Marrissa's point of view:“Thank you,” I beamed with a smile as I collected the cake from the counter. I walked out of the bakery to my car. I entered and drove off thousands of thoughts swirling in my head. It was I and Tom's one-year anniversary today. And not just that, Tom proposed to me last month, and our wedding is at the end of the year! Oh, I'm so excited. Every pain, every effort, every sacrifice was worth it. I have everything any girl could dream of.Confused? Don't be dear, I'll fill you in on that some other time. So, I got off work early to celebrate with my love and took a quick trip to Crumbles and Bake. I had to wait a few minutes before the cake was ready, but it was worth it. Let me tell you a secret, “I finally decided to consummate our relationship. Yes, Tom had been patient and hadn't thrown a fit when I told him I wasn't ready to have sex yet. But today, I am going to give him my V card. And I came prepared. Having taken lessons on the Internet, I bought s
Marissa's point of view The alarm clock rang for the millionth time, giving me a splitting headache. I got frustrated by it, grabbed it, and threw it against the wall. It shattered on impact, but I couldn't care less. I just wanted a peaceful sleep. But it seems the universe had other plans as my phone started ringing. Groaning, I stretched my hand to the nightstand and picked up my phone. I answered it without looking at the caller ID. “Hello,” I said grudgingly. “Marissa, it's Monica. You're so late. Why aren't you here by this time? Mr. Morgan has been waiting at the airport for a while now, but you're nowhere to be found. Shoot! I jolted up from the bed. The presentation. My eyes flung at the wall clock. Oh boy! I was already 10 minutes late. Not exactly late for the meeting because it was not going to start for another 2 hours, but I should have been at work by now. Our CEO’s son is returning to the country today, and I have been assigned to pick him up and ensure he is pro
Morgan's point of view I strolled to the coffee maker and made myself a cup of coffee before resuming standing, looking outside the window. It was rather too late for a morning coffee, but I was too angry and needed something to calm me down.I almost froze to death at the airport. Okay, granted, I only waited for about 15 minutes before calling another driver, but that still counts; I shouldn't have to wait at all, not for anyone, especially not for my employee.I arrived in New York early to have a meeting with Farrow Russo, an Italian American supermodel. I wasn't particularly interested in her, but I tried to make Russo Industries a partner. I wanted it to be my first success as the new CEO. The Russo industries have a large audience in Italy and Spain, the two countries we're still trying to grow our audience in. Partnering with them would be hitting the jackpot. I only wanted to win Farrow over because her father kept shoving his single daughter in my face. He dotes on her.
Morgan's point of view “What the fuck just happened?” My eyes turned red with fury. “You are a fool who doesn't know how to respect women. How dare you try to molest me?” She yelled. What! I just saved her... But that still didn't excuse her behavior; how dare she?“I just saved you from those men, and I'm rewarded with a slap.” I huffed. Just when I thought my day couldn't get any worse. First, my father threatened me because of one lousy employee and now I got hit by a drunken woman I had just saved. I blamed everything on the employee. She had ruined my day from the very beginning. I hissed loudly as I thought of that. “She will definitely pay for all this, I swear.” “You know I caught my boyfriend cheating on me with a broad, handsome man." The drunken woman's voice jolted me out of my murderous thoughts. I turned to walk away. I wasn't keen on hanging around her, not after she slapped me. I heard her wobbling behind me, but I couldn't care less. We walked out early when t
Marissa's point of view I fluttered my eyes open immediately as I sat up on the bed. Where was I? My head throbbed as the memories of last night resurfaced—the bar, the whiskey, a group of men trying to assault me. I didn’t remember any other thing; I held my breasts while taking away the strand of hair that covered my face. "Yes! " Then the stranger who came to my rescue. Oh God, the stranger. I tried to remember what had happened—every single moment; however, it felt like nothing brushed through my mind. "Damn!" 'I sighed in frustration, simultaneously massaging my temples. How come I couldn’t remember anything that had happened? I soliloquized. My eyes roamed around the room, but he was nowhere to be found. The bed was empty, and the sheets rumpled and tangled from our encounter.“Wait, it wasn’t like I didn’t remember; I did remember, but there was something about his face that I couldn’t catch. I tried my best to remember what he actually looked like. My phone rang again, i
Morgan's point of view“Who the hell is she? She was wrong and still had the guts to spit on my face before walking away.’ “To think she was the sweet angel that occupied my dream throughout the night, the stranger I had a one-night stand with that I didn't want to end.”“How dare she think that because we shared one steamy night together she was invincible, or did she think I would excuse her behavior just because we had sex?”“She couldn't even acknowledge me. How rude?”“Or didn't she recognize me? That's not possible. I guess she wants to play dumb about last night, that I can forgive, but insulting and even spitting on me is unforgivable. I'll definitely find her and when I do, I'll make her pay.”“I hit the steering wheel in annoyance, I was just too frustrated, this lady had pinched my pride and I really hate it.”“I shouldn't have gotten involved with her from the beginning, I knew she was big trouble.”I increased my speed and drove into a clothes store. “Shit! My dad will s
