"Ready to go?" I was startled by the abrupt slam on my desk and glanced up.
Leah stood in a much cheerful mood for a Monday morning, her pearly white teeth on display with a brow arched slightly waiting for my reply.
Lunch clearly slipped off my mind, too focused on this load Ben gave me.
Why wouldn't it slip?
After a few curses at Ben in my mind with different languages, I secured the files and replied.
"Of course. I'm starving." I exaggerated forcing a smile back.
This work is getting to my head pretty lately.
The new place Leah talked about was pretty amazing and the food –magnificent.
We didn't waste much time and came back straight to work.
It's just a 30 minute break.
These files laid heavily on my arm as I made my way to the boss's office on the first floor which pretty much wasn't easy.
My goodness. Damnit. Can this day get any worse?
I felt exquisite exhaustion at the horrific sight I saw.
The elevator was broken.
My arm could barely hold on.
***
Finally, standing in front of his office door.
I could feel my lungs shaking like it could jump out of my ribs.
Taking in a long breath and exhaling, I lightly knocked on the door.
It's a rule to do so.
"Come in."
The voice from inside ordered.
"The files have been sorted out nicely." Saying this I dropped the files on his desk, not giving him a glance.
"You are late."
That was all he said with a sassy edge in his tone.
"Well whose fault is that! You. Gave. Me. This freaking heap load on my desk with your shit ass faulty elevator and all you freaking have to say is I'm late!!!"
I literally screamed, shattering the files, slamming my palms on the table.
His gaze finally fell on me with immense rage.
"What do you think you are doing Miss Kira? Pack up your things and leave now!" Barking, he ordered me out but as stubborn as I was I stood my ground.
"No. You know what? Fvck you freaking piece of shit."
Kira.
"What you don't know is that I have a life outside this shit of a job and I have the full right to live my life to the fullest."
Kira.
Taking deep breaths as he just stood his gaze still on me.
"And all you end up doing is just bossing me around like I'm some sort of a slave to you."
Kira.
"I quit this job–
"Kira!!"
My thoughts were disrupted as Ben sat watching with a confused arch up.
"I said you may leave now."
Oh my goodness! That was all in my head?
Nodding my head furiously, I scrambled out of his office.
Closing his door, I slapped my forehead letting out the long breath I'd held in since. That was really awkward.
***
"Are you leaving?"
"Yeah, I know it's not yet time for that but I.. I need a break Leah."
She rounded my desk immediately, " no no girl, I get you. Most times I think of jumping through these windows just to get the hell outta here…I may get a few broken limbs but it would always be worth it."
I couldn't hold in the laugh that threatened to come out with her joking along.
Most times Leah is just the best in moody and tiring situations like this.
Stacking up all the files and my office pens, we made our way out of the building.
"I'll see you later girl, make sure to get a nice hot shower and maybe get some tonight." She said, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Leah!" I immediately covered my face with my purse and drove off immediately.
Parking my car in the parking lot, it was eerily quiet.
In this building, silence is a highly impossible task to be achieved. Even in my dreams it's always noisy.
Mostly with these nosey neighbors.
My skin had that small itch of discomfort as goosebumps spread all over my body.
I could feel the loud thumps of my heartbeat as my palms became moist.
Hurriedly I grabbed my purse, running to the elevator.
I repeatedly pressed on the pad till I felt it behind me – a presence.
I glanced back fast but saw nothing.
'DING'
The elevator had finally opened as I ran in, pressing my floor number.
Clutching my purse I ran out the minute the door opened and ran through the passage reaching my door and immediately stopped.
Something didn't feel right. My keypad looked normal and neat.
But the burglar didn't know the kind of woman he was trespassing in her house.
Everything might seem normal, but to me, the keypad had a slight hinge to the left side before but now it was fixed, and looking closely I could see slight scratches around the keyhole.
At this point my skin crawled with fear as I took out my keys from my purse and opened the door.
The door swung open with a push. Everything seemed normal and intact.
Maybe I'm just being paranoid –maybe?
Before any other thing, I locked my door and my windows, I didn't wanna hear anymore stories.
I just need a nice shower to relax my mind then I might then…
Nah I'm just gonna sleep afterwards.
As I sank in the warm bubble bath with the two round cucumbers on my eyes, my tense shoulders relaxed and my sore muscles –light.
Perfect.
***
'beep beep beep'
An alarm jolted me up.
Wait..but I broke my bed alarm this morning?
I glanced around and saw my phone vibrating.
I must have set the alarm earlier.
I had fallen asleep?
How long was I out?
What's the time?
"Oh shit!" I cussed rinsing myself getting out of the bathtub.
That was a really nice sleep I had there. Checking the time it was 5 on the dot.
I didn't sleep for long then.
Heading straight for bed, I dried my hair and just continued from where I left off in the bathroom.
Sleep.
***
'CLASH!!'
I immediately jolted awake.
What was that?
It sounded like plates clashing against the floor.
And that sound came from my kitchen.
My body had frozen. My palms were moist and my fingers were trembling slightly.
After some minutes, I gathered the courage to leave my room and headed straight to the kitchen with my hairdryer in my left hand and my phone in the other dialing the police.
"Whose there!" My voice boomed throughout my apartment but met with silence.
Walking closer and closer, with the gloom light of the moon, I was able to see the shadow of the predator and –
Both my hairdryer and phone slipped from my grasp and onto the floor as I let out a blood curling scream
I let out a blood curling scream as both my hairdryer and phone slipped from my grasp.