A maid for the alpha

It was a summer unlike any other. The scorching sun seemed to have abandoned the sky, descending to hover ominously close to Earth. Its relentless rays sucked the moisture from the already arid air, leaving the planet parched and barren. The once-lush leaves of the trees now adorned a dry, desolate brown, as if wrinkled by the relentless heat. The wind, if it can be called that, made sporadic appearances without offering much respite.

In Lack Heart, the heat was not just uncomfortable but exhausting, a yearly ordeal borne solely by the privileged residents of the gated community. As they reveled in their opulence, I couldn't help but fantasize about a different kind of life – one that revolved around love and one of the eligible bachelors from the affluent Jacob's family. I yearned for my dreams to manifest in reality, desiring the grand houses, elegant cars, and fashionable attire that symbolized their luxurious existence. Above all, I longed to embrace life's joys and savor every blissful moment it had to offer.

As the clock on the wall jolted me back to reality, I realized that my lunch break had come to an end. The store brimmed with customers, and the diligent staff hustled to deliver impeccable customer service. Every month, the stakes were raised as a single employee would be crowned the coveted title of "Employee of the Month" along with a generous bonus.

The wall displayed the faces of the previous three winners, each of whom had earned the admiration of their colleagues. However, one face stood out prominently, adorned with a dimpled smile and captivating blue eyes. Others begrudged her success, longing to claim the title for themselves, enticed by the allure of the accompanying bonus.

For the third consecutive month, the prestigious title fell upon my best friend, Sasha Bluehill. Her infectious smile was like a ray of sunlight, but her gloating resembled that of a devil's advocate. She took every opportunity to brag about her accomplishment, delighting in rubbing her success in the faces of others.

In recent weeks, however, Sasha's behavior had taken an unexplainable turn. The excitement that once defined our friendship gradually waned, leaving me perplexed. Despite it all, I always believed I could count on her. She had been there for me during countless ups and downs, and my heart overflowed with love for her – she was my best friend, after all. Though she betrayed my trust with false accusations not long ago, and even though she denied it, I found it within me to forgive her.

Was I wrong to forgive her so easily, or would I live to regret my speedy decision? These questions hovered over my thoughts, and I had to refrain myself from pondering on them. After all, she's my best friend, and I love her.

The day was fading, and my shift had come to an abrupt end. I slammed my locker bitterly, feeling sad and disappointed that despite all my hard work, I didn't win. The bonus would have been a huge help as I had been wanting to move out of my crappy apartment.

"Hey, some of us are going to hang out at the bar for a drink and to celebrate. Are you coming?" Sasha asked excitedly, a flourish smile all over her face.

''Sure.''

"Are you OK? You seem a little sad. Is something wrong?" Sasha inquired, her concern evident on her face.

"No, I'm okay."

"Are you sure? You know I'm here for you if you want to talk, right?"

"Yeah... Thanks, Sasha."

"Come on, girl, we are going partying," Sasha said playfully, her words and peaceful smile changing the mood in the room.

"So where are we partying tonight?" I asked, trying to get into the mood.

"The Mystic Lounge, of course!"

We grabbed our things and left for home to freshen up. Soon, Sasha, a few people from work, and I arrived at the club. It was pure fun, and we all had a spectacular night.