The Glass Door

By Sam Begin

After graduating from college, Melissa lands a job with a prominent investment in New York City. As she tries to establish her new life, things happen that she does not expect. Following her heart may not be reasonable but will following reason bring her happiness?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sam Begin
• Release date: Jun 9, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311058539

Sam Begin

Hi, I'm Sam Begin. I live in the Northeast, I'm is married, and have two kids. I have a degree in biology and work in the healthcare industry. This is my first book. I hope that you like it. If you did, please review it at your favorite retailer.

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THE GLASS DOOR

By Sam Begin

Copyright © 2016 Sam Begin

All rights reserved.

Distributed by Smashwords

Thanks you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank for your support.

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 1

On a cold October morning in Chicago, Melissa closed the car door, looked in the mirror and smiled. In the mirror she saw a confident young woman ready to take on the world. And why not? Melissa had just graduated with an MBA from the University of Chicago and was offered her first job as a financial analyst at the Abbott and Solomon Investment House in New York. Moving from Chicago to New York and leaving her family behind was not on her top ten list but she felt that if she were to build a career in finance, New York was the place to go.

For a second, Melissa thought about her family and their reaction, Mom's shock and Dad threatening to start looking for a job in New York so that they could be closer to her.

Oh Mom, Melissa smiled to herself and sighed.

Thoughts about her mom and dad and their consistent love towards her filled Melissa with a warm feeling that made her smile. Throughout her life, Melissa only knew a house where Mom and Dad enjoyed being together and family was the most important thing to everyone. She knew that her parents always wished her well.

From the time Melissa was a child, her mom had Melissa’s future all planned out. The plan was rather simple and uncomplicated and loosely followed the princess stories that Melissa read when she was a child. The plan was that one day Melissa, while going to a coffee shop to have breakfast, would meet a prince (or at least a knight in shining armor) who would happen to be there just for her. The prince/knight would look at her and would instantly be dazzled. She, in turn, would look at him and be stunned. He would come up to her, fall on his knee and then there would be happily ever after. The plan had several variations: sometimes they would meet in a café, or a nice restaurant, or may be at a party, or even at work. The setting did not matter but what mattered was the shock of meeting him and immediate knowledge that he is going to be in every way the right person for her to spend the rest of her life with.

Sometimes Melissa laughed at the plan because she knew it was not what happens in real life. Even though that was the kind of scenario that played out in a lot of the books that she read as a kid, she knew it was not highly likely to happen that way. Deep in her heart though she was hoping for Mr. Right to come along and make his grand entrance. She was sure that she would be able to recognize him immediately as Mr. Right not because he was going to have a sign that read I am Mr. Right but instead because meeting him was going to be such a totally amazing, profound, and unforgettable event.

Janet, Melissa’s Mom, was also hoping that someone very special would come along for Melissa and in her mind she too had a part in this future plan. Janet imagined that as part of the happily ever after, Melissa and Mr. Right/Prince/Knight in shining armor would have kids. Kids was the key word in her plan. Mom loved kids and loved spending time with them and wanted a few grandkids to love, hug, spoil and babysit.

On numerous occasions Janet told Melissa that she and Jim, Melissa’s Dad, did not want to be refrigerator grandparents. They did not want their grandkids to only see their photos hanging on the refrigerator and never see them in person. They wanted to get to know their grandkids and wanted the grandkids to know and remember them. Janet even said that babysitting would be free and if it came down to it, she would pay Melissa to babysit those adorable little faces! So, in the end, Janet had a stake in the plan too—she wanted grandkids as soon as possible.

Melissa placed her purse in the passenger seat and shook her head. Babysit grandkids? One slight problem Mom, no grandkids yet.

When Janet and Jim found out that Melissa got a job and was moving to New York City, the whole grandkid plan came into jeopardy. Even though Dad made noises that he would like to look for a new job in New York City, finding one would probably be difficult. Melissa thought most car dealerships in New York City would probably already have managers and Jim had been with the same dealership on South Ave. for the last 30 years. And even though it may take some effort to find a new position, Mom said that if Melissa liked New York and decided to stay there, they would definitely start making plans to leave Chicago and move to be there with her.

