Chapter 1

Ondina

‘Writer's block is a real thing’. Ondina thought as she stared helplessly into the glowing screen of her laptop, while simultaneously running her fingers over the keyboard. Yes! We are back in business people! She began to continue writing her latest novel when suddenly, her laptop froze. Trying to solve the problem, she continuously tapped the Esc button.

"Are you fucking serious right now?" Pushing her laptop in frustration, it slid off the end of her bed in a loud thud.

She nervously peered other the bed. ‘Please don't be broken. PLEASE!’ She reached over the end of her bed to retrieve her now possibly damaged laptop; slowly opened it. ‘Yes!’

Grateful her laptop was still in perfect condition; she cradled it to her bosom. If this one broke it would have been her third laptop this year she would have had to replace. The first one was stolen, and the second was accidentally dropped in the bath- ‘I know it was stupid to even have it in there to begin with.’

She placed her laptop back on her lap and resumed writing her mystery novel.... "[ There was a letter entangled in the victim's hands.... "Are you sure that's a good idea?"... a woman in a yellow raincoat .... Time stood still as....]" Ondina was overflowing with new experiences for her characters and became lost inside of her own mind.

A knock on the door pulled her away from her imagination. She shut her laptop and set it on the night stand to the right of her bed.

"It's open." She said just loud enough for whomever on the other side of the door to hear. The door clicked open and in came Camille.

"Hey Onny, whatcha doin?" Camille asked. Ondina and Camille had been best friends sense grade school. Total opposites but very alike in more ways than one.

"Nothing new just writing a mystery novel, and so fare I've got a novel of writers block and six pages of genius." She replied, her voice smother in sarcasm.

"So that's a real thing? I thought people just say it to be fancy." Camille asked, with a confused look on her face.

"Yeah Camie, we writers just make up stuff like writers block to make us sound all sophisticated and what not."

"Oh, shut up. Have you ever thought of getting your books published? You're an amazing writer."

"You know, I can't say that it crossed my mind." Ondina said sarcastically.

"Haha. Very funny. But you are really good. I would buy your books."

"Yeah, cause you’re my best friend. Publishing books cost money. Money that my salary cannot afford."

"Uh, no, that is not the only reason, and you wouldn't have to worry about it if you had just taken the job at Time Magazine."

Camille was always nagging her about turning down the opportunity to work for Time Magazine. Ondina didn't have the heart to tell Camie her real reasons for settling as a server at Dominick's. ‘Poor Camie wouldn't be able to handle it.’ Her mind wondered back to the day of her interview....

* * * * * *

‘Just a few more blocks and I'm there.’ Ondina looked out the window, staring at angry faces and giggled to herself. ‘How could anyone be so angry on a good day like today?’ The taxi pulled up to Time Magazine, and her heart started to pound. Just breathe. In and out. She had to mentally straddle herself. Excitement was seeping out of her pours, perfuming the air. She tipped the taxi driver and climbed out the back seat.

Walking in only brought more excitement. A woman who looked like she could have been on the cover of Vogue sat behind the front desk; name tag reading [Hello, I'm Jennifer, I can help...] Resume in hand, ready to nail it, Ondina walked over to the woman with a trained smile on her face.

"Hello, welcome to Time Magazine, how can I help you?" Jennifer said in a sing song tone.

"Hi. I'm Ondina Somerfield, I'm Mr. Griffins 2:30."

"Oh yes. Perfect he's been waiting. Go straight ahead, it's the first door to your right."

She thanked the woman and started down the hall. While approaching the door, readying to knock, the door flung open.

"Screw you, you ass hole!" A woman with long brunette hair in designer clothing spat the words out over her shoulder like it was poisonous venom as she graciously exited the room.

Ondina stood in the door frame suddenly nervous. ‘Was she here for an interview too? Is he really that horrible?’

"Ah. You must be my 2:30. Come in." Mr. Griffin announced as if he had not just been disrespected a few seconds ago. Snapping out of her thoughts, she hurried in the room moving faster than she intended.

"Please, have a seat." She sat down in one of the chairs across from him. Plopping down noisily. ‘Come on get it together Ondina just stick with the program!’ She said to herself.

"Ok, let's begin." Mr. Griffin said with a hard look on his face.

