Reality Check Vs Reality Bites

my eyes are opened.
i've heard the words.

Truely inspired...

Chapter 1

It was a wet and cold night in paris. This year's winter was colder than normal. Snow starts to fall form the sky to the tiles below. The streets were buzzing with people as they were all rushing to do some last minute christmas shopping. All the shopping malls will be closing late today. People carrying big bags squeezing through the massive crowd to get a taxi. All were in a joyous mood because the office were closed for the festive holidays.

Eric was still in his office clearing up some last minute work. His client wanted him to close this deal before the week end. He had no choice. Being the sales manager of the company he was assigned to stay back.

Eric has always been a loner. His parents passed away in a car accident when he was 12 and his grandmother took care of him ever since. From then on, he has learnt to be independent. He made his way through school with good grades. His grandmother has always been insperational to him, giving him the advice of life. "You got to learn to be strong and not let others bully you" said his grandmother. "when someone take advantage of you they will continue to do so. Never let them. Learn to stand up for yourself". For Eric, he was always kind. Even though he knew people were taking advantage of his kindness, he still lets them. All he wanted were friends, friends who know how much he meant to them. He worked his way up from there. He has lots of contacts and managed to find a job in the largest advertising company in Paris. At first he was just an assistant, learning the ropes from his mentor. It only took him only 5years to get his manageral post, something which was amazing.

It was way past midnight and Eric has finally finished his work and ready to leave. Chirstmas to him was just like any other day. No one to celebrate with, everyone from work will be with their family. Eric has no family. His only kin had moved on a couple of years back. He remembered at the hospital where he was standing beside his grandmother's bed, she was smiling at him. Eric held her hands and thanked her for bringing him up. She closed her eyes and did not open them again. The doctors tried very hard to bring her back but Eric told them not to. "She is tired and now she wants to sleep. I know. Let her rest".

The tables were packed nicely and the computer was shutting down. He walked over to his coat and switched off all the lights in the room. Time to go home. He grabbed his stuffs and left the room. He put on his coat and walked off. Maybe this holiday will be different he thought.

As he walked out of his office building he saw the crowd rushing across him in both ways. There were all cheery and happy. Couples holding each other, families carrying presents... ... That put a smile on his face. Even though it was cold he felt the warmth coming from within him. He joined into the crowd and walked away as the snow sprinkle down onto Paris. The lights of the street and the decorations lited up.