Chapter 4-Work

"Arabella... wake up, you'll be late for work!" The shrill voice echoed through the small, simple house, just like every morning.

The woman being called stretched lazily on her mattress, still exhausted from the mission she'd completed last night that had taken longer than expected.

"Yeah, Mom, I'm up," she replied hoarsely, her voice rough from just waking up.

She hurried to the bathroom to freshen up, then got ready for work.

"Wake up early next time! Don't wait for Mom to yell before you get out of bed!" scolded her younger brother, Azelan, a high school senior.

"You're so noisy," she shot back as she sat down on a chair.

She grabbed some of the fried rice their mom had made, the same breakfast they had almost every morning. It was delicious, but having it every day sometimes made them crave something different.

"When do you get paid, sis?" Azelan whispered. Arabella knew he was hinting that he wanted her to buy bread, cereal, and milk for breakfast.

"Another week," she whispered back, afraid their mom might overhear.

"Mom made a new menu for the cake shop. Take one to the office and give one to Shreya. This one’s for Azelan to bring to school, and this big one is Miss Elliza’s order," their mother said, handing them four boxes, one of which was noticeably bigger.

"Wow... Tiramisu Cake!" Azelan beamed as he peeked inside the box.

Arunika smiled. Her cakes never failed to impress.

"It’s already late. I’m heading out," Arabella said, glancing at the clock on the wall.

Azelan followed her; he had to hurry if he didn’t want to end up standing in the school field.

"Be careful, you two!" Arunika called out as her children left.

Shreya had just pulled up in front of Arabella’s house right as the siblings stepped outside.

"Azelan, come on. I’ll give you a ride," Shreya offered, but he shook his head.

"At this hour, my legs are faster than your car," he said, making Shreya squint at him.

"Okay, fine. You’re right," she said.

"I’m off, sis," he waved goodbye to Arabella and Shreya.

"Be careful, Aze."

After Azelan left, Arabella got into Shreya’s car.

"Here, the latest cake from Arunika Cake!" Arabella handed Shreya a box.

Shreya started the car and drove off. They didn’t want to be late.

"Wow... your mom’s the best!" Shreya said, grinning when she saw the cake inside.

"I just hope I don’t run into that guy again. He’s so annoying!" Arabella grumbled.

Shreya smiled awkwardly, feeling bad for her friend.

"So... he wants to meet again?"

"Yeah."

"Then just reject him!"

"Shreya, I’m not that stupid. I already did. You know how he threatened me yesterday, right?" Arabella said, frustrated.

She wasn’t mad at Shreya, but at Azael, the guy who still insisted on seeing her again.

"Honestly, if he spreads rumors, who cares? His company’s the one that’ll go down," Shreya said.

"But my dad’s company will take a bigger hit!"

"I swear, the next time I see that guy will be the last," Arabella muttered.

Before she knew it, Shreya’s car had pulled up in front of their office.

"Bye, be careful!" Arabella said as she got out.

Arabella walked in, carrying a goodie bag with the cake her mother had packed.

Waiting in front of the elevator was a daily routine. It was the perfect spot to run into people from other divisions.

"Bella!" someone called out. Arabella turned and smiled brightly when she saw who it was. She waved and hurried over.

"Just got here, or still waiting your turn?"

"Still waiting to get to our floor," she replied.

"What are you carrying?" Giselle asked curiously.

Arabella smiled. This was good marketing for her mom’s shop. If there were events or snack needs, Arunika Cake was the go-to.

"New cake from Arunika Cake."

"Wow, can’t wait to try it!" Giselle’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

When the elevator doors opened, Giselle quickly grabbed Arabella’s arm and pulled her inside before they missed their chance.

In the next elevator, two men in suits had just arrived. They managed to get in and head up quickly. There were three elevators: one for the CEO and two for employees, but since one was under maintenance, everyone had to share, causing long lines.

"Good morning!" Arabella and Giselle greeted their two colleagues as soon as they reached their floor.

"Miss Elliza, I brought the new menu from Arunika Cake! Special for our team!" Arabella announced as she opened the box her mom had given her.

Their eyes lit up at the sight of the delicious Tiramisu Cake, its aroma already making their mouths water.

"Arunika Cake’s the best!" Altair said, giving two thumbs up.

"Come on, let’s have some cake before we dive into all these documents!" Elliza said, their team leader.

Everyone took a slice, savoring each bite.

"This is insane, it just melts in your mouth!" Giselle said.

"Is my order ready?" Elliza asked.

"Ready!" Arabella pointed at a large box on her desk.

"For today’s meeting?" Altair asked.

"Yeah, the meeting with the new CEO."

"So it’s official?" Giselle asked, since there hadn’t been an announcement yet.

"The inauguration’s next week," Elliza replied.

The three of them nodded. Elliza’s information was always reliable.

"This meeting’s about the new AMZ Resort construction. The CEO asked for representatives from our Design Division to join the on-site survey."

"Why do we have to go?" Arabella asked.

"So we can adjust the designs based on the actual location," Elliza explained.

"Go for it, Miss Elliza!" they all cheered, raising their hands in mock excitement, making her frown.

"Why are you cheering me on?" she asked, confused.

"Miss Elliza, you’re flying with the CEO and the team, right?" Giselle asked.

Elliza shook her head.

"I can’t fly, Miss," Giselle admitted. She still had a fear of flying after losing a family member in a plane crash.

"I understand that."

"I’m too clumsy for that trip," Altair added.

"Yeah, I know. I won’t let our team lose points with the higher-ups," Elliza said.

Then, all three of them turned to Arabella, smiling hopefully.