A Mile In Your Enemies Shoes

Isaiah Williams and Peyton Arnold were fierce enemies in the banking world, they worked in the loan department of Capital One in McLean, Virginia. The loan department was highly sought out because of the hefty commissions that you can get with each loan you get under your possession. The money was great but the relationships in the loan department could be a lot better especially between Isaiah and Peyton. Peyton could be the best in the company but she will use every undermining trick in the book including flirting with male applicants. Her methods were unorthodox but she brought in so many clients for the bank. On the other hand, Isaiah was by the book and did everything the way it was intended to be and that’s the way he would always do it. Isaiah’s ways annoyed Peyton and Peyton’s way annoyed Isaiah, for 2 years their manager has tried countless ways to have them get along but nothing has seemed to work. They would be foolish to fire them because of the amount of money they bring in and no rule said they have to like each other. Isaiah’s desk was beside Peyton’s and every single morning he could set a watch by her to always be on the phone and tell a male customer “Oh you sound like a cutie how can I help you?” as he passed her cubicle he heard her say those exact words. “Oh man I just ate and now I gotta hear this disgusting display” Peyton rolled her eyes while talking to the customer. After she made the sale she walked on over to his desk “Oh Isaiah when are you going to admit that you are just jealous of how I flirt with these men.” he laughs “Oh Peyton that's hilarious because I don't” she laughs “its ok to admit you wish I would flirt with you” he rolled his eyes “whatever helps you sleep at night, Peyton” he made his way to the elevator but Peyton was not finished with him, not even close. She followed him to the elevator and as it was about to shut on her hand snuck inside of it and stopped it from shutting. He rolled his eyes and said, “what do you want from me?” she pressed the floor she wanted to go to and pressed her body into his body “oh Isaiah, I don't want much. I just want to be the best and you are stopping me from doing that” the elevator started going up and he backed away from her “well you are just going to have to be the best with me here because I am not going anywhere. If you think your sick charm will work on me then you are sadly mistaken now let me go.” she did not like it when he called her charm sick “you know what do you know? You know nothing about me so just hush” he rolled his eyes “fine by me” as he said that the elevator came to a stop and the force of it made Peyton scream and run into Isaiah. The lights flicker on and off until the backup lights came on with Isaiah knocked out. She looked down and felt a bump on his head “oh great well I did want him to be quiet” she shook her head and got on the phone that was on the elevator hoping someone will answer. Within a few seconds, someone answered and she said “hello the elevator is stuck can you send someone to help us?” the lady replied, “of course are you ok?” Peyton replied “yes but the guy with me bumped his head and is out cold” the lady responded with “ok hang tight and we will get someone there” she looked down and went through his hair “why do we always have to fight? Why do I even care about you, Isaiah? I would never have the guts to tell you this while you were awake” she leaned down and started to kiss him but after she kissed him his eyes opened up and he moved to cough “oh Isaiah are you ok?” his head hurt but he was ok “yeah were you just giving me CPR?” her eyes widen in surprise “umm yes I was scared and thought you were seriously hurt. We have help on the way” he was surprised but he replied “oh well thank you”

