it fits exactly with this wall.” Sisley walks through the room counting the number of her footsteps to take the measurement.

“Yes, my wife also uses measures like a half arm’s length, or this reaches from the elbow to the thumb.” Says Treasure with a hearty laugh.

“Let’s give it a try, then we see if it fits,” Sisley suggests.

“Yes, let’s put it her way and she will see that it doesn’t fit.” Treasures assistant adds supporting Treasure. The three men start bringing the table in and setting it straight.

“No, there is no way that you can turn it!” comments Ernie.

“The three guys standing in front of the table like they just had moved a menhir, starring at the table and their enormous effort they’ve just made. Sisley standing on the other side between the table and window. Sisley grabs the table-turning it 45° around. “See the perfect fit!” Sisley shouts satisfied.

The three guys standing there surprised with their mouths open: “Yes, and it looks good and you have a lot of space, it’s perfect! Treasure gives in.

“Good and looks much better. Great idea!” He finally confesses. “Well done!” Ernie adds.

Surprised about how specious and chic the room looks now, the three guys leave the room.

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Sisley’s first day at Cargo City South

Chapter II from the book Airways – I’m not in Hollywood

Sisley arrived at the office in Cargo City South she makes her way to the reception on the fourth floor. The receptionist hands her over a visitor card and she moves on to the fifth floor, walking along the corridor passing the second glass door. Her office is on the right. She got the middle office. On the right is the CEO’s office on the left is the Export Manager’s office who she will be working for. She steps into the room, both other offices are empty. She takes a seat in the very tight space. A huge long table is placed in the middle office and leaves approximately twenty cm between the table and wall to move her chair. She starts the computer, but she doesn’t get far, of course, not having any passwords or any other information.

Hours pass. At about twelve at lunchtime her boss Riveri who is the Export Manager for the corporation arrives and passes straight through the room into his office, starting his PC then screaming.
“Shit!”

Sisley is looking up rolling her eyes when she’s hearing Riveri speaking on the phone. “Ernie? I can’t log in! Can you set back my password, thanks!” followed by the sound of a smashing receiver as he flings the phone down.

Ten minutes later Riveri comes out of his office turning towards Sisley, who sits on her desk pressed between the table and her chair already touching the wall. “Hello, looks like it’s getting a bit tight here.” Riveri throws a report on Sisley’s desk and says “So this is important: Our daily flight plan. This means delays, they have to be marked, anything else is regular, you will get the daily reports from the Cargo Managers I will let them know that they report this to you daily.”

He steps over to the cupboard opening the door. “Here are all folders with contracts and all paperwork messed up from the last five years. Maybe you can sort this out, so it won’t always take me hours to find the right papers.” River explains while taking out one of the folders and thrashing it on the table.

“Yeah, filing systems!” Sisley almost dies for excitement.

Riveri’s colleague Powel from the opposite office steps in. “Oh, Riveri you are making the introduction for the new assistant, so she doesn’t run out of work very nice, how about we’re going for lunch now?”

Sisley reminds Riveri that she soon leaves as she only works five hours a day and started already at eight. “Then we see tomorrow, I leave at two,” Sisley says. Riveri is looking at Sisley. “Why you are leaving at two, we said five hours a day, I just came in, the day just started.” Riveri wonders.

“Yes, you just started! But I started at eight this morning.” Sisley replies.

“Eight o’clock why that? I don’t start that early, my main business starts in the afternoon, that’s not possible, it’s best you start at twelve I need you to be here in the afternoon.” Riveri demands in his slightly aggressive tone.

“But it was agreed that I can start early because I also need time for my study!” Sisley refuses.

“Yes, but eight o’clock? Not that early!” Riveri shouts.

“Then I can’t do that job, maybe you ask at the agency for someone else,” Sisley replies in a cool tone.

“Yes, I will talk to them, and for now you can start earlier but not before ten this makes no sense to me.” Riveri goes back to his office getting his purse and some poster. Throwing the posters on the sideboard. ”Okay, this needs to be sent to the Cargo Managers and Tom by tomorrow latest,” Riveri commands. Sisley just nods.