Marrissa's point of view After a knock, I went towards Mr. Thornhill, an elderly, affluent man. Good morning sir, I greeted you with a warm smile.“Morning Marrissa, have a seat,” Mr Thornhill said, gesturing with his hands.“I'm sure my son gave you a big scare yesterday," he started.“I'm sorry I couldn't pick him up on time…”“That's okay Marrissa, I know my son very well, he is a very impatient man.I'm sure he didn't wait for long.”“I know you are very competent and that's why I hired you back…” Mr Thornhill was saying before he stopped momentarily, looking towards the door. “And here he comes, all you need to do is to apologize and everything will be fine," he whispered with a smile.“Thank you sir,” I whispered back.I braced myself, rehearsing the words in my head.“Marrissa, meet my son, your new boss.” Mr Thornhill said.I stood up with so much confidence and immediately started pouring out my rehearsed speech without looking up.“It's a pleasure to meet you sir. I want to
Marrissa's point of view I tried my best to avoid Morgan all through the day. I only went into his office when I knew he wasn't alone and left immediately. I was done.And funny, he maintained his lane too. Maybe he got the memo; I wasn't one to be intimidated or messed with.“Who are you kidding, Marissa?” my inner mind said, but truth be told, I was grateful he didn't bother me, maybe he is a gentleman after all.By closing hours, I was super excited, I still had my job, and my boss didn't murder me as I expected.I danced as I got ready to go home. Putting my things together, I began to sing my favorite song. After making sure everything was in order, I walked out of my office, ready to go home.“Where do you think you are going?” a voice stopped me.I turned around, and it was Morgan, my boss, he was leaning on a table, looking at me with cold eyes.“I guess the rich don't forgive after all," I whispered to myself.“Should I be worried you are going deaf?” Morgan asked.“No…..not
Marrissa's point of view I stood outside the shimmering glass doors of the executive conference room with my heart pounding in my chest like it was trying to escape. Behind those doors was a panel of investors, each one a name I had memorized from the dossier Mr. Adrian handed me just yesterday. The Echelon Project. A multi-million-dollar initiative that could reshape tech-integrated education.“You’ve got this,” Samira whispered beside me, nudging my arm. She had tagged along under the pretense of delivering tea, but I knew she was really there to support me. My ride-or-die bestie.I took one deep breath. Then I walked in.Thirty-seven minutes later, I came out looking like I had fought a war and somehow survived. My hands trembled, but my voice had not cracked once. I answered every question, deflected the skepticism, and even got to make them laugh.“How did it go?” Samira asked, practically vibrating with excitement.“I think…” I exhaled, blinking. “I think I killed it.”“YES!”
Marrissa's point of view After my meeting with Mr. Adrian, something inside me shifted.I was not going to cry in the bathrooms anymore. I was not going to let Bianca or anyone run me out.If they wanted a show? I would give them the best damn performance they had ever seen.Samira found me later in the break room, still gripping my coffee cup like a weapon."You look like you are about to commit a felony," she said brightly."Felony?" I echoed, smiling thinly. "More like... a strategic takedown."She slid into the seat across from me, her eyebrows raised."God, I love it when you get scary," she said, laughing. "Tell me everything."And I did.I told her how I would start saving backup files on a separate drive in a hidden folder labeled Birthday Party Clowns. No one would ever check that one. I told her how I would place subtle marks on my original documents. I would use things only I would recognize and if they were tampered with, I would realize immediately.I explained how
Marrissa's point of view Daniel told me to continue working on the Echelon project even thoughno results had come about who would really lead the project.“There's no harm in being prepared,” he said and I agreed.He agreed to assist me in the best way he could and today we were supposed to have a meeting.Well, yes iIt was supposed to be a quick meeting.Just me and Daniel. We were supposed to finalize a section of the Echelon project before the weekend.Instead, it turned into three hours of gisting and snacking. There were two pizza boxes, and one playlist full of 90s hits blasting through the empty office.At some point, I realized we were laughing more than working."I swear," Daniel said between bites of cold pizza, "half of all the good architect are just surviving the ridiculous clients.""Oh, you mean the lady who wanted her lobby made entirely out of glass? Including the floor?" I asked, grinning.Daniel shuddered dramatically. "I tell you."We both laughed.And then — Th
