Lonely At the Top

le the day that lays ahead. First, she makes her way to the bathroom, grasping her toothbrush firmly, diligently scrubbing away any remnants of sleep. With each stroke, her pearly

As she stands in front of the mirror, admiring her reflection, her phone chimes with a familiar tone. It is a call from her boyfrie

. She knows the routine by heart, playing the part of a devoted partner.

e affection. It is the kind of greeting that once made Amelia's

er voice tinged with the remnants of

ds brimming with adoration. But his words feel hollow

e day?" she asks, attempting

replies. His answer mirrors the monotony of their

ration captivating her attention. She yearns for the courage to break free f

bling with the weight of her hidden truth. "Maybe we shou

nty dancing between the two lovers. Amelia holds her b

tammers, his voice cracking with confusion

in her for so long now bubbling to the surface. The m

. "I think it's time for us to go our separate ways. We've grown

ffic outside Amelia's window. In that quiet moment, the weight of thei

a mix of resignation and sorrow. "I suppose I can't force

aused pain to the person she once loved. But she also knows that staying i

ce tinged with regret. "But we both deser

th sadness. The morning light now holds the promise of a new beginning, a chance for h

make ends meet. She is the oldest of four siblings, constantly wrangling her mischievous brothers and sisters, their laughter echoing through their m

her past, to prove that beauty and resilience can coexist. And as she steps out into the world, her head held high, Amelia knows

****

ess skirt, does not help. Cell phones ring and the fleeting sound of the lift door opening breaks up the sound of a

tly and firmly behind my ear, and straighten the folds on my skirt. My gaze quickly flies over th

e masked by a vivid red li

win, you can

fake smile, which covers my

ank

the massive wooden door, the walls c

s of others. A ticket to my freedom. I knock three times and th

me i

he huge door. I also straighten my body. I shou

you for returning my call and all

k, nearly expressing how important this is to

his eyes off mine, as if reading my tho

seat, Mis

begging, but your persistence and the way you have written t

are I had, leaves my throat the moment

o prior experience in this line of work because I don't know what

g on my dismal sky full of black, thick clouds

portunity, I promise,

ch squeaks from his weight. He makes a thin, straight moti

workplace in the morning. You will therefore be responsible for organizing the materials for all of my meetings, as we

tiffen and if I want to, I can't change its expression. I'm enter

, sir. Thanks again

ds and thus put a stamp and signature on our agreement.

alk past Victoria, the secretary with the fake smile, I pa

ow at 8 am exactly. I welcome

s to a small child that she is not happy to look at me every day

easure i

s, revealing platinum walls. The elevator doors open and close, re

a long time, my body is relaxed and like jelly. The ringing sound of the elevator door opening and the sig

ding in my path, I collide with an unexpected force, sending the paper

ng the marble floor below us, an angry face

chanting blue eyes that mesmerize me with their depth. His black, styled h

me, and just when I want to apologize and collect the papers that hav

what y

we bump into each other?! I certainly would

rdon

tting the places where his gaze passes like a razor. The tips of ou

ly bend down and pi

ing his eyes at me. Then says

ediat

der. What does

de, I don't want

d, azure heavens. His firm hold pulls me back as I try to pass past him while trying to

instilling in me a mixed feeling of

nt to play wi

that I am looking him straig

ou, I'll be an ars

nfuriating stranger leaves me both shaken and intrigued. Stepping onto the bustling city streets, the papers I unintentionally scatter fr