Chapter 5

I groaned, my head pounding from the relentless hangover. The bitter taste of coffee barely managed to cut through the fog in my brain. Just as I reached for another sip, a loud laugh echoed beside me, and I turned to see Vonn approaching, evidently finished with his conversation about work.

"Well, well, well, look who's paying the price," he quipped, yanking out the chair opposite me and plopping down with a mischievous grin.

Living in the same neighborhood, I wasn't surprised to find Vonn here. Weekends often brought him to this coffee shop after his gym sessions, claiming he needed a "change of environment." Whatever that meant.

Slipping his airpods into place, Vonn delved back into his work, his brows furrowing with concentration. The rhythmic clicks of his keyboard mingled with the faint taps of his feet, keeping time with the music streaming through his earphones.

"Hey, could you cut it out?" I grumbled, my annoyance evident. But Vonn remained oblivious, completely absorbed in his work. Growing frustrated, I grabbed a tissue from the table and tossed it his way.

He blinked in confusion, his expression quickly transforming into one of amusement as he registered my annoyed face fixed on him.

"What's the matter?" he teased, plucking the airpods from his ears.

"The matter is that I'm nursing a killer hangover, and your incessant keyboard clicking is making it worse," I retorted, rolling my eyes.

Vonn chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Well, maybe you shouldn't have gone so hard on those shots last night."

"I know, I know," I groaned, resting my head on my hand. "It seemed like a good idea at the time."

He shook his head, a mock-serious expression on his face. "You never learn, Zara."

I shot him a playful glare. "Says the guy who's always preaching about work-life balance but can't seem to tear himself away from his laptop on a weekend."

Vonn raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Hey, I need this change of environment to boost my productivity. It's all part of my master plan."

"Master plan, huh?" I smirked. "Well, I hope your master plan involves getting me another cup of coffee because I desperately need it."

He grinned, pushing himself up from the chair. "Consider it done, my hangover-ridden friend."

Vonn walked over to the counter and effortlessly bought my coffee before going back to his seat. He sat back down in his chair and grinned broadly at me. "Do you happen to recall the work mentioned to you last night?" he inquired, his expression brimming with enthusiasm.

I stared at him bewildered, trying to make sense of the exact work he was referring to in my mind. "What work are you referring to?" I inquired, seeking clarification amidst my confusion.

Vonn leaned back, a triumphant smile spreading across his face. "I thought you'd never ask. You’re too drunk to even remember" he said, leaning forward to retrieve a sleek business card from his pocket. He handed it to me, his eyes brimming with excitement.

"Take a look at this," Vonn urged, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "It's an opportunity I came across while networking. There's a vehicle operating company in town that's expanding their marketing team, and they're actively seeking fresh talent."

I examined the business card, noting the company's name and contact information. It was an intriguing prospect, but also one shrouded in uncertainty. I looked up at Vonn, my curiosity piqued. "How do you know they're looking for someone like me?"

Vonn chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, Zara, they may not know you yet, but I've seen your passion for marketing and your knack for thinking outside the box. I think you'd be a perfect fit for their team."

A mix of excitement and hesitation welled up within me. The idea of venturing into the marketing field for a vehicle operating company was both exhilarating and daunting. It meant stepping into uncharted territory, facing new challenges, and proving myself in a different industry.

Vonn leaned forward, his voice brimming with encouragement. "Friend, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for. A chance to showcase your skills, unleash your creativity, and make a mark in the world of automotive marketing."

I took a deep breath, contemplating the possibilities. The allure of a fresh start, the thrill of exploring a new professional path, and the potential for growth tugged at my heartstrings. It was an invitation to step out of my comfort zone and embrace the unknown.

With a determined smile, I looked at Vonn and nodded. "You know what? I think I'll give it a shot. I'm ready to take on this challenge and see where it leads me."

Vonn's face lit up with genuine excitement. "That's the spirit, Zara! I'll pass along your information to the right people and make sure they know you're interested. Who knows? This could be the beginning of an incredible journey."

Grateful for Vonn's guidance, I bid him farewell and stepped out of the bustling coffee shop, the cool breeze brushing against my face. Determined to alleviate my pounding headache, I set off on a short walk to the nearby minimart.

Inside the minimart, I quickly located the pharmacy section. I scanned the shelves until I found the painkillers I needed. Grabbing a pack, I made my way to the checkout counter.

The cashier rang up my items, and I paid for the painkillers along with a few other everyday items I needed for my apartment. With the small bag in hand, I stepped back onto the sidewalk.

As I walked back towards my apartment, my attention was briefly diverted when I felt something uncomfortable in my shoe. Bending down to investigate, I didn't notice the jogger coming towards me on the sidewalk.

In my distracted state, I accidentally bumped into him, causing both of us to stop abruptly. "Oh, sorry!" I blurted out, looking up to apologize.

But as my eyes met his, I couldn't help but be taken aback by his cold, brown-eyed gaze. His expression was devoid of any warmth, and my presence seemed to shock him. It was as if my accidental collision had disrupted his thoughts, leaving him momentarily speechless.

Feeling a pang of self-consciousness, I quickly shrugged off the encounter, assuming that he was offended by my clumsiness. With a slight shake of my head, I muttered another apology and hurriedly continued on my way, leaving the handsome stranger behind.

At least I had said sorry, I thought to myself, trying to dismiss the awkward encounter. I didn't dwell on it for long, as my mind returned to the task at hand—getting home and finding some relief from the throbbing headache that still lingered.

After arriving home, I set down the bag of items I had purchased from the minimart. First things first, I organized the everyday essentials I had bought and put them away in their respective places. With a sense of accomplishment, I surveyed my tidy apartment.

Feeling the weariness seep into my bones, I decided to tackle the headache that had plagued me all day. I fetched a glass of water from the kitchen and took the painkillers I had purchased. Hoping for relief, I settled onto the couch, allowing the medication to work its magic.

As the minutes passed, the throbbing in my head gradually subsided. The tension that had built up from the hangover began to loosen its grip, and a sense of calm settled over me. 

Feeling completely exhausted, I trudged towards my bedroom, longing for the comfort it offered. Changing into cozy clothes, I sought refuge in the familiar embrace of my bed. Although it was only ten o'clock in the morning, the wild partying with the girls and Vonn the night before had left me drained. 

Without delay, sleep swiftly enveloped me, drawing me into a tranquil slumber. In its gentle embrace, I found respite from the events of the day, allowing them to fade into the background.