Moments Later

It was so quiet between them and both of them started to think about how the other person would not survive in their shoes. They looked at each other and she could still taste his and she sighs out “Isaiah I lied when I said it was CPR, but the truth is I kissed you” his eyes grew and this was the last straw. “YOU DID WHAT?” she smirked and said “oh yes and I bet it just stings” he stood up and crossed his arms “ugh I just wish you would know what this feels like” she replied “oh you wouldn't survive being like me” after they said that the two of them experienced the most supernatural thing they have ever witnessed. Isaiah’s spirit went into Peyton’s body and Peyton’s spirit went into Isaiah’s body. As soon as it happened they looked at each other Isaiah was looking at himself and Peyton was looking at herself. They stared at each other without saying a word until they heard a voice outside the elevator “hello is everyone ok?” Isaiah in Peyton’s body said “Umm yes as far as we know” the worker replied “ok you two just hold tight and we will have you out” Peyton inside Isaiah’s body said, “Umm Isaiah what is going on?” He look at himself and said, “Maybe this is just a dream?” Peyton replied “oh I hope so” he pinched himself and she pinched herself and there was no change “maybe this,” he said before they pinched each other and once they did that there was no change “Umm ok I think we can panic now,” she said to him before he suggests “ok I did say I wish you knew what it was like for me so maybe if I take it back” she nods her head “ok I take it back I wish she didn’t know what it was like” he waited and waited and nothing happened before she said “ok maybe it was me, I wish I never said that he wouldn’t survive as me” when nothing changed between them they began to panic “are we going to be stuck like this forever?” He said to her and she said to him “this is punishment, maybe we need to survive as each other to get our old lives back?” It was the only thing that made sense “yeah that has to be it” as she said that the elevator doors opened and both of them were able to get out of the elevator. Both of them were terrified about what was happening but they would have to make the most of this to survive it. “I guess I will Umm see you later,” he said to her before they walked off. What the two of them don’t know is what they would experience as each other. Within an hour Isaiah knew exactly what she dealt with and it’s no wonder she flirts with every single guy she sees. The looks in the office that guys gave her would be enough to drive everyone mad and his thoughts were *Wow I can’t believe that she has to deal with all these looks. No wonder she flirts with every guy* For Peyton she won’t see his true side until she would go to his home that afternoon. They figured it would be best if they went to each other’s homes so their neighbors wouldn’t think that their houses were being intruded on. They came across each other at lunchtime at the little cafe there in the building and it looked like Peyton’s life has already had an impact on him and she saw it clear as day “I’m not going to say it” he rolled his eyes “you can say it” she laughs and said “I won’t say it but you now know what I deal with every day, your life seems easy enough” he laughs “wait until you are at my home, you will feel it and see it”

Later That Night

When Peyton reached Isaiah’s home she looked around and saw how quiet it was around the house but it had a ton of pictures. Mainly of him and a woman that she didn’t know and curiosity got the best of her and she text him saying *Hey, so I’m looking at your pictures and was just wondering who is in the picture with you? I mean me? Ugh this is so confusing lol* he read her text and he laughs *lol I know it’s crazy but that’s my good friend, Kay who lives in Australia* they looked so great together and she said *No wonder you don’t respond to my flirts, you must be in love with her* he turned red and text back *Yeah, it’s a distant dream, she has an amazing job there and I have an amazing job here that neither of us will give up for each other. It’s so complicated between us, more complicated than myself and yourself* it was then she realized that he was in love with her and Peyton was in love with him. She replied to him saying *I’m truly sorry, Isaiah. I'm sorry that I gave you so much grief over all this. If I would have known I would not do that to you* he read the text and now that he understood her more he can say back *I'm sorry also, I've never realized how guys look at you and you are just doing what they expect you to do* she sighs out *it's very difficult some times but I just hate aiming to please as I do. I so want to be a regular girl but boys expect it so why stop it?* he replied *Because deep down you are a decent person and I think you are better than that, Peyton. You may also be a pain sometimes but I know there's more to you* she smiled reading it and said *Would you like to go do something tonight?* he replied *you mean a date?* she replied *No just 2 coworkers hanging out.* he nods and replied *since you put it that way, sure. Want to meet up at chilis and eat? I'm getting hungry* she replied *me too, I'll leave soon.* the two of them left their homes and went to chilis. While Isaiah was traveling to Chili’s he thought of an idea that may or may not work. Granted he wasn't crazy about the idea but it was worth a shot to get their lives back to where they were at. Once they arrived at the restaurant he met her outside and he said “I have an idea, it may be a bit unorthodox but we need to get our lives back” she listened and said “I'm intrigued and curious now” he sighs out and said, “maybe if this curse is about how we don't like each other then maybe an act of tenderness will reverse it?” he said to her and she replied with “you mean like a kiss? You want us to kiss our selves?” she giggled and he laughs “do you have a better idea?” she shook her head “not really, just don't think of it as kissing yourself” laughed and he closed his eyes before he felt her kiss him as soon as they kissed they soon felt like their old selves, and when Isaiah opened his eyes he saw Peyton and not himself and when she opened her eyes she saw him and not herself. They stopped kissing and hugged each other out of relief “oh wow, we are back” he exclaimed to her, and she said “yeah good to be back, I guess. Back to the same life with the same craziness”, he reaches his hand down and said “I have faith in you, Peyton. You can do this” this was her chance to tell him how she feels but now may not be the best time to tell him. The two of them went inside the restaurant to eat but the next day will be a shock to him and her and this budding relationship between the two of them.

