The Awakening by Kat Quickly

process. It was clear to all present that she had made the transition from sports star to business woman and with her engagement to Andrew Adams only recently announced the assembled masses were sure they were witnessing the birth of major new force in American life. She was smart, stylish and had captured one of America’s finest young men. Yet she was one of the masses, from the country, good solid farm stock, only thrown into the spotlight because of the sudden death of her beloved father: sport the only way to heal her heart and cope with the world. Publicly she didn’t dwell on the past, it was enough for people to know snippets: she was happy with the role of a model of determination, success from effort and ability, nothing else. No hand outs or up. Just skill and determination. Victor beamed at her from the back of the room and AA gathered her into his arms as she stepped from the podium to rapturous applause. “You were just fabulous, Babe.” He kissed her warmly and found her a glass of champagne. “You can relax now. The rest of the evening is just smiling and being polite, making connections and you do that so well.”
    Victor did not speak to her until late. She was sitting alone watching the lights of the Manhattan skyline. Andrew was twirling some socialite around the almost empty dance floor. Carmen was tired but elated. She hadn’t known what to expect from this evening. She’d been worried and nervous but certain she could pull off her part. After all she’d spent a great deal of the last twelve years in the public eye. Talking to a room full of strangers was a lot easier at twenty-six than at fourteen. Yes, she’d been fourteen at her first press conference. Was it really that long ago? Sometimes she felt as old as the earth, older if that was possible. She seemed to have had a lot of life all ready. Well, she smiled to herself, that was why they’d just launched a book about her.
    Victor caught the smile, saw the far away look. Knew where she was. “You did well, my love,” he said quietly, kissing her hair.
    “Thank you, Victor.” She looked up at him. “I wondered if you were ever going to talk to me.”
    “Ah, on nights like this I must speak to everyone here. All these important people who keep Great Blizzard going. I must be pleasant and charming and remind people why they want to buy our products and support our endeavours. Your efforts tonight have helped a great deal, Carmen. Probably better than I had anticipated.”
    “You had doubts, Victor?”
    He shook his head. “No.”
    She looked at him.
    He shrugged. “I know this is not why you are here. Your destiny is not to be a great editor, or publisher. You will be very good. But it’s not your purpose.” He looked directly at her.
    “I wish you wouldn’t say those things, Victor. This knowing me stuff and my destiny. All these mysteries. It makes me feel very uncomfortable. And the date on the pendant? What was that about?”
    “It’s your birthday. I thought you knew.”
    “Of course, I know. But how do you? How do you know these things about me, Victor?”
    “You haven’t found me yet, have you?” he said quietly. “Otherwise things would be starting to make sense.”
    Carmen turned back to the window. “Sometimes I wish I hadn’t met you, Victor. My life was under control until a month ago when I walked into your office and you held my hand. Nothing’s been the same since. Nothing. Before that morning I was certain about Andrew, about my career, my future, but seeing you every day just unsettles me more and more. Some times I can’t wait to see you. Some days I want you to go back from where you came and leave me be.”
    He turned her to face him. “Good. Then it’s beginning. You are feeling things, sensing things. It is my destiny to help you find yours. That is why we have met. You are my higher purpose, Carmen. I have no choice but to take your hand.”
    “You just frighten me, Victor.”
    “Come with me.