mi

t just r

o! No

of work! I quickly bent down to pick it up, my heart slamming against my ribs like a jackhammer. As I unlocked

o believe it was just a kind gesture. But deep down, I knew it wasn't. This was Stephano Maddens we were t

his can't be happening. Not today, not ever." I felt like I was going

Just staying in bed, hiding under the cove

money, I needed the job. I had bills to pay, rent to cover, and a life to live. I couldn't just let Stephano Maddens run me out of town

. "Let's think this through, Camilla. Maybe it's not as bad as you thi

tephano Maddens we were talking about. He hadn't changed. He was still the

ut that would only delay the inevitable. I had to face him eventually. But maybe I could pretend I had a family emergency? No, that wouldn't work, I'd have to pr

at didn't work? What if I was stuck with him as

elf. "You got this. You can do this. Just go to work, do your job,

I knew it was just the beginning

the clock, my eyes widening in horror. The bright red numbers glaring at me. It spelt: 7:45 AM. I

his couldn't

ands shaking slightly. But as I unlocked my phone, my heart

ou are destined to have a bad day today. Running late on your firs

my cheeks burning with embarrassment. How could I be so stupid? I thought I had

And that's when I saw it. The alarm was set for 6:00 PM. Not 6:00 AM. I felt like scre

, you're

ibling who wouldn't leave me alone. "You're going to be late, you're going to get fired

that I was running late. "Stupid alarm clock! Why didn

AM. I was supposed to be at work in thirteen minutes. Stephano already had i

e thought I wasn't taking this job seriously? The

et ready. But my mind was a jumble of worst-case scenarios. What if I tripped and fell on my way there? What i

I have to be so stupid and set the alarm fo

atching me walk in late? I could almost see the smug look on his face,

my mind was still racing. "But what if I'm really

getting ready. You can do this. Take a deep breath and focus on one thing a

*

f the cab - 9:05 AM. My throat tightened. Getting fired had seemed like a real possib

thering to iron it. And the skirt... ugh, the skirt was a nightmare. It clung to my hips and made my bum feel like it was o

firm that had once belonged to Elvis, but was

ting the collar for what felt like the hundredth time. My eyes

my tight skirt riding up even further. I tried t

and out here all day, a

to calm my nerves. "No, of co

. "Then get moving, Camilla! You're already

rs into a fist an

und, avoiding eye contact with my colleagues. I didn't want to draw attention to myself, esp

rning, C

, J

nd chat, not now. I quickened my pace, my heart racing with anxiety. I was alr

ia," I muttered, n

ator and make my escape. I could feel Julia's curious gaze on me, but I refused to meet he

didn't want to talk to her, didn't want to explain my tardiness or my frazzled state. So I di

nd exhaling a sigh of relief as the doors shut behind me. I

I exhaled, I

ed to grace us with their presence. You'r

no Ma