A Life Less Ordinary

by Bernadine, Victoria

  A Life Less Ordinary

  by

  Victoria Bernadine

  This book is a work of fiction. References to real people, events, establishments, organizations, websites, or locales are intended only to provide a sense of authenticity, are used fictitiously; and do not imply endorsement or relationship of any kind between this book and the referenced people, places or things. If any person or organization feels their intellectual property rights have been infringed due to such use in this book, please contact Love of Words Publishing Inc. (loveofwords@shaw.ca) for resolution.

  All other characters and all incidents and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real.

  A LIFE LESS ORDINARY. Copyright © 2012 by Victoria Bernadine. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews, or used within transformative fanworks.

  Transformative fanworks (e.g., fanfiction, fanart, fanvids, podfic) are permitted and encouraged so long as the transformative fanwork is provided for free and includes appropriate disclaimers related to ownership of copyright. Permission to create transformative fanworks in no way implies an assignment of copyright or a waiver of moral rights in this work.

  For information, contact Love of Words Publishing Inc., loveofwords@shaw.ca .

  ISBN 978-0-9918102-0-8

  m/d/y/#

  12-10-12-0001

  Table of Contents

  Episode 1

  Episode 2

  Episode 3

  Episode 4

  Episode 5

  Episode 6

  Episode 7

  Episode 8

  Episode 9

  Episode 10

  Episode 11

  Episode 12

  Episode 13

  Author’s Notes

  Episode 1

  Minus Thirty-one Days

  “All I ever wanted was a life less ordinary.”

  Manny lay flat on her back, eyes wide, staring at the ceiling while she waited for her clock to hit 6:00. Another day of work, she thought. Another day older and deeper in debt.

  She had the alarm timed to the millisecond. The jarring noise had barely begun when she clicked it off. She sighed then threw back the covers and got out of bed.

  She padded into the bathroom, glanced without interest in the full-length mirror that doubled as her shower doors and took her morning inventory.

  Plain face? Check.

  Looking tired? Check.

  Thirty pounds overweight? Check.

  Dark circles under deer-caught-in-headlights eyes? Check and check.

  She shook her head at her limp, mousy hair and wondered when she’d gotten so old.

  She sighed in resignation then conjured up her Perfect Fantasy Man – or Harvey, as she liked to call him – to give her a morning lift. She cocked her head to one side as she stared into the mirror and imagined him standing behind her. She smiled at the handsome man, and he smiled back, putting his hands on her shoulders. Everything about him was warm, in stark contrast to the cold shades of grey in which she lived her life. He had warm brown eyes, warm brown skin, and a warm smooth voice that always reminded her of golden honey. Today his hair was black with greying temples, and yes, even that seemed warm to her.

  He was perfect, everything she considered ideal in a man – and extra-perfect, of course, because he was a fantasy. Just the thought of trying to establish a relationship with an actual man felt too much like work.

  She sighed and Harvey disappeared.

  “Instead I ended up in a rut – everything planned and executed to the minute.”

  She finished her shower and padded out to the kitchen wrapped in a worn terrycloth robe just as the coffee pot finished perking her morning coffee. She pulled a white cup out of the cupboard, filled it and took it with her to the bedroom, where she drank her coffee while she dressed and pulled her hair into its habitual bun high on the back of her head. At 6:45 sharp, she was back in the kitchen where she rinsed out the cup and put it on the rack next to the other three cups from earlier in the week; they marked the passage of time like scratches on a prison wall.

  She walked out the door at 6:55 as usual, called good morning to Mr. Abinash from next door, as usual, got into her car and drove to work. As usual. She walked in at 7:37, called good morning to those of her staff already at their desks, and settled herself in her office.

  As usual.

  She sighed silently as she logged on to her computer and realized she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a sick day or had come in late. Even her car and traffic and the sometimes-harsh Edmonton winters had given up trying to throw off her schedule.

  She sighed again as she rifled through her stacks of paper, searching for the information she needed to review before the staff meeting at nine. The last staff meeting before their new boss arrived at ten, and Manny went back to her old position. She’d enjoyed being the boss and thought she’d had a good chance to win the promotion. If she was honest with herself, though, she hadn’t really been surprised with the decision to offer the job to Steph. If she had the energy, she’d almost wonder why she didn’t even care that much.

  “I told myself it was security. But all I was doing was sleeping with my eyes open.”

  Manny glanced up as her assistant energetically bounced in.

  “Morning, Manny.”

  “Morning, Roxie. How was your evening?”

  “Great – went to that new Robert Downey Jr. movie - rrrooowwwrrrr! Phil wasn’t too impressed with my drooling though.”

  Manny laughed. “I’d expect not. I guess I need to go see it then.”

  “Yeah, sure. When was the last time you actually went to a movie in the theatre?”

  Manny paused, considering the question then shrugged carelessly. “Can’t remember, actually.”

  Roxie shook her head in exasperated fondness and sat down in front of Manny’s desk. She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “So, the new boss starts today?”

  “Yep,” Manny replied absently, reviewing the e-mails in her inbox.