That would be a relief, thought Melissa, at least I won’t have to be in New York by myself, forever. It was comforting to know that there was someone out there willing to uproot themselves after 30 years of living in the same house just to be with you. Oh well, she thought, enough of thinking, better start driving.

Melissa put the key in the ignition of her car and turned it. The engine started with its familiar growl. At the same time that the engine roared, her phone chirped—a text. Melissa pulled out her phone and read the message. It was from her college friend, Angelina Glass. Angie was from New York and Melissa was going to spend a few days with her while looking for an apartment to rent. Angie graduated at the same time as Melissa did but was going to take some time off and travel before starting work.

What a great idea, thought Melissa. I wish I could do the same.

Angie indicated that she was going to Europe for a few weeks or a few months. She said that she would decide how long she would stay when she got tired of her travels or as she put it, When I return home, I will be ready to go to work. However, before leaving, Angie promised to spend a few days with Melissa to introduce her to some friends and to get Melissa’s social life going, as Angie put it.

Melissa stopped daydreaming and looked her phone.

Melissa, when r u leaving?

Melissa texted back, Now.

When will you be here?

Probably sometime Friday.

Perfect timing, right on time for our first party! Drive carefully and give me a call when you are within an hour or two.

Will do. See you then.

After sending her last message, the phone turned dark and Melissa put it back in her purse. The gray October sky was reflecting against the orange hue of the trees turning colors. The car was warm and it was time to go. She turned and looked one more time at her house. It was hard to leave something so familiar and comfortable but… this page needed to be turned.

Bye, house, I hope I will see you later, she whispered.

Melissa was on the road the whole day and stopped at a hotel for the night. The drive made her whole body stiff and sore. The stiffness made her want to go to the gym and work out but by the time she had unpacked and checked in with her parents, she was too tired to do anything other than sleep. Maybe later, she thought and the next thing she knew she was asleep.

Melissa got up the next morning as the sun was rising. Just a few hours away from New York City, what a relief, she thought. Melissa looked out the window. The morning looked beautiful with the sun’s rays starting to peek over the trees in the chilly October air. After Melissa went down and grabbed some coffee and a breakfast sandwich from the hotel breakfast bar, she was ready to go on the final stretch.

She got in the car and a few minutes later was back on the Interstate. Driving early in the morning with the sun rising was invigorating. Looking at the road ahead of her, Melissa knew that things would go well. She was starting a new job on Monday and she was very excited about that. She was tired of school and was ready to start working and earning money. Thinking about the logistics of going to work though, she knew she would have to figure out how to get from Angie's place to her work place before Monday. She had visions running around the subway station in a panic because she couldn’t find where Abbott and Solomon Investment House was on Monday morning. Oh, no, she thought with a shudder, I will have to make sure that won’t happen, I need to be on time my first day.

When Melissa was about an hour from New York City, she pulled into a rest area and called Angie. Her phone call went right into voicemail. Hi, this is Angie. Please leave a message, thanks.

The voicemail beeped and Melissa smiled as she started speaking. Hey Angie, it’s me. I’m about an hour or two away. I hope that I did not interrupt your sleep. Did you party a little late yesterday? Anyway, see you later today.

Melissa pulled out Angie’s address: 35 Spring Garden Street. How funny, she thought, new city, new job, new life, sure feels like spring, like a new beginning. She entered the address into her GPS.

Make a slight turn left and take the Interstate. Follow Interstate for the next 15 miles until exit 78… said the mechanical voice of the GPS.

Okay, okay, Melissa said aloud, I’d better get going.

New York on Friday morning was very busy. Melissa hit a traffic jam and sat in stop-and-go traffic for over an hour which was probably a good thing because it gave Angie more time to sleep.

