Chapter Five

“what?!” Both Anne and Jacklin exclaimed at once.

“I know, I know, it was reckless. But I felt like I couldn’t say no.”

Anne nearly shrieked with delight, clasping her hands over her mouth to stifle her squeals. “oh, my gah, I cannot believe you actually did it! Are you guys going to see each other again? Are you going to be a sugar baby now?”

Rebecca throws a pillow at Anne, laughing. “oh, shut up! No, I don’t think we’ll see each other again. It was a one-night thing. I’m not looking for a sugar daddy or whatever.”

Anne nudges Rebecca playfully. “well, you never know. Stranger things have happened.”

“naa, I doubt. He was gone by the time I woke up,” Rebecca explains, her voice taking a thoughtful tone. “I don’t even know his name. I guess it was just one of those magical, spontaneous moments that happens once in a lifetime. But, as long as it doesn’t lead to anything too complicated, I’m good.”

Anne and Jacklin exchange a sympathetic look for their friend.

The three women had met during their freshmen year, bonding over a shared love for late-night study sessions, cheesy rom-coms, and the Twisted series by Ana Huang.

Over the years, their friendship only grew stronger, surviving everything from breakups, to cross-country moves. Even after graduation, they made it a point to schedule regular girl’s nights out, whether it was dinner at a trendy new restaurant or dancing at the hottest clubs. They were more than just friend; they were each other’s chosen family, always there to laugh, cry, and scheme together.

Jacklin, oozed confidence, sass, and a “take no prisoners” attitude. She had that effortless cool that most girls could only dream of, with her sleek, shoulder-length black hair and bold makeup.

Anne, was a fiery redhead with a contagious laugh and a heart of gold. Her bright smile and lively personality lit up any room she walked into, making her a natural magnet for new friends and admirers alike.

Anne, always seemed to be a never-ending high, with her bouncy, auburn curls and infectious enthusiasm. Whether she was dancing to her favorite song, sharing stories about her latest dating escapades, or cheering on her friends, Anne was the epitome of the girl next door with a hint of sass.

Rebecca, however, was the perfect balance between Anne’s bubbliness, and Jacklin’s cool confidence. She had an air of easygoing charm about her, with her long burnet hair and warm, olive skin.

“so, when’s the big job interview again?” Jacklin asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “are you going to nail it, and become the queen of real estate?”

Rebecca simply smiled, her fingers brushing against her forehead as if to push away the stress of the looming interview. “It’s on Monday, and I’m trying not to freak out about it,” she said with a nervous laugh.

“oh, girl, don’t worry about a thing,” Anne chimed in. “you’re smart, confident and way too pretty to fail. Plus, you’ve got us for moral support.”

As the evening hours crept in, Rebecca’s apartment grew silent. The buzz of conversation and laughter faded away, leaving only the gentle purring of Luna, curled up on the edge of the bed.

Rebecca stared at the ceiling, replaying the events of the night she had spent in the embrace of the stranger, her friends’ excitement, and the upcoming interview—it all swirled together in a whirlwind of thoughts in her head.

Exhausted, Rebecca finally drifted off to sleep with a deep sigh of longing, her dreams filled with images of the stranger’s piercing eyes and his strong hands caressing her skin.

Like a bitch, Monday morning finally came. It was the day of her oh so anticipated interview, if she landed this job, it could be a real game changer for her.

Sure, she’s had her ups and downs when it came to relationships, but jobs that fit her skills were so hard to come by. And, not to mention terrible bosses. But, somehow, Rebecca felt confident that this one would be different.

The Luxe Estate company was like a dream, not only did they pay well, but she’d also heard some pretty interesting rumors about the Boss. He was supposedly a really handsome man, and single too! But, that was beside the point.

Rebecca had high hopes for herself today, and with her degree in business, she was a shoe in for the position as a real estate broker associate at Luxe estate.

As the sun’s rays peeked through the curtains, gently nudging Rebecca out of her slumber. She rolled onto her side, groggily checking the time on her phone: 7:30am. She had just about enough time to get ready for the interview which was scheduled for 9am.

