"Ena. I bought this as an extra from this popular skincare brand. You should take it."
"Did you have a break yet? Let's go together."
"Oh, I baked these cookies myself. Have some!"
Her coworker's treatment towards her just changed overnight when their boss' secretary took her to the hospital the night of the anniversary party. She was so amazed by their immediate change that she wanted advice on how she can change her gloomy personality overnight too. Their manager changed in a way too that she is not constantly shouting at her. She just heard from her coworkers that she was talked to about her behavior toward her subordinates and was given a written warning.
"You know what, she deserves it. I am also getting sick of her high and mighty-attitude. She used to power trip everyone and that is why we can't say no to her or else she will make our lives miserable. Ena suffered the most because of it." Rachel said. One of her coworkers.
She was invited to lunch by the three popular girls in the office. Jenna, Rachel, and Kylie. They were having lunch at a restaurant close to the office.
"Hey, shut it. She may have some connections here." Jenna worriedly said.
"Sorry, Ena if we could not back you up before," Kylie said.
She shook her head strongly. She understands that they just don't want to suffer on the brink of their manager's unjustified wrath.
"So, anyway, I know this great salon and I got a discount ticket. You should go after work today. The ticket expires today." Rachel said, handing her the glossy piece of paper.
She looked excitedly at it.
"Really? But how about you?"
"My hair does not need any coloring now. I like it this way." Rachel said as she flipped her gorgeous healthy blonde hair.
"Thank you very much."
She went to the salon right away and told the hairstylist to just decide what color is best for her. It took four hours at least and to her shock, it was changed to neon orange.
"Waah- why? H-how did this- "
"Oh. This ticket is for the trial of the new neon series."
There was no one to blame so she just thanked the hairstylist, gave a tip, and went home. She looked at herself in the mirror and then at her wardrobe.
"I don't have any clothes to match this flashy color. I can not even change the color now because of possible damage. What am I to do tomorrow?"
She braided her hair and went to the office. It was the early morning rush and she was lucky to enter first in the elevator. She went to the far back and regretted her decision right away. Along with the other high-ranking members is the CEO, Aidan, who entered. If she was just the last, then she could have just stepped away and that would be completely understandable. She just tried to shrink herself as much as possible as the others talked inside.
"Gavin, move my meeting with Tessa to two and-" Aidan paused upon seeing the familiar neon orange color from the reflection of the elevator door. The woman had her head down and he could not distinguish who it was with some of the others covering her.
"Sir?"
"And book my flight for tonight."
"Yes sir."
She was already exhausted when she reached her department and she had forgotten that her hair was orange. Everyone became silent upon seeing her, and then they howled in laughter.
"What on earth happened to your hair? Seriously? Neon orange?" Ryan said with his usual booming voice.
She searched for Rachel, and she had this knowing smile. She then immediately figured out what was going on so she did not talk to them anymore and just went to her seat. They had their laugh until the afternoon, but they were back to their own businesses afterward.
She got out of the office later than everyone else because, even if she did her best to hide her emotions, her work performance did not follow. She got yelled at for all of her mistakes. She stepped out of the office and was greeted by a strong wind. She liked that weather and so she pulled out the scrunchie tying her hair and let her neon orange hair flow freely.
"At least my hair blends into the night."
"There will be a delay to your flight Sir. Would you like to have dinner first?"
"Yes."
Aidan stared out of the car window and his eyes widened.
"Stop the car!"
Gavin slowed down to get to the side, but he immediately got out of the car.
"Sir!" Gavin shouted, but he was already far away.
It was her. He was so sure but she just disappeared. He began running in the busy evening streets of the metropolitan area looking for the one whom he deeply longed for. He was running at full speed when he did not notice an oncoming bicycle rider. It was too late to stop but then a crushing weight pushed him to the side and all he could see before falling, was an orange light.
"Sir? Are you okay? Sir!!!"
He opened his eyes and saw her again the same way she was on the night she first appeared in his dream. Surrounded by bright neon hair looking down at him, feeling her weight pushing him down. He reached to touch her cheek and her eyes widened in surprise.
"Sir? Are you-mmmph!"
He pulled her down for a kiss and she wanted to push him away but his hold around her was too strong. The kiss was so deep that she was breathless when he finally released her.
"Now, you are mine."