“Oh no! That ugly doll is staring again.” I almost fell off my seat if I hadn’t grabbed the edge of my table because of the strong blow I received.“Why?! And I told you not to call me that!” I almost shouted back, tucking the fallen hair away from my face.“Because you’re a witch! What’s your problem? You’re always staring into space? And why? Elara is too long! What a waste of my saliva!” JC, the witch, yes, he’s gay, he’s my co-department head, and I was with him during my last year in college, asked.“Nothing, I’m just tired. I’ve been interviewing for 3 days straight, and please, fix your attitude.” I just replied, not in the mood to chat right now.“Anyway, oh yeah, congrats girl, the President liked the applicants you selected, but before I forget, he issued a memo.”“What memo? I’m not doing anything, why would he issue a memo to me?”“Not sure, but he said to see him before lunch.” I quickly checked the wall clock near my desk.“Shit, it’s already 11 am.”He nodded as if to s
“Wait, you’re early today, Elara?” Kaila greeted me as I entered the 4th floor, she’s the earliest one to arrive in our department, sometimes she’s the one who opens the air conditioning in the office and even in the pantry, and she turns on the PCs.I shook my head and sat down, taking a sip of the coffee I bought from the vending machine. “I haven’t left yet, I just went downstairs to pay for my bath, anyway, I have spare clothes in my car.”Her eyes widened at what I said. “What? Oh no! What if something happens to you?” She asked, leaning slightly towards me to inspect my face. Maybe I look okay today? I don’t know, I hope so.“I have to finish things up before I go home,” I replied, taking a sip of my coffee. I sat down and started encoding the data we would need for the next week.“Okay then, I’ll go to my cubicle, I still have a report to finish.” She excused herself and left my cubicle. I just nodded in response while still busy typing.I didn’t know what time I would finish h
“Hi Elyyyy my friend!” I paused typing my report on my laptop when someone suddenly spoke on my phone. I saw Alexis’ name on the screen, as it was set to auto-answer when on my speed dial.“Oh, you witch, why are you only showing up now? Why have you been absent for two days?” I scolded her. The background went silent, so I furrowed my brow.“I just had some things to take care of, you witch, and I filed for a three-day leave,” she said, laughing on the other line.“So, you’re absent until tomorrow?” I asked while still typing on the keyboard. I’ve already done half of my work for the day; I’m almost finished, and I still need to make copies of everything before organizing them in the cabinets. It’s past six in the evening, overtime again.“Mhmm,” I sighed, knowing what she was going to say next.“There’s a problem,” I concluded.“Huh? Who? Where?” I sighed even though she couldn’t see me.“You,” I said, which made her silent. “Gotcha,” I added, then laughed.“Freak,” she laughed back
“Witch! Are you okay? You’ve been staring off into space for a while now!” I heard the gay guy beside me speak, so I gave him a dirty look. He’s talking as if he’s deaf, is he trying to pick a fight? “Stop it, Carlo, you’re annoying me, you witch.” I chuckled at what I said, seeing the disgust on his face upon hearing his real name. “Eww sister! Give me the creeps, please? This nuisance, it’s Carla, not Carlo! Shut up! I’ll scratch you!” He shouted and even raised his hand with long nails, which made me laugh even more. It’s been three days since the incident with Alex, he’s back at work, but we’re still not talking. I know I did something wrong, who am I to stop him? I just got carried away, I’m afraid that history will repeat itself, maybe I’ll just talk to him on my next day off. I just sighed. Another guy. After what happened, I don’t know how to casually talk to him anymore, I really want to slap him. It’s Monday today, which means it’s the first day for all the people I inte
“Take care, okay? Make sure to go home straight away,” I said before we parted ways. They would be taking public transportation, while I headed to the parking lot to get my car. My head was throbbing a bit. I didn’t agree to us having a late lunch, so they ended up being lazy to eat, and I felt a bit guilty. So, when they invited me to grab a snack after work, I didn’t hesitate to join. Most of the people with me were from my department. They ordered some shots, but I just had juice. Drinking alcohol wasn’t my thing. The path to the parking lot was somewhat dim, but there were streetlights scattered around. I wasn’t scared, just reminded of a past experience from college. I immediately searched for my car keys in my bag as soon as I spotted my car, but before I could fully grab them, two pairs of hands suddenly grabbed me, pulling me violently. “What the fuck!” I couldn’t help but scream from the pain. “Just come with us, okay?” one of them said. I could feel my body trembling, a
“My heart suddenly raced abnormally. It’s hard to be straightforward sometimes, it can be dangerous. I was about to respond when my phone suddenly rang. It was right beside me, so I quickly answered to see who it was.“Hello?” It was noisy on the other line, people were shouting.[Wiiiiitccch! Where are you?! Why didn’t you come to work? Oh my gosh! Did you run away? I thought you didn’t have a boyfriend?”]I chuckled at what he said, it was Jaycee being Jaycee, such a flirt. It made me forget the nervousness I felt earlier.“I’m okay, I’ll tell you when we see each other. Why is it so noisy?”[“The girls are excited. There’s a new guy in the other department, they say he’s handsome.”]I don’t remember hearing about a new guy. I’ll probably ask about it when I get to the office.“Okay, see you later. I might take a half day off.” I replied, just to get away from the situation and prepare to go to work.[“Okay, take care, okay? Love you! Mwa!”]I smiled at what he said, he’s so cute wh