Finally, by late morning Melissa drove up to 35 Spring Garden Street. She was amazed to find that the address was a luxury apartment with a valet who jumped out and offered to park her car. She got out of her car and gave him the keys. He immediately suggested that her car could be unloaded for her. Melissa did not have a whole lot of stuff in the car because she did not bring any of her furniture. However, she did have a few bags with clothes (Mom made sure that she had a lot of new outfits ready for New York) and she was grateful that she did not need to drag them upstairs herself. After thanking the valet, she started walking towards the entrance of the building.

I think I am looking for apartment number 564, she thought and pulled out her cell phone to double check. As she was checking her phone, a text message showed up from Angie.

Where r u?

I hate it when people abbreviate words down to one letter, thought Melissa. Angie usually doesn’t do that, she must’ve just woken up and didn’t feel like typing.

Melissa decided not to text Angie back and just go up and surprise her. She looked through the glass entry doors. The inside of the building was gorgeous with clean shining floors, multiple lamps and chandeliers, matching carpets, comfortable chairs and sofas, and lots of plants spread throughout.

A doorman greeted Melissa and offered to call up Angie but Melissa declined. She looked around again. There were people downstairs sitting, eating, talking and reading a newspaper or working on their tablets. When Melissa got to the elevator, the door opened and a man in a nice suit talking on his phone came out of the elevator looking frazzled.

Melissa got into the elevator and went up to the fifth floor and found apartment 564. She knocked.

Angie yelled from within, Is that who I think it is? The door opened up and suddenly Angie was hugging her.

I am so happy to see you, Mel. Angie called Melissa Mel occasionally and it seems like it was mostly at times when she wanted to say that she was really happy to see her. I just got up and texted you. What a surprise that you are already here! Angie exclaimed.

Melissa smiled, It is great to see you too, I did not text you back, I wanted to surprise you. As the two entered the apartment, Melissa put her purse down on a chair.

How was your trip? Angie asked as she lead Melissa to the guest room which was going to be hers while she looked for a place to live.

It was long and tiring. I am glad it is over, replied Melissa.

Come let’s have breakfast or brunch or whatever it is and I’ll tell you what I have planned for us to do today, said Angie excitedly. Meanwhile, the doorman showed up with Melissa’s bags and brought them in the guest room. Without hesitation Angie asked him to put the service on her monthly bill.

What a convenience, thought Melissa. It would have been a pain to bring those up.

Angie then walked into the kitchen, started up her coffee machine and got a few breakfast bars for them to eat with coffee. Melissa sat down at the kitchen table, hesitated for a second since she did not want to offend Angie.

To be honest with you, Angie, started Melissa, I had no idea your apartment is so fancy.

Could Angie get offended? Maybe, but for her to get offended, it had to be something very serious. This time, as expected, Angie was not offended at all. She was her usual self, in a good mood with a big smile on her face. Angie handed Melissa a cup of coffee and a breakfast bar and then sat next to her. As Angie started to eat, she explained.

Yeah, I kind of tried to keep it quiet in college, she said taking a sip and realizing that she needed to add more sugar to her coffee. Didn’t want to date guys who would date me for money. So I always pretended that I didn’t have much. Her smile got wider. She had fooled everyone—that was for sure.

My parents are nice to me though, she went on. I should not say parents, my Mom passed away, it’s my Dad. He’s a real estate developer and gives me some money every month. In fact, when I get back from Europe, I will start working for him and after a few months, I’ll open up my own company. My brother, Alan, used to work for him too and then started his own company—with Dad's help of course, and now he’s doing really well!

She was flaunting the fact that she is well off and didn’t have to pretend to be middle class any more. She was very rich and not embarrassed about it. Melissa was not exactly poor herself but definitely fell more into a middle class category, her parents were comfortable but then again they did not own anything like a second house, a boat, or a plane. She always thought that Angie’s Dad worked for a construction company, she had no idea her family was so affluent. It was not bad news at all, just something new about Angie that she learned today.

