After visiting her parents she came back the next day to prepare for work on Monday, she needed to appear responsible enough, she also returned Ava's email declining their offer, she felt good somehow because she knew deep down that, that was her best choice, she ironed her white shirt and her blue pants and hung it in her wardrobe, she felt anxious because it's been over 5 months she stopped work, somehow she felt bad for rejecting the arrows hotel and suites offer because she knew that the salary there could keep she and her parents comfortable for a while but she knew they'd find a way to manage the one she'd be earning soon, her parents never complained to her about not having money but she knew they were definitely lacking.
It was 6am when she heard her alarm screaming at her to wake up, obviously earlier than necessary but she didn't want to be late on her first day at work, she sat on the edge of the bed and stretched her limbs before going to the bathroom to take her bath. she dressed up and went to the kitchen to make herself breakfast, she opened her fridge and the only thing edible there was the bread she bought when she was returning from her parents place and some eggs, she made a sandwich and stuffed her face with it before running outside almost forgetting to lock her door, it was 7am when she left her house, if the taxi was fast enough she would 15mins early
She got to work by 7:50, she congratulated herself for making it early, as she walked in she saw a lady who looked like she was in her mid twenties, she was a beautiful black woman with long braids tied into knot on the top of her head, she was about 5'8 in height and she had a slender body, she gave Hazel a small smile and walked towards her, outstretched her hand towards Hazel" hello, you're Hazel right the new employee? my name is Hailey and I'll be supervising you till you get used to your managerial duties, I will introduce you to all our workers later" Hailey went on and on about how she should come to her whenever she needed to ask about anything. Hazel shook Hailey's outstretched hand " your skin is so beautiful" Hazel blurted out. Hailey chuckled " thank you so much for the compliment and don't forget to let me know if you need anything, over there is your office",. Hazel followed her finger to see where she was pointing "but you need to come once in while to the lobby to see how things are going" Hazel nodded and thanked her for her help before entering her office where Hailey had pointed.
Her office was small but efficient, it had a desk and an office chair at the center, a coat hanger by the side, an apple laptop was resting at the center of her desk and that was pretty much everything she needed. this whole thing only felt real when she sat behind her desk and turned on her system.
Hazel lifted her head to check the time on her phone and it was 5:57 she rounded up for the day, gathering her things to go home, she heard a Knock on her door and she saw Hailey pop her head through the door "hey, I hope those files were not too much for you?" she asked "oh no, not at all" Hazel replied " I'm about to head home and also you have a live and breathing Derek Jones in the lobby waiting for you, girl how the heck did you pull that?!" immediately Hazel heard that name, her heart started beating wildly in her chest she felt a cold shiver run down her spine "how is that even possible?" she asked no one in particular for all she knows Derek doesn't even know where she lived talk more of her workplace, to say she was shocked was an understatement "are you sure Derek Jones was the person you saw? I highly doubt that" Hazel said to Hailey "I'm pretty sure no one in this town and beyond would mistake Derek Jones or even his Brother Sean for a stranger, that is impossible and you know it" Hailey stated as a matter of fact, Hazel slowly nodded because she knew her colleague was totally right. Hazel walked to the door to peek through the little opening Hailey made to poke her head through and there he was, casually leaning on the counter in all his glory, he had a black shirt on with a few button undone,the shirt was tucked neatly into his dark red pants with his tie hanging loosely on his neck, he had a black Italian shoe on, it's not like she knew much about shoes but where else could one get expensive shoes like that from "hmm hmm" Hailey cleared her throat to let her know she was still standing there "I'm so sorry " she gave her an apologetic smile " it's just that I never expected to see him here, hell I didn't even know I'd be seeing him again" Hazel said to Hailey "well I would have loved to see how this goes but I need to meet my boyfriend for dinner tonight. you got this" Hailey squeezed her shoulder and left. "See you tomorrow Hailey" Hazel called out and Hailey waved in return before disappearing from her sight, she just met Hailey today but it felt like they've known each other for a while.
Hazel adjusted her clothes picked up her bag and made her way down the stairs toward the counter where Derek was. "uhmm...hi....wh....wh....what are you doing here?" she stuttered, it took all the courage in her to make up a coherent sentence, the scowl that was always on Derek's face disappeared and he gave her a heart warming smile, this man had no idea what his smile does to her, she felt like her inside had turned to jelly, immediately her legs felt like it couldn't carry her anymore, she needed to get away from this man, he was bad news. She held his wrist to drag him outside, as she turned towards the door all eyes was on her, she stopped dead on her tracks, she never liked attention and now she felt like she was on the spotlight, her brain went on overdrive, her palm started sweat and she started shaking, Derek noticed what was happening and slowly led her outside towards his car, he opened the car door for her and turned to the driver's seat immediately he sat down he turned to look at her "angel what was that?" he asked with concern written all over his face "here have some water" he pulled out a water bottle, opened it and handed it over to her. Hazel collected the water and took a big gulp twice before handing it back to him. "Thank you" she said. " not problem" Derek said " now tell me what in god's name just happened" Hazel didn't really have the energy to talk but that commanding tone of his would make anyone one talk