High above, the sky was partially shut out by large canopy leaves. The place was almost semi-darkened with thick vegetation which grew in every direction. The sunlight could hardly touch the ground. Sounds of birds, animals and some anonymous creatures echoed all over, making that place feel strange, most likely mysterious.

All of the sudden, the whole place became dark. The light was no longer seen and the clouds moved away making the full moon visible. Far away the howling of the wolves could be heard. An indistinct growling came from deep inside the woods. It slowly increased as if a wild beast was approaching. Suddenly, a pair of red eyes appeared from the woods.

Instantly, Ruth woke up from her bed sweating and panting heavily. Her shaking hands grabbed the water bottle from the night stand and gulped it down in one go. She looked at the timepiece and found that she was twenty minutes earlier than usual.

She left a sigh and slowly marched into the washroom.

_____

"Hey Ruth, you came early?" asked Nora

"Yep" replied Ruth who was busy working on her computer.

"Your morning coffee, Mademoiselle" said Calvin.

"Thanks" she accepted the coffee with a smile.

Ruth and Nora were best friends since high school. They used to live with their parents in Streatham. They met Calvin in London University. Since then the trios became best buddies. They enjoyed their university life as everyone does and they also studied together to get into the same company for job. And yes, they achieved it and had been working in an architect company for three years.

After getting job, the trios moved to Camberwell. Ruth started staying alone in an apartment while Nora and Calvin bought a house in Camberwell and started living together as they were a couple. They started dating during their final year in the university.

Ring! Ring!

"Yeah, mom"

"Hey Ruth...Did you reach in your office?" asked Charlotte

"Yes mom...and I am sipping my morning coffee"

Charlotte chuckled.

"What about you and dad?"

"Oh! Well I am on my way. And your father had already gone to work"

"Hmm..and Ria?"

"Oh! She doesn't have class today so she went to Lisa's house to do some project."

"It's good to hear that she is doing good"

"Of course. She has a good sister"

Ruth snickered

"Uhm...Ruth...I should hung up now. I am about to reach"

"Sure mom. I will call you later. Bye ....and love you"

"Love you too child"

Ruth's family consists of her parents and her younger sister. Her father, Raphael Wallace is a senior bank employee and her mother, Charlotte Wallace is an entrepreneur. She is a quite famous designer and has her own boutique shop. Ruth's sister, Ria Wallace is a sophomore in the university.

Attention! Attention everybody!

Francesca shouted. She was the department head.

"Guys....I have a good news to tell" she spoke.

Everyone stared at her eagerly.

"Our project on the renovation of the St. Alban's hospital was great success. The hospital management and the people gave a good review of it. So ...... our director of the board has decided to give a rise to our department members and three days holiday....yeah!!"

"Woah...." everyone cried in joy.

Everyone hugged and cheered in happiness including Ruth and Nora. They were beyond happy because the result of their hard work had a positive result.

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"Cheers"

It was twenty past seven in the evening. Ruth and her colleagues were celebrating their triumph in a pub.

"Congratulations to all" Allen one of the colleague said.

"I am so happy today. Let's order more drinks" said Hannah.

Everyone nodded.

"So we can rest for three days" said Betsy

"Not three days. It's five days including the weekends. We can rest for total five days" Calvin corrected.

"That's nice" said Ruth.

"Uhm..guys do you got any plans?" asked Nicholas.

"Not particularly, Nick. And you?" asked Allen.

"Nothing special...but...I was thinking that...why don't we go for a trip together?" said Nicholas.

"A trip! To where?" asked Ruth

"Guys, listen carefully. We have got five days why don't we utilise these days and go for a small trip. We are not going to get any days like this anywhere near. So think.."

"Yeah! Nick is right. And also we have never gone any trip together" said Nora.

"Have you got any place in your mind?" asked Allen.

"Yes! It's Netherlands"

"Netherlands!" Betsy exclaimed.

"Yeah...I heard that it was a good place and there are also many camping sites and moreover we have got plenty of days."

"So are you planning for camping" questioned Calvin.

"Yes of course. Camping is great. We can have trucking and campfire. It would be memorable".

"Netherlands is a good place. I have never been there." said Hannah.

"Yeah! I am in" said Allen.

"Yup...me too" said the others except Ruth.

"What about you Ruth?" asked Nicholas anticipating to join them.

Ruth looked at Nora who was already looking at her. She knew that Nora won't go without her. She was too expecting Ruth to say yes like others.

"Well ... I was planning on visiting my hometown tomorrow. But don't worry, I changed my mind. I can go home any other time. I am in...." Ruth replied.

Nora hugged Ruth and kissed her cheek. "I knew that my Ruth will agree" she said.

"Enough guys... let's go the dance floor" said Hannah and stood up from her seat.

"Yes! Let's go Ruth" said Nora pulling Ruth's hands.

__________

Meanwhile, somewhere in Rome,

"To our happy collaboration"

A business party was going on in a luxurious hotel. Many rich businessmen were present there. Some were with their families. Some of them were talking and some of them were drinking. The party was not precisely loud. The whole place was quite and only a few indistinguishable murmuring could be heard.

"Mr Divit, you are a great business prodigy.I have never seen someone as capable as you of your age." a man who looked to be in his fifties was acknowledging to the person opposite to him.

