Mr Stalker

Kiara returned to her apartment laden with bags and boxes, feeling the day's weight heavy upon her, with tangible symbols of her readiness to embark on her journey at he new place of work.

The gentle creak of the door echoed through the quiet space as she stepped into her sanctuary.

With a deep sigh, she let the stress of the day slowly dissipate, the sound mingling with the serene ambiance of her cozy abode.

"First day in Los Angeles and I encountered that?" She muttered under her breathe with a bit of anger.

Her entrance into the familiar space was met with a comforting embrace.

Methodically, she began the ritual of settling in, meticulously organizing her belongings with a practiced hand.

Each item found its designated place in a symphony of familiarity, a prelude to the significant event awaiting her the next.

In the anticipation of this pivotal moment, a subtle blend of nerves and excitement danced in the air around her.

She meticulously laid out her attire for the next day, the clothing neatly arranged as though poised to embrace the dawn of a new chapter in her life.

As the evening began to wane, she found solace in the haven of her kitchen.

The aroma of familiarity enveloped her—a harmonious blend of herbs, spices, and memories that Aunt Meyer had taught her.

She navigated the culinary landscape, taking grasp of her ingredients and utensils.

Yet, amid the serene symphony of her culinary preparation, Kiara found herself unable to banish the unwelcome visitor that lingered in her thoughts: Darren's audacious intrusion earlier in the day.

Her contemplative expression reflected the turmoil within as she stirred the bubbling pot on the stove.

The fragrant spices danced around her, teasing her senses, yet failing to distract her from the persistent thoughts of Darren's unexpected and bold actions.

Despite her determined efforts to immerse herself in the culinary artistry, Darren's presence remained an uninvited guest in the intimate space of her thoughts

The memory of his intrusion hovered like an unresolved chord, disrupting the harmony of her evening routine.

_ _

Rising with a newfound zeal the following morning, Kiara fastidiously adorned herself, meticulously crafting an ensemble that radiated both professionalism and flair.

Summoning a cab, she embarked on a journey filled with anticipation.

Upon arrival, she gracefully settled the cab fees, the crisp morning air adding to the sense of beginning.

She swiftly made her way into the office, greeted by the hustle and bustle of a vibrant workplace, with her colleagues extendimg warm welcomes, recognizing her as a captivating addition.

Amidst the labyrinth of desks, she located her open office, surrounded by partners on every side – a spatial dynamic echoing the collaborative nature of her new professional chapter.

With purposeful poise, she commenced shaping her workspace, infusing it with an air of efficiency and her own unique touch.

"Hello, my name is Kayla, and you?"

Kayla extended greetings seeing that she had a new colleague as a neighbour.

"Kiara! my name is Kiara, and it's a pleasure to meet you," replied Kiara with a congenial smile.

"Nice meeting you too! Welcome to Starvision Studios," Kayla chimed in, the pride of belonging evident in her welcoming words.

"Thank you," Kiara responded, her enthusiasm palpable as she retrieved files from her bag, ready for the day.

As the conversation flowed, Kayla, with a spark of enthusiasm, proposed,

"We could have lunch together. Are you interested?"

Kiara accepted, noting the sincerity in Kayla's eyes a yearning for friendship.

Kayla transitioned seamlessly, as one that had known Kiara since childhood, sharing details about an upcoming meeting with the CEO, scheduled for noon.

"The CEO would be having a meeting with is today at noon"

"Oh wow," Kiara marveled at the prospect of insights from the company's leadership.

"Yeah, we have these meetings twice every week, on Mondays and Fridays. The meeting would be at 12:00 pm," Kayla informed, creating a sense of routine within the vibrant workplace.

As the dialogue continued, Kayla steered the conversation into intriguing territory,

"Guess what! I heard the only son of Mr. Hernandez is going to be working with us. I don't know how true the news is, anyway."

Kiara, still navigating the intricacies of her new surroundings, inquired,

"Who's that?"

A moment of realization immediately swept over Kayla.

"I forgot you are new here, heard you came here all the way from San Francisco".

"By the way, Mr. Hernandez is one of the top businessmen here in LA, owning lots of companies, and his son is going to be working with us.

"Oh wow," Kiara breathed in amazement, absorbing the significance of this revelation.

"But then why would he allow his only son to work in a startup company like ours?"

"I thought you said his father owns a company himself".

"I don't really understand why. That's why I said I wasn't sure how authentic that news was," Kayla responded, her words tinged with intrigue.

"Anyways, true or not, that doesn't stop the fact that I really want to see him someday, with his handsome and charming looks."

Kiara, in good spirits, playfully nudged Kayla back to reality, "Snap out of it, darling. You look kinda funny lost in your thoughts."

_ _

Engrossed in her work, Kiara lost track of time as the impending meeting drew near. Kayla, already prepared to leave, approached Kiara with a stack of files in hand, inquiring about their departure together.

"I'm leaving already, are you ready so we can go together?" Kayla inquired.

Kiara, still immersed in her tasks, responded, "Umm no. Let me wrap this up quickly and make my way there."

"Okay, but you have to be fast," Kayla emphasized before heading towards the meeting venue.

Later, Kiara hastily finished her work, grabbed her files, and rushed towards the meeting to avoid being tardy.

Navigating through the corridors, she collided with someone on the straight path causing the files in her hands to scatter on the floor, leaving Kiara and the stranger to bend down to pick them up as their eyes met in a moment of unexpected recognition.

"You!?" they exclaimed simultaneously, and a familiar voice echoed, "You!?"

It was Darren, the individual Kiara had encountered at the mall, someone she harbored dislike for due to his attitude.

"What are you doing here?" Kiara questioned, recovering from the collision.

Darren, already on his feet, held out the files, replying, "What also got you here?"

Frustration flickered across Kiara's face as she snatched the files from his hands. "Give me that!" she demanded.

With a hint of sarcasm, Kiara inquired, "What has brought you here? Or are you also here to stalk me again, Mr. Stalker?" raising one of her brows in skepticism.