With a deep breath, Rebecca swung her legs over the edge of the bed and began her morning routine. The water in the shower was blissfully warm, soothing her nerves as she lathered her hair with shampoo, and ran a loofah over her skin. Despite the nights that had already passed since the incident with the stranger, Rebecca often caught herself recounting that night over and over again. She could still feel the ghost of his touch as the steam rose up. Shaking her head to clear her mind, she finally stepped out of the shower, not wanting to be late for the interview.

And for a little boost in confidence, she put on some music.

(Music recommendation: like it by Cardi B)

Taking off the towel wrapped around her head, she reached for her blow dryer, running it through her hair until it fell in soft, glossy waves down her back.

Next came her makeup, carefully applied to enhance her natural beauty. A subtle smoky eye, a swipe of mascara, and a light blush on her cheeks.

Dressed in her most professional outfit, a sleek black pencil skirt and a crisp white blouse, Rebecca gave herself a once over in the mirror. Feeling satisfied with her looks, she gave herself an approving nod.

She looked every bit the part of a successful, confident twenty-four-year-old woman, ready to take on the day-and interview.

On her way out the door, she spotted Luna stretched out on the couch, her green eyes following her cat mom as she slipped on a pair of heels.

“wish me luck,” Rebecca whispered, bending down to stroke the cat’s fur, she was soft and adorable, and Rebecca was almost tempted to stay back a little and play with the animal. “…as tempting as those eyes are, Luna, I’ve got to go now”

With one last deep breath, Rebecca stepped out the apartment and headed towards the nearest subway station, her heels clicking rhythmically on the pavement. The morning sun cast a golden hue over the city, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of optimism as she descended the stairs into the station.

She bought her ticket and boarded the train, the sound of the subway rumbling to life reverberating through the tunnels. As the train sped through the underground network, Rebecca watched as the stations flashed by, each one bringing her closer to her destination.

Pushing pass, the many people who where getting off the train when it had come to a stop, Rebecca caught sight of a rather frail old woman struggling with a heavy bag as she ascended the stairs, and being unable to just turn away, she offered the woman a hand, to which she was grateful for.

As the old woman frantically thanked Rebecca for her assistance, she looked down at her watch to be sure she still had time, and she did. As much as she hated dismissing the elderly, she was a bit pressed for time and smiled apologetically to the elderly woman before striding off down the opposite direction. Hopefully the old woman wouldn’t have any more troubles as she makes her way to wherever it was she was headed to.

As Rebecca walked, she couldn’t help but notice the many side eyed glances she got from the people that passed by her. From both men and women alike as their heads turned, drawn to her striking features and graceful bearing. Her blouse hugged her figure in all the right places, her pencil skirt showed just enough leg to catch the eye. But it wasn’t just her appearance that drew people’s attention.

There was something about Rebecca that exuded poise and elegance. Whether it was the subtle sway of her hips, the confident flip of her burnet hair, or the self-assured stride, she seemed to command attention without even trying. Her make up was flawless, her lips, glossy, highlighting the curve of her smile.

Rebecca felt the stares, and she embraced them. She knew she was beautiful, and today, she was determined to let the world know.

Back in her college days, Rebecca had been the quintessential “it” girl. She’d had a swarm of admirers always orbiting around her as she breezed through her college years, and with her best friends by her side to boost her confidence, it was a breeze.

Finally, Luxe estate was right over there, just a few blocks away. And with a few minutes to spare, her gaze fell on a quaint coffee shop at a corner, its colorful chalkboard menu promising warm drinks and fresh pastries. Her stomach growled at the thought of breakfast.

Unable to resist the temptation, she pushed its doors open. Unfortunately, there was line to order, but thankfully it wasn’t a long line. As Rebecca stood in line, pondering her order, whether to get a latte or cappuccino, an expensive sleek, black BMW M850i pulled up to the curb just outside the coffee shop. The engine purred to a stop, and moments later, the driver’s door swung open, revealing an elegant young man dressed in a perfectly-tailored suit. His gaze was hidden behind dark shades.

He emerged from the car with confidence, his stride smooth and effortless. His dark hair neatly styled, and his jaw was clean-shaven, accentuating his chiseled features.

And the moment he stepped onto the side walk, a ripple of whispers spread through the crowd. Women turned to look, their eyes drawn to the handsome face, and expensive suit. The sun caught his posh watch, glinting in the light as he walked. He was in a word, majestic.