Chapter 1

First meeting

The piercing ring of the alarm clock shattered the silence of the room, I cracked open my eyes as the first rays of the morning light peeked through the heavy drapes, instantly stopping my vision. I closed my eyes again for a few minutes to regain my vision. With a groan, I reached out and silenced the incessant beeping of the alarm clock.

It was 5:30 a.m., and I bumped out of bed. It was time to begin my rigid early morning routine.

I threw the sheets off my body and padded across the plush carpet to the adjacent room. I checked my reflections in a large mirror, which I do almost every day, feeling aesthetic.

My flawless porcelain skin was top notch, high cheekbones, full pouty lips, brown shining hair that fell over my shoulders, and cascade blonde locks framing her heart-shaped face.

I couldn’t help but let out a little giggle, all this description just for me, I get myself thinking I am a brand new person each day they that pass. I was still lost in thought when I heard a slight knock on my door which brought me to reality.

“One minute, please”, I said as I quickly went to check who it was.

“Good morning dad, how was your night ?”, I asked with a broad smile.

“Morning Briget… My night was good. I’m sure yours was pleasant from the way you’re smiling. Did you have a dream that you got married to a rich man? Because there must be a reason behind this wonderful smile” he teased as usual.

Hearing my father tease me makes me even happier, he and my elder brother always tease me about getting married to a rich, they said while I was still a little girl, I do brag about how handsome and good looking my husband would be, a millionaire and all sort.

Well!! I still haven't digressed about it, I still want a man that’s handsome and rich and over chalant.

“Dad!!, you tease me alot, if you don’t stop I would go crazy from always smiling while you tease me” I said, giving him a serious but a little childish look.

“Ohh baby, if you will get you crazy with my praises then I won’t stop”, he said as we both laughed.

I looked up at the wall clock and saw it was a few minutes to six.

“Ohh dad, I need to freshen up, I would be late for work”, I said as I hurriedly rushed into the bathroom leaving him behind.

I came out of the bathroom with a towel hung around my body and on my hair, as I went to my wardrobe to pick a dress that would suit me well.

I scanned my wardrobe but everything there seemed off, I didn’t want to dress too corporate or shabby I needed something very simple.

I settled for a while comfy pants and a blue shirt with black loafers for it was the only shoe I had, so it wasn’t an option because I didn’t have a choice, it had become my everyday wear, my dad got it for me the day of my interview  at SAPPHIRE PEARLS store as a saleswoman four months ago.

I eventually got employed and that has been my daily uniform since then, that was my first job after graduating from college.

I quickly dressed up. Now it was 6:15 and I resumed work at 7:00. My boss doesn’t tolerate late coming so I try as much as possible not to be.

I walked out of my room, and I smelt a savory piece of cookie from the kitchen, this would definitely be my dad, he never let me go to work without having breakfast, and sometimes he packed it for me if I didn’t have time to eat.

“Dad, you’re making cookies”, I asked without realizing I was already salivating merely from the aroma.

“Yes baby, your favorite, I added more sugar and milk to make it more tasty, I know you love it that way, my little baby girl”

“Dad... I’m not little, anyway, it looks yummy. Drhhhhhhhhhhhhh…” the rumbling sound of my stomach interrupted, papa looked at me and smiled.

“Ohh please, you little small girl”, I heard from behind, I didn’t need to look back to know it was Micheal, one of my silly brothers.

“I’m not little, Micheal”, I said, already getting upset.

Micheal always finds a way to get me upset but right now wasn’t the time, I’ll deal with him later.

I took my portion of the cookie with coffee and sat opposite my dad at the dining table.

They were busy talking about the last war between the black Americans and the racist.

I watched them for a long time before Michael stole a cookie from my plates, I snapped a hard glare at him

“Michael!!!”, I shouted as he mimicked me.

My father smiled at us, probably wondering why we were always upset with each other, though we aren’t children anymore we still behaved like one.

“Dad, I’ll be leaving now”, I said walking towards him and kissing him on the cheeks.

“Be safe my little baby” he smiled and I gave a pleading look for him to drop the whole little baby thing.

“Bye, little child”, Michael said waving at me, I just smiled wondering why he never stopped annoying me. Even at age 24, Michael won’t stop taunting me.

Well. I’m so happy I have siblings to look up to when I’m down and I also have a compassionate father who never seizes any opportunity to reign praises.

I got to the train station and saw it was the last one left. I was so happy I met this one. I can’t imagine what would happen if I missed this last train. I hopped and found a space beside the window.

I smiled at the old man sitting next to me before looking out the window, enjoying the cool breeze that hit my face and I admired the blue sky that looked so clear that if anything was written on it would be easily seen.

I couldn’t help but smile, I really love the sky, I love it so much, it brings a certain type of joy to my heart that I can’t explain especially those structures formed with the clouds.

I smiled so deeply when the train stopped at the next train station, I alighted at my destination and walked to my shop. It was a safe distance from the train station to my store.

“Good morning Mr Brown”, I greeted my boss who was standing at the door probably waiting for late workers, he looked up at me before checking his wristwatch, I also took out my cell phone to check the time. It was just 6:45 I wasn’t even late.

“Good morning Briget”, he replied casually. Mr Brown has never been cheerful, he’s that asshole that finds fault in everything one does. I nodded before going into the store. I personally call him an hatist.

This is where I make a living, Sapphire Pearls Store, one of the prosperous stores in New York. Now it’s time to start my daily routine, I went to my desk.

“Good morning Briget” my colleagues greeted, to which I replied with a heartwarming smile.

I wondered how fast I had gotten popular in the store. I can’t pass without someone greeting or waving, even without being able to express myself in public.

I must say I’m the true definition of being shy, or would I call it low self-esteem? I can’t express myself anywhere, only when I’m with family. But these people I guess just loved me.

I went to my desk, dropped my bags, and began cleaning the store, wiping off the dust from each jewelry. While cleaning I saw a sparkling ring with diamonds atop.

This is so beautiful I said aloud forgetting that I was in the store.

“Can you just put that down, if you can’t afford it and stop playing with things that are so expensive, even in your next life you won’t be able to afford one of this.” I heard from behind

“I’m so sorry, Mr Brown.” I was just cleaning off the dust on it, I said stammering like I had seen a ghost.

“Then clean it well, if truly you’re cleaning.” He said then scoffed as he walked away.

I rolled my eyeballs, who’s he to say I can’t buy it even in my next life? He’s just so annoying. I thought before continuing cleaning.