Kyla was in her room. The back of her head rested on the pillow of her bed as she stared at the ceiling.
She lay there, thinking about what had happened a few hours ago. It was her one-night stand fling.
She was trying to pinpoint why she had just encountered him at Flamena Cosmetics, of all places.
"Did he follow me there?"
She shook her head in disagreement.
"No. That's not possible. We didn't even exchange names that night, let alone numbers. So, there's no way he could have looked me up online or tracked me."
"Or maybe it was just a coincidence. Maybe he also came there for an interview."
"Whatever. Who cares about him?"
An email notification suddenly came in.
"You have been offered the job you applied for at Flamena Cosmetics. You are hereby notified to start work at 8 a.m. on Wednesday."
Reading the good news, an overwhelmed Kyla rolled over the bed in complete joy.
---
At Flamena Cosmetics…
Kyla, smartly dressed in a buttoned-up white shirt, black palazzo trousers, and black heels, stood at the front desk, patiently waiting for the receptionist to direct her to her place of work.
The lady at the desk made a quick phone call.
"Mr. Damon, the senior director, is your boss. He's in his office on the second floor. When you get there, introduce yourself. I just informed him that you're coming, so he's expecting you."
"Alright, ma'am. I'll head there now."
Kyla made her way to the second floor.
---
At the Senior Director's Office…
Kyla knocked on the door. No one answered. She hesitantly pushed the door open and went in.
The room appeared empty.
"Is no one here?"
She glanced around, and after confirming that no one was present, she turned and decided to leave.
"Over here," said a voice behind her.
Surprisingly hearing the voice made her gasp.
"You! Again!"
It was Lynn, Again.
"What are you doing here? Were you sent to see the senior director too?"
"No."
He walked to a chair and sat down.
"I am the senior director."
Kyla was dumbfounded.
"Director?"
Ignoring her disbelief, he pulled out a file.
"It says here that you are Kyla Samuels. So, I'll address you as Miss Samuels. Is that okay?"
Still processing her shock, Kyla quickly regained her composure.
"Yes, yes, Sir."
He handed her another file.
"My schedule for the rest of the month is in here. Make sure you familiarize yourself with it. This is your office," he said, pointing to a door behind her. "That one's mine. All client calls go to you first. You'll connect me on the phone afterward. You know how to do that, right?"
"Yes, I do, Sir."
"Secretary Samuels," he said, brushing past her toward his office. The faint scent of her perfume and shampoo lingered, triggering a memory. It was the same scent from that night, two weeks ago.
Snapping out of his thoughts, he turned back briefly.
"Welcome to Flamena."
"Thank you, Sir," she replied.
Satisfied, Lynn nodded and disappeared into his office.
---
At Home…
"How was your first day at work?" asked Dora Samuels, 20, Kyla's younger sister.
Kyla lay on her bed while Dora sat beside her.
Dora usually stayed at the Hostel of the University she was attending in New Rednell and occasionally visited Kyla. This was one of those days.
"Let's not talk about that. How was your trip back home? What did you bring for me?" Kyla asked Dora, without answering her own question.
"I brought myself!"
They both laughed.
"Silly girl," Kyla said, playfully throwing a pillow at her.
Dora, now in full retaliation mode, grabbed the pillow and threw it back at her. Soon, They were engrossed in a playful pillow fight.
---
After a while…
"Are you avoiding my question? How was your first day at work?"
"And I said, I don't want to talk about it."
"Why? Was it that bad?"
"Okay, fine. It wasn't bad. Satisfied now?"
"Yeah, whatever."
"Dad and Mom asked when you're planning to visit them. It's been a year since you last visited Luneria," Dora said.
"I've been busy with school and everything, and you know that."
"School? You mean the one you graduated from, five months ago? Work? The one you just got?"
"With school, I was busy running around to get my transcript and certification. You know how it is. And as for work, I had to take up menial jobs to make ends meet before landing this one. I've really been busy."
"But that shouldn't stop you from visiting your parents."
"I'm sorry. I'll try to visit them before the year ends. I promise."
"You can do whatever you like. Not my business."
Kyla moved closer, trying to hug her. Dora avoided the hug.
"I said I'm sorry."
Kyla said and tickled her playfully until She burst into uncontrollable laughter.
---
At the Bar…
Lynn and Troy sat at their usual spot, chatting over drinks.
"I'll get that girl. I always get what I want. I'll use the Lynn charm on her, and she'll fall deeply for me," Lynn declared confidently.
Troy laughed.
"Keep dreaming, bro."
He suddenly shut his eyes, pretending to be a prophet.
"I see a vision. That fish is hard to catch—or maybe it can't be caught?"
Opening his eyes, he smirked.
"Just forget her, bro."
"Even if she's the hardest fish to catch, I, Lynn Ray Damon, will get her," Lynn said determinedly, ignoring Troy.