To Color Your Life

"Did you like dinner?" Justin took off his jacket and threw it on Emily's shoulders. They left the restaurant and headed towards the park.

"Yes, it was insanely delicious," the girl nodded, "I didn't know that there was such a cool restaurant in the building of the publishing house. Have you seen their interior? And those amazing plates? It was like the time travel! This is my first time eating with a wooden spoon! I'm so full now that I'll eat nothing until tomorrow's lunch. Why did you order so much?"

Evans put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to him, "First, we missed lunch because of work, and you didn't eat well before. Secondly, this restaurant only serves a special menu in the evening, and I was sure that you would be delighted. Thirdly, knowing your love for history, I had no doubt that you would appreciate the design."

"The designer is just a genius! Every corner of the building is like a walk through different eras and worlds. I went to the children's literature department today. God, Justin, I wanted to stay there! It feels like I'm in Narnia or somewhere in the Tolkien's Shire!"

The boss laughed and kissed Emily on the temple, "I'll have to give Mel these words. She will be glad."

"Why Mel?"

"Melissa is an interior designer. That Pharaoh Publishing that you see now is the result of her work. And the children's department is a special story. She has put all her love in creating it, since at that moment she was pregnant with Melonie. By the way, she also published her first children's book there."

"She also writes books?!" Emily was shocked. How many talents are hidden in one person?

"Yes, she's great. Our family is very proud of her. I told you, you'd be friends."

Emily's self-esteem shook a little.

Melissa was very beautiful. In this girl Mexican blood was flowing, she had golden skin, her black, shiny hair was like silk. She was beautiful, sweet. The interiors she created were mesmerizing. Emily had no doubt that the children's book was wonderful too.

And what about herself? What could Emily herself be proud of? She studied well and graduated with honors. She was responsible for her work, but where are the results of this work? She wrote all her research on behalf of Peter, as this helped him in his career growth, and they could save up for a future family life.

Why do you need a degree and recognition if you want to take care of your family and raise your children? That's what he was saying. And she agreed. Indeed, if everything is well, craving for something more is already considered selfishness?

You have the place to live and food to eat, he said. You are healthy and everything is calm in your life, he reminded. Be modest, restrained, do not go where you are not asked to, he was stopping her.

Emily Hayes, what have you spent the last seven years of your life on? Whose dreams did you fulfill? Whose goals did you help to achieve if you don't even know what you want yourself?

"Justin, can we talk?"

"Sure. Now?"

"Yes," Emily nodded and walked to the nearest bench. Justin sat down next to him.

Despite the evening, there were many people in the park. Most were dressed in business suits (obviously, employees of the offices of neighboring buildings and the publishing house itself), there were several parents walking with their children.

"Does this concern us?" the man asked the first question.

"Not. I mean, yeah... Or rather, I don't know." Emily took a deep breath. How difficult it was to say what you might not like or offend someone close to you. But she didn't want to keep it to herself either.

"Justin, I want to leave the Pharaoh," she blurted out on one exhale and fell silent. Well, now he will be unhappy, right? Will he say that by leaving I will let down the team that is counting on me?

"Hmm," said the boss, pointedly.

"I know that you are giving me a good opportunity to work as a model for a magazine, despite my lack of experience. And I like the team, they are treating me well. The editor-in-chief and Catherine are very helpful people and will always give a hand in case of difficulties. I am in good terms even with Bradley now. But that's not what I want to do."

"Hmm," the boss said again, and Emily felt that she would be shaking nervously soon. She was, in fact, an intern, but with a wonderful salary. The management offered her a position and prospects for growth, and she felt... ungrateful.

"If you don't like working in this department, I can talk to my father, we'll find you something else. There are many directions in the publishing house. If you like, we can arrange you as an assistant editor for your favorite author of the Egyptian Chronicles. You tell me and I will help."

Oh, working with her favorite author, being the first to see his next work, was the ultimate dream for Emily. 

"No I can not. Thanks for the offer, but I can't accept it," the girl replied.

"Okay, I get it," the boss nodded. He was calm and did not look displeased. This calmed Emily a little.

"Now think for a minute and tell me the real reason why you decided to leave, Em. I saw how you work. I stood behind your back for twenty minutes and watched you, and you did not even notice me. Admit it, it's not very similar to... what did you say? It didn't like you were doing something 'you don't want to do'. It looked exactly the opposite, dear."

Justin smiled, put her hand on his arm and covered it with his other hand, warming Emily's fingers with his warmth.

"I…," the girl hesitated for a moment, "I don't want to work with you. Work under your guidance or work somewhere under your patronage. I am sorry."

"What are you sorry for?" His hand stroked hers. The man interlaced their fingers and brought them to his lips, kissing the girl's hand.

Emily was about to burst into tears from the warmth and tenderness she felt. From the fact that he did not scold her for such an unreasonable decision, but simply listened.

"Justin, I don't know what I really want. And I'm scared. It is scary that I will follow the path that someone has chosen for me. Even if that someone is you. If you look at the situation objectively, if not for your desire to get closer to me, I would not even be in Pharaoh, right?"

"That's right," Evans confirmed her words.

"I want to understand for myself what is important to me. So I'm sorry, but I won't stay in your magazine."

"I respect your decision, Miss Hayes. It is your right. Hope you will find your own path soon." Emily realized that he spoke these words not as her boyfriend, but as her boss.

"Thank you," she whispered and turned away so as not to cry.

"By the way, Em, as far as I know you, I'm sure you've even written a letter of resignation."

"Ha?" the girl was surprised at his insight.

"Tsk, everything is clear with you, my purposeful dragon. Give it to me here."

Emily, still mildly confused, pulled a letter of resignation from her backpack and handed it to her boss.

"Do you have a pen?"

"Y-yes, a second," she took out a pen and handed it to the man.

Justin put his signature and handed the statement and pen back to the girl, "Congratulations, Miss Hayes. Your letter of resignation has been accepted. Now take it away and use it when you feel the right moment has come. In the meantime, you can work in peace. At least a week, okay?

Otherwise Joyce is going to cut my... well, she will punish me that we have lost such a valuable employee. We don't need her to fulfill her punishment plans. We still have grandchildren for your grandmother to make."

"Thank you for your support." Tears still came into Emily's eyes, but they were tears of joy.

"You're welcome, my love. Isn't that why I'm here for you?"