The sun blared through Jade’s window as she unpacked her last box of things for her new apartment in the new city. Moving out of her parent’s home and across the country was a big step in her newly found adult life, but it was for the better. Finally free from the grip of her parents, she sighed as she sat on her bean bag in her living room.
“Hey, Jayden, right?” her roommate excitedly questioned.
“Yeah, but you can call me Jade. It’s nice to finally meet each other face to face, Niara,” I smiled as she sat on the couch.
“Oh my goodness, agreed. You can call me Nia, by the way. Are you going to college?” She asked, wanting to get to know me.
“Yeah, actually, it’s my last year. What about you?”
“Your last year? Are you in a two-year college?” She questioned.
“No, I graduated high school at 16 and am graduating right before my 20th birthday,” I said, and her eyes gleamed in delight.
“So cool!” she yelped in excitement, making me chuckle.
“Are you in college?” I asked, and she shook her head no, taking a sip of her drink.
“I went to a trade school and became a medical assistant, best decision ever,” she said, very relieved about her choices.
“I wanted to, but my parents didn’t let me, so,” I shrugged as I stood once more with a stretch of my arms above my head.
“Do you have any jobs lined up?” Niara asked me before I could walk away.
“Yeah, actually, I start tomorrow as a personal assistant for this guy. His name is Ace,” I said as her eyes grew fearful.
“Like the Alexander Phantom?” she was barely able to utter the words.
“Uh, yeah, I guess,” I shrugged, confused by her fearful voice.
“He’s dangerous, please be careful around him, Jade,” she said, genuinely concerned for me.
“I will, thank you for the warning, Nia,” I said, a smile forming on my face before walking toward my room.
The next day arose, my ear-splitting alarm violently awakening me. I sighed before getting myself up and into a cold shower. Now awake and showered, I stepped back into my room and began to look for clothing. I put on these black pantsuit bottoms with a white long sleeve and a tan vest on top and some black Jordan 4s. I grabbed my purse, exiting my room, closing the door behind me.
Walking over to the kitchen, Nia had made coffee earlier that morning, and it was still warm, so I helped myself to a cup and sent her a thank you text. Walking out, I locked our front door and headed to the elevator. I could hear my shoes tap on the floor. The draft in the hallway made me shiver a bit as the sun hit my face while waiting for the elevator. Finally getting to the garage floor, I walked over to my car and soon drove off. Playing music as I drove, singing along, I got to the office, parked in my spot, and went into the lobby. I got onto the elevator with this woman. She had 6-inch stilettos with a pink pencil skirt and a white top. She looked at me and chuckled.
“What’s funny?” I questioned, annoyed, looking at her.
“Nothing, your outfit is just too cute,” she mocked, laughing some more.
“Who are you to talk about me? You’re wearing the ugliest color of pink, black stilettos, and a white shirt. You don’t even match,” I stated. She looked me dead in my eyes, her expression now angry.
“Do you know who I am?” She asked.
I laughed. “Am I supposed to?”
Reaching the top floor, her stilettos angrily clicked off of the elevator and wherever she had to go. I took a deep breath before continuing to where I had to go, finding the same lady in my boss’s office. I knocked before entering, and Ace was laughing at the lady.
“Good morning, boss,” I said.
Out of breath, my boss turned to me and said, “You’re so funny.”
“Me?” I questioned.
“Yes, you! Not only funny but correct, Linda, you’re fired, and she’s your replacement,” he said so coldly; it gave me goosebumps.
“What! I have done nothing wrong for you to fire me,” she yelled at him, but he just gave her this odd, terrifying look, and she sighed, walking out of the room.
“Your desk is in that room. If I call you, you’re close enough to hear me but able to create your own space. You also get a complimentary tablet to keep track of my schedule and set up my schedule as well,” he said, passing me a white brand-new iPad.
“Okay, thank you so much,” I said, standing.
“Today should be pretty easy since it’s your first day,” he said, then ended the conversation, banishing me to my new office.