My Miss Independent

CHAPTER 7

Nas went back to her workstation feeling chaotic. Can she really work with Fritz? 

She has been searching for this man from her dreams ever since she was young. When she could not find him, she convinced herself that he was just a dream and nothing else. Nas did not dream about him for some time. She started dating but all failed. After convincing herself that she had had enough failed relationships, she started dreaming of this boy again.

Could it be because destiny and fate are working for her now? But why only now? Now, when she is already scared to love and be loved? Now, when she avoids dating and relationships like a virus? She couldn't even get herself to date anyone, casually. 

This can't be. She cannot waste all her hard work just because of a dream. She did not get to where she is now just to destroy it again. She needs to face this situation with a lot of self-control and discipline. 

A year ago, she suffered greatly just because of a man. She thought she was loved by this man, Joseph, who gave her a lot of attention and who she thought accepted her and her son. It turned out that the jerk was just using her for money.

Nas was always like that in all her relationships. She gave her all to the point that nothing was left for her. She is very generous, and she does not know if she is only being used. She ignores red flags. Because of Joseph, she incurred a massive debt that she is still paying until now.

She promised herself that this wouldn't happen to her again. She was convinced that relationships are destructive for her. That is why even if she was set up on a blind date by her friends or asked out by many guys, she never entertained anyone ever again.

Nas realized that she is better off without anyone and could live her life peacefully and happily without having a man to depend on. She is successful now without any distractions. She wouldn't have it any other way. 

She knows what she has to do. She has to avoid Fritz Durmaz. Sure, she can work with him. If they only talk about work, then she should be fine. She did not master the art of meditation for nothing. She even went to yoga classes and attended meditation sessions to gain self-control and discipline.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Joy came out of nowhere.

"Oh hey," Nas replied quietly.

"Lunchtime. Let's go out—just you and me. We have a lot to talk about, girlfriend," Joy urged her friend, who seemed distracted since the meeting. She's worried about how Nas is acting. "You also need some fresh air," she added convincingly.

Nas agreed, and when she was about to stand up, her desk phone rang. She signaled "wait" to Joy then answered her phone. It was George.

"Give me ten minutes," she told Joy.

"Hey, Georgie," she greeted the person on the other line.

"Hey, babe, I am so excited to see you soon. You will arrive on Sunday, yeah?" George exclaimed.

"Yeah," Nas answered her. George is another colleague turned friend. She is one of the sweetest people Nas has known.

"Finally, I will see you in person. We can do a lot of things while you're here. I'll make sure to tour you around." George said excitedly. 

"I am excited to meet you too, finally. And yes, please, Sydney tour! It's my first time going to another country and my first time flying, you know. I am excited and nervous at the same time! I haven't packed yet. What things should I bring?" Nas asked her.

"Things to bring? Hmm...let me think-" George stopped mid-sentence as if she's talking to someone.

After a few seconds, George continued. "Uhm, Fritz said, make sure to bring thick clothes, jumpers, socks, and stockings." 

Nas paused. Fritz? 

"I think he heard our conversation. It will be cold here soon. Winter is coming," George added when Nas didn't reply. 

"Oh, by the way, jumpers are pullovers or sweaters. We call it jumper here in Aussie," she added, laughing.

"Thanks, babe. Uhm, please thank Fritz for me too. See you guys next week!"

Nas hung up the phone. Fritz. Why does he have to tell me that? Why does he even care? I had never heard anything from him before. Now he's everywhere.

"Knock, knock!" Joy tapped her table, distracting her thoughts again. "Seriously, you have to snap out of whatever is bothering you, my friend. You have been out of it since the meeting. Let's go—no more distractions. You have to tell me about it over lunch," she demanded.

Joy chose a quaint and quiet restaurant for their lunch. It is five minutes walk from their office. Nas was pleased with her friend's choice as she needed a serene place right now. She's also grateful for her friend because she knows what she needs in times like these.

After ordering food, Joy looked at Nas worriedly. "Okay, you can start telling me now what is happening to you. I have never seen you out of focus like that in meetings, especially with the AU team. What happened? Is it true that you were mesmerized by that handsome Fritz guy?" Joy asked her teasingly.

She looked sharply at Joy and rolled her eyes. "What are you talking about? Why would I be mesmerized by him? I am not even interested." 

Nas cannot tell her friend about her dreams. She will tease her if she tells her about it. She does not need anyone to trigger her emotions and add to her already confused feelings right now.

"I felt suddenly sick earlier, and then I was also shocked by Ken's news. Maybe I felt that way because I have been tired these past days," she lied.

Joy looked at Nas doubtfully. "Are you sure there's nothing more to it?"

Nas shook her head quietly. She trusts Joy, but she feels that talking about what is happening will only make her think about it more. She can't afford to lose focus now that she is slowly reaching her dreams.

"Okay, Nassiegirl, but please take care of your health. You've been overworking yourself since the announcement. You want to go to Australia, don't you? You have been dreaming about this for a long time. Sure, you don't want this to be canceled just because you got hospitalized, right?" she sermoned.

"Yes, mom," Nas jokingly answered Joy. She knows her friend is worried about her. She feels sorry for not telling her what's really happening to her, but she thinks that maybe if she doesn't talk about it to anyone at all, she will eventually forget about it.

She needed to forget it. She cannot let any man ruin her success. Not anymore...Never again!