“Okay, no problem, see you tomorrow,” Sisley replies while Riveri and Powel walk towards the door.

“Mmmh, well I’m not in Hollywood!” Riveri is mumbling towards his colleague.

“But your new assistant almost looks like it!” Powel replies.

“Someone starting at eight? Looks rather sane to me than like Hollywood!” Riveri shouts and together with Powel, he disappears through the fire exit door.

Sisley starts looking for addresses to send the posters. She finds out the postal address for the cargo Managers but she can’t find any Tom. Sisley walks over to the Quality Manager’s office Treasure to ask about this Tom. Sisley walks over to the Quality Manager’s office Treasure asking who Tom is as her boss told her to mail something to Tom. “Treasure, can you help me? Riveri asked me to send some stuff to the Cargo Managers and Tom. I found the cargo Manager’s addresses but who is Tom?” Sisley asks puzzled.

Treasure starts laughing out loud and hearty. ”Tom?” He repeats. “You’re asking who is Tom? Really? That’s Michael Roberts our CEO, they call him Tom like Major Tom, he comes from the army. Riveri didn’t mention this to, you?”
Treasure explains. while Sisley is shaking her head than laughing.

“No, he said just Tom without any comment, but thank you, I got the address. I will send it off and then leave, see you tomorrow Treasure, bey-bey.” Sisley gets the posters ready to send them off.

She’s leaving the office walking along the corridor, watching Anita the fat personnel girls walking into her office. Sisley passed by the door thinking out loud. “This is just a student job! When that’s how comfortable looks like I better don’t get too comfortable. I don’t ever want to end up like one of them here.”

The second day, ten o’clock Sisley arrives at the office, she’s the only one whose office is behind the second glass door. All other offices and a huge empty room at the end of the corridor are closed. She’s having a look next door at the empty CEO’s office who has a much nicer interior than hers. No one of the colleagues is in so far. Sisley starts her computer, installs a new screensaver which she had found in one of the promotional kits for this logistic company. The fresh shiny, orange screensaver background is the only thing in the office that has a refreshing, dynamical appeal. She’s having a look next door at the empty CEO’s office who has a much nicer interior than hers. She doesn’t notice that Treasure came over to her office and is now standing at the door. “Hello, good morning Sisley, and is your boss already in?” Treasure is asking.

“No, not yet,” Sisley replies. “Oh, then you are alone here?” Treasure asks looking at Sisley. “Yes, it’s great here, I have the whole west wing on my own!” Sisley laughs.

“Oh, the good and expensive office interior here is left unused! That’s how they spend the money! Bo has just got all the new office interior and then moves on to a new office in Berlin. We the ground staff are left with all these broken tables.” Treasure scolds.

“Well, maybe I should just change the tables, swapping his table for mine, then it’s not that wasted office interior and it would give more space to my office,” Sisley speaks out loud in her redecoration plans.

“Why not? Sounds like a good idea. He sits now in Berlin so it’s most unlikely you will ever see him, he never comes here. If you need any help let me know.”

Treasure leaves and Sisley starts to invent the filing system. By twelve the phone rings. “Hi Sisley, I’m sick I won’t be in this week. I explained to you yesterday, how to do the reports, are the ones for today ready? I need them daily best before ten o’clock when we have the conference call!” Riveri in his so not friendly manner.

“Well, but then I need to start before ten, maybe 9:00 am. That’s okay with you?” Sisley asks and is delighted about the turn for her earlier starting time. “Sure, of course, otherwise the reports, couldn’t be ready by ten am, could they?” Riveri replies.
“Exactly! Mmmh so far the computer is still not set up, all I could do is install a screensaver.” Sisley informs Riveri. “Okay, I call Ernie, he will set it up, anything else?” Riveri asks.

“No, well, yes, the furniture next door, seems like no one uses them, they actually would fit very well in my office, could I exchange the furniture, giving the room a bit more space?” Sisley asks cheekily.

“Oh, that’s a good idea, yes, go for it, and think of my reports, daily. Bye.”

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