Alan has been doing very well, Angie repeated in a voice that indicated that she was very fond of her brother, and the hope is that I can do the same thing he did when he started his own company with Dad’s help. Now his company has grown and like I said, is doing very well.

Wow, the whole thing is a surprise, said Melissa a bit taken aback and slightly overwhelmed.

Angie smiled at Melissa. I’m glad that you are here. As you know, I am going away for at least a few weeks…or a few months depending upon how things play out for me in Europe. So you can live here and hopefully by the time I get back you will not have run back to Chicago laughed Angie.

I was planning on finding my own place right away, Melissa protested. She didn’t want Angie to feel like she had to give her the flat.

No need for that, this place will be empty anyway, Angie stated firmly while shrugging her shoulders. Besides, since I was in Chicago for so long, the neighbors here got used to this apartment being empty and I think sometimes they wondered if I existed any more. With you here it might keep them on their toes, she said smiling.

I have never lived in an apartment that is so expensive, Melissa thought while she took a sip of her coffee. On the other hand, maybe living here until Angie gets back from Europe is not entirely a bad idea because it will let me see if I like working for Abbott and Solomon Investment House before I lock myself into an apartment lease.

Thank you, she said aloud.

No problem, Angie replied in a matter of fact tone.

Angie was done with her breakfast bar and her coffee and by then Melissa was done with her coffee too. Angie looked at Melissa and said, Now that your living arrangements have been taken care of, do you want to know what I have planned for us for today?

Sure, Melissa replied, I’d love to find out. Can I just ask that going to a gym is one of the items on the list? My body feels so stiff and achy after sitting in the car all day yesterday. She stretched out her arms to show how stiff she was.

Actually, we have a gym and a pool in the basement here, so if you would like to we can get that out of the way first thing, suggested Angie.

That would be great, Melissa smiled, Not needing to go anywhere but downstairs would be just awesome.

Glad you approve, Angie continued. Anyway, we have to go do some makeup shopping. You know, lipstick, mascara, that sort of thing. I know you’re not a big fan of makeup but I think if you are starting a new job, you have to look nice and makeup is a huge part of it here in New York so you’d better get used to it. Angie always felt that Melissa was too modest and thought that she needed to help her with opening up a little more to the world around her.

We also have to go to a party tonight, she continued in the spirit of the opening to the world thought.

I knew it, you are not a person to miss a party especially on Friday night, Melissa laughed. That was Angie for you.

You know it, Angie admitted and laughed too. She openly acknowledged that parties were her life.

The girls set the cups for the maid to clean and headed down to the basement for a workout and a swim. Angie informed Melissa that the basement not only had a gym but also a pool. To Melissa’s amazement the gym was complete and the pool Olympic size and very nice. Her body felt better after she was able to work out and take a swim. Afterwards, they went back up to the apartment and took showers when they were done.

Once they were done cleaning up, they met back in Angie’s kitchen.

Let’s go to lunch and then do some shopping, said Angie as they drank water in the kitchen.

Sounds good, said Melissa taking a big gulp. She made sure that she drank at least 5 cups of water a day—an old college habit. Is chicken and salad still your favorite thing for lunch?

You've got that right. There is a cafe nearby where we can stop and get lunch.

Great, show me the way, said Melissa wiping her face and feeling like her body no longer belonged to the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz.

About an hour later they were sitting inside the cafe and eating chicken salads and drinking green tea.

Have you been dating anyone since we finished school, Angie? asked Melissa.

You know how I am. I find it hard to get attached to someone for a long time. Especially now that I am going away on a vacation. I think I will start looking seriously when I get back but probably not before, said Angie. What about you? Angie asked her after taking a quick sip of her green tea.

Melissa shook her head. I’ve been looking for a job, not a boyfriend. Now that I found a job, maybe a boyfriend will come along too. The way she answered it, she made it clear that she was not interested in having a boyfriend at the moment and that a successful career was more important.

I know, I heard that before, Angie sighed and rolled her eyes. "You said the same thing through all of grad school. Remember when Aaron asked you out and I said that you should go so