"I'm flattered Mr Domenico" that man replied.

"Ha...ha...ha...I didn't knew that you could joke. Let me introduce you to someone." he turned and gestured someone to come.

A girl in her mid twenties came and stood besides him.

"Signor Divit, questa è la mia unica figlia. Lei è una modal in Zolo Fashion Industry." ( Mr Divit, this is my only daughter. She is a modal in Zolo Fashion Industry.)

"Hi, I am Leonie Ann Domenico" she extended her hand to greet that man who was taking a sip of his champagne.

He looked at her and took her hand in return.

"Zander Ian Divit"

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IAN'S POV

I was in a boring business party. I was talking with Mr Domenico and his partners with whom I collaborated recently. He was certainly a greedy old man. While we were talking he introduced her daughter to me. He was certainly planning to set up his daughter with me.

His daughter was no exception. She was exhibiting herself. She extended her hand to greet me. I really didn't have any interest on touching her but it would be too rude if I didn't take her hand. And also it would be a great embarrassment for her.

"Zander Ian Divit" I said.

"Parlate voi giovani. Ci scusiamo." (You youngsters speak. We will excuse ourselves. )

Her father moved away with the others. Yes, he really did set me up.

"Ian, perché non hai portato un partner stasera?" ( Ian, why didn't you bring a partner tonight? ) she asked.

"It's Mr Divit for you" I said back irritated.

Who the **** did she think of herself? And how dare she call me by my name?

She laughed awkwardly.

"Mi dispiace." ( I am sorry )

I was feeling really suffocated while standing near her. Her perfume smelled so horrible.

"Excuse me" I excused myself and moved away from her.

I looked for my secretary Elijah and found him taking with some men. He sensed my presence and turned to look at me. He came near me hurriedly.

"Signor Divit, ha bisogno di qualcosa? "( Mr Divit, do you need something? )

"Andiamocene." ( Let's leave ) I said.

"Ok signor Divit, chiederò all'autista di portare la macchina" ( Ok Mr Divit, I will ask the driver to bring the car. )

"Hmm"

__________

RUTH'S POV

I was tired by dancing. My stomach was hurting after drinking so much.

"Nora"

"Norahhh" I shouted.

"Ha...Whatt?" she shouted back.

The music was too loud so it was very hard to hear what others are saying.

"I am really tired. I'm going to rest" I said and moved to the bar counter.

I sat on one bar stools and ordered a whiskey.

I felt a little bit stress free today. It's so long since I enjoyed like this. I was so happy that our project became successful. We were working on this so hard for almost two months.

I glanced at my colleagues. They looked so happy. They are laughing and dancing. We were still in our office attire.

"Hey Ruth, What's up?"

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted my a familiar voice. I looked at the direction were the sound came from. My smile just faded away when I saw him.

It was Andrew Campbell. I met him on my second week in Camberwell in a cafeteria. He was the son of a businessman and was presumably arrogant.

At first he started talking to me casually. But later on, he started being a nuisance to me. When ever he saw me he kept on hitting on me. Nora and Calvin also knew him. They were the first to notice he hitting on me. They warned me to stay away from him. They even told me that he was a famous playboy. After that, I possibly avoided him. But still, here he is.

"Oh Andrew!"

"I didn't expect to meet you here and also in this outfit" he said checking me out from head to toe.

I felt a kind of insecurity when he kept on looking at me.

"It's a bar. Anyone can come here right? " I replied back.

"Ha...ha....ha.....I didn't mean that way. I mean that.... I was so surprised to see you here. "

"Your drink mam" the bartender placed my whiskey in front of me.

I took a sip of it not bothered to reply him. I saw him glaring at the bartender for interrupting us but when he saw me watching him,he suddenly changed his expression.

"So...would you like to have a dance with me?" he asked.

I was about to say no when someone wrapped their hand around my shoulders. I looked at the owner of the hand.

I smiled in relaxation when I realized it was non other than Calvin.

"Sorry, Mr. Campbell. My bestie is not feeling to dance now. So please don't force her." he said and glared at Andrew.

Andrew was really feeling annoyed. He gritted his teeth and went from there cursing Calvin.

Calvin then sat on the chair where Andrew sat earlier. We looked at each other and suddenly burst into laughter.

"He looked really funny when he is angry" he said and I agreed.

Calvin was a great friend of mine. I considered him as my brother. He was very friendly and supportive.

Back in university, he told me first about his feeling towards Nora. I knew he loved her and I was very sure that he will protect and cherish Nora very well. So I supported him.

"Hey babe" Nora came and kissed Calvin. She was totally drunk.

I looked away and concentrated on my drink. I don't know why, I felt a little bit lonely. Maybe because I don't have a boyfriend. I have never dated anyone. But I had gone for two three blind dates. Well it was Nora' s idea and I really hated that.

I once had a crush in my highschool. He was a nerd but he was really cute. It was just a small crush nevertheless I didn't feel to be in a relationship with him. Nora used to tease me saying that my taste in boys really sucks. Well maybe that can be true.

When I was a teen I used to believe in stuffs like love at first sight and soul mates. My interest on those things gradually reduced as I grew. But still in deep inside my mind I still believed it vaguely.

I hope one day, that I would meet my soul mate.

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