Not Me!!!

The next day, Kiara bid farewell to the familiar streets of San Francisco, embarking on a road trip down the picturesque Californian coast toward the City of Angels.

The winding roads snaked alongside the rugged cliffs, offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean that seemed to stretch endlessly into the horizon.

As she drove southward, each turn revealed a new vista, a fresh glimpse of nature's grandeur.

The sun dipped and danced upon the ocean's surface, casting an ethereal glow on the landscape, painting the scene with hues of amber and gold.

Her journey became an immersive experience, the cool breeze carrying the salty scent of the sea, and the distant sound of crashing waves creating a soothing melody.

Kiara found herself captivated by the beauty of the journey itself, every mile marking her transition from the familiar to the unexplored.

Amidst this enchanting drive, Kiara's excitement for her new job and the vibrant energy of Los Angeles grew with every passing mile.

Yet, her anticipation was tinged with a hint of nervousness, a feeling of stepping into the unknown.

A palpable wave of relief washed over Kiara the moment her tired eyes glimpsed the sprawling cityscape of Los Angeles, soothing the fatigue accumulated from the long, meandering drive.

As she stepped into her new apartment, a sanctuary amidst the urban hustle, her first instinct was to shed the weariness with a brisk shower.

Turning her attention to the task at hand, Kiara embarked on transforming her living space into a haven of comfort and familiarity.

With meticulous care, she began hanging the art pieces and picture frames she had lovingly transported from her previous home in San Francisco.

Each stroke of the hammer, each alignment of a frame, carried a whisper of nostalgia, infusing the sterile walls with her personal touch, her essence.

Kiara meticulously mapped out her strategy, her gaze already fixed on the horizon of possibilities, she eagerly anticipated the dawn of a new day, one that would see her venture forth into the bustling heart of the city, prepared to visit the Mall the next day.

_ _

The morning sun painted streaks of golden light across the skyline, signaling the dawn of Kiara's first full day in the City of Angels.

Eager to acquaint herself with her new surroundings, she set out with purposeful strides, the vibrant pulse of the city echoing her own anticipation.

Entering the bustling mall, Kiara found herself enveloped in a whirlwind of sights and sounds, each storefront beckoning with promises of discovery.

As she navigated the labyrinthine aisles, her keen eye sought out not just the latest fashion trends or technological marvels, but the tools and resources that would empower her professional endeavors.

Amidst the sea of bustling shoppers, Kiara's focus remained unwavering, her mind a tapestry of plans and aspirations.

With each item meticulously selected, each purchase a calculated investment in her future success, she felt a sense of purpose coursing through her veins.

As she browsed through clothing racks, the bustling mall suddenly became a stage for an unexpected encounter.

In the distance, amidst the crowd, Darren and his notorious friend Kyle also strolled through the mall's corridors. Kyle, known for his playful yet sometimes insensitive advances, spotted Kiara.

With a mischievous smirk, he penned a note, intending to tease and attract her attention. The note, however, carried a tone that misconstrued his intentions, prompting Kiara to question its sender.

Kiara's steps faltered as she read the note, as confusion knitted her brows in a puzzled expression.

She turned to the worker who handed it to her, her expression was uncertain.

"Who gave this to you?" she inquired, her voice tinged with curiosity.

The worker hesitated, gesturing subtly towards a figure amidst the crowd.

"The guy with the blue shirt" she said.

Darren had also put on a blue shirt, just as Kyle did.

Kiara became surprised, her strides purposeful as she made her way toward him, all she thought was her readiness to confront the situation.

"Excuse me," she began, her tone carrying a hint of hesitation as she approached Darren.

"Why did you send this note to me?" She said, a little bit concerned about the stranger before her.

Darren, caught off guard by Kiara's inquiry, blinked in surprise.

"No, that wasn't me," he responded, a note of confusion in his voice as he denied any involvement.

Kiara's confusion deepened.

"Then who did? The worker over there said it was you." Her words held onto a sense of bewilderment, seeking an explanation for the mysterious note from this unfamiliar person.

Kiara's voice boomed as she declared,

"If your role is to pen flirtatious notes to women, spare me the trouble."

