The alarm clock fails to ring and Laura Lopez finds herself in a predicament she has not experienced in a long while. After years and years of being a consistent honor student, multi awarded performer and a seemingly perfect employee with perfect attendance in her company, she was now a tardy.
She then tries to squeeze her grooming hours in five minutes instead of the usual hours of prep. She rushes down from her apartment to the streets luckily getting the first taxi that passed by. On her way to work, she kept asking herself how did this happen?
From what she remembers, she was busy completing her reports until migraines strike again. Instead of popping a pill, she chose to take a power nap instead. A few minutes of rest might be what she needed to take the migraine away.
What was meant to be a few minutes of rest ended up being the full 6 to 7 hours of sleep. It was good for her body though but precarious for her career. It was these challenging times when promotions are up for grabs that minor mistakes could have grave consequences.
She then thought of these bizarre dreams she'd been having for months. It felt real and they were like a fairy tale series going through her mind. She thought perhaps it was due to stress. However, they made her emotional sometimes. She'd wake in the middle of the night unexpectedly crying.
Although she is considering going to seek medical help, she thought it will be gone once her stress subsides. After the race to promotions is done, she will seek professional help if it persists.
Nevertheless, she tried to be optimistic that traffic will run smoothly and that she would still make it just in time. As soon as she reached the scanner, she timed in just before the clock changed. Had she arrived a minute later, she would have been officially late.
She screamed at the top of her lungs and everyone looked at her. Immediately, they went back to their tasks. It wasn't like this before. They would all laugh at her funny antics and everyone greeting her as she reported for work. She used to be the office sweetheart until her rival came, her namesake Laura Lee.
Today is the day that the company will be announcing who gets promoted to senior project manager. Laura Lopez was hoping and praying that it would be her. At long last, the wait is over. Everyone was called to the hall. Most of her colleagues smiled at her wishing her luck but they were all crowding at Laura Lee as if she already got the part.
Soon the director appeared and announced Laura Lee as their new project manager. Everyone cheered gleefully except for her and another candidate who was expecting to be promoted too. Both have served the company for quite some time. Laura Lee arrived on their doorstep a few months ago. It did not seem fair to both of them but the director and their colleagues felt it was just.
Laura was not the type to give up. When the other candidate just walked out, she approached the director. "Excuse me, Sir, I'm just curious why Laura Lee?"
The director gladly answered. "Well, we believe she is qualified. Personally, I think she has the credentials and background suited for this kind of project. Plus, she has that charisma to inspire her team members."
Before she could reply, the director continued. "I hope you have no hard feelings. Besides, I have something in store for you. I haven't announced it yet because it's not happening soon but you are the most qualified for this project. If you need to take foreign language classes, then do so because your project is overseas starting next month and will last for 6 months.
" Sir, thank you but I feel it's a dead-end project. I feel it is better to have had a senior project manager here instead of just another errand abroad."
"Oh, but this is not just another task abroad. Aside from travel benefits, this project will put you on the map. It might even land you an executive position someday so I would like you to think about it, Laura. This is perfect for you." The boss emphasized.
"I already have Sir and I think it is time for me to move on. I will send you tomorrow my notice of resignation. It has been my pleasure working with you."
"Hey Laura, I've known you for so long. I think you are overreacting. Not so much of a sport but I know how hard-working you are. I'll let it slide. Maybe I can interest you in a dinner tonight with the team How's that?"
"I'm sorry but this time, it's not enough. Please don't get me wrong. I've been working so hard for so long because I want this. You know that. I have proven time and again, I am capable. If I'm still not qualified for the position then maybe my skills are really not suited for this place.
Maybe Laura Lee is truly perfect for you while I may be more suited for some other workplace. So, thank you Sir but this is non-negotiable." Laura walks to her desk while the director chases her.
"Okay Laura I accept your decision but this attitude will not bring you what you want. If you are truly decided on leaving, then we will let you go but I am still urging you to reconsider alright? If you still feel this way tomorrow, I'll accept your resignation letter."
Laura just nodded and thanked him. She then reached her desk and started working. During lunch, she called her fiance Steve.
Surprisingly, he did not pick up the phone. He seldom misses phone calls, especially ones that came from his fiancee. Laura thought maybe he is just busy.
Next, she tried to call her beloved best friend Kathleen. Maybe she'd be of comfort to her for they have been friends since childhood. Kathleen has always been supportive of her.
Alas, she too did not answer her phone. Laura knew Kathleen was on vacation but she just tried her luck. After all, she was fortunate earlier to evade being late so she was hoping she'd pick up. She wasn't so lucky this time.
Before she wrapped up her work for the day, Laura tried to call him twice again but there was no answer so she decided to pay him a visit. When she arrived and open his door, she did not expect to see her fiance and best friend together.
"Honey, I can explain." The surprised Steve tries to reason out. Kathleen remained silent but looked at her with eyes expressing remorse.
"I can't believe this." Laura was just stunned and felt numb.
Kathleen had to explain. "I'm sorry. We were supposed to tell you sooner."
"No, I trusted you both. You could have just..." She struggled to find the words. "How long has this been happening?"
"Last year," Steve said. "You wanted to meet us both but you never showed up. Kathleen and I stayed on and it started there. We realized we had so much in common and that we are more compatible. We just didn't have the courage to tell you sooner."
"You've been my friends since childhood. You were my first love, Steve. How could you do this to me? I'm beginning to wonder if this ring on my finger really meant something. It feels like a joke now." She takes it off and throws it at him. Tears soon escape her eyes.
"Laura, I -"
"Maybe it is my fault but I cannot. I'm sorry I cannot." She holds up her hand.
"Laura please hear us out," Kathleen explains.
"No. Stay where you are. Don't take another step towards me." Laura raises her hand as she walks backward reaching the door. She then speeds out to the streets and could not get a ride. When she sees Steve in pursuit of her, she luckily hitchhikes on the back of a motorcycle rider.
She blocks all her calls and chose not to report for work the next day. She sends her resignation letter and says that she needs to go immediately. She will be back to collect her other things. Knowing that Steve and Kathleen might show up at her doorstep, she goes out to visit her parents.
To her surprise, there was no one at home so she waited for her family. It looks as if her mom was doing a little bit of spring cleaning. As she was walking across the living room, she tripped on the television plug and hit a box sending papers flying overhead. She reached for them and tried to scoop them all when all of a sudden, she heard the car coming into the garage.
She could hear her mother's voice and that of her best friend. Laura quickly but carefully hid behind the wall.
"How're the children?"
"Jason is on a business trip while Laura is still working for the same company. I'm hoping she gets that promotion she's been looking forward to."
"Oh really?! You're so lucky with your kids."
"Yes, I never thought I'd be having Jason after that miscarriage. And Laura, she's always our achiever. She was literally heaven-sent. We found her and raised her like our own. "
In shock, she immediately left. She ran hurriedly out the door. In her confusion, she failed to notice she was already in the middle of the street and a speeding car hit her.