Flashback“Shit! I told you to come with us, damn it!” said the man I didn’t know. We were behind the school, my vision blurred from the tears that had been flowing. I was scared, I didn’t have any serious enemies to be kidnapped like this.“W-wait, w-why me? I-I don’t know anything!” I tried to say, even though they were already holding me and I was about to be put into the car.“We need you! Just you, we’re sure that asshole will kneel before us if we have you! So come with us if you don’t want to get hurt!” shouted the man in front of me. He was my classmate when I was a freshman, why was he involved in this?I felt a strong punch to my stomach before I completely lost the strength to fight back. Even though my mind didn’t want to, my body wasn’t moving to escape their tight grip on me. I think my tears weren’t even dried yet, but I was already sobbing as they finally pushed me into the van that had been parked on the side. They sandwiched me.“Have you called that asshole yet? I’m
Four years ago “The rain is really strong, is there a typhoon?” I stopped writing in my notes and looked out the window, the rain was indeed strong. With all the things we’re doing, I don’t know anymore what the weather is like these days. It’s Friday afternoon, almost five o’clock, but it’s very cold and dark, this will be the last month of the first semester of the second year, time flies, there’s more work to be done. “I don’t know, we have so much to do, I haven’t watched the news for days.” I answered and wrote again. “Did you finish the draft for our research? We need to finish that so we can submit it.” I reminded her, I’m almost done with the notes I’ll use for reviewing later, it’s our finals next week, then completion of requirements. “Yes, I’m almost done, I’ll send it to you tonight, you can just edit it, Jem and the others have finished their part.” I just nodded in response, because I’m really busy with my notes. “How’s my baby doing?” She asked absentmindedly, looki
The salty sea breeze swept through the streets of Seaview, carrying with it the promise of another beautiful day along the coast. Emily stood outside her seaside café, surveying the damage left behind by the storm that had battered the town the night before. The wooden sign above the entrance creaked in the wind, its paint chipped and faded, a testament to the café's long history.As Emily assessed the extent of the damage, she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the task ahead. Tables and chairs lay scattered across the sand, while shards of broken glass littered the floor of the café's outdoor seating area. The awning had been torn off its hinges, leaving the once-cozy space exposed to the elements.Just as Emily was about to roll up her sleeves and get to work, she heard footsteps approaching from behind. Turning around, she was surprised to see Jack standing there, a concerned expression on his face."Hey, Emily," Jack said, his voice gentle but filled with urgency. "I heard abo
The rain fell in a gentle rhythm, casting a veil of mist over the forgotten library as Amelia and Lucas stood on its rain-soaked steps. The ancient building loomed before them, its weathered stone walls holding centuries of secrets within their depths. Amelia's heart fluttered with anticipation, her hand trembling as she reached for the heavy wooden door."Are you sure about this, Amelia?" Lucas's voice broke through the silence, his concern evident in the furrow of his brow. He stood beside her, his tall frame a reassuring presence in the darkness.Amelia turned to face him, her eyes shining with determination. "I have to know, Lucas," she said, her voice soft but resolute. "There's something in there calling to me, and I can't ignore it any longer."Lucas studied her for a moment, his gaze searching hers for any sign of doubt. But when he saw the fire burning in her eyes, he nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips."Then let's go," he said, his voice steady. "Togeth
Three years had passed since the enchanting night at Everwood Academy, where Evelyn and Ethan's paths had crossed in a whirlwind of magic and emotion. Life had taken them on separate journeys, each navigating their own challenges and triumphs in the wake of that fateful evening.Evelyn had immersed herself in her passion for flowers, opening multiple successful flower shops across the city. Amidst the vibrant colors and sweet fragrances of her blossoming business, she found solace and purpose, pouring her heart into every petal and stem she arranged.One sunny afternoon, in the heart of spring, Evelyn stood amidst a sea of blooms in her flagship store, her hands deftly arranging a bouquet of delicate roses. The soft sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room, as the gentle hum of bustling customers filled the air.As she carefully placed the final rose into the arrangement, Evelyn couldn't shake the feeling of nostalgia that washed over her. Memories of t
