The Writers' Circle

"Your life is amazing."
"You have your dream job." 
Callie was so tired of hearing those words from people. Now, I know it would be easy to mistake her for a brat but that was not the case. You see, Callie really did lead an enviable life. And she knew that and she was grateful. 
Granted, she was a writer but not just any old writer, she was the fashion columnist for Stiletto magazine and any city girl worth her Jimmy Choos wanted that job. She seemed to totter through life, effortlessly charming all of those around her. Her olive skin and hazel eyes entranced anyone fortunate enough to make her acquaintance. Her off-black shoulder length curls bounced as she grabbed her Juicy Couture bag and locked her Horizon Blue Mini Cooper S. 
So, what could be missing from such a fabulous life? How could it possibly get any more beautiful for Callie? It frustrated her that no-one felt her frustration. Truth was:  she knew exactly what she wanted the most.
Love. 
The romantic kind. 
She often questioned the point of such a blessed existence, with nobody to share it with. It made no sense to her. There had been times when she thought that she was close, her mission almost accomplished but those guys always ended up joining the rest of the failures on her track record. In all fairness, the names on it were all pretty impressive. 'So how had they ended up on the list at all?', she asked herself. 
Let's see, Adrian was her first love. Callie was going to be Callie O'Hara, if everything had gone to plan. 'How often do things go to plan though?', she thought. It turned out that he had plans of his own and if a year in Tokyo was more important than his relationship, who was Callie to stand in his way? She missed him but she had had plenty to keep her occupied since then. In the shape of Miguel, Xavier, Thomas.the list was seemingly endless. So, where were they now? 
 As she entered the office complex, she decided there wasn't time to think so deeply, as her thoughts turned towards her agenda for the day, which was to complete her article on the magazines theme for the month: Love in the 21st Century. Irony on  a Monday morning. Just what she needed.
And so her day began, as it always did. Heading for the Starbucks on the ground floor, grabbing her Venti Hazelnut Latte and making her way to her plush office on the 7th floor. She was all set for a busy day.  Handbag.coffee.KEYS! 
Then it happened. Scorching hot latte soaked her newest Karen Millen blouse. 
"Watch it!", she yelled out, expecting to be receiving an apology from a fumbling, middle aged man in a navy suit - the usual person who ran into her, on their way to start their own busy day. Instead, her hazel eyes met with a pair of river blue eyes. 
"I am so sorry, I didn't even see you coming", a Galaxy smooth voice said to her. 
She was so taken aback. 'Why aren't words coming out of my mouth?', she asked herself. 
"Erm, erm, no. It's fine. It's my fault. I should have looked erm, looked  where I was going. Erm, sorry."
'Great', she thought, 'now who's the fumbling idiot?'
"No honestly, it was me. I wasn't even paying attention. Oh and I ruined your blouse. Can you send the bill to my office, I'm on the -erm, just let me check", he took a piece of paper out of his inside pocket. "I'm on floor 7. Office 22." 
Floor 7? Then how had Callie not seen this charming creature before now? She didn't have to wait long before her question was answered.
"Apologies, I'm new here. It's my first day and as you can see, first impressions aren't my strength. My name's Justin." 
She decided that now would be a good time to turn some of that charm on. 'Compose yourself, Callie.' 
"Oh, don't worry about it. I've got to dash, nice to meet you." With that, she turned to walk back out of the building.
'In 3.2.1.'
"Wait! I didn't quite catch your name"
It hadn't taken a second longer than she had anticipated. She had got him hooked already. She flicked her hair, as she turned to answer him. "It's Callie. I'll send you that bill." She flashed her brightest smile and spun round, before he had even caught breath to answer her. 
After her delayed start to the day, Callie finally settled into her brown leather office chair, to begin her article. 
What is love in our century? Is it more than a fling? Do we even believe in love anymore? How does it blossom from a brief encounter into a lasting relationship? 
This was hopeless, she thought. She was beginning to think that her editor had given her this article as a joke. Just as she considered going to ask her if that was the case, her screen flashed with a new email. It was from within the building. She suspected that it would be Rebecca's usual Monday morning dose of inspiration. 
She clicked it to see what encouragement she'd be receiving, on this fine day. As she clicked it, she was surprised to find that her email wasn't from Rebecca at all
Hey Cally, 
	It's Justin, I'm not sure if you remember me, I'm the guy who you erm, bumped in to you outside Starbucks. Anyway, I'd just like to ask you if maybe you were free for lunch, at some point this week? Nothing weird. Just a chance to redeem myself from being 'the-guy-who-spilt-latte-on-your-blouse'. 
Email me back, when you're not busy, as I am sure you are. 
J
xoxo
Callie's day had just gotten a little more interesting. If she could overlook the facts that he had ruined her blouse and spelled her name wrong, then Justin could be an attractive prospect. 
Well Justin, 
	I'm not sure if I should let you take me out. I have a whole designer wardrobe for you to ruin. But if you can afford to pay all of these dry cleaning bills, I'll meet you in Reception, at 12.30. 
Don't be late
Callie 
xoxo

Wow! That was a quick reply I take it you forgive me for running into you. Once again, I apologise. I look forward to lunch with you. How does Del Villaggio sound? 
See you there 
J
Xoxo

In less than an hour, she had gained a lunch date but still no article. Callie's instincts weren't usually wrong and she had the feeling that after about 13:30 this afternoon, the idea of writing an article on Love in the 21st Century may be a little more exciting.