Chereads / The Boss’s Desire / Chapter 6 - Stroke of luck

Chapter 6 - Stroke of luck

I remember my elementary school days like it was yesterday. The school was famous in our neighborhood, and that's where I first met Sasha. It was so convenient because it was just a short walk from my house. The best part was that each grade had only one teacher, so we got lots of attention.

But things changed when we moved on to junior high and high school. The campuses were much bigger, and suddenly, money seemed to play a big role in defining social groups. It was like a whole different world. If you weren't part of the rich crowd, being exceptionally pretty or famous on social media could sometimes get you in with them. It's crazy how followers became more important than money to some people our age.

When my father passed away and my mother remarried, things took a turn for the worse. It was tough for me and everyone could see it. I never felt like I belonged to that crowd because I had to do whatever it took to take care of myself and avoid going hungry.

Sasha was my only friend during those difficult times. But everything changed when I joined the hockey team as a freshman and met Jamie. He was this rich kid at school but he was also genuinely kind and we became good friends. Some of the girls on the team accepted me especially after I proved myself to be the best player. But there were still some who treated me as if I was beneath them. It wasn't the typical bullying with name-calling or physical aggression in the hallways. However, the indifference was evident enough.

I enjoyed most of my times in school because of Jamie and Sasha, a lot of the happy memories I had in school were with them and of course Luke. Luke that asshole!

"Luke...!" I called out in my sleep, abruptly awakened by a jarring noise that shattered the tranquility of my slumber. Blinking my eyes open, I sought the source of the disturbance, only to find my gaze fixated on the glow of my phone screen. An SMS message had rudely interrupted my dreams. Annoyed, I mentally questioned why the sound had been so obnoxiously loud as I swiftly silenced it. Wanting to see its context, I eagerly delved into the message which, to my surprise, was from Sasha.

"Hi babes! I hope you're doing well. Remember that night at the club? Well, turns out I had to leave in a hurry. My dad called me up to represent him in a meeting all the way in New Jersey. I'm out of town for who knows how long. Take care of yourself, okay? Oh, and I sent you some cash so you can treat yourself. Love you!"

Sasha the perpetual traveler was always darting in and out of town, living that lavish lifestyle of the rich and famous. I couldn't help but think that's just what wealthy folks do, right? Grateful for her generosity, I hastily sent her a heartfelt thank you before lifting myself off the couch. A yawn escaped my lips as I glanced at the clock realizing it was nearly five in the evening. It seemed I had indulged in a lengthy slumber, but truth be told, I desperately needed it after the toll these past few days had taken on me.

As I reached for a drink in the fridge, my eyes caught sight of my laptop, still glowing with its screen on. A wave of uncertainty washed over me. Did I forget to close it? I couldn't quite remember. With a mix of anticipation and unease, I made my way to the kitchen counter. Amongst the clutter, sat an unopened email. My curiosity got the best of me and I clicked to open it not expecting much. After all, I had been jobless for what felt like an eternity. But what I discovered left me utterly stunned. It was an offer letter for the job I had applied to earlier today. The speed of the response was nothing short of miraculous and I could hardly believe my incredible stroke of luck.

I was beyond thrilled, so much so that I spun around until the world became a blur. Taking a moment to catch my breath, I carefully examined the email once more, absorbing every detail. To my surprise, it stated that I needed to start work tomorrow without delay. The suddenness of it all left me pondering the reason behind such urgency. Perhaps there was an unforeseen circumstance or a pressing need for my unique skills. I didn't even have a moment to process their decision or contemplate their company's practices. My mind was immediately consumed by the task of selecting the perfect outfit for tomorrow. Being thrust into the role of a personal assistant was completely foreign to me and I found myself struggling with uncertainty.

"What should I do?" I pondered, lightly caressing my cheeks and running my fingers through my hair. It suddenly dawned on me that it had been far too long since my last visit to the salon. Neglecting myself had become a common theme amidst the chaos of my life. It was high time I took charge and addressed both my unruly hair and lackluster wardrobe. The urgency to transform myself grew with every passing moment. With unwavering determination, I closed my laptop and strode purposefully towards my room, ready to embark on a journey of self-care and a significant change.

Unfortunately, it seemed that my room had become a bit disorganized since yesterday, adding to my already overwhelming state. I rummaged through my clothes, flipping them over in search of something suitable. All I could find were casual clothes as that had been my go-to style for everyday wear. I had once planned to invest in some work clothes when I first landed a job, but those plans had changed when I made the decision to prioritize Luke over my career.

But now, I was filled with regret, realizing that I didn't have a single outfit that made me feel confident. And my hair, oh, it was just a dull shade of brown that made me look so sorrowful and plain. I couldn't stand that look anymore. So, without hesitation, I reached for the hair dye I had tucked away on my shelf, a little gem from one of my shopping sprees. I knew it was time for a change. I had to do something drastic to transform my appearance, to feel like a whole new person. No matter what it took, I was determined to look different, to feel different.