She watched ripe red flowers from the Royal Poinciana litter her verandah.
Normally, she would enjoy the sight, and sometimes even enjoy walking on them. But today, everything seemed to drag. Life was nothing more than a task. She just had to ‘live’ it and get over with it.
What had just happened? Did she enter the wrong building, knock the wrong door? But wouldn’t that be unlikely, considering she worked there for three years?
The scene kept flashing behind her eyelids, like a bleached movie.
She walked on the sidewalk, walking the same path for the millionth time. She could perhaps close her eyes and saunter to her office, even remember to avoid the tree on the side and the shop on the right. Then, when the bricks would be broken, there would be the door to the office.
She climbed the greyed stairs, remembering to put on a smile before entering.
Beyond the wooden door was her small office, a small enterprise with a few but efficient employees.
The door was closed. That wasn’t unusual, but it was rare.
She knocked. She must have spent a minute waiting, reminding herself to smile again. That’s when she looked at her ancient watch.
And when her eyes fell on a lock.
A