Sunlight poured through the window and the room turned bright as ever. As the rays lingered on my face, I slowly pushed myself out of bed and slid my feet into my super comfortable slippers.
Sounds like the beginning of a fairytale, right?
Until I stood up and immediately slipped and fell on the marvelous floor. Ugh. Anyway, I went in for a shower and showered as if I was shooting a soap advertisement-only that I wasn't. Due to my little washroom shoot, I was late. AGAIN. I threw on my clothes, stuffed a banana in my mouth, locked the house, and ran for my life.
The walk from my apartment to the office was rushed, messy, and powered entirely by mild panic. Why am I always late? Directed by my stupidity. I yanked my bag higher on my shoulder, nearly tripped over my own feet twice, and checked the time so often my phone was probably tired of me. I weaved through the roads, half-jogging, half-apologising under my breath as I bumped into people. Somewhere between crossing the street and mentally apologising to my rent for being late again, I reminded myself that this was temporary. I was an educated, overworked, underpaid professional on her way to do Very Important Things. Mostly with earthworms. I could survive all this. I always did. Even if my day started with a fall, a banana and absolutely no dignity.
"You're late again. What's the excuse for today?"
"I was feeding my dog."
"Elara, you don't have a dog."
Uh-oh. How did she know?
"My neighbour's dog actually. They're out of station. You know I'm a responsible neighbour and um-"
"Go to your place and start working."
"Thank you, ma'am."
I ran hurriedly to my desk and collapsed into my chair. I was working on this super exquisite forensic research about earthworms while my best friend was living the perfect life. Cancer research, millionaire boyfriend, weekends in Italy. Wow. Why was I stuck at this stupid German forensic company? I'm not jealous- just saying I deserve a proper Disneyland vacation for the best research on earthworms. Duh.
***
Finally, it was time for lunch. I was dangerously close to dying, had my stomach not been saved by highly unhealthy but insanely tasty food reserve from Müllet's. I ordered a taco and large fries. I mean all I could do was eat and sleep like a pig. The only place my wallet and my taste buds had mutually agreed on since I moved here was Müllet's. Cheap, filling, and blessedly non-German. No complicated names, no mysterious sauces that smelled like the worst thing to slide down the throat, just honest grease and a bit of calories. They had the kind of burgers that left your fingers shiny and your conscience questioning its life choices. Atleast I did question my conscience.
I stood outside Müllet's for a solid minute, eating like someone who didn't know when her next proper meal would be. Ketchup smudged on my thumb, while I pretended this was a "treat" and not a financial strategy. Broke people like me don't count calories, we count coins.
I started walking back to the company but took the longest route possible, because food tastes better when you're delaying reality. My stomach was finally quiet, my soul was moderately happier, and I was already planning how long I could survive on instant noodles before my body filed a formal complaint. I spotted a park and decided to rest my ass. Anything to escape earthworms for ten minutes.
That's when a guy came and sat next to me. Mind you- HE WAS GORGEOUS.
Brown eyes. Messy hair brushing his brows. A jawline that looked so perfect. Oh my god. Who was this Greek god? I think he realized I was practically drooling because he looked at me, straight into my eyes, then calmly returned to his book.
Rude. Attractive, but rude.
I was so distracted by him that I didn't notice the two muscular, tall guys watching him from a distance.
"Your bodyguards are a bit shy, I guess," I said. "They can stand next to you, but they chose to hide near the... bushes?"
"Bodyguards?"
He glanced at them and his jaw tightened.
"We gotta run."
What? No way.
"We?" I scoffed. "No way, Just because you look good doesn't mean I'm following you like a blind puppy. I don't even know you, man. Go save your ass. I'll save mine."
Before he could stop me, I turned around- and nearly walked straight into a tall guy blocking my way. Of course there was a guy blocking my way. There's always a guy blocking the way when life starts getting interesting. Tall, broad, built like he drank the whole protein shake factory. He stared at me like intimidation was supposed to work.
It didn't. Mostly because my brain was busy wondering if this counted as cardio for the day.
"Let her go, she doesn't even know me, she has nothing to do-"
I punched the stupid bodyguard and he broke a tooth. To be fair, he stepped closer like he expected me to freeze or scream or dramatically rethink my life choices. Instead, my feet shifted slightly on their own, balance settling like it had done this before. Don't ask me why. My hand just...went.
"You don't have to protect me, little prince," I said. "Save your own butt."
I might've enjoyed saying that a little too much. The gorgeous guy blinked, clearly trying to decide whether I was brave, stupid, or mentally unstable. Fair question.
The second fake bodyguard lunged at me like he'd watched too many action movies and thought choking was a personality trait. I sighed. Men really need to start protecting that area better. I kicked his balls so hard he nearly threw up, punched him once more for good measure, and shoved him back against the bench.
I pulled out my pocket knife- because obviously I carry one, mostly for stubborn packages or protection against stupid bodyguards- and passed it to the devastatingly handsome guy. He stared at the knife, then at me, like I'd just handed him a personality upgrade, before taking care of the remaining fake bodyguards.
"Let's run before I have to pay for breaking those benches," I said, already moving. "I'm very broke."
He nodded, and we ran toward his car.
I opened my mouth to say something, but he shut me up.
"I know what you want to ask. I'll fill you in later."
"Um, no," I said, sliding into the seat. "I was saying we should wear seatbelts. We can't die, you know. I still have to go to Disneyland."
He stared at me.
"Have you always been this annoying?"
"Yep."
"Now may I have the honour to start the car and fucking run?!"
"Yep."
Wow. He looked even sexier when he was furious.
I was enjoying this. As long as I didn't have to research earthworms.
Oh. My miserable life.