Bianca's point of view I saw everything and I was not only irritated,I was angry.Who the fuck does she think she is. She came in as a freaking newbie and now,she was leading a project I had been working my ass to lead.What the hell did she do to Mr Adrian?I saw the easy smile he always gave her.The way even Daniel lingered by the doorway after her presentation, scribbling notes furiously, his gaze locked on Marrissa like she was some kind of prodigy.It made my stomach twist.Everything about her annoyed me . Her wide eyes and modest outfits and fake humility. She walks about like she had no idea she had just snagged the biggest project in the company. The Echelon Account. My project. At least, it was supposed to be mine.And now, she was everyone's favorite.Including Mr Rodes actually came to the company just to say “Marrissa’s proposal was refreshing. I’m excited to have her work here."Excited?She barely knew which floor the printers were on.After everything I had done, aft
Marrissa's point of view Later that afternoon, my badge beeped me into the sleek, glass-walled conference room. The long table was already packed with managers, strategists, and consultants. And, of course, Bianca was sitting, looking at me like a hawk, her legs were crossed and she was tapping a pen against her notepad with surgical precision.I gulped. Samira gave me a thumbs-up from behind a frosted partition.At exactly one o'clock, Mr. Adrian, Mr Allen and Mrs Spencer walked in. They were all calm and composed,but the room snapped to attention like they carried gravity in their pockets."Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "this is Marrissa and I picked her as the lead on Echelon. We will be hearing her make a presentation as well as Bianca and at the end, we will decide who will really lead the project."There were murmurs in the room . Some looked at me with raised eyebrows and someone even coughed.I opened my folder with trembling hands and began explaining my initial idea
Marrissa's point of view I barely made it home before my phone buzzed again.Samira:> Emergency. > Celebration required. > Meet us at ‘The Olive Lounge by 7:30 sharp. > Dress cute but comfy. Boss Babe orders.I didn’t even bother arguing. Samira had basically dragged me into their circle at full speed with no brakes and honestly, I like it.I threw on a pair of skinny jeans, a soft rose-pink blouse, and some ankle boots that made me feel vaguely fashionable, and by 7:20, Samira was honking outside like a maniac."You are ate!" she yelled as I climbed into the car."You are early!" I shot back.Liana and Tasha were already seated at the backseat, waving like overexcited puppies."You look so CUTE!" Liana squealed."She understood the assignment," Tasha said approvingly, high-fiving me.Samira drove away from the curb like she was auditioning for ‘Fast and Furious: The Suburban Edition’."We have ONE mission tonight," she declared with shining eyes."Survive your driving?" I s
Marrissa's point of view I did say I was on fire yesterday right. Well, there was nothing hot in me right now as I stood in front of Me Adria, trying not to crumble to the ground."Miss Marrissa, I had not been hundred percent truthful to you and I think I should now."My stomach twisted.“What is he about to say?” I thought to myself."I didn't give you the entire information because I didn't want you scared or overwhelmed."My legs began to shake, suddenly too weak to carry the weight of my body."May I sit please?” I asked weakly."Oh please, do take your seat, “ he said, gesturing to a chair across from him.I sat down and placed my shaky hands on my lap.I didn't know why,but I was worried he wanted to say something bad. His nt facial expression didn't even make it any better.He wasn't smiling."First, I want to commend you again for your work so far, you have been incredibly good, but…. I'm afraid there is more to do"."You will be attending a meeting this afternoon with top e
Marrissa's point of view I spent Sunday indoors, preparing mentally and physically for tomorrow's work activities.Monday came and I dressed smartly for work. Today, I will attend my first core planning meeting.The Core Planning Team meeting was held on the thirty-fifth floor — the floor with actual glass walls, leather chairs, and a skyline view that made you feel both inspired and slightly nauseous at the same time.I held my new badge so tightly it nearly left an imprint on my palm.Samira had tried to coach me on the elevator ride up:"Okay, listen," she said in a hushed voice. You are brilliant, but you are also new to this. Some of those people there have been here for years. They are not going to throw you a party, Marrissa. Just... smile. Be polite. And don’t let Karen corner you."I frowned. " Who is Karen?"Samira widened her eyes. "You will know when you see her."Great. Cryptic warnings and mystery enemies. “This was fine,” I whispered.The elevator dinged, and w
Marrissa's point of view I woke up the next day with sunlight streaming through the curtains, casting a warm glow across my room. The noise of the city outside was a comforting reminder that I was in a new place.It was Saturday. A day to relax.I stretched lazily on the bed, feeling the softness of the sheets against my skin. The air smelled faintly of lavender from the diffuser I had set up the night before.Deciding to make the most of the day, I slipped into comfortable clothes and tied my hair up. I put on some upbeat music—something with a rhythm that made cleaning feel less like a chore and more like a party. As the melodies filled the apartment, I moved from room to room, dusting, organizing, and tidying up.An hour into my cleaning spree, my phone buzzed with a notification. I wiped my hands on a towel and picked it up.It was a message from a hidden number: “How are you faring?”I stared at the screen, puzzled.“Who could this be?” Could it be Molly or Andre? But why use