A timeless job ( new book, chapter 1)

Chapter 1
CHARLOTTE’S DISAPPEARANCE
“And that’s how I saved the world?’ David said as he finished reading the paper he was holding. ‘You’re always dreaming again, aren’t you?’ asked Charlotte. ‘I’m keeping the dream alive for us, you know that. At least somebody got to be the dreamer around here since you’re always so realistic’ said David. David Howarth was a mobile app developer that stayed at San Francisco, California with his newly wedded wife, charlotte. It had just been a year ago they married and they were young and full of dreams. Charlotte moved to where David sat in front of his computer. It had been a while since they had their lone time together and she wanted to stay with him a bit longer before he engrosses himself in his work as usual.
‘So’ she said giving him an embrace by the shoulder ‘how are you going to save the world my hero?’ she continued. He was pleased by her touched and responded giving her a peck on her cheek. ‘Not every hero has to have powers, some are just really brilliant. Like batman for example’ said David taking her hand and kissing them tenderly. He loved her dearly, it wasn’t particularly easy for a person his type to find such a young intelligent lady and convince her to marry him. However they were classmates in high school but still he didn’t approach her till they got to college. He was what they referred as a nerd because of his obsession with technology and books. But it paid off eventually as they were what you would say living the American dream. David worked at a big telecommunication company in the IT department. Life was showing them its good side for now and they had their future to think about ‘aren’t you hungry?’ asked charlotte letting go of his hands. ‘Not yet’ he said going back to his work.
Charlotte face turned into a frown, she wasn’t expecting that reply. ‘Well the neighbours have been talking and my mum too’ said charlotte forcing him to look in her direction. He knew what she was talking about but he just stared not knowing what to say. ‘Are you with me, Dave?’ she asked after a minute of starring. ‘I was just wondering how I got so lucky as to marry the most beautiful woman on earth. I love you charlotte’ he said pulling her closely till she was close enough to feel his skin. ‘Me too, Dave but someone needs to get that brain that you keep using all the time. You don’t even have time for us anymore. It’s been a long time we have done something together. You are 17 hours on the job.’ Whined charlotte as she looked at him. ‘I’m doing it for us dear. You know how much I do care’ he said trying hard to convince her. ‘Work and build a life and forget to actually live it. I’m getting tired of waiting Dave, I need a baby’ said charlotte, tears welling up in her eyes. He saw the look in her face and felt sad.
He hated it when she cried. Standing up, he pulled her to his chest and let her cry, that was the best comfort he could give her. Unlike charlotte, David was more emotionally detached and could handle situations more than her. She cried for a while holding him tightly as she sobbed loudly. This was her normal so he wasn’t surprised and let her play her game at trying to make him go with her wishes. She reached for his face and brought it down to face hers, she looked at him with love in her eyes, and even though they were still sore from tearing she could see his face clearly. She got closer to him and touched his lips, they kissed. Suddenly he parted and shouted in surprise, ‘yeah! That’s what I forgot’. She was startled at his behaviour but he was already doing a swirl around the table in joy. She was however disappointed at her failed attempt at making them spend time together to make a baby. ‘Babe what happened? You just left me hanging.’ Said charlotte. ‘The missing code I didn’t remember to add, I just remembered. No wonder the program refused to run.’ David said excitedly and then he remembered what they had been doing before. ‘I’m really sorry dear. You know this project is very important to us. We really need this gig dear’ said David sitting down on his chair in front of the computer. ‘We or you? You don’t even ask what I want for both of us anymore; it’s about that lousy job. I’m beginning to doubt if you care for your job more than for me’ said charlotte upset at the carelessness in his words. It hurt her so much that his work interests him so much than her presence. ‘Don’t be like that. You know I do care, I just need more time to get everything together’ he replied looking at his screen. ‘You can have all the time you want because I’m going to eat and you can decide to do so if you so wish or eat your computer. I’m sure it will taste better than my cooking’ said charlotte walking away angrily and cussing under her breath. He didn’t mean to hurt her but he did still. He knew he had to make it up for her but he loved his work just as much and he felt guilty she had to be the one on the receiving end but he couldn’t waste time wallowing in self-guilt. Turning to the only comfort he knew, he continued working. They had a long journey in their relationship; this was a face he would soon pass, so he thought.
Hours later he joined her on the bed. She slept facing away from him but she was awake secretly shedding tears. ‘Charlotte’ called David stretching his hands to touch her. She didn’t stir at his touch which was quite unusual. Whenever they fought about this issue, he eventually ends up working for less hours which he didn’t like so he thought her reaction was all for the best. Then he fell asleep as she listened to the reduced breathing of his lungs.
David woke up and felt the bed for her but there was nothing there. He opened his eyes as he searched for her around the room but she wasn’t in. maybe she had gone to the kitchen he thought and got up to get ready for work. If his program ran today, it would mean a promotion and more time to spend with charlotte. He was hopeful and prayed she understood the present situation. He was out of the bathroom in no time and went to his closet. It was really glaring how much charlotte had spent on clothes and shoes. He let her shop as much as she wanted to make up for the time he couldn’t be with her. Her clothes had filled more than half the closet that he was thinking of taking his somewhere else in the house to allow her more space. He searched tirelessly for what to put on that morning. It was still quite surprising that he hadn’t seen her yet but he assumed that she must have gone for an early shopping or exercise.
Charlotte loved doing yoga. After 15 minutes he still hadn’t found a good shirt to wear, charlotte was always the one who selected his clothes but since she was not available he decided to go with his best pick. He looked at the mirror as he finished dressing up, he knew he looked hilarious; he had on a blue stripped tie with a black suit on a striped shirt. It was at least good that he knew how to match his belt with his shoe and wristwatch; charlotte’s teaching had paid off a bit. He was set and ready for work, he told himself smiling to his reflection on the mirror. He went downstairs and hoped to meet her by the kitchen but unfortunately she wasn’t there. He wanted to worry but he knew it was best not to. He gave her the freedom to do whatever she liked and she did explore a lot of options. Charlotte worked from home in an agency that deals with a fashion line. She was good at what she does so they let her stay home with extra influence from her uncle who was a shareholder in the business.
David looked around the kitchen; nothing seemed to show that she had been in there that morning. He recalled correctly the position of everything the previous night and as observant as he was, nothing was moved an inch away from where they were. It was strange because she had always prepared his lunch before she went out no matter how early it was. He thought to worry about it but the time showed he had better left for work or he could be late. The presentation that morning was going to be a life changing one, he could sense it. Picking up his car keys he stepped outside of the building and went to work.