10 years later...

Quiet humming from the central air conditioning was Alessandro's only form of companionship while in his bedroom. Stagnant silence lingered over his shoulder, whispering sweet nothings into his ear and clinging to him like a touch starved lover. Festering discomfort was backed by a dull, growing sense of unease. He attempted to stave it off by keeping his attention elsewhere.

Large hands fiddled with a blue and white tie, the fabric soft against his fingertips. A loose knot by his throat was slightly tightened to keep the dual colored cloth in its rightful place. After making sure it was straight, Alessandro looked over his appearance in the full body mirror.

Silk tie. Light blue button-up with a white collar. Black pants. Simple belt. Polished Oxfords. Brunet, slicked back hair with shaved sides. Kempt eyebrows and facial hair.

Tired green eyes.

A familiar pill bottle was glanced at before his focus moved back to the mirror again.

He stood up straight with both hands braced against his hips. A large, false grin planted itself onto his face. The delighted expression successfully hid the man's underlying exhaustion, as well as a particularly haunted glint in his eye.

He still felt empty inside. Cold.

But as long as his smile stayed, no one else would have to know.

A soft meow calling from a short distance away caught his attention. Turning around, Alessandro came face to face with his cat.

She was a skinny Calico with specks of gray mixed into her black, white, and orange fur. Vibrant blue eyes had long dulled into a murkier hue. Small patches of thinning fur revealed even smaller patches of light pink skin.

Despite her age and overall sluggish nature, the feline remained highly affectionate in her mannerisms. She waltzed up to her owner and nudged his leg with her head. Loud purring could be felt as it sent vibrations through her body.

"Hey, girl." Alessandro knelt down to pet his cat, speaking with a soft voice. "I'm afraid I can't stay for much longer. Gotta head out for work. But you can have me all of tonight when I come back home. How's that sound?"

The Calico meowed back. She was given a kiss on her tiny forehead.

Alessandro stood up to his full height. He walked over to a wooden dresser standing near the large closet. An orange medication bottle was swiped out of its spot. The informative label was ignored.

Two pills were taken out. The chalky tasting capsules were forced down without any water. A bitter aftertaste lingering in their wake didn't receive any form of reaction—because this same old song and dance was repeated daily. 

It wasn't pleasurable, but it was normal. So there wasn't much of a need to complain about an aspect of life that would never change.

Leaving the bedroom, Alessandro glanced through the long, tinted glass panel that made up the right portion of the hallway. He could see the large, rectangular shaped swimming pool as it sat undisturbed outside. Automatic balcony and water lights were still on. They helped illuminate any surrounding trees and half-dead bushes. 

Not much time was given to appreciate the picturesque view since it was time to head out. Perhaps later, when the day's stresses were left at the door, a few minutes could be spent basking in the warm embrace of peaceful, nature-filled seclusion.

Alessandro walked into the kitchen, passing by multiple stainless steel appliances to fetch his keys out of the metal bowl sitting on the granite countertop. While doing so, he looked up from his position toward the open living room.

The glass coffee table was a little spotty. Navy couches and gray carpet seemed to be harboring  bundles of lint. Tall storage cases looked a bit dusty.

A mental note was made to clean after returning later in the evening.

A thick trench coat and scarf were put on like clockwork. The box shaped briefcase housing important documents was collected in the same manner. Uncovered hands touched every pocket to make sure everything was where it needed to be.

"All right, Rain, I'm heading out. I'll see you later."

The Calico meowed back. Alessandro watched her run to her self-serving food bowl on his way out.

He shivered when frigid air met his skin. Soft exhales formed tiny clouds near his mouth as his warm breath combated with the frosty temperature. Long, quick strides were taken over to his car—a safe haven from the biting cold of late October.

The silver vehicle unlocked with the press of a single button. Alessandro climbed inside with a sigh. He placed his briefcase into the passenger seat while furiously rubbing his palms together in an attempt to warm them. Even with only being out for a matter of seconds, his fingertips turned red.

He shook his head at the sight of them. "Guess winter's coming earlier this year."

*

"Well, well, if it isn't our number one customer. What can I get for you today, Ale? The normal black coffee?"

"Yeah- plus a chocolate croissant if you have them. I didn't have the chance to eat this morning."

"You're in luck! Christine just got them out of the oven. It'll be nice and warm for you."

"Thanks, Jené." Alessandro offered a gentle smile.

"Of course!" She nodded, pressing a few codes into the register. "That'll bring your total to $7.13. Will you be paying with cash or card?"

"Cash."

Alessandro reached into his coat pocket for his wallet. He pulled out a crisp twenty dollar bill. While handing it to Jené, he looked over the counter to see her coworker setting down some covered pastries near the food display case. A rich aroma wafted off of the freshly baked goods. Delighted sighs were pulled out of multiple other patrons.

