Marrissa's point of view By the time I got back to my apartment, the second folder Mr. Adrian gave me had already started whispering threats from my bag.“You are doomed,” it seemed to hiss. “Say goodbye to sleep and your sanity.”I dropped my purse and opened the folder like a woman possessed.Inside it was a mind-numbing market analysis, a confusing logistical report, and a memo full of corporate jargon so dense it might as well have been ancient Greek.There was also a handwritten note at the top:“Impress me.”“Oh good. "No pressure,” I said with a frown.I tied my hair into a messy bun, chugged three cups of coffee, and braced myself for a long, brutal night.At exactly 7:42 PM, Samira texted me:Samira: “Are you alive? “Blink twice if yes.”I texted back:“I'm barely alive Sam, this folder is trying to kill me.”Samira: “Do you need snacks?” “I can airdrop a pizza.”Me; “Bless you, but no”. “I don't need food right now because this is WAR.”
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
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 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
Marrissa's point of view By the time I got back to my apartment, the second folder Mr. Adrian gave me had already started whispering threats from my bag.“You are doomed,” it seemed to hiss. “Say goodbye to sleep and your sanity.”I dropped my purse and opened the folder like a woman possessed.Inside it was a mind-numbing market analysis, a confusing logistical report, and a memo full of corporate jargon so dense it might as well have been ancient Greek.There was also a handwritten note at the top:“Impress me.”“Oh good. "No pressure,” I said with a frown.I tied my hair into a messy bun, chugged three cups of coffee, and braced myself for a long, brutal night.At exactly 7:42 PM, Samira texted me:Samira: “Are you alive? “Blink twice if yes.”I texted back:“I'm barely alive Sam, this folder is trying to kill me.”Samira: “Do you need snacks?” “I can airdrop a pizza.”Me; “Bless you, but no”. “I don't need food right now because this is WAR.”
Marrissa's point of view "Oh shit, we have just fifteen minutes to get back to the office," Tasha screamed.The rest of us exclaimed and hurried to our feet.The afternoon sun was hotter now, turning the glass walls of the building into a giant mirror. As we crossed the street back toward work, I realized my feet felt lighter and my heart too.I was not walking like a girl terrified of the Echelon Project anymore. I was walking like someone who had enough confidence to carry out the project."Remember," Samira said as we neared the revolving doors, tossing me a wink, "If you start getting nervous and confused, just text me a pancake emoji. Emergency backup will arrive."I laughed, feeling some of the old fear crack and fall away.As the others walked off toward their different departments, I lingered for a second in the lobby for a while to just breathe in the cool air. I started to feel I belonged here.I turned towards the elevator that leads to the floor where my office is
Marrissa's point of viewI had to drag myself into a decent outfit and force a smile on my face.“The past is gone, Marrissa. "Focus on now and the future,” I said to myself.Then Samira’s message came in for the third time this morning."Heads up —something important is coming up now. Will fill you in when you arrive. See you soon!" “Something important?” I echoed.Was that supposed to be comforting? Because it was not.When I arrived at the company, the lobby was buzzing with activities.People in sharp suits moved quickly, whispering and tapping away furiously on tablets. A huge arrangement of fresh flowers that was not there the last time I came appeared at the entrance. Security guards stood taller, looking twice as serious.Samira found me by the elevators, and slightly bounced on her toes like she was holding a massive secret.“What’s going on?” I hissed.She just smiled and pressed the elevator button.“You will see.”The elevator opened, and before I could even step inside
Marrissa's point of view "Thanks for today," I said, smiling before getting down from the car."Anytime darling," Samira replied. "See you by 7 pm," she added."Yes boss," I replied jokingly. She drove off after that and I went inside.I shut the door behind me and just stood there, my back was pressed against it, bags still hanging from my arms, and a stupid smile spreading across my face.I dropped the bags on the couch and walked to the mirror by the door and just stared at myself. New clothes. New job. "New life,” I whispered to myself.I pinched my arm just to be sure I was not dreaming.“Ow!” I yelped, rubbing the spot."It's not a dream,” I said, and laughed at myself for even doubting everything.This is real.“Samira had just dropped me off after taking me on the most insane shopping spree of my life — and now she wanted me to go out tonight and meet even more people?” The old me would have said no immediately. Make an excuse and end up in bed all day. I checked the time.
Marrissa's point of view I stepped out of the company with my heart still racing.Is this real? Everything that had happened so far seemed like a dream or something that could only happen in a fairyland.I could not believe it. Everything and everyone has been close to perfection.“This way miss Marrissa,” Samira said, and I looked up to her.She led me to the car and I got in without saying a word further.She drove in silence, but my mind kept asking lots of questions."Here we are, ma,” she announced, and when I raised my eyes,I gasped in awe."This is where we will be shopping today," Samira said with a smile.I got down and followed her lead.The boutique looked like something out of a celebrity Instagram post. It was all glossy floors, golden racks, and a smell that I could only describe as ‘rich people and new leather.’ I paused at the entrance, suddenly feeling out of place, but Samira marched in like she owned the place.“Well? "Come on!” she called, laughing when she saw
Marrissa's point of view I have no one. I can't call Andre. We have not spoken to each other since I left Spain.I can't trust Molly enough. Who knows she might be behind this? Morgan! He is the only one powerful enough to save me, but I definitely can not call him, not after how we ended things. Not after the way, I had left him at the gate and walked away with my chin high but my heart bleeding.“Calm down, Marrissa. "You are overthinking things. "This might be a prank,” I whispered to myself.“Yes, this is definitely a prank.” I tried steadying my breathing and relaxing But then, Luke started driving faster than before and his hands were moving over the dashboard.“Oh God! This is not a prank. "If really, I'm being kidnapped, please let Morgan be my kidnapper and not someone else,” I prayed.Crazy line of prayer, right? But, what would you have me pray for? After all, the devil you know is better than the angel you do not know.“Luke?” I asked again, more firmly this time. “Wher
“You are just in time ma,” Please take your seat,” one of the flight attendant said the moment I got back onboard.I obeyed immediately and few minutes later we were in that air.I closed my eyes, forcing myself not to think of him and soon I was fast asleep.The landing announcement sounded foreign when I heard it I made it. I was really here.I stood at the edge of the airport terminal, the cool air brushing against my skin as the automatic doors whooshed open and shut behind me. People walked past me. Some people were hugging their loved ones. There was a sound of laughter, yelling and honking everywhere, but I just stood there, lost. My suitcase was by my side, but my mind was a thousand miles away.“What now?” I whispered to myself.I didn't even know where to turn, the right path to take. At that point, I think my brain left me, because I felt so confused.It had taken everything in me to board that plane. To leave Morgan behind. To convince myself I was doing the right thing.
Marrissa's point of view The next morning, I prepared in silence. My hands moved on their own, folding clothes, zipping up my suitcase, and brushing my hair—but my mind was not really in the room. It was miles away, tangled in memories and second-guessing every choice that had led me here. I kept looking around like I had forgotten something. My chest felt heavy, it was like I was leaving something important behind.I sat on the bed for quite a while, thinking, feeling sad all of a sudden.“Gosh Marrissq, what do you really want? Do you want to stay and continue to feel hurt and sorry for yourself or do you want to start afresh, meet new people and maybe get a third chance at love again,” my inner mind asked.“I want to start afresh, meet new people but definitely not give love a third chance,” I replied to myself.Falling in love again would be the most stupid thing to do. Two heartbreaks is enough for a lifetime. Although, I would not compare Morgan with Tom. With Tom,I was stupid