Chapter 1:

*Readers be guided.. Every character, location and events are made out of the fictional mind of this crazy writer*

Amelia [POV] 

     "Can't we start already." 

A female colleague of mine complained as she couldn't take it anymore. 

We sat patiently in the Seminar room for almost an hour waiting for our senior superiors to arrive for the meeting. 

Having worked for two year straight as a junior accountant in one of the biggest bank in New York. This afternoon we were summoned for an unplanned meeting.Everyone was anxious to know what was going on.

Our branch supervisor, Mr Paul walked inside the boardroom, we all stood to acknowledge his presence. After some moment of pleasantries, the meeting drag on and on about needs to improve our banking capability and standards.

    "I wonder why he decided to invite us today, when we all know as Junior staffs, Our suggestion are not taking into considerations not to mention remembered." 

She complained. 

      No matter how hard everything seemed to be,  I vowed to work hard and  make a name for myself in the business world.

As young bankers, we are always put aside, also given extremely difficult task everyday. 

        Working in the bank is a bright opportunity for young accountants like myself. It is filled with daily hustle and competition to reach the top. Everyone works desperately to prove themselves. In a tight business world its so hard to make friends when everyone is aiming for a permanent position as a senior banker. 

There's a yearly competition that is been organized for junior staff, the winners gets instant promote to become a senior staff. I plan on  applying so I decided to part take in the upcoming exam hopefully,  I would be selected to be part of  this competition . Only five candidate would be selected as top winners out of two hundred selected participants.     

      Most girl in the bank sees me as a bigger competition not because of my working ethics but because I am extremely beautiful.  I had so many guys in my department trying to hook up with me but I choose to cut them off. My social life is divided from my work life. I don't flirt or keep male friends at work.  

" shit!, "  

I said suddenly, This got me few stares from my office colleagues who sat beside me. 

I totally forgot about my blind date set up by my best friend. 

I don't think I would make it on time. 

     Layla set me up with her colleague at work on a blind date.

In her own words 

   " You need someone to pounder about."

After I broke up with Aiden , my ex boyfriend a year ago, he left with everything I owe that I  never saw coming. 

    Aiden and I started dating two years ago when I met him at a crazy house party then I was a crazy party girl, so was he. We love the night life. He was my everything, I thought I was his too. When I started working, it took most of my time. I thought he understood me, I never knew he was cheating with a girl he meet at a club. When I caught him the first time he apologized. 

But kept on doing the same thing over again.when I caught him the last time we had a messy breakup, When I returned home he had ran away with all the  money in our joint account and emptied our apartment. I solely decided to keep myself from any relationship for some time.

Then I had to move in with my best friend in her apartment. We shared a two bedroom  apartment and  split the rent in half. 

     Six months later, she started  dating a new guy Omar, a raising football athlete in some local leagues aiming to be signed into major leagues. Most times she compares herself to his ex girlfriend. Ex girlfriends she had heard or read about on social media, she always downgraded herself. One time, When she watched his football interview,  he was asked what kind of girl he would love  to date, he said  brunette hair girls and she had black  hair. 

      When he started giving me compliments because of my hair color she grew insecure.  She doesn't say much but her action verified my suspicion especially times, Omar indirectly creates problem between us by praising me everytime he comes around in front of Layla.

I think the time was right for me to move out so that she can see how devious he could be. 

   Omar keeps looking at me seductively anytime he sees me in the house. 

I secretly went house searching  and found the right place.

Oh!  

I can't wait to start design my new home. I  just had to finish some paper work. 

The meeting threaded on for two hours straight.

My anticipated date waits. 

    I arrived at the famous restaurant, it only took me a few second to match his picture to his physical appearance. 

I waved at him as I watched him spun around waiting  anxiously for me. He was quite attractive  Tall, blonde hair and muscular that's definitely my style. 

      He smiled as I  sat down in an opposite direction next to him. I noticed his interest escalated as he watched me sit. I blushed cause I knew I had dressed to kill with my sleeveless curvey red gown matched with my dropping earring and necklace. I had it in mind that it would surely intrigue his interest.  My lushed full lips colored with bright red lipstick. I'm definitely looking like a served dinner. Now my date is currently speechless. 

  "I'm so sorry, I got stuck at work."_

I apologies as I give him my prettiest smile. 

" Amelia"

I introduced myself.

He watched me with his eyes seductively, took my hands and kissed it like a gentleman.  

" Stan Williston, at you service, " he said. 

I grinned a bit satisfied with my date when he give me a ravishing smile. 

He rang for the waitress as she arrived to take our orders .

We talked about life, work and relationship, he seemed like an interesting guy and we shared some interest in common. 

He slid his hands over to the table to hold mine.

" I had never seen anyone with such a striking beauty as yours. "

He commented. 

       A woman in her late twenties walked right in front of us, he looked startled by her sudden arrival

He starts to stutter as he speaks she waved her hands vaguely to keep him shut. 

" While I care for our children at home, you busy flirting with this slut! "

Oh no!. 

Let it don't be what am thinking

"you're married?. " 

I asked confused at what was about to go down. He wiped sweat off his face nervously. She faced me, narrowed her eyes at me clearly I could feel her rage. 

I should have just shut up and left.

"Oh!,  now you wanna act like you don't know, You wanna play the victim card too."

Before I could react she grabbed my glass of wine and splashed it all over my face. 

Everyone in the dinner had turn their attention towards our table, entertained by our display.

Their eyes burned right into my soul as he tried pulling his belligerent wife away but she refused to move.

I couldn't  contain my annoyance for the fact that my best friend hooked me up with her married colleague at work.

Was I so desperate that she plan on playing with my emotions?. The lady continued to rained down more insults on me, I felt exposed, to hide my tears

I grab my bag and left the two couple battle out their affairs. I threw myself into a passengers seat as I entered a taxi.  In the taxi, I wiped my face clean, I  was filled with disbelief and anger at the turn out of today's  event.

I just can't  believe what's going on. I remember vividly how Layla kept pestering  me for days to accept this date yet she never mentioned his martial status and I assumed he was a single man.  How could she miss out this simple details. 

         When I got home, I found her watching a movie and munching her bowl of  popcorn, She smiled as I entered. 

"Hey!  How was your date...... ?. "

She asked so excited as she clapped her hands together waiting for my reply with glee.

Maybe I over judged the entire situation wrongly. My heart softened as she waited patiently for my answer. I narrated how bad my date turned out as I  collapsed on the soft sofa next to her. She looked really shocked and swore never to have any idea of his marital status and apologize for not verifying. 

"I'm so sorry, Amelia, I really had no idea he was married. "She drawled. 

She even tried cheering me up,

     "Don't worry about me, I will be fine. "

I  turned away heading into my room disconsolately right into the shower as I peered myself through the mirror, I remember the hurtful words his wife had altered.

"You good for nothing, man snatcher, why not find your own man than seeking what does not belong to you!, bitch!, "

I have never been insulted so badly in my life. Funny enough this was exactly the same word I told Adrian lover when I caught them together again.

I crash landed on my bed and slept off. Today was definitely not my day.