The Next Day

Last night would be a night to remember, he was excited that the once enemies were finally getting along with each other but the kiss they shared was still on his mind. He didn't expect things to get this heated between them after just one kiss but it was all he could think about. When he got to work the next day he was all smiles and when he came across Peyton she was smiling “hey cutie” he winked at her before walking past his boss's office and that's when he heard an Australian woman talking to him his boss. He walked into his office and saw Kay, his best friend. He was stunned to see her “welcome to the capital one family, Miss Kay” he heard his boss say to her “and please meet our finest loan salesman, Isaiah Williams” he smiled at her “we know each other boss, she's my best friend from Australia” he nodded his head “wow a best friend from all the way over there. That must be a tight bond between you two” Kay answered “yes, I met him when he was on a month long vacation in Australia” their boss smiled “well great I will let you two catch up” he looked at her and she was looking as beautiful as ever. “Hello, Isaiah it’s so good to see you again” she went to him and gave him a hug. He hugged her back and said “I can’t believe you are here and you live here now?” She smiled “my dream has changed to be in Australia” he widened his eyes and said “are you serious?” She smiled again and said “yes I am quite serious about this” he smiled and he loved how she held him in her arms “I have missed you like crazy and the funny thing is I was telling my friend Peyton that we never wanted to leave our jobs and here you are” she replied with “I have missed you also, Isiah. I’m sorry I haven’t visited you in a while but I was in a relationship and didn’t think it would be appreciated if I ran off to meet up with you” he nodded his head and said “yeah I don’t blame you there. So I’m guessing that relationship ended?” She nodded “yes it was my worst relationship that I have ever had. I needed a fresh start away from Australia and I thought why not join my best friend” the two of them talked for a few more minutes until they heard a knock on the office door and Peyton walked in clearing her throat “Isaiah who’s this?” He smiled “Peyton, this is Kay who is going to be working with us in the loan department and she’s my best friend I told you about” Peyton looked at her and smirked knowing that she would have her work cut out for her, Kay was gorgeous but that wasn’t about to discourage her in what she wanted and that is Isaiah. The two girls just looked at each other and the intense glare was like saying a thousand words “Wow!! Are you two going to say anything?” Peyton said “wow she’s very pretty, looks like I got some competition” Kay raised an eyebrow “competition for what?” Peyton smirked “oh me and Isaiah had such an amazing night last night and I just assumed that you two had a past together” Kay nervously laughed “Oh no, I mean I have never seen him that way and I doubt he would see me like that” Peyton replied “hmm I will let you wonder that, Kay. But it’s very nice to meet you and I do hope you enjoy working with us, you will find our company very fun to be with.” Kay walked away from them and Peyton looked at him “Man I thought she would never leave. Isaiah I can’t stop thinking about last night” he smiled at her and said “I can’t stop thinking about it either. Your jealousy of Kay was so adorable and I now know that you are the one for me. What do you say?” She smiled and he finally kissed her like she’s never been kissed before and she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back “I’m so happy to hear you say that. I can’t wait to see what this journey will bring”

The End