CHAPTER 2: THE DAY I GOT FLUSTERED

A week had passed since that happened. Elowen woke up and did what she used to do. She took a bath and walked downstairs and saw her Auntie…

“Good morning Auntie.” Elowen said in her tired voice

“You look tired, what you’ve been doing over the past days?” Selene said looking concerned about her niece.

“Well, auntie….I want to study business.” Elowen said directly to Selene.

Selene ears suddenly throbbed at Elowen’s words and stopped what she was doing

“Why do you want to study business? Didn’t you say you want to be an Artist? That’s why I enrolled you in Arts School right? You also worked in an animation studio right? What changed your mind?” Selene said while smiling uncomfortably…..

“Ahm Auntie… Grandpa says that the CEO position is still open and he said that I should take the position…” She said looking confused about her auntie's actions.

Her auntie replied in her softly mad voice “Dad huh? You know, you should never listen to your grandpa, you should only listen to what makes you happy. Business is not for you. You should not take business classes.”

Selene walked toward the front door, stopped, and said “Don’t bring up this thing again.” Selene slammed the door and left.

Elowen was left confused by what her aunt said, she was surprised to see her Aunt’s anger, It was the first time.

“Maybe she’s tired.” Elowen said in her calm voice.

*ping* *ping* *ping* Elowen glances at her phone and sees a new message from her friend\, Ember.

Ember Gray: Hale! Where the hell are you? We’re already here, you’re the only one who’s not here!

Elowen look confused and thought ‘What the hell is she talking about’ suddenly her eyes widened and remembered that she has a team building today.

Elowen Hale: Oh my gosh! I totally forgot, I’m so sorry! Could you please wait for me for another 30 minutes? I’ll be there as fast as I can!

She grabs her jacket, her bag, and her car keys and checks her phone feeling guilty.

Ember Gray: You bitch! Do it faster. You’re the team leader and you’re late.

Elowen is in her car, driving quickly and carefully, glancing at the clock on the dashboard with a look of worry.

Elowen muttering to her self “Of all days to forget, Elowen….Why today?”

Her phone buzzed with a new message from Ember, and Elowen glances at it briefly when she was at a red light.

[Phone Message From Ember]:“They’re asking if you’re almost here. Hurry\, but drive safe!”

Elowen taking to herself “Come on, come on, green light………Let’s go!!

As the light changes, she accelerates, weaving through light traffic with purpose but staying careful, and her face a mix of concentration and worry.

Elowen nervously chuckling to herself “If I make it in 10 minutes, I owe everyone coffee. Seriously.”

She pulls up to the event location, parks quickly, and sighs of relief, grabbing her phone to send a quick message to her friend.

Elowen’s texting “I’m here! Running in now!”

She jumps out of the care, straightening her jacket as she hurries towards the entrance, her expression shifting to an apologetic smile.

Elowen rushes into the building, slightly out of breath. She spots her team gathered near the entrance, and they all turn to look at her as she walks up, trying to act casual but a bit embarrassed.

Ember smiled teasingly, and said,” Well, look here’s our team leader!” she whispered to Elowen and said, “Thought you’d decided to skip a team-building day.”

Elowen whispered and said, “I forgot we have team-building today” chuckled and turned around and said, ”I’m so sorry, guys! I totally lost track of time. Traffic didn’t help either!”

Supervisor looked, raising her eyebrow, and said in her irritated voice, “Glad you made it, Elowen.”

Elowen smirked with her supervisor and said “Thanks for waiting ma’am, didn’t know that you missed me.”

The team chuckles silently, and Elowen feels more relaxed and happy that they’re not upset. She joins the group, relieved to be there and determined to make the most of the day.

The team heads toward the activity area, with Elowen quietly falling in step beside Ember.

Ember whispered, giving her a playful nudge “You’re lucky, otherwise, we might’ve started without you with an angry supervisor.” Chuckles

Elowen whispered back, laughing softly “Guess I owe you an extra-large coffee, huh?”

They both chuckle silently, and they start doing the activity.

Night has come after their team building, the team already went into their rooms and Elowen wonders to the sea.

“I love this feeling of the breeze” she said looking at the sky, then suddenly she remembered the man he saw at the hotel.

She stood up from lying down and slowly walked towards her room when she saw a familiar face.

“I think I saw that man before, but when?” She whispered to herself

A man suddenly walked towards her

Elowen was shocked to see and said “No freaking way…. Is that---?”

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