Page 4 of Second Chance with the Enemy CEO
Ahideous, screeching sound fills my room, yanking me out of the warm cocoon of sleep. I groan, slapping at my nightstand until my hand lands on my phone. The awful tune keeps going, piercing my brain.
“Why, oh why, did I ever choose this song?” I grumble, rubbing my eyes as my finger hovers over the screen.
My inner voice, ever the morning bully, chimes in because it is the only thing loud enough to wake your deep-sleeping self, genius.
“I want to sleep,” I mutter, finally silencing the alarm. The blissful quiet that follows is enough to make me consider lying back down. I glance at the time: 6:30 a.m.
“Ugh.”
Dragging myself out of bed, I shuffle to the window and pull back the curtains. The early morning sun greets me, casting a golden glow over the charming streets of Santa Malta. From my small but cozy apartment, I can see the town stirring awake. The ocean glimmers in the distance, and the sight is calming, like the universe is reminding me I have made it through another day.
For a moment, I stand there, soaking it in.
It has been five years since I left Autumn Cove, and not once have I regretted it. There is nothing to miss - well, except my besties, but we always find a way to meet up. The first year was rough, though. Some days, I wasn’t sure I would make it. The first six months were a blur of tears, loneliness, and self-doubt. But then I met Edna. Sweet, sweet Edna. May her soul rest in peace. She took me in and helped me believe in myself again. Everything I am today; I owe to her.
Shaking off the melancholy threatening to creep in, I quickly make my bed - a habit drilled into me by Edna. "Always start your day with a well-made bed, which is a sign of a first victory," she would say.
After freshening up, I throw on my favorite black bell-cut trousers and a blue fitted chiffon shirt, the kind that makes me feel like I have my life together. A little mascara, some nude lipstick, and my rich auburn hair falls in soft waves over my shoulders, and I am good to go.
Grabbing my camera bag, I check it for my essentials: camera, spare lenses, memory cards, and battery packs. Everything is there. Perfect.
It is 7:10 a.m. when I slide into my car. The drive to the La’ Ramirez café, one of the coziest cafes overlooking the marina, where I am meeting my client, is quiet, and the roads clear for once. I hum along to the radio, feeling oddly optimistic about the day.
The meeting went longer than expected. For over two hours, I sat with Mr. and Mrs. Ramirez, hashing out details for their upcoming anniversary shoot. They are sweet, the kind of couple that makes you believe in love again - if only for a moment. By the time we finalize the details, it’s 10:24 am, and my stomach’s growling.
As I step into the parking lot, my phone buzzes. It is a message from Maria, my boss.
Hazel, come to the office, ASAP.
Well, so much for grabbing breakfast. I hop into my car, ready to see what is so urgent. The drive to FocusLens Studios is short, but my mind is racing. Did I forget to submit an invoice? Did I mix up a client schedule? Whatever it is, it must be important if Maria’s summoning me when I am not even supposed to be in the office today and for her to add ‘ASAP’. Scary.
When I pull up outside the three-story building, I am greeted by George, the ever-cheerful doorman who’s become something of a father figure to everyone in the building.
“Good morning, Miss Hazel,” he says, tipping his hat with a grin.
“Morning, George! How are you doing? How’s Carmel? Her back okay?”
“I am good, and you know how she is, she is a superwoman. She is doing good.”
I smile at that. “That’s good… Oops, got to go…, talk to you later…,” I wave, offering a rushed smile, running towards the elevators, waving dramatically.
The doors are about to close when I yell, “hold the elevator!”
To my relief, a hand darts out, stopping the doors. I slip inside to find myself face-to-face with two of my friends: Nathaniel, also known as “Nate the Flirt King,” and Anna, my ever-stressed friend who is clutching two cups of coffee.
Nate’s leaning casually against the wall, flashing his trademark grin. “Hazel,” he says, his voice dripping with exaggerated charm. “You look radiant as always.”
I roll my eyes but smirk. “Save it, Nate. Not today.”
I point to the coffee in Anna’s hand. “Tell me one of those is mine. If it is, you are officially my hero for the day.”
Anna raises a brow. “Actually….”
“Great, thanks!” I grab one and take a long sip. It is hot and perfect.
Anna’s eyes widened in horror. “Hey! That is for Maria!”
I pause mid-sip. “Maria? Seriously?”
