It was 3:00 AM.
Since the moment I saw him, I didn't know what had happened to me. I had been at the college to attend classes and draft a market report for my business plan. Usually, I am the most disciplined person when it comes to business. I am precision; I am logic. But because of him, I had done nothing. I was physically present in the classroom, but mentally, I was a ghost.
I eventually left. I thought the silence of the library might help, but my mind was no longer my own. I was spiraling, haunted by the memory of him—his eyes, his hands, his commanding personality, and that hair. How could someone be so perfect? I have always been a man-hater. I should hate him. I
do loathe him. But I couldn't regain my grip on reality.
On the drive home from college, there was only one thought in my mind. Not a thing—a person. Him. I told myself I would kill him the second I saw him again, but the mere thought of hurting him was killing me instead. Desperate to escape the distraction, I decided to hide. I wouldn't go to college; I would do everything from home.
I sat at my desk at 9:00 PM. It was now 3:00 AM. For six constant hours, I had done nothing but think of him. I had a meeting at 7:00 AM and a report to submit. I'm the boss, so I don't need to be afraid of a deadline, but this wasn't
me. I don't become ineffective for a stranger. I love business more than anything, yet he wouldn't leave my mind.
I tried to take a shower to clear my head. I even wondered if pleasing myself would help remove him from my thoughts, but the very idea left me feeling sour and frustrated. I quit and walked out. I took the coldest shower of my life just to try and numb the fever in my brain.
By the time I was done, it was 5:00 AM. I needed to leave by 6:00.
Knock. Knock.
"Sasha!! SASHA!! Wake up, get ready or we'll be late!"
I opened the door to Niya—my walking alarm clock. I've been living with her for a while now.
"Hey there, Ms. Sasha Eden," she chirped. "Are you going to eat breakfast, or have you decided to wage a war on an empty stomach?"
Usually, I don't do breakfast. I work day and night. It's rare for me to eat in the morning unless I'm with a client. But I was desperate. If food could help me concentrate, I had to try.
"Yeah, let's do it," I said.
Niya stared at me as if I were a stranger. "Woah!! What did you do to my best friend? You're not Sasha. She never says yes to breakfast. Never. Sometimes I think she's an alien who lives on sunlight and runs meetings like a toy train."
"Are you coming or not?" I snapped, my patience wearing thin.
"Yup!! I love when you make coffee for me. Iced Americano with a hint of sugar and honey, pleaseeee."
"You're a weirdo," I muttered. "First you drink an Americano, then you add sugar and honey to it."
"Love you! I'll be back in five minutes, I haven't done my makeup."
I started the coffee. I like mine black and strong.
We arrived at Niya's father's company. He's a well-known figure in real estate and he wanted me to lead the client meetings. He gave me a chance to prove my worth: sell 10 villas in 6 months. I've already sold 6, but I'm struggling with these last 4. I'm the Vice President now, but one day, I will start my own empire.
The meeting began. "Hello everyone! This is Sasha Eden, representing the Knox Group of Elites."
Mr. Den introduced me, explaining that I would be presenting the market report for our upcoming setup in Russia. Despite my night of uselessness, my expertise carried me through. The meeting went well. We made the deal with the shareholders.
"Sasha, you did well," Mr. Den said afterward. "I believe you'll be the best in this industry."
"I appreciate the honor," I replied.
But as I prepared to leave, Caleb approached me. "Ms. Sasha, everything is ready. Should we start the meeting?"
Bloody hell. I had almost forgotten the quarterly meeting I had called myself. For the first time ever, I forgot something vital. The sound of whispering staff and the screeching of chairs as they scrambled into place hit my ears. They were scared of me. Good. They should be.
"Caleb! Start the meeting."
The meeting went well, but I couldn't get him out of my head. I needed adrenaline. I needed to ride.
I texted Niya while she was still talking to her dad.
Sasha: Niya you wants to come for horse riding with me bcz I'm leaving now and I'll not be home today.
Niya: I really wants to come Sasha but I have date you go I'll catch you up later .
I left in my black BMW. Usually, I take short routes. This time, I took the long way—another "first" to add to the list. The horse riding did nothing to calm me. I still felt that heaviness in my heart and the frantic butterflies in my stomach. I realized I hadn't eaten, so I stopped at a restaurant, ordered Italian pasta, pizza, and a latte, then left.
I got home at midnight. I knocked on Niya's door, but there was no answer. Then my phone buzzed.
Niya : I'm with my date let's talk tomorrow good night
(😘😘😘)
Niya and her obsession with emojis. I couldn't stand the quiet of the apartment. I grabbed my bike keys, changed my clothes, threw on my helmet, and left. I love late-night rides alone. At 3:00 AM, I was on my BMW bike, hitting 300km/h. A single mistake and I'd be finished. I wasn't scared; I loved the chase.
I rode all the way from Italy to Switzerland. I had my cards and my phone. I needed the mountains. I reached Great St.Bernard Pass at 5:37 AM. The sky was still dark, the stars were clinking above me. This was my safe zone. I love the darkness. I enjoy the way it hides me.
I checked my phone. My inbox was already spammed.
Sasha : I'm not coming today I'll be there by tomorrow morning at 9.
Niya : You can't do this I need to go shopping with you .
Niya : Hey are you with someone, no you can't no one can handle your poker face he'll feel like you're gonna murder him if he did or say something wrong .
Niya : Are you even there !!!???
Niya : So you are ignoring me now !!
Niya : I'm glad my Sasha is back but could you start speaking more than the business talks and casualties.
Sasha : I'm not yours .
Niya : So you are there i thought I'm talking to a wall but you saw only this .
Niya : You're cruel you know that .
Niya : No one gonna be with you girl if you're like this .
Sasha : I don't want anyone.
Niya : Huh !!
Niya : You're just a man hater or you don't like anyone.
Niya : You started it again .
Niya : I know you're good at ignoring but I'm your bestfriend.
Niya : If you're not going to reply me I'm going to block you and you'll be crying and begging for me to just even look at you talking is far.
Sasha: Try me .
Niya: I hate you.
I locked my phone and left her on seen. I slept on the grass, woke up at 11:00 AM, freshened up at a hotel, and went to a showroom. I needed a dress for an upcoming banquet.
I walked out with a white shirt instead. Because I missed his white shirt.
I was in a state of pure rage. I had wasted time buying a shirt that looked like his when I should have been productive. I went straight to my office, vibrating with irritation.
"Hello Ms. Sasha, how are you doing?" Caleb asked.
"Send me the HR department reports," I barked. "And fire those four desks who are gossiping in the cafeteria. NOW."
He shivered and fled. Those four newcomers eventually came to my office, begging for mercy, pleading with me not to fire them. But I had already reached my limit.
"YOU ARE FIRED! LEAVE NOW!!"
I didn't wait for a response. I just left. I didn't know where I was going or what I was doing. I just drove.