Lilac Scented Dreams.

“Don’t forget to smile today, hun, I love you.” A woman with black and gray hair smiles slightly.

“I love you mom, I’m off to work, thanks for breakfast.” I kiss her small slightly wrinkled forehead on my way out the door of IHOP. Walking to my car I look around and realize how dead it is in this small town. 8:30 am on a Friday and there's no one outside, no matter where or when you feel alone here. Inserting my keys into the lock I see someone standing near the end of my car, I look up and no one is there. Unlocking my car and sitting in, I think about how messed up my mind is. I see people out of the corner of my eye all the time. Of course, no one’s actually there. Sometimes I think I can hear someone yelling my name. Even when I’m all alone. I don’t work far from the diner. Who am I kidding? It's a small town and no one works far from it. I turn on my radio to listen to my favorite podcast. The commentary of the podcast is funny and always makes me laugh, helping with my mood for the workday. I stop in the bathroom before going into the main part of the office just to make sure I don’t have food in my teeth. I looked in the mirror and my black hair that touches down to my rib cage was a bit messy, not too bad. My dark red lipstick was perfect. My skin was sun touched so I was a bit darker than usual. My dark brown eyes hovering over my eye bags, happily. As if trying to show the world my exhaustion. Walking out of the bathroom and making my way into the office. Today’s going to be a good day. I hope.

Walking into the office after freshening up the first thing I see is my boss, Dan.

“Oh Chrissy you’re here, I have some files I want you to look over.”

“Ok, Dan I will get these taken care of as soon as possible.” I grab the stack of maybe 5 files from his hand. As I walk away I can see Dan's reflection watching my behind as I walk. Creep. My job is pretty easy I suppose, I’m the one that double-checks all the files and makes sure that everything is written correctly. I walk over to my desk which is past everyone else’s desk. The office isn’t too big but big enough to where I can say I got my exercise for the day walking to my desk. I sit down and start working on the files. Before I know it, it’s lunchtime and I am done with the files. I grab the stack and bring them to Dan's office.

“Here you go boss, they were all fine for the most part,” I say while setting them down and walking away. I try not to engage too much with him as he is kinda a creep. He even looks like a creep. He has shaggy unbrushed brown hair and always has a 5 o’clock shadow.

“Chrissy, would you like to have lunch with me? I have some things I'd like to talk about with you.”

“Sure Dan, are we staying or going out?” I asked, to my dismay I hate eating with him. He always manages to make me want to quit and run.

“ We’ll go out.” With a smile so huge I'm sure his face hurts.

“Let me grab my things and I’ll meet you by the door.” trying not to sound as disappointed as I am.

Walking with my purse and a forced smile I meet Dan at the front door. Curious as to what he wants to talk about. He opens the door and holds it for me.

We arrived at this very fancy-looking restaurant, you know the one that you feel like you don't belong in. I wonder why he would bring me to such a nice place?

"This place looks, um, fancy." A nervous smile.

"I hope so, it is the best place to eat in town." He chuckled as if I could afford to eat here with my salary.

As we were walking in we were met by the hostess.

"Table for two?" She asked with a smile.

Never understood why they asked as there were only two of us here. Walking to the table I noticed I was severely underdressed compared to everyone here. Wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt. Ordering water for my drink when asked by the hostess.

"This place is where I go to celebrate, as I think it's the only place worth being at for celebrating."

"What are you celebrating today?" With a faint smile and a head tilt to complete the “I care” look.

"A raise." With a grin bigger than his face could possibly hold.

I fake a smile. "You got a raise? That's awesome."

"Oh no dear it's not me who got the raise"

Hesitantly I ask with a bit of regret. "Oh. Who then?"

"Are you guys ready to order?"

"Oh yes, ma'am I'll take an 8oz steak medium rare, with broccoli and a baked potato. "

"and for you ma'am?"

"Actually I'll have the same thing as him" I love steamed broccoli. Especially covered in butter, with pepper.

"Well Chrissy I saw your yearly report on my desk yesterday and as I was going through it I realized how amazing you have been. You have no complaints from any staff or clients. All the files you have given back are always 100 percent. I've never had a worker that good before. I also don't understand how your file got on my desk, the fate of the gods I suppose." Bewildered by what I was just told, I'm sure my mouth was agape.

"Wow Dan, I really appreciate that, I just do what I'm supposed to and keep to myself." I chuckle.

" I appreciate the affirmation that I'm doing good." I smiled at him sincerely this time.

" Good, I'm glad to hear it. Your raise is going to be $3 more an hour. Which is the biggest raise we've given someone without a promotion. When we get back to the office we'll go through and sign the paperwork." Today was the day.

Pulling up to my house I see that there are flowers, lilacs, and purple dream lilies to be precise, at my front door. Weird I haven’t told anyone yet, no one to tell really. Getting out of my car and walking towards the vase. They are beautiful, I wonder if Dan told someone. Looking to see if there is a card with them. “ Congrats on the big raise, you deserve it.” not signed. How unusual, Maybe it was Dan. They are pretty and look costly. I unlock my front door and notice that my white cat is waiting for me like usual. He's more of a dog than a cat. He is the love of my life. Every time I bring someone to my place, they always leave. They never say anything, they just run out. I’ll walk to another room and it’s like they just teleport. When I have friends over they don’t react that way so maybe it’s me. Well anyway lucifer, my cat, is the love of my life. Although he is a weird creature. He stares at nothing all the time. I walk into my kitchen and decide to put the mystery flowers in the water.