Her statement drew stares from those nearby. Making Darren look around with shame in his eyes.

She punctuated her statement by flinging the note directly at him.

Before Darren could say anything further, a flurry of emotions—confusion, frustration,—swept over Kiara.

She felt overwhelmed and not wanting to prolong the awkward encounter with a stranger.

She then hastily walked away, leaving Darren equally puzzled, unable to explain the misunderstanding before she disappeared into the bustling crowd of the mall.

Kiara went back and searched through the dresses she had selected in the boutique, her mind seethed with indignation at the audacity of the man who thought he could approach any woman for a "nice time." "Not me," she muttered under her breath.

Meanwhile, Kyle emerged from the restroom, checking in with the staff he had entrusted with a note for Kiara.

Confirming she received it, he breathed a sigh of relief—only to be unexpectedly accosted by Darren, who took issue with Kyle's actions, leading to a confrontation.

"What did you just do Kyle? I've told you not to involve me in whatever games you wanna play, now you've gotten me into a situation where I find it hard to clear myself."

"What's the bug all about Darren, I played a simple game, who got you involved?"

"A lady walked up to me saying I gave her a note, and I'm just realizing it was actually you." Darren said with his hands rubbing his hair, as he thought of his next plan to get himself out of the situation.

"But how is it my fault, the worker should be blamed not me?, Kyle said In defense of his action.

With an air of arrogance, Darren scoffed at the misunderstanding. "Why would I even bother with her?" he boasted, his voice dripping with superiority.

"That woman would feel lucky If I made advances. She's not even my type!" His smug demeanor hinted at a belief that any woman he approached should consider herself fortunate, yet he dismissed Kiara as beneath his interest.

Darren therefore embarked on a determined quest, traversing the maze of stores and passageways in pursuit of Kiara.

"She needs to know I didn't do that," he declared, the haughty tone underscoring his certainty.

His brows furrowed with intent, scanning the faces that ebbed and flowed around him, each person a potential clue to her whereabouts.

The ambient hum of voices and the soft echoes of footsteps intermingled with the melodic tunes wafting from nearby stores, creating a symphony of bustling activity.

Darren's focused gaze darted from one corner to another, his strides purposeful as he navigated the clusters of shoppers.

Finally, amidst a cascade of shoppers strolling by, he caught a fleeting glimpse of Kiara's distinctive profile.

She moved swiftly, her determined stride carrying her towards the mall's exit.

Darren's heart raced with urgency; he quickened his pace, attempting to close the distance.

However, fate seemed to conspire against his efforts.

A surge of weekend shoppers flooded the walkway, creating an impenetrable barrier between them.

He tried to navigate through the sea of bodies, but each attempt was met with resistance as the throng pressed in, unknowingly obstructing his path.

His eyes locked onto Kiara's figure, the hope of reaching her dwindling with every passing moment. As he pushed against the current of people, the gap widened.

Time became a cruel antagonist, mocking his efforts as the vibrant whirlwind of the mall swallowed Kiara whole, leaving Darren stranded amidst a sea of oblivious shoppers, his chance to rectify the misunderstanding slipping through his grasp.

Darren, with his jaw clenched in frustration, approached the counter where Kiara had just made her purchase. He leaned in, his voice low but urgent.

"I need to get in touch with the person who made a payment a few minutes ago. Can you give me her details?"

The attendants, impeccably dressed and composed, exchanged a glance.

One of them, a young woman with a sympathetic smile, replied, "I'm sorry, sir, but we can't disclose customer information due to our privacy policy."

Darren's frustration was palpable.

"This is important. I need to reach her. It's urgent," he insisted, hoping to sway their decision.

The other attendant, a man with a reassuring tone, chimed in,

"We completely understand, sir, but our policy is strict for everyone's privacy and security."

The attendants exchanged a sympathetic look, acknowledging Darren's predicament without being able to offer any further assistance.

Darren, feeling defeated, stepped back, frustration etched on his face.

With a sigh heavy with annoyance, Darren muttered under his breath, "Damn! Kyle really dropped the ball on this one."