*

The interview went a whole lot better than she thought and she was finally starting to feel like her life would be looking up. She couldn't be anymore wrong.

Heading for the front door, she heard her name being called in a voice she could never forget.

"Ondina, is that you?"

Pausing in mid step, she slowly turned around. It was him. The man who ruined her senior year. The man who caused her family to disown her. The man who took everything from her. Her heart began to pound so hard; she could feel it in her neck and ears. ‘Why is he here? Oh no! He's coming.’

"How have you been? It's been what, 5 years?" Mason announced, walking casually towards her with the same confidence she used to think was attractive, it only left her stomach in nervous knots. Ondina could feel an anxiety attack coming on.

‘I'm gonna throw up. I need air. Please stop walking. Don't come over here. Why is this happening?!’ Ondina thought as Mason continued to walk towards her.

"How's your dad doing? Did he ever finish renovations? I bet your mom..." His voice started to fade out as her vision zeroed in on his hands. Those hands. One rested casually at his side, while the other hid in his pocket.

Feeling trapped, Ondina ran out the entrance doors. Running right into chest and arms. She bounced off of the tall male, knocking herself to the ground, causing the back of her head to smack against the pavement.

“Ugh! What's - ouch!” Pain spiked through her temples and the bridge of her nose, making her vision blurry.

"Miss, are you ok? " She heard the males voice say with concern. She stayed lying on her back, trying to blink back her vision.

"I'm gonna try and sit you up, ok?" The male voice said again. Strong hands gently tugged at her shoulders. As she sat up, excruciating pain shot through her head and neck causing her entire body to heat up like a furnace.

"I'm gonna throw up" Ondina announced.

Within seconds, she threw up all over the poor guy's shirt. ‘Oh no! I'm so sorry.’ As she tried to form the words to say out loud, she became dizzy. Afraid she might pass out; she grabbed onto the stranger's wrists; attached to hands that were still gently holding her up.

"It's ok, just breathe." The man spoke again in a soothing voice.

For some reason she did exactly what he said. She started breathing, calming herself. Opening eyes she hadn't realized she closed, she looked up at the man's face. Her vision was still fuzzy but not as bad as before. ‘He's so handsome...’ Russet brown eyes looked back at her. He was definitely breath taking. His dark hair was a little long like he was due for a haircut, but the length complimented him. His facial hair outlined his jaw and lips naturally, perfectly to the shape of his full lips in the shape of an anchor.

"Do you think you can stand up, miss?" He asked with a look of worry, causing his naturally arched eyebrows to form an alliance.

"I can try." Ondina finally replied.

He let his hands gently slide down her arms from her shoulders to her hands. She looked at his hands. ‘Why are you so perfect man? Even your nails are perfect!’ He gently gripped her hand. In acceptance, she grabbed onto his for dear life.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-" she started to say.

"Don't worry about it." He smiled.

"Happens all the time." His voice flowed playfully.

She was beginning to like his voice. Wow! I must have hit my head really hard.

"We should get you seen." The man stated.

*

The EMS ride was full of questions and awkward glances passed around.

Once they arrived at the hospital, he stayed with her the entire time. Asking questions when needed and answering them as well. Ondina apologized countless amount of times for the mess on his shirt, and he repeatedly apologized for not being careful, as if he ran into her. ‘Now ain't that something?’ Four hours later, the poor guy even offered to take her home. Giving that Ondina did not have a vehicle, she accepted his offer.

Standing in front of her apartment door, she turned to the handsome stranger.

"Thank you, for today. And again, I'm so sorry for ruining your shirt."Ondina stated.

"No need to apologize, accidents happen." The handsome male replied with the sweetest smile.

They both stood there in silence for a while looking into each others eyes. Breaking the silence, he said.

"You know. I never even asked your name."

It was a silly thing to say given the stay at the Hospital. The nurses and doctors repeatedly said her name and he gave his name as well, but she couldn't stop herself from repeating him.

"I haven't even asked you yours..." Ondina replied.

"Raphael Lahsen" a genuine smile caressed his face.

Ondina cheeks turned hot, validating her blush. "Ondina Somerfield."

" I hope to see you around miss Somerfield." And with that Raphael was gone.