Chapter 1

Cleo knocked gently on her friend's bedroom door, careful not to make too much noise. She hoped the soft tapping would be enough to rouse Claire from her slumber without startling her awake.

“Claire? Are you up?” Cleo called out softly, pressing her ear closer to the door. When no response came, she slowly turned the handle and stepped inside.

The room was dim, the early morning light barely filtering through the closed curtains. Claire was still curled up in bed, the covers pulled up to her chin, her breathing slow and steady. Cleo smiled to herself and tiptoed across the room, placing the steaming cup of coffee she had prepared earlier on the small bedside table.

Leaning over, she gently shook Claire’s shoulder. “Come on, sleepyhead,” she said in a coaxing tone. “Time to wake up.”

Claire let out a soft groan, burying her face deeper into the pillow and tugging the blanket tighter around her. Clearly, she wasn’t ready to leave the warm cocoon of her bed just yet.

“Just five more minutes,” she mumbled, her voice muffled and drowsy.

Cleo chuckled and walked over to the window. With a swift pull, she drew the curtains open, letting the bright morning sunlight flood into the room.

“Nope. No more minutes,” she said cheerfully. “It’s already past seven, and you don’t want to miss this opportunity.”

Claire winced as the light hit her face, then sighed in surrender. Slowly, she pushed herself up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Her hair was tousled and her movements sluggish, but she was awake.

“Alright, alright. I’m up,” she conceded, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed with a yawn.

“Thanks for waking me up, Cleo,” Claire said, as she yawn.

‎As Claire slowly began to gather her thoughts and mentally prepare for the day ahead, the scent of freshly brewed coffee drifted into her nose, as Cleo handed her the cup of coffee.

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‎“Here, this should help you wake up,” she said warmly, offering the cup with a gentle smile.

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‎Claire sat up and took it gratefully, wrapping her hands around the mug and letting the warmth soak into her fingers. She breathed in the rich aroma before taking a sip. The first taste jolted her senses in the best way.

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‎“You’re a lifesaver, babe,” she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep.

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‎Cleo watched her with quiet satisfaction. Waking Claire up with coffee had become something of a ritual between them. She was already dressed for work, her blouse neatly tucked into her slacks, and her hair pulled back into a tidy bun. She’d been up for a while now, early rising had always come naturally to her.

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‎Since she’d been the first one out of bed, she’d made her way to the kitchen to whip up a quick breakfast. It was an unspoken agreement between them: whoever woke up first would take charge of the morning routine. Neither of them minded, it was one of the little ways they showed care for each other, woven seamlessly into the rhythm of their life together.

‎As Claire got dressed, the morning sunlight streamed softly through the curtains, casting a golden glow across her room. She moved with quiet purpose, smoothing out her blouse and checking her reflection one last time before gently closing the door behind her. The hallway was quiet except for the faint sounds coming from the kitchen.

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‎She walked toward the dining table, her footsteps light against the floor. Just as she reached the table, she saw her best friend, Cleo, emerging from the kitchen, carefully balancing two plates full of food. Claire smiled at the sight and pulled out two chairs, one for herself and one for Cleo.

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‎“Breakfast looks amazing,” Claire said warmly as she took her seat, her eyes flicking over the steaming food.

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‎Cleo grinned, placing the dishes in front of them. “I hope you’re hungry,” she replied with a playful tone, taking the seat across from Claire.

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‎The aroma of freshly cooked eggs, toast, and seasoned vegetables filled the air, wrapping the room in a cozy, inviting atmosphere. The scent alone brought a sense of calm, a small pocket of comfort in what was sure to be a stressful day ahead.

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‎As they began to eat, they chatted casually about their plans for the day, appointments, errands, and the little things they hoped to get done. But underneath Claire’s calm exterior, a quiet storm of nerves was brewing.

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‎In the middle of their conversation, Claire paused. She took a deep breath, her fork hovering just above her plate. Her gaze drifted away for a moment, lost in thought. She was trying to calm her nerves, already imagining what the rest of the day might bring. For the past week, she had thrown herself into preparation, meticulously researching the company, rehearsing answers to potential interview questions, and doing everything she could to prepare herself mentally.

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‎Despite the anxiety fluttering in her chest, there was also a spark of hope, a quiet determination that kept her grounded. This interview was more than just a meeting, it was the opportunity she had dreamed of. A chance to work at a prestigious firm, to finally prove herself.

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‎Cleo noticed her friend’s distant expression. Her brow furrowed slightly with concern.

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‎“A penny for your thoughts?” she asked gently.

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‎Claire sighed, setting her fork down momentarily. “I just… I just hope I can make a good impression today,” she admitted, her voice tinged with vulnerability.

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‎“You will,” Cleo said with confidence, reaching across the table for a moment in support. “You’ve got this. Just trust yourself, and they’ll see how amazing you are.”

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‎Claire gave her a small, appreciative smile before taking another bite of her food, chewing slowly, as if trying to settle the butterflies in her stomach.

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‎“I hope so,” she murmured quietly.

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‎They both finished eating at the same time. As soon as they placed their forks down, Claire stood up, gathering the empty plates from the table with practiced ease.

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‎“I’ll clear the table and take these to the kitchen,” she said, stacking the dishes carefully so they wouldn't clatter too loudly.

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‎From the sitting room, Cleo raised her voice just enough for Claire to hear over the gentle clinking of porcelain.

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‎“Babe, I’ve left for work already! Message me later and let me know how everything goes!” she called out, the warmth in her tone unmistakable.

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‎“I’ll keep you updated, don’t worry!” Claire shouted back, a playful grin spreading across her face as she turned on the faucet. “And do me a favor—give your boss a kiss from me!” Her laughter rang through the kitchen, echoing off the tile as she rolled up her sleeves and began washing the dishes.

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‎Cleo smiled as she slipped on her heels and grabbed her bag near the door. She knew her friend was teasing, poking fun at her frequent mentions of her boss, and maybe even at the subtle way she spoke about him. Still, it was all in good fun. She gave a light chuckle, shaking her head affectionately before heading out.

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‎Once Claire finished with the plates, she wiped her hands on a dish towel and headed to her room. The morning sun filtered through the window, casting a soft glow across the space. She paused in front of the mirror, straightening the lapels of her blazer. Her reflection stared back—poised, prepared, but undeniably nervous. She took a deep breath and gave herself a small, firm nod.

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‎“You’ve got this,” she whispered under her breath.

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‎She had heard plenty of stories about her potential new boss—most of them painting him as arrogant, demanding, and hard to please. But far from intimidating her, those rumors only strengthened her resolve. Claire wasn’t one to back down from a challenge; she saw it as an opportunity to prove herself.

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‎With her resume neatly tucked into her bag and her confidence steadily building, she stepped out the door, the morning air crisp against her face. Whatever was waiting for her today, she was ready to meet it head-on.