Chapter 1

Carmen's POV

It was early in the morning when I felt the sun hitting my closed right eye. I turned my head to the other side and slowly opened my eyes. The golden rays of the sun streamed through my curtain, lighting up the room like it wasn’t just 7:00 a.m. I rolled over to grab my phone from the bedside table. 8:55 a.m.

I shut my eyes in disbelief, dropped the phone back on the table, and sank into the pillow.

Wait...what?!

8:55 freaking a.m.?!

I shot up from the bed and yanked the curtains open.

"I'm so damn late for work!" I muttered in panic. I rushed into the bathroom, took a lightning fast shower, and was out within minutes. Sitting at my dresser, I hurriedly got ready, throwing on a lemon green peplum top and black jeans. There was no time for breakfast I dashed out of the house and nearly collided with Jacques, my neighbor from across the hallway.

“Hey there,” he greeted with a half smile. “Need a ride?” He must've sensed the chaos written all over me.

“Ah… no, thanks. Got my car fixed,” I said quickly, glancing his way before diving into my beat-up four-wheeler which was definitely on the verge of dying again.

“Alright, see you later then,” he called out, waving as I reversed out of the driveway. I caught a glimpse of him in the side mirror before turning my full focus to the road.

That’s when it happened the engine stuttered and died. I had to pull over to the side of the dusty road.

I groaned. I should’ve taken Jacques up on his offer.

By the time I got to the bus station, the crowd and stench of sweat hit me like a wave. I finally arrived at the office, flustered and drained, only to bump into my best friend Fabiola.

“Hey, girly!” she said, giving me a quick side hug. “What happened? You’re so freaking late! I couldn’t even reach you.”

“Long story, Fab. I’ll fill you in later. Please, please tell me the boss isn’t in yet?” I asked, silently praying for a miracle.

“Bad news… He asked for you not too long ago. He needed those documents sent to the client. And boom.....you were MIA.”

“Holy crap! I’ll take the documents to him now!” I said, hoping I’d somehow escape the wrath that awaited.

“Alright. Good luck,” she replied, rushing off to her desk.

I entered his office. Papers were strewn across his desk, and he was running a hand through his hair a clear sign of frustration.

“Sir,” I said softly.

He looked up, startled, as if he hadn’t heard me come in.

“The documents,” he demanded. I handed them over, flinching slightly at the coldness in his voice.

His glare could’ve sliced me in two. “So you’re just showing up now? I told you I won’t tolerate laziness in my company!” he barked.

“I’m sorry, boss. My car broke down, and it was hard getting a cab,” I explained, trying to keep my composure.

“Oh, spare me the excuses!” he shouted. “You know what? I’m not doing this with you anymore. You’re fired!”

“What?” I gasped, stunned.

“Please, boss, it won’t happen again. I promise,” I begged, eyes pleading.

“No,” he snapped. “Get out. I don’t ever want to see you in this building again!”

I stood frozen for a moment, swallowing my pride. Then I straightened up.

“Alright, boss. Suit yourself,” I said coldly, slamming the door behind me.

Fab looked up, shocked to see tears streaming down my face.

“Girl, why are you crying? You should be used to his attitude by now,” she said, tilting her head and rolling her eyes.

She had no idea what had just happened.

“I’m not crying because he scolded me,” I said, wiping the tears from my cheeks in one swift motion.

“Then why, Carmen?” she asked gently, taking my hand.

With a voice thick with pain, I said the words I never thought I’d say. “He fired me.”

Fab’s jaw dropped. “What?”

“Yeah, the boss fired me.”

Before I could say anything else, she stormed toward his office. But before she could speak, he cut her off.

“If you’re here because of Carmen, then turn around. I’m not tolerating that behavior.”

“But boss...”

“No buts. Leave now.”

Fuming, Fab left his office and returned to my desk. But I was gone.

She rushed outside to find me, but I had already disappeared. Her phone buzzed with a message from me.

“I’m off. We’ll talk later.”

The rain caught up with me on the way home, soaking me to the bone. I was cold, angry, and exhausted. Getting a cab on a rainy Tuesday was a nightmare.

At home, I changed into a warm capelet gown and collapsed into bed. Tears returned as I stared at the ceiling.

Why am I even crying? This isn’t the end of the world.

Besides, he wasn’t even paying me that well. Screw him!

A knock came at the door. It was Jacques, holding a cup of hot tea. He’d seen me drenched in the rain.

“Here, take this,” he said softly.

“Thanks.”

“You look pale. Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”

I sat up and sighed. “Today was the worst day of my life.”

“Why? Are you hurt?” he asked, scanning me for any visible injury.

“No, I’m fine. But…” I hesitated.

“But what?” he asked, genuinely concerned.

“My boss fired me,” I said, the words heavy on my tongue.

“Holy crap. Why?” he asked, baffled.

“My car broke down, and I took the bus. When I finally arrived, he went off on me and told me to leave the building.”

“You’re kidding,” he said, stunned. “That’s not a reason to fire someone! What a jerk.”

“Don’t worry,” he added, softening. “I’ll help you get a new job. You’ll be okay.”

I smiled faintly, patting his shoulder. “Thanks. You’re such a good friend.”

Just then, my phone rang.

“Hey, Fab.”

“Hey, babe. I’m so sorry about what happened earlier. I wanted to drop by, but the arrogant boss dumped extra work on me. I’ll visit tomorrow, I promise.”

“It’s already late, and your boss is still keeping you there?” I asked, interrupting her.

“I know. I’ll finish up soon and head home, okay?”

“Alright then.”

“Have you eaten?”

“Yeah, Jaq made me hot tea. I was freezing.”

“Aww, that’s sweet. Tell him I said thanks and take care.”

“Will do. Bye.”

“I love you.”

I smiled. “Love you too. Now go finish that work, lazy bone.”

She laughed. “Alright, Miss Bossy.”

I hung up and turned to see Jacques smiling. I looked around, confused.

“What are you smiling at?” I asked.

“Your friend is sweet.”

“I know, right?” I said with a small eye roll.

“Well, I gotta go. Got some stuff to take care of. Promise me you’ll be okay?”

“Pinky promise,” I said, linking my finger with his.

And then, he was gone.