  “Are you going to be okay with this? I mean, you -”

  “Of course I’m okay with it. Steph’s a nice person, bright, energetic, competent, levelheaded, full of new ideas. She may have a bit of a learning curve ahead of her, but she’ll do just fine. She may be just what we need around here. Perk us up a bit.”

  “Yeah, but you -”

  Manny took her hands off the keyboard and turned to face Roxie directly. She gave her a reassuring smile and calmly held her gaze.

  “I’m okay with it,” she said. “Really. I didn’t want to be the boss anyway.” She paused then continued. “Everything’s going to be fine. You’ll see. A new boss will be fun!”

  Roxie grimaced cynically and Manny shook her head in mock disapproval.

  “We should get to work,” she urged gently.

  Roxie nodded and stood. “Yeah, that at least never changes. But Manny...”

  Manny raised a quizzical eyebrow.

  “It should’ve been you.”

  ~~~~~

  Manny couldn’t stop her mind from wandering during the staff meeting, finding Craig’s voice even more monotone than usual. Or maybe the information was more monotonous than usual.

  Or maybe you just don’t feel the need to pay close attention since you didn’t get the promotion.

  Manny raised an eyebrow as she glanced towards Harvey sitting across the table from her. He looked very handsome in a well-cut expensive suit and gold silk tie.

  I should still pay more attention, she replied primly and turned her attention b
ack to Craig’s dry voice.

  “The quarterly forecast clearly shows -” he droned, and she mentally rolled her eyes and glanced back across the table where Harvey grinned wickedly at her. For a moment, she allowed herself to get lost in his dark, mysterious eyes.

  “Manny?”

  She blinked and looked up at Craig. “Yes?”

  “What’s your opinion?” he repeated.

  “I’m sorry – I was thinking of something else. My opinion on what?”

  Craig frowned at her, obviously displeased. “The budget allocations,” he snapped, and Manny flushed and shifted uncomfortably.

  Wonder what he’d say if you told him your real opinion?

  Shut up.

  ~~~~~

  Craig preceded Manny into his office then stood behind his desk and watched as she closed the door and sat down at the table. He frowned at her.

  “It’s not like you to not pay attention in a meeting,” he said.

  Manny sighed and shrugged. “Sorry, Craig.”

  “This isn’t about losing out on that promotion, is it?”

  “Not intentionally, but now that you mention it -”

  “I’ve already explained it to you. We had no concerns that you could have done the job.”

  “That’s a relief, especially since I’ve been doing it.”

  Craig gave her a warning look at her slightly sarcastic tone and continued, “We want to go in a new direction. We decided we needed somebody fresh, not burdened by the years of history and ‘how things used to be’. We needed somebody -”

  “Young?”

  Craig’s lips tightened. “New ideas, Manny. Somebody with new ideas, to take your area from the status quo to high achievement.”

  “Our status quo is high achievement.”

  “Higher, then.” Craig paused and stared hard at her. “Are you going to be able to work with Steph?”

  “Of course. I’m nothing if not professional and dedicated to my job.”

  Craig nodded, his eyes boring into hers. “And I appreciate that. I’d hate to think you’re not a team player.”

  Manny flushed but held his gaze for several beats. Craig seemed satisfied by what he saw and nodded to indicate the conversation was over. Manny walked to the door, then paused and turned back to him.

  “Craig? Do I have any chance at all of moving up in this company? I mean, I’ve been here for fifteen years -”

  “There’s always a chance, Manny. You’ll just have to wait and see what comes up.” He gave her a thin smile, then sat and turned his attention to his computer.

  Manny left thoughtfully; she knew a brush-off when she heard it.

  ~~~~~

  Manny walked in her door, looking tired and feeling worn out. She wondered ruefully why the only thing not on a schedule was the time she could leave the office. She dropped her purse on the table and hung up her coat and keys. With a tired sigh, she walked into the living room and plopped into the armchair. She closed her eyes as Harvey walked out of the kitchen with a glass of white wine and began to rub her shoulders. He again looked impossibly handsome, this time wearing a sweater and jeans. She sighed in imagined bliss, and looked at him with sad eyes.

  You have no idea how much I wish you were real.

  In a blink, he was gone – and the phone was ringing. For a split second, Manny considered not answering it.

  There’s your chance to talk to a real person, Harvey murmured.

  Probably a telemarketer.

  Probably Rebecca. Or Daisy. They’ll worry if you don’t answer.

  All right, all right.

  Manny heaved herself to her feet and walked to the phone.

  Maybe I’m glad you’re imaginary after all.

  She caught a glimpse of his grin as she answered the phone.

  It was Rebecca, asking her to go out the next night.

  “I don’t know...” Manny sighed.

  “Oh, come on – you’ll have fun! And seriously – you haven’t gone out with us in months!”

  “I’ve been tired...”

  “You’ve been tired your whole life I think. You need to break out of this rut you’re in! Come out for a few drinks and dancing with me and Daisy. Who knows, maybe you’ll meet a good-looking guy and be swept off your feet into a red-hot love affair.”

  Sounds like a plan to me.

  Yeah, ’cause that’ll happen.

  “I’d love to go dancing,” Manny said to Rebecca, “but the guy is just a figment of your imagination.”

  “Only because you don’t put any effort into it. Seriously, it’s not healthy to do nothing but work and go home. That’s how people go crazy you know.”

  “Huh. You mean next thing you know I’ll be talking to my imaginary friend?”

  Harvey grinned wickedly and Manny abruptly turned her back to him.

  “Exactly!” Rebecca said. “Come on – what do you say?”

  “Okay, okay,” Manny sighed. “Tomorrow night – the usual place?”

  “Yep – and sound like you’re actually looking forward to it, okay?”

  “I’m sorry. I am looking forward to it – it’ll be fun.”

