Chapter 1

[Irida]

I've never been a morning person, so tell me why I'm running so early in the morning.

Perhaps because my father said I need to start running at dawn to catch some luck.

Pathetic, I know.

I'm stupid for believing him. I'm stupid for trusting that maybe luck would strike me on the street, or maybe I just wanted to prove that I'm not the "bad omen" he says I am.

It's 6:20 am right now. I need to be back home by 7:00 and ready for work before 8:00.

I think I'm not the only one who wishes the weekend would last forever, because the idea of ​​dragging myself to work every Monday morning is fucking exhausting.

But I need to go to work if I want to survive, if I don't want to be evicted from my shoebox apartment. I need to go to work if I don't want to lose my precious job.

I haven't been promoted in five fucking years, all because of an idiot.

ISAAC GAEL.

I work as a customer service representative at Gael Tech Tribe.

The Gaels.

The owners of this city, damn it, own the fucking world if you ask me.

This city and everyone in it are ruled by them. Every piece of technology, every school, hospital, and shopping mall... every damn thing belongs to them.

That's why working for them is supposedly a dream. No, forget that, my dream is to get promoted because it comes with opportunities.

But Isaac is making that dream impossible. He swore to make my life miserable, and he's been keeping his word since high school.

But I refuse to think about that, okay? I refuse to show him how much his words and his treatment affect me. I refuse to admit that I'm really weak and powerless like he says.

In fact, I refuse to be deeply aware of how anyone treats me. So I just smile, crack a few jokes here and there, and life goes on.

I think I've walked about half a mile, maybe a mile, and I realize I didn't bring any water. I'm thirsty as hell. Before I lose my precious life to dehydration, I stop to catch my breath.

—Why do you run so early in the morning?

The voice came out of nowhere. I jumped so hard I thought I was going to have a heart attack. All the blood in my body rushed in different directions; this isn't the kind of adrenaline rush I need so early in the morning.

Clutching my chest as if my heart would burst if I let go, I turned to face the owner of the voice that I hoped wasn't the first thing I heard today.

"What's wrong with you, stalking people?" I frowned, looking at Isaac.

He opened his mouth to answer, but I cut him off.

—Are you following me now? Is that it? Isn't tormenting me enough?

I clenched my jaw. I don't get annoyed easily, except when this damn fool is involved.

He remained silent, staring at me. For a second, I saw something flicker in his eyes. Guilt, perhaps? He seemed to want to apologize.

But I know him like the back of my hand; he'd rather shit his pants than apologize to me.

He cleared his throat.

—Well, good morning to you too, Ember.

"I told you to stop calling me that," I grumbled.

She's been calling me Ember since high school. I really don't know why, and I don't want to know why.

"Are you following me, Isaac?" I asked again.

"I have better things to do," he snapped.

"Exactly my point. Why are you running in this neighborhood? You don't even live near here." I put my hands on my hips, scolding him like a child.

"I can run wherever I want. I own this city," he said matter-of-factly.

He let out a dry, fake laugh.

—Of course you are. What do you want?

He smiled arrogantly.

—As a gentleman, I saw that you were about to die of dehydration, so I came to offer you water.

I wanted to wipe that arrogant smile off her face. I wanted to slap her stupid, annoying, beautiful face.

—I'm not dying, and I don't need anything from you, thank you very much— I started to walk away.

He followed me.

—You'll need it. Today is going to be a long day for you. You'll at least need water in your body to collapse.

He laughed, and the sound was evil. He leaned in until our faces were inches apart.

—I'll see you at work, Ember.

Then he walked away, and the air suddenly felt freezing.

I stood there for what felt like hours. When I finally snapped out of it, I ran back home, my chest heaving as if I'd just finished a marathon. The morning's run was a distant memory.

Thank goodness my landlord thought to bless me with some hot water. It had been ages since I'd had a hot shower, and I needed it to ease the chills Isaac had given me.

I didn't even realize when I finished showering; I was still picturing what Isaac looked like when he said, 'I'll see you at work.' I mean, he makes threats, but this one made me shudder.

Well, I've endured the worst, I thought. What's he going to do, fire me? Pfft. I'm the best he's got and he knows it.

I got dressed. White shirt, black dress pants, and I tied my hair up in a bun. Two tired gray eyes stared back at me from the mirror.

"You can do this, Irida," I whispered to my reflection. At least it didn't look like it had my problems.

I didn't bother having breakfast. Well, there wasn't anything to start with anyway, so...

Outside, the sun was rising, its rays shining directly on my face. I took a deep breath of the fresh, cool morning air and the scent of the blooming flowers.

I had a feeling today was going to be a great day, that is, if Isaac didn't have any tricks up his sleeve.

I walked to the main street and took the bus directly to work. I got off at my stop and strode confidently into the building as if I owned the place.

Yes, I felt that good.

I entered the lobby and went straight to Lilian, the receptionist. She smiled at me. She's so beautiful with her dimples.

"Good morning," I said, signing my name.

—Good morning to you too, Irida. You look... refreshed and full of smiles.

"I took a hot shower this morning," I said, and she laughed.

"Well, a hot shower certainly feels good." Then her smile tightened. "And I hope you don't see the Principal today."

—Oh, please, Lilian. Don't put a curse on my day.

She made a zipping motion with her lips. I smiled at her, swiped my card, and headed for the elevators. I felt well enough to take the elevator today.

The moment I walked into my apartment on the fourth floor, my desk mate Sarah grabbed my arm. She led me to the break room as if she'd been expecting me.

"Good morning to you too, Sarah," I said as we stopped.

"I think it's a bitter morning, Irida," she whispered.

I could see the worry etched on her face.

"Did the coffee make you bitter?" I tried to joke, even though my heart suddenly felt like it was going to jump out of my chest.

—This is not the time for a fucking joke.

My stomach dropped. Sarah never swore.

—Did something happen?

—The review team just cleared your desk. And I believe they've notified you of the carte blanche.

—Now what?

—Carte blanche, Irida. Carte blanche.

NO.