"Mmm, those smell nice. Glad I'm snagging one so early in the day." Alessandro brought his attention forward. "You can keep the change, Jené."

"Oh- thanks, Ale. I appreciate it!"

He took his receipt with a patient thanks. His grin stayed radiant as it took near permanent refuge on his face.

Alessandro moved toward a row of window seats to wait for his order. He settled down on a comfortable bar stool. Green eyes looked around at neighboring diners.

Some were consuming their breakfast while glancing at their phones. Others were grabbing their designated food items and rushing out of the door. Quiet conversations flooded the small coffee shop with noise. Different voices battled against the sounds of whirring blenders, milk frothers, and small oven doors being opened and closed. Unnatural fragrances from perfumes were muffled beneath delicious, sweetly scented pastries.

The bustling shop somehow kept an air of calm thanks to intimate low lighting. Dim orange hued light bulbs fell from the dark ceiling via rustic light fixtures. Quiet jazz played from overhead speakers, but the sound was nearly drowned out by people conversing with one another. Workers behind the bar were quick in their multitasking to ensure quality care for their buzzing horde of customers.

Alessandro remained in his little bubble as he watched the people around him. He politely nodded at an older woman who needed to get a few extra packets of sugar to his left.

A false smile lessened by a fraction when she moved away from him. Tired eyes fell to the floor. They loomed over the winding texture of a tile beneath him.

For a moment, his mind was blissfully empty. Rampaging thoughts fell into noiseless static. A harsh ache in the chest subsided into pleasant numbness.

With his medication having kicked in, he was left floating in a motionless, waveless sea of gray.

"-andro! Alessandro!"

He perked up at the call of his name, coming back to reality.

Jené looked at him with a questioning gaze. Her head was tilted, and shoulder length curls framed her young face. "Order's ready. You okay?"

"Yeah. Sorry, didn't get much sleep last night. Guess I'm a little sluggish today." Alessandro offered an apologetic laugh while taking his breakfast. "Thanks again, Jené. I'll catch you tomorrow, yeah?"

"Of course. Make sure you get some sleep later!"

"I'll do my best, heh. See you, Christine!"

"Bye, Ale!"

Alessandro propped the door open with his back since his hands were occupied. He gave a quick greeting to a couple that walked inside. The overhead bell chimed once the door closed behind him.

Unpleasant, chilly air greeted him once again. A strong gust of wind fueled his cognizant decision to jog across the street; both as a means of escaping the cold, and as a means of staying out of the way of oncoming traffic. Quick steps halted in front of a familiar towering building.

Lower levels consisted of partially crowded parking garages. A few floors up saw the layout switching, the building's face being covered in long windows. Some were hidden by white blinds, whereas others were open and letting in natural sunlight. Faint rays glistened off of the glass surfaces from upper floors. Large blue lettering displayed the company's name: Bale's Path to Fashion.

Alessandro's eyes traced over the script lettering of his last name before he entered one of the elevators in the parking garage.

When metal doors opened again, he was greeted by the bustling, hyperactive environment he called his workplace. People from different departments passed by in a frenzy of voices and faces. Quick waves were given to the big boss when he was noticed. They were reciprocated with friendly nods. A few employees even approached Alessandro with frantic business inquiries despite the day having just begun. Fortunately, it was something he expected.

"Good morning , Mr. Bale. Some forms about the necessary fabric shipments have been left on your desk. Could you get those signed off by ten?"

"Of course."

"Mr. Bale! The head of the financial department would like to schedule a meeting with you about a few models' quarterly pay raises. Would you be able to see him today?"

"I'll have my secretary squeeze a meeting in either right before or right after lunch."

"Mr. Bale, sir! Hello- sorry to bother you. I wanted to get your approval on some of yesterday's catalog photos from the new outerwear shoot. Should I leave the set in your office?"

"If you can. If not, let me know when you need me to grab them, and I'll stop by the photography department myself."

Alessandro continued walking as he spoke to anyone who needed him. His mellow voice and lax posture seemed to quell their nervousness. His carefree smile helped others who took moments to calm themselves down.

Being able to help the people around him filled the man with genuine happiness.

"Good morning, Stephan."

"Good morning, Mr. Bale. I've left a list of the day's meetups on your desk. Your first model will be in by 9:30. Please let me know if you need anything."

"Thanks, Steph."

Nodding in appreciation toward his secretary, Alessandro opened one of the glass doors that led into his office. He took a moment to drape his coat and scarf over the rack near an electric fireplace. He strode over to his desk to set his briefcase atop the pristine surface. Wooden blinds were moved, freeing the obstructed view from his windows.

Neighboring buildings and city streets could be seen in the distance. Pleasant rays of sun took refuge near his upholstered swivel chair.

Alessandro soaked up the yellow beams of light with a long exhale. Rolling his shoulders, he made his way over to his desk to start the day.