67. Crushing Doubts

Laura - Bucharest

My first stop is Paul’s villa. It’s been a while since I last came here. The guy at the entrance gate says Paul’s not here.

I look at the phone. It’s already past 7 PM. Is he still at work? I have to try.

I dash through the streets, thinking about what I'll say to Paul when I find him.

As a result of the moisture in the air, the city has a less pungent smell. It reeks worse than wet dogs; the stench of wet hobos instead of filthy hobos. The crowd swarming the city center disgusts me.

I cut through the narrow streets of the city center. A sudden gust of wind forces me to walk faster, but it also stirs the cobblestones beneath my feet, making the sound of breaking glass.

I stop and stand outside Paul’s office building. The rainy evening washes the streets. The cars swish as they drive past on the wet asphalt.

When I step inside, I'm already soaked. Water splatters across the floor tiles as I make my way to Paul's office.

I nearly forgot the building's interior. It's o