  ~~~~~

  Manny laid in bed, staring up at the ceiling and waiting for sleep. She plucked restlessly at the blanket and wished she could relax. Tomorrow was Steph’s first staff meeting. Today she’d reacquainted herself with everyone in the office then spent the rest of the day with Manny being briefed on the details of the work of the branch and any current issues she’d need to resolve within the next few days. That meant Manny’s own work had been delayed, and tomorrow it would be delayed again – and Manny would have to leave early in order to meet Rebecca and Daisy at the lounge for drinks before heading to the club.

  Manny took a deep breath and slowly let it out. It wouldn’t be too bad, she staunchly told herself. Steph was young, energetic, and had a shrewd intelligence almost obscured by the cleavage-revealing shirts, short skirts and a figure that could stop traffic – and probably did. Manny wondered if Craig truly understood what he’d gotten himself in for by promoting Steph rather than Manny.

  Cleavage and legs.

  She mentally rolled her eyes at Harvey’s dry, cynical tones.

  Maybe – but that’s not really fair to him, is it? He’s not a bad guy.

  But he is just a guy.

  She does bring a new perspective – a new way of thinking about things. She’s not a bad choice – and I can’t argue with Craig’s idea that shaking things up could make things better.

  And where does that leave you?

  No worse off than I was before.

  And no better.

  If you’re not going to be helpful...

  Harvey glanced down at his suddenly ruffled shirt opened to the middle of his muscled chest and skin-tight breeches. He glanced back at her with a ruefully amused smile.

  Watched the Ice Pirates again, did you?

  Oh, shut up – it’s a classic no matter what anybody else thinks!

  I’m just sayin’ - if I was real and regularly wore pants this tight, I’m not sure I’d be of any use to you. If you know what I mean.

  Manny groaned and shook her head, and Harvey blinked out of existence. She wondered when she’d managed to lose control of a figment of her imagination – one she’d eventually felt compelled to name after an invisible rabbit.

  She groaned again, rolled over and pulled the covers over her head. It was going to be another long day tomorrow.

  Complete with dancing.

  * * * * *

  Minus Thirty Days

  Manny calmly considered Steph as she spoke to the staff in the boardroom. Steph had a short haircut that emphasized her high cheekbones and flawless skin. She was dressed to the hilt in a well-tailored suit that flattered her stunning figure. She was young, late twenties at most, Manny figured, and she was going to go far. Manny estimated she’d last two years in the new job and no more than three. There was no doubt in Manny’s mind that Steph would be runni
ng the company by the time she was forty-five.

  Manny’s age.

  Not for the first time, Manny vaguely wondered where her own life was going. With a silent sigh, she refocused on Steph’s introductory pep talk.

  “...and I’m looking forward to working with all of you.”

  Steph beamed at everyone, and her smile didn’t waver even in the face of the awkward silence that filled the room. With a determined glint in her eyes, Steph turned to Manny.

  “And I’m particularly looking forward to working with you, Manny,” she continued. “I know I’m going to learn so much from you. Why, you’re practically an institution around here! You’ve been here forever; you know everything there is to know about how this branch and the entire organization operates. I mean, you’ve been working here, in the same role, for fifteen years! That’s amazing – and shows us how dedicated you are, and how much you’re needed in your position. From what Craig told me, I don’t think we could function without you! And I know I speak for everyone in this organization, from the President on down, when I say we look forward to having you with us, doing what you do, for the next fifteen years!”

  Oh. My. Fucking. God.

  ~~~~~

  “And that’s when I did it.”

  Rebecca and Daisy sat at the bar on either side of Manny as she sipped a beer. They were listening intently to her story of the staff meeting.

  “Did...what?” Rebecca asked cautiously.

  “I quit.”

  “WHAT!”

  Manny winced at both the volume of the screech and the fact that it was in stereo, directly in her ears.

  She shook her head. “My God – another fifteen years? I can’t even – not another day!”

  “You didn’t just walk off the job, did you?” Daisy asked incredulously.

  “I offered two weeks’ notice. Steph told me I could leave today.” Manny shrugged. “So I did.”

  “I take it she wasn’t impressed,” Rebecca said drily.

  “Hah! That’s putting it mildly! On the other hand, I’m not sure she actually cares all that much. It just looks really, really bad for somebody to quit on her first full day on the job. I think she just wanted to have the problem...well, not solved, but out of sight as quickly as possible.” Manny shrugged again. “In two weeks, it’ll be like I was never even there.”