In the quiet solitude of her attic chamber, Evelyn meticulously measured out the ingredients for the potion. Each component was chosen with care, selected from ancient tomes and whispered legends passed down through generations of enchantresses. The air was thick with anticipation as she stirred the bubbling concoction in the ornate cauldron, the flames dancing beneath it casting eerie shadows on the walls.“This is it,” Evelyn murmured to herself, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. For months, she had harbored a secret longing for Lucas, the charming star of Everwood Academy’s varsity team. With his captivating smile and easy charm, he had captured her heart from the moment they first met. But despite her best efforts, Evelyn had never found the courage to confess her feelings to him.Tonight, however, would be different. Tonight, she would take fate into her own hands and brew a potion that would make Lucas fall madly in love with her. With trembling ha
The evening sky was painted with hues of orange and pink as Lily walked away from Lee, her heart heavy with emotion. She could hear his footsteps behind her, his voice calling out, begging her not to leave. But she knew that she had to do this, for herself.Lily sat at the edge of her bed, tears streaming down her face. She couldn’t believe what she had just learned. For months, she had been living in a blissful illusion, thinking that her promotion, her raise, her new apartment were all a result of her hard work and determination. But now, the truth had been revealed, and it hit her like a ton of bricks.Lee stood in the doorway, his expression pained. He had been the one behind it all, pulling strings, making calls, ensuring that Lily got everything she wanted. And now, seeing her broken and betrayed, he didn’t know what to do.“Lily, I’m sorry,” Lee said, his voice filled with regret. “I just wanted to help you, to make your life better. I didn’t mean to deceive you.”Lily looked u
In the bustling city of Havenridge, there was a building that stood out among the rest. The Havenridge Tower was a marvel of modern architecture, stretching high into the sky with its gleaming glass facade. It was the tallest building in the city, a symbol of prosperity and success.But for Lily, the Havenridge Tower was more than just a building. It was her workplace, her home, and her prison.Lily worked as a receptionist on the 50th floor of the tower, where the prestigious law firm of Anderson & Associates was located. She had been working there for years, ever since she had graduated from college, and she had always prided herself on her work ethic and dedication.But lately, things had started to change. The long hours, the demanding clients, the constant pressure to perform – it was all starting to take its toll on Lily. She felt trapped, suffocated by the walls of the tower that seemed to close in on her more and more each day.One day, as Lily sat at her desk, staring out at
Catherine stumbled into the condo, her vision blurred from the tears that streamed down her face. Sin stood in front of her, his expression unreadable. Outside, the rain poured down in a relentless torrent, the sound of it drumming against the windows like a thousand tiny fingers. The sky was a dark, brooding mass of clouds, obscuring the moon and stars from view. The air was thick with moisture, the humidity making it feel like a sauna. The condo was a small, cozy space, with soft, dim lighting that cast a warm glow over the room. The walls were painted a soothing shade of blue, adorned with framed photographs of happier times. A plush couch sat in the center of the living room, facing a small television set. The floor was covered with a plush rug, soft underfoot.“Please, Catherine, you need to leave,” Sin pleaded, his voice tinged with frustration.Catherine shook her head, her voice trembling. “No, not until you tell me why. Why were you avoiding me all these years?” Catherine sto
Sin sighed as he pulled on his jacket, preparing to slip out of the house unnoticed. It was a typical Saturday afternoon, and he had plans to meet up with his friends at the park. But just as he reached for the doorknob, his mother’s voice echoed through the hallway.“Sin! Can you come here for a moment?”He froze, knowing that tone all too well. With a resigned sigh, he turned around and headed towards the living room where his mother and brothers were gathered. As he entered the room, he saw Catherine, his ten-year-old sister, sitting on the floor surrounded by coloring books and crayons.“What’s up?” Sin asked, trying to sound casual.“We’re having a bonding moment with Cath,” his mother said, gesturing towards the coloring materials. “We thought it would be nice for you to join us.”Sin glanced at Catherine, who looked up at him with big, hopeful eyes. He felt a pang of guilt for wanting to leave her behind. “I’m sorry, I can’t. I’ve made plans with my friends,” he replied, alread
As Letisha sat in her car, tears streaming down her face, she felt utterly alone. The weight of being scammed pressed down on her, and she didn’t know where to turn. She had always been independent, used to solving her problems on her own, but this time, it felt like too much.She stared blankly ahead, trying to gather her thoughts, when a sudden knock on her car door made her jump. Startled, she turned to see Alex standing there, looking concerned.“Letisha, are you okay?” Alex asked, his voice filled with genuine worry.Letisha wiped her tears and tried to compose herself. “I… I’m fine,” she replied, her voice shaky.Alex didn’t seem convinced. “You don’t look fine. Can I come in?”Letisha hesitated for a moment before nodding. Alex opened the car door and sat down beside her, his presence comforting.“What happened?” Alex asked gently.Letisha took a deep breath and explained how she had been scammed, losing a significant amount of money. She felt embarrassed and foolish for fallin